This RFA is seeking applicants for a direct award from EPA to become a “pass-through entity” to develop and administer a competitive subaward program to fund projects/activities authorized by CWA 104(b)(3) in communities adversely and disproportionately affected by environmental and human health harms or risks, including affected underserved communities and provide technical assistance as described in Section 1.B.2.

EPA Gulf of Mexico Environmental Justice objectives for this RFA are:

• Fund projects that are authorized under CWA 104 (b)(3) to communities adversely and disproportionately affected by environmental and human health harms or risks, including affected underserved communities. All proposed projects should include activities designed to engage, educate, and empower communities to understand local environmental and public health issues;
• Enhance environmental and/or resilience collaboration, including within and among communities adversely and disproportionately affected by environmental and human health harms or risks, including affected underserved communities, municipal and state governments, Non-profit organizations (NPOs), and academic institutions;
• Document the beneficial impact the project has on the community; and
• Effectively communicate project results to inform future environmental justice approaches.

To be eligible for this funding opportunity, subaward projects must take place in only one of the five Gulf states (Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida) AND be within the eligible counties for each state (see Figure 1 and Appendix E of the RFA).