EPA New England's Healthy Communities Grant Program is now accepting applications for projects of up to $40,000 in federal funding aimed at benefiting New England communities in specific target areas. The deadline for proposal submissions is Friday, November 1, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. EPA plans to award approximately 15 cooperative agreements.
"At EPA, we put the health and wellbeing of New England communities at the forefront of our work. However, many of our neighborhoods continue to face significant environmental challenges that can affect public health," said EPA Regional Administrator David W. Cash. "The Healthy Communities Grant program will provide critical funding in the form of small-scale grants to support local projects. Empowering communities means that together we can achieve positive results for a cleaner, healthier environment for all New England residents."
The Healthy Communities Grant Program offers grants for entities to work directly with communities to reduce environmental risks and improve human health and quality of life, advance resilience, and preserve or restore important ecosystems. Projects must align with one or more of four Target Investment Areas: Areas near Ports being Redeveloped to Support Offshore Wind and Related Industries; Geographic Priority Areas or Sectors in Northern & Southern New England; Environmental Justice Areas of Potential Concern; and/or Sensitive Populations. Additionally, they should identify how the proposed project will achieve measurable environmental or public health results in one or more of seven Target Program Areas: Capacity Building on Environmental and/or Public Health Issues; Clean, Green and Healthy Schools; Energy Efficiency; Healthy Indoor Environments; Healthy Outdoor Environments; Pollution Prevention; and Sustainable Materials Management.
Full descriptions of the target areas are available in the 2024 Healthy Communities Grant Program Request for Applications.
Eligible applicants include state and local governments, public nonprofit institutions or organizations, private nonprofit institutions or organizations, quasi-public nonprofit institutions or organizations, federally recognized Tribal Governments, K-12 schools or school districts, and nonprofit organizations such as grassroots and community-based organizations. Funding may also be considered for colleges or universities supporting projects with substantial community or Tribal involvement.
Prospective applicants are encouraged to attend one of four information sessions to learn more about the application process and ask questions. Information sessions will take place at the following times:
- July 16, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. ET
- August 14, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. ET
- September 10, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. ET
- October 2, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. ET
Visit the Healthy Communities webpage to register for an information session, access the Request for Applications and learn more about the program.
