Michael S. Regan 16th Administrator, United States Environmental Protection Agency | Official Website
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on June 17, 2024, that it has awarded $1.5 million to three organizations through the Promoting Readiness and Enhancing Proficiency to Advance Reporting and Data (PREPARED) program. This initiative aims to provide technical assistance to enhance the capacity of EPA grant recipients in generating data and information necessary for evaluating program outcomes and understanding community impacts.
In addition, the agency is seeking proposals for a second round of funding, totaling up to $2 million over three years. The goal is to further support the data, reporting, and evidence-building capabilities of EPA grant recipients representing small, underserved, and Tribal communities. These elements are crucial for EPA grant programs; however, many eligible communities face challenges in these areas, often deterring them from applying for funding opportunities.
Through PREPARED program cooperative agreements, the EPA intends to fund technical assistance providers who will equip communities with strategies, tools, and training to enhance their capacity in data management, reporting, and evidence-building.
The recent awards include:
- $500,000 to the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. This project aims to build community capacity on evidence-based approaches for advancing data dissemination and integration of lived community experiences for applicants and grantees of EPA's State Revolving Fund (Clean and Drinking Water Programs).
- $500,000 to Palmetto Futures. This project focuses on providing comprehensive capacity-building support to community-based organizations in the Gullah Geechee Corridor. It aims to improve local organizations' abilities in managing EPA projects by enhancing data proficiency and project reporting. Additionally, it will conduct community engagement in coordination with the Gullah Geechee Chamber Foundation.
- $500,000 to New Growth Innovation Network. This project seeks to build individual, organizational, and collective capacity among potential recipients of EPA funds in small, underserved, or Tribal communities regarding data management and evidence-building.
More details about each awardee can be found on the PREPARED website.
The EPA remains committed to implementing strategies that help small and underserved communities meet data and reporting requirements for grants. Consistent with its longstanding policy for working with Tribal communities, the agency is dedicated to enhancing their capacity for program responsibilities affecting Tribal health and welfare.
The Notice of Funding Opportunity for additional awards is now posted on grants.gov under Funding Opportunity Announcement EPA-I-R-OCFO-02. Applications are due by July 29, 2024.
