If you plan to apply for an FY25 EPA Brownfields Grant, UConn TAB is here to help! We have several ways to help support your preparation for a successful grant. Below are some but not all resources that are completely free to New England municipalities, non-profits, regional planning agencies, development corporations, Tribes, and other public entities. If you have any questions or want to discuss your project more, reach out to uconn-tab@uconn.edu to set up a virtual meeting. Deadlines for submission for the FY25 Brownfields MAC Grants is November 14th.

---

Past Webinars – All Recordings and PowerPoints can be found on our website: https://tab.program.uconn.edu/workshops-webinars/
Direct links to videos below:

• • Coalition Grant Prep – https://youtu.be/8XpO2h9Nsok
  • Cleanup Grant Prep –  https://youtu.be/9iL1mico59s
  • Addressing Displacement – https://youtu.be/d3ZxkubgYps
  • Public Health Data for Grants – https://youtu.be/bALoLESOB3Q
  • EJSCREEN – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bALoLESOB3Q
  • EnviroAtlas – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54UkThvV2Pw

---

Current Webinars and Workshop Hours

UConn TAB is offering 3 helpful webinars this Fall that discuss community engagement in EPA ARC Grants, addressing displacement in the grants, and how to find and understand public health data. Following these webinars, the team will be hosting open “office hours” where anyone can jump on the link to get support on their grant application. This is a great time for quick questions, support with using CEJST, EJSCREEN, or finding public health data, and for support with writing.

The office hours will be held on October 15th, October 22nd, October 29th, and November 5th from 12 – 1 PM.
Register Here: https://tab.program.uconn.edu/2024/08/28/uconn-tab-fall-24-webinar-series/

---

Grant Application Packages:
We have put together application packages that include several resources, a checklist, templates, and previous examples. They have everything you need to prepare a successful grant. These can be downloaded on our website – click the image below that matches the type of grant you are applying for in order to download our application packages.
https://tab.program.uconn.edu/epa-grant-review-submission/

---

Grant Reviews:
The UConn TAB team will provide reviews for the upcoming EPA assessment, cleanup, and RLF, grant cycle. We provide reviews of the narrative and application package, offering  at least two rounds of review. We are happy to review as many times as needed if time permits. If you are unable to prepare a draft by the 1st round, we will still accept first time reviews by November 7th. Submit grant review requests here: https://tab.program.uconn.edu/epa-grant-review-submission/

1st round of review(4 weeks before EPA deadline – October 17th): It consists of comments on how the narrative addresses EPA’s guidelines, suggestions on how to address these comments, and resources to identify data. Reviews will be provided in a written format, as an annotated document of your submitted text. You may also schedule a follow-up call with the team member to walk you through the comments.

2nd round or review(1 week before EPA deadline – November 7th ): After the feedback of the 1st round of review is addressed, the 2nd round will provide additional feedback to fine-tune the narrative and provide feedback on the complete application package.

Deadlines for submission for the FY25 Brownfields MAC Grants is November 14th.

National Webinars and Support:

Grant Guideline Outreach Webinars – Narrative Ranking Criteria

Potential applicants are invited to join EPA’s upcoming webinars on the FY 2025 Narrative/Ranking criteria. For an overview of the grant submission process, Narrative Information Sheet and threshold requirements, see the Minimum Grant Requirements recordings above.

• Thursday, September 19, 2024, at 12 PM ET – This webinar will focus on the FY 2025 Narrative/Ranking criteria for entities applying for:
  • Community-wide Assessment Grant funding
  • Assessment Coalition Grant funding
  • Community-wide Assessment Grants for States and Tribes funding

Please click the link to join the webinar at https://usepa.zoomgov.com/j/1610639674 or join by telephone at  1-646-828-7666, Meeting ID: 161 063 9674

• Tuesday, September 24, 2024, at 12 PM ET – This webinar will focus on the FY 2025 Narrative/Ranking criteria for entities applying for:
  • Revolving Loan Fund Grant funding
  • Cleanup Grant funding

Please click the link to join the webinar at https://usepa.zoomgov.com/j/1614022736 or join by telephone at  1-646-828-7666, Meeting ID: 161 402 2736

The webinar recordings and Q&A transcripts will be made available in the coming weeks. Please check back for updates.

Region 1 Webinars and Support:

Updated soon but keep an eye out for the week of October 7th!

Join UConn TAB for our Fall Webinar/Workshop series. Links to register for the webinars as well as more information will be updated continuously.

Register for the webinars:
September 10th (12:00 PM – 12:30 PM)  – UConn TAB Webinar – EPA Grants & Community Engagement 
Register Here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/epa-grants-community-engagement-webinar-tickets-1003980652157?aff=oddtdtcreator

September 24th (Pre-recorded Release Date)  – UConn TAB Webinar – Understanding Public Health Data
Recording Here: https://tab.program.uconn.edu/workshops-webinars/

October 8th (12:00 PM – 12:30 PM)  – UConn TAB Webinar – Displacement Strategies – Community Benefits Agreement
Register Here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/uconn-tab-webinar-displacement-strategies-community-benefits-agreement-tickets-1003989879757?aff=oddtdtcreator

Open Office Hours for Grant Support – Live writing, EJSCREEN, and Public Health data support
Every Tuesday from 12 – 1 PM starting October 15th – November 5th.
Register Here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/uconn-tab-epa-grant-office-hours-tickets-1003993390257?aff=oddtdtcreator

 

FY 2025 Assessment, RLF and Cleanup Grant Competitions

EPA anticipates issuing the following solicitations for funding in September 2024:

• FY 2025 Assessment Grants
• FY 2025 Revolving Loan Fund Grants
• FY 2025 Cleanup Grants

The application submission deadline will be approximately 60 calendar days after the solicitations are published.

For additional information on each grant type, visit the Types of Brownfield Grant Funding page.

EPA anticipates offering awarding grants at the following amounts in FY 2025. All amounts are subject to change. 

Grant Type	Maximum Project Period	Maximum Amount per Grant	Estimated Awards	Total Per Grant Type  – Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Funds	Total Per Grant Type  – Regular Appropriated Funds
Community-wide Assessment Grants for State and Tribes	5 years	$2,000,000	18	$36,000,000
Assessment Coalitions	4 years	$1,200,000	29		$35,000,000
Community-wide Assessment – New*	4 years	$500,000	40		$20,000,000
Community-wide Assessment – Existing**	4 years	$500,000	52		$26,000,000
RLF***	5 years	$1,000,000	15	$15,000,000
Cleanup	4 years	$500,000	30	$15,000,000
Cleanup	4 years	$2,000,000	23	$45,000,000
Cleanup	4 years	$4,000,000	10	$40,000,000

*Community-wide Assessment – New = Entities that have never received an EPA Brownfields Multipurpose, Assessment, RLF, or Cleanup Grant, or that were awarded a Brownfields Multipurpose, Assessment, RLF, or Cleanup Grant that closed in 2016 or earlier.

**Community-wide Assessment – Existing = Entities that have an open Brownfields Multipurpose, Assessment, RLF, or Cleanup Grant, or that were awarded a Brownfields Multipurpose, Assessment, RLF, or Cleanup Grant that closed in 2017 or later.

UConn TAB is currently accepting applications for the Fall 2024 Municipal Assistance Program (MAP). The MAP is open to all New England communities at no cost to the applicant. 

Fall RFP

• Dates: August 26th – December 18th
• Services Provided: Support on EPA Brownfield Grant Applications
• Applications deadline: July 15th
• Application Link: https://tab.program.uconn.edu/map-requests-for-proposals/

The proposals will be supported through the University of Connecticut summer interns and Fall 2024 UConn Brownfield Redevelopment course.  If you have any questions before applying, please reach out to us at uconn-tab@uconn.edu

FY 2025 Assessment, RLF and Cleanup Grant Competitions

EPA anticipates issuing the following solicitations for funding in September 2024:

• FY 2025 Assessment Grants
• FY 2025 Revolving Loan Fund Grants
• FY 2025 Cleanup Grants

The application submission deadline will be approximately 60 calendar days after the solicitations are published.

For additional information on each grant type, visit the Types of Brownfield Grant Funding page.

EPA anticipates offering awarding grants at the following amounts in FY 2025. All amounts are subject to change. 

Grant Type	Maximum Project Period	Maximum Amount per Grant	Estimated Awards	Total Per Grant Type  – Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Funds	Total Per Grant Type  – Regular Appropriated Funds
Community-wide Assessment Grants for State and Tribes	5 years	$2,000,000	18	$36,000,000
Assessment Coalitions	4 years	$1,200,000	29		$35,000,000
Community-wide Assessment – New*	4 years	$500,000	40		$20,000,000
Community-wide Assessment – Existing**	4 years	$500,000	52		$26,000,000
RLF***	5 years	$1,000,000	15	$15,000,000
Cleanup	4 years	$500,000	30	$15,000,000
Cleanup	4 years	$2,000,000	23	$45,000,000
Cleanup	4 years	$4,000,000	10	$40,000,000

*Community-wide Assessment – New = Entities that have never received an EPA Brownfields Multipurpose, Assessment, RLF, or Cleanup Grant, or that were awarded a Brownfields Multipurpose, Assessment, RLF, or Cleanup Grant that closed in 2016 or earlier.

**Community-wide Assessment – Existing = Entities that have an open Brownfields Multipurpose, Assessment, RLF, or Cleanup Grant, or that were awarded a Brownfields Multipurpose, Assessment, RLF, or Cleanup Grant that closed in 2017 or later.

Join UConn TAB for our Summer Webinar series. Links to register for the webinars as well as more information will be updated continuously.

Register for the webinars:
Friday, June 28th (10:00 AM – 10:30 AM) – UConn TAB Webinar – Prepping for a Coalition Grant
Register Here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/uconn-tab-coalition-grant-webinar-tickets-927458923607?aff=oddtdtcreator

Wednesday, July 10th (10:00 AM – 10:30 AM) – UConn TAB Webinar – Prepping for a Cleanup Grant
Register Here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/uconn-tab-cleanup-grant-webinar-tickets-927464991757?aff=oddtdtcreator

Friday, July 19th (10:00 AM – 10:30 AM) – Brownfield Redevelopment: Brownfields to Healthfields
Register Here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/brownfield-redevelopment-brownfields-to-healthfields-tickets-927467288627?aff=oddtdtcreator

 

 

UConn TAB is also offering summer support for grant preparation. If you are planning to apply for a state or federal grant, this is the program for you! Don’t wait until Fall to get started, let us help you get a running start to a successful application! Email us at uconn-tab@uconn.edu to learn more! 

The FY25 Request for Brownfields Job Training Applications has been posted!!!
https://www.epa.gov/brownfields/fy-2025-brownfields-job-training-grants

• EPA Posted the FY25 RFA on Friday with a due date of August 15^th, 2024.
• We have attached PDFs of the RFA and current Frequently Asked Questions.
• FAQ’s may be updated as additional questions are answered.
• The date for EPA’s webinar reviewing the RFA has not yet been announced.

Live Outreach Webinar
EPA will provide an outreach webinar to assist applicants with understanding the Notice of Funding Opportunity for the FY 2025 Brownfields Job Training Grants Guidelines.
Thursday, June 6th, 2024, at 1 PM Eastern

Please click the link to join the webinar at: https://usepa.zoomgov.com/j/1601371378
Or join by telephone: 1-646-828-7666
Webinar ID: 160 137 1378

JT 201 – Tips on Writing a Competitive EPA Job Training Application
June 12^th

 Join us for a 90-minute webinar on tips and strategies useful in writing a competitive EPA job training application.

Event Description:
The objective of this webinar is to present tips and strategies that can assist in the development of a successful FY25 Brownfields Job Training Application.  Participants will also learn common mistakes that have made when submitting applications.  Tips will also be presented that can supercharge an application!

Key topics include:

• Pre-Submission Tips for Consideration
• Writing the Application – Do’s & Don’ts
• Before Submitting the Application- Quality Check
• Mistakes & Lessons Learned

Resources:

FY25 Job Training
RFA FY25 FAQ

Your TAB provider is available to review draft Brownfields Job Training Applications during the May 17 – August 15, 2024 time period:

– please request a review by email, at least one week before you send your draft application

– our goal is to provide review comments within several days of you emailing your draft to us (please send in MSWord format, please)

– we can guarantee a review of draft applications submitted to us by August 6^th (nine days before EPA’s applications due date)

Points of contact for Draft JT Application Reviews:

·         Region 1 (CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, and VT); University of Connecticut; Randi Mendes, randi.mendes@uconn.edu 

·         Region 2 (NJ, NY, PR, and VI); New Jersey Institute of Technology; Sean Vroom, svroom@njit.edu 

·         Region 3 (DE, DC, MD, PA, VA, and WV); West Virginia University; Carrie Stanton,  carrie.staton@mail.wvu.edu

·         Region 4 (AL, FL, GA, KY, MS, NC, SC, and TN) International City/County Management Association; Chris Harrell, charrell@icma.org, & New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT); Sean Vroom, svroom@njit.edu 

·         Region 5 (IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, and WI); Kansas State University; Blase Leven, jt-tab@ksu.edu

·         Region 6 (AR, LA, NM, OK, and TX); Kansas State University; Blase Leven, jt-tab@ksu.edu

·         Region 7 (IA, KS, MO, and NE); Kansas State University; Blase Leven, jt-tab@ksu.edu

·         Region 8 (UT, MT, WY, CO, ND and SD); Kansas State University; Blase Leven, jt-tab@ksu.edu  

·         Region 9 (AZ, CA, HI, NV, AS, and GU); Center for Creative Land Recycling; Claire Weston, claire.weston@cclr.org

Congratulations to the Region 1 entities that were selected to receive funding for brownfields site assessments and cleanups. EPA awarded 180 grants, totaling $230,969,170. Of these grants, 94 were assessment, 67 were cleanup, and 20 were multipurpose. Region 1 received 32 of the 180 grants for a total of $58,022,040. UConn TAB supported 24 of the 32 recipients through grant review. In total 30 communities reached out to us for grant support and of those 24 were awarded. Our grant review services start this summer and continue into the fall. If you are considering applying for an upcoming EPA or state grant, be sure to use our free services. Congratulations to all the recipients!

r 17% of these grants!

Excited for gardening in your yard this spring? Or curious about the health of your yard soil? Take advantage of free residential soil lead testing for Hartford residents provided by the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at UConn. 

Why test soil for lead? Although lead is naturally occurring in the environment, various human activities such as the use of lead-based paint, high traffic, sewage sludge, industrial practices, and the use of urban fill materials can lead to lead contamination. Urban areas are at higher risk for exacerbated lead levels that can persist in the soil for extended periods of time and affect people through food contamination or inhalation of lead dust.

What are the dangers of lead contamination? Lead exposure is toxic to everyone. This is especially true for vulnerable populations including children who can face risks of stunted development from lead neurotoxicity, as well as pregnant or breastfeeding individuals who risk passing lead on to their babies.

How can lead exposure be reduced? Practices such as avoiding physical contact with contaminated soils, wearing gloves during gardening, and discouraging children from playing in affected areas can drastically prevent exposure to lead. Furthermore, safe gardening practices such as planting sunflowers, ragweed, duckweed, mustard greens, and ornamental cabbage that efficiently absorb metals from the soil as well as the use of raised gardening beds with clean soil when planting food can help mitigate the harm of lead contamination.

How will lead levels be tested? Once you collect samples from your yard following this guide, the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at UConn will use Portable X-RAY Fluorescence (pXRF) technology to quickly and reliably detect the presence of lead, no matter how low the concentration level.

For more information: https://tab.program.uconn.edu/residential-soil-lead-testing/
For inquiries or to opt-in for soil testing, contact Hayley Clos at hayley.clos@uconn.edu.

Understanding and addressing soil lead contamination is essential for safeguarding public health and promoting sustainable gardening practices. Take advantage of this opportunity to ensure your yard is safe for gardening this season!

UConn TAB is currently accepting applications for the Summer 2024 Municipal Assistance Program (MAP). The MAP is open to all New England communities at no cost to the applicant. 

Summer RFP

• Interviews: Late April
• Dates: May- August
• Services Provided:  Technical Support on Brownfields Redevelopment including brownfields inventories, summaries of environmental records, site reuse assessments, record reviews, data gap analysis, grant support, and community engagement materials
• Applications deadline: April 12th
• Application Link: https://tab.program.uconn.edu/map-requests-for-proposals/

The proposals will be supported through the University of Connecticut Summer Brownfield Internships.  If you have any questions before applying, please reach out to us at uconn-tab@uconn.edu