Deadline: 15-Nov-2024
The Environmental Protection Agency has launched the American Indian Air Quality Training Program to provide continuous and comprehensive air quality training, technical support for Tribal environmental professionals, and outreach programs for the EPA’s Tribal partner governments and American Indian students considering pursuing environmental careers in the field of air quality.
The mission of AIAQTP is to assist in building Tribal capacity to manage air quality through in-person, workshop-style training for Tribal environmental professionals that is timely, relevant, high-quality, and culturally sensitive.
Components
- The program includes five essential components:
- The American Indian Air Quality Training Program, which provides in-person, workshop style training for Tribal environmental professionals that is timely, relevant, high-quality, and culturally sensitive;
- The Tribal Air Monitoring Support Center, which provides comprehensive, hands-on training and technical support for Tribal monitoring and related activities;
- The Professional Assistance element supports Tasks 1 and 2 by providing additional technical resources that enhance and supplement the other tasks to support Tribal environmental professionals;
- The Tribal Environmental Education, Outreach, and Support Program, which provides environmental outreach, education, and associated support to Tribal educators that will encourage Tribal students to develop interest, understanding, and abilities to pursue careers in the field of air quality management; and
- The Internship Program, which provides practical environmental work experience as a complement to course work that will provide exposure to and perspective on the broad range of career opportunities available in air quality management.
Program Goals and Objectives
- The EPA is seeking applications from eligible entities to provide comprehensive training, technical support, and outreach to federally recognized Indian Tribes related to air quality management. The Tribal Training and Outreach Support for the AIAQTP is designed to build the capacity of interested Tribes to successfully implement effective and efficient air quality programs that address or operate under:
- Tribal sovereign authority
- Tribal authority under 301(d) of the Clean Air Act (CAA) and the Tribal Authority Rule (40 CFR Parts 9, 35, 49, 50, and 81), which describe how the EPA delegates authority to authorized Tribes; and,
- The EPA’s policies, rules, and executive orders as well as the unique aspects of Tribal sovereignty and federal Indian law under the CAA.
Funding Information
- The total estimated funding expected to be available for award under this competitive opportunity is approximately $8,000,000.
Duration
- The estimated period of performance for awards resulting from this solicitation will be up to 5 years. The estimated project start date for award will begin by April 1, 2025.
Outputs
- Expected outputs from the project(s) to be funded under this announcement include, but are not limited to:
- Number of AIAQTP workshops conducted;
- Number of new AIAQTP workshop courses developed;
- Number of TAMS specialized and individualized trainings conducted;
- Number of TAMS Steering Committee meetings hosted annually;
- Development of a program website for the Tribal community in support of all Tribal training and technical support activities.
Outcomes
- Projects to be funded under this announcement are expected to produce at least three, and preferably all, of the following environmental outcomes:
- Increase the number of first-time attendees for classes and meetings to stimulate and encourage interest in the development of Tribal air programs that assess air quality and address air quality concerns in Indian country.
- Increase participation of Tribal governments in air quality management nationwide, including at the local and regional levels.
- Increase the number of tribes trained on the causes, effects, extent, prevention, and control of air pollution in Indian country.
- Increase the number of Tribal Emissions Inventories completed by Tribes and/or Tribes approved for Treatments in a Manner Similar to States (TAS)
Eligibility Criteria
- While not considered to be a nonprofit organization(s) as defined by 2 CFR § 200.1, public or nonprofit Institutions of Higher Education are, nevertheless, eligible to submit applications under this NOFO.
- Hospitals operated by state, Tribal, or local governments or that meet the definition of nonprofit at 2 CFR § 200.1 are also eligible to apply as nonprofits or as instrumentalities of the unit of government depending on the applicable law.
- For-profit colleges, universities, trade schools, and hospitals are ineligible.
- Nonprofit organizations that are not exempt from taxation under section 501 of the Internal Revenue Code must submit other forms of documentation of nonprofit status; such as certificates of incorporation as nonprofit under state or Tribal law. Nonprofit organizations exempt from taxation under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code that lobby are not eligible for EPA funding
- For-profit organizations are not an eligible entity for this funding opportunity.
For more information, visit Grants.gov.