FY25 GUIDELINES FOR BROWNFIELD ASSESSMENT GRANTS (ASSESSMENT COALITION GRANTS) | EPA OLEM OBLR 24 07

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the FY25 Brownfield Assessment Coalition Grants opportunity?

It is a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) funding opportunity that supports practical, early-stage work to address brownfield properties. The focus is on assessment-centered activities that help communities identify brownfield sites, understand environmental conditions, involve residents, and prepare sites for eventual cleanup and productive reuse.

What is a brownfield property in this context?

Brownfields are generally properties where redevelopment or reuse is complicated by the presence or potential presence of contamination. The grant is intended to help move these properties from uncertainty toward readiness by clarifying conditions and planning next steps.

What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this grant?

The Funding Opportunity Number is EPA OLEM OBLR 24 07.

Which agency administers this funding opportunity?

The program is administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

What type of federal assistance is this (grant vs. cooperative agreement)?

The assistance is provided as a cooperative agreement. This typically means recipients should expect substantial EPA involvement during the project, such as coordination on workplans, reporting, and compliance with federal requirements.

Is this a competitive opportunity?

Yes. It is described as a discretionary grant competition, meaning awards are made through a competitive review process rather than by formula.

What funding category does this opportunity fall under?

The opportunity is listed under the environmental funding category.

What CFDA number is associated with this program?

The program is associated with CFDA number 66.818.

What is the main purpose of Assessment Coalition Grants?

The central purpose is to fund assessment-focused activities that build the foundation for cleanup and redevelopment. This includes producing actionable information and plans that can guide later cleanup and reuse decisions.

What kinds of activities can the grant funds support?

Based on the summary description, allowable activities include developing inventories of brownfield sites, prioritizing sites, conducting community involvement activities, supporting planning efforts, performing environmental site assessments, developing site-specific cleanup plans, and creating reuse plans.

What does EPA mean by “assessment-focused” work?

Assessment-focused work centers on identifying sites, evaluating and documenting environmental conditions, and generating information needed to decide what cleanup and reuse could look like. This includes environmental site assessments and related planning that leads to clear next steps.

Are environmental site assessments specifically included in the scope?

Yes. Environmental site assessments are explicitly referenced as key technical work to determine what contamination is present and where.

Is there a requirement to spend part of the award on site assessments?

Yes. A notable requirement in the summary is that a portion of the assessment grant funding must be used to conduct site assessments. This indicates the program is not intended to be solely for planning or outreach; it must produce concrete assessment results.

Can funds be used only for planning or community outreach?

The summary indicates the program supports planning and community involvement, but it also highlights that a portion of funding must be used for site assessments. That requirement suggests applicants should plan for both community/planning elements and assessment work.

What is meant by “community involvement activities” under this grant?

The summary describes community involvement as activities that ensure residents and stakeholders have a real voice in how sites are evaluated and planned. The intent is to involve the community in decision-making related to site assessment and future use.

What are “inventories” and “prioritization” of brownfield sites?

An inventory is a structured list of brownfield properties within the target area. Prioritization is the process of determining which sites should be addressed first, helping communities create a practical pipeline for assessment and future cleanup/redevelopment.

What are “site-specific cleanup plans” and “reuse plans” in this program?

Site-specific cleanup plans outline approaches for addressing contamination at a particular site. Reuse plans describe how a site could be redeveloped in a way that fits local needs, informed by assessment findings and community input.

Who is eligible to apply?

The summary lists eligibility broadly as “Others,” and the narrative notes EPA intends the Brownfields Program to empower states, Tribal Nations, communities, and nonprofit organizations. However, official eligibility rules are located in Section III of the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), and applicants are expected to review that section to confirm eligibility.

Where can applicants find the official eligibility requirements and coalition rules?

The official eligibility rules, including coalition requirements (if applicable) and any limits or conditions, are located in Section III of the NOFO.

What does “coalition” mean here, and are there coalition requirements?

The opportunity is described as an “Assessment Coalition Grants” program, and the summary notes that coalition requirements may apply. The details of how coalitions must be structured and what arrangements are allowable are found in Section III of the NOFO.

What is the maximum award amount?

The award ceiling (maximum award amount) is $1,200,000.

How many awards does EPA expect to make?

EPA anticipates making about 29 awards.

What is the application closing date listed in the opportunity summary?

The original closing date listed is November 14, 2024.

When was this opportunity record created?

The opportunity record shows a creation date of September 3, 2024, indicating when the listing was established in the system.

What should applicants review the NOFO for beyond the summary?

The summary advises applicants to consult the NOFO for full details on deadlines, submission requirements, workplan expectations, match or cost-share rules (if any), project period length, and evaluation criteria, since those administrative and scoring details are not fully captured in the summary.

What kinds of outcomes is EPA trying to achieve with this funding?

The expected outcome is a stronger, prioritized pipeline of sites with documented environmental information and clearer paths to cleanup and reuse. The broader goal is to reduce environmental risks, remove barriers to redevelopment, and support healthier and more economically resilient neighborhoods.

Does the summary mention any match or cost-share requirement?

The summary does not specify match or cost-share requirements. It notes that applicants should check the NOFO for match or cost-share rules, if any.

How involved will EPA be during the project?

Because the award is a cooperative agreement, recipients should generally expect substantial EPA involvement during the project, including coordination on workplans, reporting, and adherence to federal requirements.