[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 238 (Tuesday, December 10, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65106-65117]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-31358]



[[Page 65105]]

_______________________________________________________________________

Part II





Environmental Protection Agency





_______________________________________________________________________



Environmental Education Grants Program, Fiscal Year 1997; Solicitation 
Notice

  Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 238 /  Tuesday, December 10, 1996 /  
Notices  

[[Page 65106]]



ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-5662-4]


Solicitation Notice; Environmental Education Grants Program, 
Fiscal Year 1997

Section I. Overview and Deadlines

Due Date for Proposals: February 21, 1997

A. What Is the Purpose of This Solicitation Notice?

    This notice solicits grant proposals from education institutions, 
public agencies, and non-profit organizations to support environmental 
education projects as defined in this notice.

B. What Is the Environmental Education Grants Program? How Much Money 
Is Available for This Program?

    The Environmental Education Grants Program provides financial 
support for projects which design, demonstrate, or disseminate 
environmental education practices, methods, or techniques. This program 
is authorized under Section 6 of the National Environmental Education 
Act of 1990 (the Act) (P.L. 101-619). Congress has appropriated 
approximately $13 million for this grants program over the past five 
years (between $2.1 and $2.9 million per year from FY 1992 through FY 
1996). During this time, EPA headquarters has awarded between $628,000 
and $1.5 million in grant funds per year and each of EPA's ten regional 
offices award between $150,000 to $180,000 per year. EPA anticipates 
funding of approximately $3 million in FY 1997 and will award grants 
subject to the availability of funding.

C. What Is Environmental Education?

    The goal of environmental education is to increase public awareness 
and knowledge about environmental issues, and to provide the public 
with the skills needed to make informed decisions and to take 
responsible actions. Environmental education enhances critical-
thinking, problem-solving, and effective decision-making skills. It 
also teaches individuals to weigh various sides of an environmental 
issue to make informed and responsible decisions. Environmental 
education does not advocate a particular viewpoint or course of action.

D. When Is My Proposal Due to EPA and When Will EPA Announce the Grant 
Awards?

    Proposals, signed by an authorized representative plus two copies, 
must be mailed to EPA postmarked no later than Friday, February 21, 
1997. Proposals which are postmarked after February 21, 1997 will not 
be considered for funding. EPA expects to announce the 1997 grant 
awards in the Summer of 1997.

E. Do I Mail My Proposal to EPA Headquarters or an EPA Regional Office? 
Is There a Difference Between the Type of Projects Funded by 
Headquarters and Regional Offices?

    Proposals requesting between $25,001 and $250,000 in federal 
environmental education grant funds must be mailed to EPA headquarters 
in Washington, DC; proposals requesting $25,000 or less must be mailed 
to the EPA regional office where the project takes place (rather than 
to the regional office where the applicant is located, if these 
locations are different). A list of addresses by state is included at 
the end of this notice. The EPA headquarters and regional grants will 
be evaluated using the same criteria as defined in this solicitation.

F. Where Do I Get the Information and Forms Needed To Prepare My 
Proposal?

    Please read this solicitation notice carefully; it contains all the 
information and forms necessary to prepare a proposal. If your project 
is selected as a finalist after the evaluation process is concluded, 
EPA will provide you with additional forms needed to process your 
proposal.

G. How Much Money Can I Request for My Grant Project? How Does the 
Dollar Amount Requested Affect My Chance of Being Funded?

    The statute sets a maximum limit of $250,000 in environmental 
education grant funds for any one project. However, because of limited 
funds, EPA prefers to issue smaller grants to more recipients with the 
available funds. Applicants should be aware that EPA receives many more 
proposals each year than can possibly be funded. In Fiscal Year 1996, 
over 350 proposals were received at EPA Headquarters, while only nine 
were funded, the largest for $145,000. Smaller proposals submitted to 
the EPA Regions have a better chance of being funded, in part because 
EPA has a legislative requirement, under Section 6(i) of the Act, to 
award 25% of the total amount of our grant funds for projects which 
request $5,000 or less. For each EPA region, this means that the 
largest number of the regional grants each year are for $5,000 or less. 
In 1996, 2.5% of the proposals for more than $25,000 were funded, 6.1% 
of the proposals between $5,000 and $25,000 were funded, and 18.6% of 
the proposals for $5,000 or less were funded. In summary, you will 
significantly increase your chance of being funded if you request 
$5,000 or less from a Regional Office or $75,000 or less from 
headquarters.

Section II. Eligible Applicants and Activities

H. Who Is Eligible To Submit Proposals?

    Any local or tribal government education agency, state government 
education or environmental agency, college or university, not-for-
profit organization, or noncommercial educational broadcasting entity 
may submit a proposal. These terms are defined in Section 3 of the Act 
and 40 CFR Part 47.105. ``Tribal education agency'' means a school or 
community college which is controlled by an Indian tribe, band, or 
nation, including any Alaska Native Village, which is recognized as 
eligible for special programs and services provided by the United 
States to Indians because of their status as Indians and which is not 
administered by the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

I. May an Organization Submit More Than One Proposal in FY 1997?

    Yes, an organization may submit more than one proposal, but only if 
the proposals are for different projects. No organization will be 
awarded more than one grant for the same project during the same fiscal 
year.

J. May I Submit a Proposal for This Fiscal Year Even if I Have Been 
Awarded Funding Under This Program in Past Years?

    Yes, applicants who were awarded funding in the past may submit new 
proposals to expand a previously funded project or to fund an entirely 
different one. However, each new proposal will be evaluated based upon 
the specific criteria set forth in this solicitation and in relation to 
the other proposals received in this fiscal year. In addition, due to 
limited resources, EPA does not generally sustain projects beyond the 
initial grant, unless there are compelling reasons to do so. The 
program is geared toward providing seed money to initiate new projects 
or advancing existing projects that are new in some way (e.g. in new 
locations or with new audiences).

K. May a Teacher, Educator, or Faculty Member Apply?

    A teacher's school district, an educator's nonprofit organization, 
or a faculty member's college or university may apply, but an 
individual teacher, educator, or faculty member cannot. Only agencies, 
organizations, and

[[Page 65107]]

institutions--not individuals--are eligible to apply for grants.

L. What General Activities Are Eligible for Funding Under This Program?

    As specified under the Act, the environmental education activities 
that are eligible for funding under this program must include, but are 
not limited to, at least one of the following:
    1. Designing, demonstrating, or disseminating environmental 
curricula (see next paragraph);
    2. Designing and demonstrating field methods, practices, and 
techniques, including assessing environmental and ecological conditions 
or specific environmental issues or problems;
    3. Training or educating teachers, faculty, or related personnel; 
or
    4. Fostering international cooperation in addressing environmental 
issues and problems in the United States, Canada, and/or Mexico.
    Regarding Item (1) above, EPA strongly encourages applicants to 
demonstrate or disseminate existing environmental curricula rather than 
designing new curricula because experts indicate that a significant 
amount of quality curricula have already been developed and are under-
utilized. EPA will consider funding new curricula only where the 
applicant demonstrates that there is a need (e.g., that the new 
curriculum has not been designed for a certain audience, existing 
curricula cannot be adapted well to a particular local environmental 
concern, or existing curricula are not otherwise accessible). The 
applicant must specify what steps they have taken to determine this 
need (e.g., you may cite a conference where this need was discussed, 
the results of inquiries made within your community or with various 
educational institutions, or a research or other published document).

M. What Activities Are Not Eligible for Funding Under This Program?

    Funds cannot be used for:
    1. Construction projects;
    2. Technical training of environmental management professionals;
    3. Non-educational research and development; and/or
    4. Environmental information projects that have no educational 
component.
    Regarding Item (1) above, EPA will not fund construction activities 
such as the acquisition of real property (e.g., buildings) or the 
construction or modification of any building. EPA may, however, fund 
activities such as creating a nature trail or building a bird watching 
station as long as these items are an integral part of the 
environmental education project, and the cost is a relatively small 
percentage of the total amount of federal funds requested.
    Regarding Item (4) above, EPA will fund only environmental 
education projects, not projects that are solely designed to develop or 
disseminate environmental information. As discussed under Section I(C), 
environmental education teaches critical-thinking, problem-solving 
skills, and decision-making skills. By contrast, environmental 
information provides facts or opinions about environmental issues or 
problems, but does not enhance critical-thinking, problem-solving, or 
effective decision-making skills. Although information is an essential 
element of any educational effort, environmental information is not, by 
itself, environmental education.

N. What Specific Type of Projects Will EPA Fund?

    EPA will fund only those proposals which meet the criteria 
specified below and which meet the definition of environmental 
education under I(C). Proposals will not be funded if they do not meet 
both. Apply to EPA Headquarters if you are requesting over $25,000 of 
Federal funds and to your EPA Regional Office if you are requesting 
$25,000 or less in Federal funds. The terms used in this Section are 
defined in Paragraph (3) at the end of the Section.
    1. Basic Criteria: All proposals must explain how the proposed 
project:
    a. Is new or significantly improved;
    b. Has the potential for wide application;
    c. Addresses a high priority environmental issue; and
    d. Reaches key audiences and advances the environmental education 
field by addressing one or more of the following:
    (1) Building state, local, or tribal capacity to develop and 
deliver quality environmental education programs;
    (2) Utilizing environmental education as a catalyst to advance 
state, local, or tribal education reform and improvement goals;
    (3) Educating teachers, students, parents, community leaders, and 
the public about human health threats from environmental pollution, 
especially as it affects children;
    (4) Educating teachers, faculty, or nonformal educators about 
environmental issues to improve their environmental education teaching 
skills (e.g., through workshops);
    (5) Educating students in formal or nonformal settings about 
environmental issues to encourage environmental careers;
    (6) Educating low income and culturally diverse audiences about 
environmental issues, thereby advancing environmental justice; and/or
    (7) Educating the public about environmental issues in their 
communities through community-based organizations or through print, 
film, broadcast, or other media.

    Note: Headquarters will give preference to the highest ranking 
proposals which address (1) capacity building, (2) education reform, 
and/or (3) human health, as described below under Definitions.

    2. Criteria for Final Selections: EPA will make the final grant 
selections as follows:
    After individual projects are evaluated and scored by reviewers, as 
described under Section V(W), EPA officials in the regions and at 
headquarters will select a diverse range of finalists from the highest 
ranking proposals. In making the final selections, EPA will take into 
account the following:
    a. The effectiveness of collaborative activities and partnerships, 
as needed to effectively develop or implement the project;
    b. The environmental and educational importance of the activity or 
product;
    c. The effectiveness of the delivery mechanism (i.e., workshop, 
conference, etc.);
    d. The cost effectiveness of the proposal; and
    e. The geographic distribution of projects.
    3. Definitions: The above terms are defined as follows:
    Building, state, local, or tribal capacity refers to efforts to 
improve the coordinated delivery of environmental education at the 
state, local, or tribal level. This should involve a coordinated effort 
by the major education and environmental education providers from the 
respective state, locality, or tribe in the planning and implementation 
of the project (e.g., state education and natural resource departments, 
local school districts and boards, professional education and 
environmental education associations or coordinating councils, as well 
as nonprofit education and environmental education organizations) and 
may also include other types of organizations and private businesses. 
Examples of how to build state, local, or tribal capacity include, but 
are not limited to, the following:

--Identifying and assessing needs and setting priorities;
--Evaluating current programs and links among programs;
--Developing and implementing coordinated strategic plans;

[[Page 65108]]

--Identifying funding sources and creating grant programs;
--Identifying existing resources, developing databases of such 
resources, and disseminating these resources and information;
--Establishing or enhancing on-line communications to facilitate 
networking among organizations;
--Ensuring sustained professional development activities; and/or
--Holding leadership seminars and other types of training.

    Education reform and improvement refers to efforts to improve 
student academic achievement and to equip students with the necessary 
knowledge and skills to be lifelong learners. Your proposal should 
clearly describe what your state, local, or tribal educational reform 
and improvement needs and goals are as well as how they relate to your 
environmental education project. Examples of possible reform and 
improvement strategies to which the proposed environmental education 
program might be linked include curricular and instructional 
innovations such as more emphasis on inquiry and problem-solving, 
learning experiences that have practical application in the real world, 
project-based learning, team building and group decision-making, and 
interdisciplinary study. Other examples include the development of new 
high content and performance standards, the design of corresponding 
assessment systems, the realignment of curriculum and instructional 
practice to the high standards and assessment system, the use of 
technology in promoting learning, the implementation of sustained and 
intensive professional development activities, and the creation of 
family and community partnerships.
    Human health threats from environmental pollution, as used here is 
intended to address recommended actions recently stated in EPA's 
``National Agenda to Protect Children's Health from Environmental 
Threats.'' The action reads as follows ``We call on American parents, 
teachers and community leaders to take personal responsibility for 
learning about the hazards that environmental problems pose to our 
children--and provide them with the information they need to help 
protect children from those risks at home, at school and at play.'' An 
informed, involved local community does a better job of making 
environmental decisions than a distant bureaucracy--and never more so 
than when it comes to our children. Parents, teachers and community 
leaders can and should play a vital, day-to-day role in learning about 
the particular environmental hazards their children face in their own 
communities, and then use that knowledge to make more informed 
decisions that prevent environmental health problems and protect 
children. Therefore, through this solicitation, EPA encourages 
environmental education projects to educate the public about 
environmental hazards and how to minimize human exposure to preserve 
good health.
    Environmental Justice refers to EPA's goal to encourage applicants 
to submit proposals that include efforts to target low income and 
culturally diverse populations, thereby promoting environmental 
justice. The term environmental justice refers to the fair treatment of 
people of all races, cultures, and income with respect to the 
development, implementation and enforcement of environmental laws, 
regulations, and policies. Fair treatment means that no racial, ethnic, 
or socioeconomic group should bear a disproportionate share of the 
negative environmental consequences that might result from the 
operation of industrial, municipal, and commercial enterprises and from 
the execution of federal, state, local, and tribal programs and 
policies. An example would be a project directed at an environmental 
problem that has a disproportionately high and adverse human health or 
environmental impact in a low-income or culturally-diverse community.
    A high priority environmental issue is one that is important to the 
community, state, or region being targeted by the project; e.g., one 
community may have significant air pollution problems which makes 
teaching about human health effects from it and solutions to air 
pollution important, while rapid development in another community may 
threaten a nearby wildlife habitat, thus making habitat or ecosystem 
protection a high priority issue.
    New or significantly improved pertains to a project that reaches a 
specific community for the first time, develops a new or improved 
teaching strategy, or uses a new or improved method of applying 
existing materials.
    Partnerships refers to EPA promotion of effective use of 
partnerships between organizations or within an organization. The term 
partnership is the forming of a collaborative working relationship 
between two or more organizations such as governmental agencies, non-
profit organizations, educational institutions, and/or the private 
sector. It may also refer to intra-organizational unions such as the 
science and art departments of within a university collaborating on a 
project.
    Wide application pertains to a project that targets a large and 
diverse audience in terms of numbers or demographics; or that can serve 
as a model program elsewhere.

Section IV. Requirements for Proposals and Matching Funds

O. What is a Proposal?

    The proposal contains three parts which are explained in Section 
(S) below:
    1. The ``Application for Federal Assistance''--Standard Form (SF)-
424 (attached);
    2. The ``Budget Information: Non-Construction Programs''--Standard 
Form (SF)-424A (attached); and
    3. A work plan with appendices.
    To ensure your proposal is completed properly, carefully follow the 
instructions on the SF-424, SF-424A, and those provided below. The SF-
424, SF-424A, and completed work plan contain all the information EPA 
will use to evaluate the merits of your proposal. Only finalists will 
be asked to submit additional forms needed to process their proposal.

P. Are Matching Funds Required?

    Yes, non-federal matching funds of at least 25% of the total cost 
of the project are required, although EPA encourages matching funds of 
greater than 25%. Federal funds to support the project must not exceed 
75% of the total cost of the project. The 25% match may be provided by 
the applicant or any other organization or institution, except that no 
portion of the 25% match can include federal funds (unless specifically 
authorized by statute). The 25% match may be provided in cash or by in-
kind contributions and other non-cash support. In-kind contributions 
often include salaries or other verifiable costs. In the case of 
salaries, applicants may use either minimum wage or fair market value. 
The proposed match, including the value of in-kind contributions, is 
subject to negotiation with EPA. The value of in-kind contributions 
must be carefully documented. All grants are subject to audit.
    The matching non-federal share is a percentage of the entire cost 
of the project. For example, if the 75% federal portion is $5,000, then 
the entire project should, at a minimum, have a budget of $6,667, with 
the recipient providing a contribution of $1,667. To assure that your 
match is sufficient, simply divide the Federally requested amount by 
three. If your match is larger than one-third of the requested amount, 
it is sufficient. The amount of non-federal

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funds, including in-kind contributions, must be itemized in Block 15 of 
the SF-424.

Q. Can I Use Federal Funds in Addition to Those Provided by This 
Program to Support the Same Project?

    Yes, you may use federal funds in addition to those provided by 
this program, but only for different activities. However, you may not 
use any federal funds to meet all or any part of the required 25% match 
as stated in paragraph (P) above. If you have already been awarded 
federal funds for a project in which you are seeking additional support 
from this program, you must indicate in the budget section of the work 
plan that you have been awarded other federal support for this project. 
You must also identify the project officer, agency, office, address, 
phone number, and the amount of the award.

R. Can I Request Funding for Any Budget Category on the SF-424A (i.e., 
Personnel/Salaries, Fringe Benefits, Travel, Equipment, Supplies, 
Contractual, and Indirect Charges)?

    Yes, you may request funding for any or all of the budget 
categories identified above with the following exceptions.
    1. As indicated under Section II(M)(1), EPA will not fund the 
acquisition of real property (including buildings) or the construction 
or modification of any building.
    2. You may request funds to pay for salaries and fringe benefits, 
but only for those personnel who are directly involved in implementing 
the proposed project and whose salaries and fringe benefits are 
directly related to specific products or outcomes of the proposed 
project. EPA strongly encourages applicants to request reasonable 
amounts of funding for salaries and fringe benefits.
    3. You may include a request for indirect costs only if your 
organization has already negotiated and received an ``indirect cost 
rate'' from the federal government.

S. What Must be Included in the Proposal?

    The proposal must contain an SF-424, SF-424A, and work plan as 
described below:
    1. Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424) and Budget 
Information SF-424A): The SF-424 and SF-424A are required for all 
federal grants. A completed SF-424 and SF-424A must be submitted as 
part of your proposal. These forms, along with instructions and 
samples, are included at the end of this notice. Please carefully 
review the instructions and the sample. Refer to Paragraph (R) above 
for information on what types of budget categories can and cannot be 
funded under this program.
    2. Work Plan: A work plan describes your proposed project. The 
total number of points possible for each proposal is 100. These points 
will be distributed as follows. First, each of the following four 
sections of the work plan are assigned points which add up to 90. 
(Certain sections are given more points than others reflecting the 
relative importance of each section). Second, reviewers will be given 
the flexibility to provide up to 10 additional points for exceptional 
projects based upon the overall quality of the proposal and evidence 
that EPA's priorities, as stated in Section III(N), will be effectively 
advanced by the proposed project. All criteria used to provide these 10 
additional points will be consistent with the criteria established in 
the solicitation.
    All work plans must include and be formatted according to all four 
sections (a-d) below:
    a. Project Summary: Provide EPA with an overview of your entire 
project. The summary must be no more than one page and must briefly 
include all seven of the following:
    (1) Describe your organization (and your key partners);
    (2) State the goals and specific objectives of your project;
    (3) Identify what type of project you will focus on as described 
under Section III(N), e.g., teacher training or community-based 
education;
    (4) Describe the demographics of your target audience (including 
the total number of direct participants, ethnic composition, and type 
of individuals reached such as teachers, students, or the general 
public).
    (5) Indicate how you will reach your target audience;
    (6) Describe the expected results of your project and how you will 
evaluate it; and
    (7) Indicate for which types of activities the EPA funds will be 
used.
    The project summary will be scored on how well you provide an 
overview of your entire project based upon the seven subsections 
identified above.

Project Summary Maximum Score: 5 Points

    b. Project Description: Provide EPA with an explanation of how your 
proposed project meets #1 and #2 below.
    (1) Explain how the proposed project addresses one or more of EPA's 
priorities and goals as set out under Section III(N).
    This subsection will be scored on how clearly and effectively your 
project: (a) establishes realistic goals and objectives; (b) identifies 
its target audience and demonstrates an understanding of the needs of 
that audience; (c) uses an effective means or delivery system for 
reaching the target audience/ implementing the project; and (d) 
demonstrates that it uses or produces quality educational products or 
methods which teach critical-thinking, problem-solving, and decision-
making skills. Subsection maximum score: 40 points (10 points for each 
of the four elements identified in this paragraph).
    (2) Explain how the proposed project: (a) is new or significantly 
improved; (b) has wide application; and (c) addresses a priority issue 
as described under Section III(N).
    This subsection will be scored on how well you explain how your 
proposal meets the three elements identified above. Subsection maximum 
score: 15 points (5 points for each of the three elements identified 
above).

Project Description Maximum Score: 55 Points

    c. Project Evaluation: Provide EPA with an explanation of how you 
will determine or measure whether you are meeting the goals and 
objectives of your project. Evaluation plans may be quantitative and/or 
qualitative and may include, for example, surveys, observation, or 
outside consultation.
    The project evaluation will be scored on the extent to which: (a) 
your evaluation plan will measure the project's effectiveness; and (b) 
your plan to apply data gathered from your evaluation to strengthen 
your project.

Project Evaluation Maximum Score: 10 Points (5 Points for Each of the 
Two Elements Identified Above)

    d. Appendices: Provide EPA with a detailed budget, resumes of key 
personnel, and letters of commitment. No other appendices or 
attachments such as video tapes or sample curricula may be submitted.
    (1) Budget: Describe how you will use the funds for personnel/
salaries, fringe benefits, travel, equipment, supplies, contract costs, 
and indirect costs. You must also include a table which lists each 
major proposed activity as well as the month and year it will be 
completed and the amount of EPA funds that will be spent on each 
activity. For smaller grants, your table may list only one or two 
activities.
    This subsection will be scored on: (a) how well the budget 
information clearly and accurately shows how funds will be used; and 
(b) whether the funding request is reasonable given the activities 
proposed. Subsection maximum score:

[[Page 65110]]

10 points (5 points for each of the two elements identified in this 
paragraph)
    (2) Key Personnel and Letters of Commitment: Attach one or two page 
resumes for up to three key personnel implementing the project. Also, 
include one page letters of commitment from partners (if there are 
partners) with a significant role in the proposed project. Do not 
include letters of support; they will not be considered in evaluating 
proposals.
    This subsection will be scored based upon whether resumes of key 
personnel are included and whether the key personnel are qualified to 
implement the proposed project. In addition, the score will reflect 
whether letters of commitment are included (if partners are used) and 
the extent to which a firm commitment is made.

Subsection Maximum Score: 10 Points

Appendices Maximum Score: 20 Points

T. What Are the Page Limits for the Work Plan?

    Your work plan may include the following number of pages for 
requests in federal funds of:
    1. $25,000 or less: EPA prefers a work plan of 3 pages, but will 
accept up to 5 pages.
    2. Above $25,000: a work plan of up to 10 pages.
    These page limits apply only to the work plan (i.e., the 
``summary,'' ``project description,'' and ``project evaluation''), not 
the appendices. ``One page'' refers to one side of a single-spaced 
typed page. The pages must be letter sized (8\1/2\ x 11 inches), with 
normal type size (10 or 12 cpi) and at least 1 inch margins. To 
conserve paper, please provide double-sided copies of the proposal.

U. How Must the Proposal Be Submitted?

    The applicant must submit one original and two copies of the 
proposal (a signed SF-424, an SF-424A, and a work plan). Please submit 
only the SF-424, the SF-424A, and the work plan. Do not include other 
attachments such as cover letters, tables of contents, or appendices 
other than those required (budget, resumes, letters of commitment). The 
SF-424 should be the first page of your proposal and must be signed by 
a person authorized to receive funds. Blue ink for signatures is 
preferred to make identification of the original possible. Proposals 
must be reproducible; they should not be bound. They should be stapled 
or clipped once in the upper left hand corner, on white paper, and with 
page numbers in the upper right hand corner.

V. What Regulations Must I Comply With in Submitting My Proposal?

    The Environmental Education Grant Program Regulations, published in 
the Federal Register on March 9, 1992, provides some additional 
information on EPA's administration of this program (57 Federal 
Register 8390; Title 40 CFR, Part 47 or 40 CFR Part 47). Also, EPA's 
general assistance regulations at 40 CFR Part 31 applies to state, 
local, and Indian tribal governments and 40 CFR Part 30 applies to all 
other applicants such as nonprofit organizations.

Section V. Review and Selection Process

W. How Will Proposals be Reviewed and Who Will Conduct the Reviews?

    Proposals will be reviewed in two phases--the screening phase and 
the evaluation phase. During the screening phase, proposals will be 
reviewed to determine whether they meet the basic requirements of this 
notice, especially as described under Sections II and III. Only those 
proposals which meet all of the basic requirements will enter the 
evaluation phase of the review process. During the evaluation phase, 
proposals will be evaluated based upon the quality of their work plans, 
especially the degree to which the work plan meets the requirements set 
forth in Section III(N)(1-3). Reviewers conducting the screening and 
evaluation phases of the review process will include EPA officials and 
external environmental educators approved by EPA. At the conclusion of 
the evaluation phase, the reviewers will score each applicant's work 
plan based upon the scoring system identified in Section IV(S)(2).

X. Who Will Make the Final Selections?

    EPA Regional Administrators will select grant recipients for 
projects with federal environmental education grant funding of $25,000 
or less, taking into account the recommendations of the regional 
environmental education coordinators who will base their 
recommendations on the factors discussed above. The Associate 
Administrator for Communications, Education, and Public Affairs at EPA 
headquarters will select the grant recipients for projects with federal 
environmental education grant funding of more than $25,000, taking into 
account the recommendations of the Environmental Education Division 
Director who will base the recommendations on the factors discussed 
above.

Y. How and When Will I be Notified About the Status of My Proposal?

    Applicants will receive a confirmation that EPA has received their 
proposal once EPA has received all proposals and entered them into a 
computerized data base, usually within two months of receipt. EPA will 
notify applicants again after awards have been announced. To the extent 
possible, this notification will include feedback on both the proposals 
that were screened out of the process early and on the proposals that 
were fully evaluated and ranked by reviewers. The degree to which EPA 
can provide such feedback will vary among EPA offices depending upon 
the availability of resources to conduct these activities.

Section VI. Grantees Responsibilities

AA. When Can I Begin Incurring Costs?

    Grant recipients may begin incurring costs on the start date 
identified in your EPA grant agreement.

BB. May an Applicant Request Funds for a Project That Extends Beyond a 
One-year Budget Period?

    Proposals submitted to EPA regional offices for up to $5,000 may 
request funds for only a one-year budget period. Proposals submitted to 
EPA regional offices or headquarters requesting funds of more than 
$5,000 may request funds for up to a two-year budget period, although 
EPA strongly encourages applicants to request funds for only a one-year 
budget period.

CC. Who Will Perform Projects and Activities?

    The Act requires that projects be performed by the applicant or by 
a person satisfactory to the applicant and EPA. All proposals must 
identify any person other than the applicant that will assist in 
carrying out the project.

DD. What Reports and Work Products Must Grant Recipients Submit to EPA 
and When Are They Due?

    All grant recipients must submit two copies of their final report 
and two copies of all work products to the EPA project officer within 
30 days after the expiration of the budget period. This report will be 
accepted as the final report unless the EPA project officer notifies 
you that changes must be made. Grant recipients with projects that have 
a two-year budget period must also submit a progress report at the end 
of the first year. Grant recipients with a federal environmental 
education grant share greater than $5,000 may also be required to 
submit a semi-annual progress report. Specific report

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requirements will be identified in the EPA award agreement.

EE. What Does EPA Plan to Do With the Grant Recipients' Final Reports 
and Final Work Products?

    EPA will assemble a central library of all final reports and work 
products at headquarters in Washington, D.C. EPA plans to evaluate 
these final reports and work products and may disseminate them to 
others to serve as model programs.

Section VII. Other Information and Mailing List

FF. Where Can I Get Additional Information on Preparing My Proposal and 
on Other Sources of Funding?

    EPA strongly encourages applicants to carefully read the 
solicitation notice. Many questions, such as when is the deadline for 
submitting proposals and what activities can be funded under this 
program, are answered in this solicitation. Applicants who need more 
information about this grant program or clarification about specific 
requirements in this solicitation notice, may contact the EPA 
Environmental Education Division in Washington, D.C. for grant requests 
of more than $25,000 or your EPA regional office for grant requests of 
$25,000 or less. A list of the names and telephone numbers of EPA 
representatives are listed at the end of this notice. If you receive 
this solicitation electronically and you wish to apply for funding, you 
may call your regional office as listed for the application forms that 
are mentioned in the solicitation.
    Information about the grants program is also available on the 
Internet. You can view and download this solicitation notice, a list of 
EPA environmental education contacts, and descriptions of past projects 
funded under this program and information on other education resource 
materials from:

World Wide Web: ``http://eelink.umich.edu''
World Wide Web: ``http://www.nceet.snre.umich.edu/grant.html''

    The large number of proposals EPA received in past years 
demonstrates the strong demand for funding environmental education 
projects. Unfortunately, EPA alone cannot meet this demand. In 
cooperation with EPA, the North American Association for Environmental 
Education (NAAEE) has developed a publication called ``Grant Funding 
For Your Environmental Education Program'' which provides strategies 
for identifying potential sources of funding. This publication can be 
purchased for a $5.00 fee by writing to NAAEE, Publications and Member 
Services, P.O. Box 400, Troy, Ohio, 45373.

GG. How Can I Get Information on the Fiscal Year 1998 EPA Environmental 
Education Grants Program?

    EPA develops an entirely new mailing list for the grants program 
each year. The Fiscal Year 1998 mailing list will include all 
applicants who submitted proposals for Fiscal Year 1997 as well as 
anyone else who specifically requests to be placed on the mailing list. 
If you do not submit a proposal for Fiscal Year 1997 and you wish to be 
added to our mailing list to receive information on the Fiscal Year 
1998 Environmental Education Grants Program, you must mail your 
request--please do not telephone--along with your name, organization, 
address, and phone number to: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 
Environmental Education Division (1707), Environmental Education Grants 
Program (FY 1998), 401 M Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20460.

    Dated: December 9, 1996.
Denise Graveline,
Acting Associate Administrator, Office of Communications, Education, 
and Public Affairs.

U.S. EPA Representatives and Mailing Addresses

U.S. EPA Headquarters--For Proposals Requesting More Than $25,000

Mail proposals to:
    U.S. EPA, Env Ed Grants, Environmental Education Division (1707), 
Office of Communications, Education, and Public Affairs, 401 M Street, 
SW., Washington, DC 20460
Information:
    George Walker, Environmental Education Specialist, 202-260-8619

U.S. EPA Regional Offices--For Proposals Requesting $25,000 or Less

EPA Region I--CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, VT
Mail proposals to:
    U.S. EPA, Region I, Env Ed Grants, Grants Management Office, JFK 
Federal Building (MGM), Boston, MA 02203
Hand-deliver to:
    One Congress Street, 11th Floor Mail Room, Boston, MA (M-F 8 am-4 
pm)
Information:
    Maria Pirie, EE Coordinator, 617-565-9447
EPA Region II--NJ, NY, PR, VI
Mail proposals to:
    U.S. EPA, Region II, Env Ed Grants, Grants and Contracts Management 
Branch, 290 Broadway, 27th Floor, New York, NY 10007-1866
Information:
    Teresa Ippolito, EE Coordinator, 212-637-3671
EPA Region III--DC, DE, MD, PA, VA, WV
Mail proposals to:
    U.S. EPA, Region III, Env Ed Grants, Grants Management Section 
(3PM70), 841 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Information:
    Bonnie Smith, EE Coordinator, 215-566-5543
EPA Region IV--AL, FL, GA, KY, MS, NC, SC, TN
Mail proposals to:
    U.S. EPA, Region IV, Env Ed Grants, Office of Public Affairs (E2), 
100 Alabama Street, SW., Atlanta, GA 30303
Information:
    Fred Thornburg, Environmental Education Office, 404-562-8317
EPA Region V--IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI
Mail proposals to:
    U.S. EPA, Region V, Env Ed Grants, Grants Management Section (MC-
10J), 77 West Jackson Boulevard, Chicago, IL 60604
Information:
    Suzanne Saric, EE Coordinator, 312-353-3209
Region VI--AR, LA, NM, OK, TX
Mail proposals to:
    U.S. EPA, Region VI, Env Ed Grants, Environmental Education 
Coordinator (6XA), 1445 Ross Avenue, Dallas, TX 75202
Information:
    Jo Taylor, EE Coordinator, 214-665-2204
Region VII--IA, KS, MO, NE
Mail proposal to:
    U.S. EPA, Region VII, Env Ed Grants, Grants Administration 
Division, 726 Minnesota Avenue, Kansas City, KS 66101
Information:
    Rowena Michaels, EE Coordinator, 913-551-7003
Region VIII--CO, MT, ND, SD, UT, WY
Mail proposals to:
    U.S. EPA, Region VIII, Env Ed Grants, 999 18th Street (80EA), 
Denver, CO 80202-2466
Information:
    Cece Forget, EE Coordinator, 303-312-6605

[[Page 65112]]

Region IX--AZ, CA, HI, NV, American Samoa, Guam, Northern Marianas
Mail proposals to:
    U.S. EPA, Region IX, Env Ed Grants, Office of Communications and 
Government Relations (CGR-3), 75 Hawthorne Street, San Francisco, CA 
94105
Information:
     Matt Gaffney, Office of Communications and Government Relations 
(OCGR), 415-744-1582
Region X--AK, ID, OR, WA
Mail proposals to:
    U.S. EPA, Region X, Env Ed Grants, Public Information Center, 1200 
Sixth Avenue (EXA-142A), Seattle, WA 98101
Information:
     Sally Hanft, EE Coordinator, 1-800-424-4EPA, 206-553-1207

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