EPA’s Office of Transportation and Air Quality is announcing the availability of funds and soliciting applications from eligible entities to incentivize and accelerate the replacement of existing school buses with clean and Zero Emissions (ZE) school buses. Eligible activities include the replacement of existing internal-combustion engine (ICE) school buses with electric, propane, or compressed natural gas (CNG) school buses, as well as the purchase of electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) infrastructure and EVSE installations. Applications will be accepted from state and local governmental entities that provide bus service, including public school districts; eligible contractors; nonprofit school transportation associations; Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations, or Tribally controlled schools responsible for the purchase, lease, license, or contract for service of school buses or for providing school bus service for a Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) funded school. See Section III.A for more information about eligible entities.

EPA anticipates awarding approximately $400 million in CSB funding under this NOFO, subject to the availability of funds, the quantity and quality of applications received, and other applicable considerations. EPA Anticipates a total of approximately 25 to 50 cooperative agreements under this announcement. To ensure a healthy grant competition, this NOFO includes two sub-programs, one for school district and Tribal applicants (School District Sub-program) and one for third-party applicants (Third-Party Sub-program) to serve at least four school district beneficiaries. EPA is providing two separate competitions under this single NOFO to address the unique needs and concerns of diverse recipients and encourage participation in the CSB grants program.