Great Lakes Environmental Justice Grant Program (GLEJGP)

Background
The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) aims to restore and protect the Great Lakes ecosystem by providing a collaborative approach involving federal, state, and local agencies, tribes, businesses, and public interest groups. The GLRI is funded by annual congressional appropriations and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is committed to using IIJA funding to advance environmental justice (EJ) and has allocated approximately $30 million for up to six cooperative agreements through the Great Lakes Environmental Justice Grant Programs (GLEJGPs). The purpose of the grant is to issue and oversee subawards for environmental restoration projects in underserved Great Lakes communities.

Grant Details
The RFA solicits applications for up to six cooperative agreements to implement the GLEJGPs. The grant aims to advance EPA's priority mission of advancing EJ by establishing programs that promote the restoration and protection of the Great Lakes ecosystem in or near underserved communities. The RFA expects to provide funding for two types of applications: 1) applications for a GLEJGP focused on a particular region of the Great Lakes Basin, and 2) applications for a GLEJGP covering the entire Great Lakes Basin. The funding range for regional applicants is between $2 million and $10 million, while basin-wide applicants may request between $10 million and $20 million. The Principal Recipient will be responsible for developing, implementing, and overseeing a competitive subgrant solicitation program for underserved communities. The grant period is expected to be up to 6 years.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible applicants include governmental organizations, NGOs, or any entity eligible for a grant working within specific locales or communities within the Great Lakes Basin. Applicants must demonstrate their ability to identify underserved communities, develop effective communication strategies with these communities, issue subawards in compliance with EPA's policies, and ensure successful project implementation within the historic Great Lakes Basin. Coalitions of eligible entities may submit a single application under this RFA.

Period of Performance
The grant period is expected to be up to 6 years.

Grant Value
$30 million may be awarded in the form of up to six cooperative agreements. Funding ranges from $2 million to $20 million depending on the scope of the proposed GLEJGP.

Place of Performance
Proposed GLEJGPs must be implemented within the historic Great Lakes Basin, including projects impacting connecting waterways such as the U.S. portions of specific rivers and watersheds within the basin.