Grants available to boost resilience in disadvantaged communities

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Southeast New England Program is accepting applications through Sept. 15 for an Opportunity to Advance Resilience in Disadvantaged Communities.

For 2023, the EPA expects to award five to 10 cooperative agreements for activities under this RFP in amounts likely to range from $50,000 to $300,000. Total estimated funding for awards is $1.25 million. SOAR-funded projects will be funded in full.

Funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the mission of the SNEP Opportunity to Advance Resilience (SOAR) Fund is to improve and support the resilience of disadvantaged communities throughout the region to address the anticipated effects of climate change and the historic, long-term impacts of environmental and social injustices. Projects will include planning, implementation, outreach, training, capacity, and staff-building that correspond with the goals, objectives and priorities outlined in the SNEP’s Five-Year Strategic Plan.

Applicants should propose projects that broadly address at least one of the following categories: planning projects, implementation projects, outreach projects, training projects, or capacity building/staffing.

Eligible applicants include state, local and tribal governments, public and private universities and colleges, public and private nonprofit organizations, interstate agencies, and intertribal consortia within the SNEP region.

The EPA website has a map of disadvantaged communities in the SNEP region.

Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov.

Questions about the SOAR RFP may be sent to SECoastalNE@epa.gov through Sept. 1. The EPA will post written responses at www.epa.gov/snep.