Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Centers Program (EJ TCTAC)

This amendment includes the following changes: 1) Increase in total funding, funding per award, and Period of Performance. Total funding for this RFA has been increased from $50 million to $100 million. The number of awards remains the same with EPA and DOE planning to fund 5 - 10 awards. However, this increase in total funding will result in each award now being for up to approximately $10 million per award. Additionally, the period of performance for each award is being increased from 3 years to 5 years. Therefore, applicants should budget for a total of $10 million at $2 million per year over a 5-year period. An updated optional budget template is now available in the Appendices. (See pages 17, 27, and Appendices). 2) Extended deadline date to November 1, 2022, and new Period of Performance start date. All applications are now due on or before November 1, 2022, at 11:59 PM (Eastern Time). Due to the extended deadline, all applicants should now plan for a period of performance start date of March 1, 2023. (See pages 1, 18, 23, and 39). 3) EJ TCTAC Geographic Coverage and Nationwide Applicants. Additional clarifying language has been included in the RFA detailing that a single EJ TCTAC application can cover multiple regional geographic areas. Also, applicants proposing nationwide EJ TCTACs should prioritize developing tools and resources to facilitate the coordination of community resources nationwide and connecting program participants to those resources. (See pages 10 - 11). 4) Additional Zoom Pre-application Assistance Webinar and Partnership Facilitation Session on September 14, 2022, from 2:00 - 4:00 PM (Eastern Time). During this additional Zoom webinar, EPA will discuss the amendment to the RFA and also devote time to having breakout rooms to facilitate interactions among entities interested in partnering and working with each other to establish and operate the EJ TCTACs. (See pages 28 - 29). -

The mission of the EPA is to protect human health and the environment for all people with an emphasis on assisting those communities adversely and disproportionately affected by environmental, climate, and human health harms and risks. EPA, as illustrated by the funding provided under the Infrastructure Investment Jobs Act (IIJA) and annual appropriations, intends to make significant investments in the health, equity, and resilience of these, and all communities, to address past, current, and future environmental health and justice challenges. To maximize these significant investments, new and innovative strategies and approaches for issues such as community engagement and participation in environmental programs, equitable distribution of financial resources, capacity-building and outreach, and technical assistance and training to enhance access to financial assistance opportunities and promote effective grants management and performance, are necessary especially for underserved communities that have, and continue to be, plagued by environmental pollution and health, and environmental justice, challenges.

EPA is seeking applications from eligible entities to establish and operate Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Centers (EJ TCTAC). The EJ TCTAC's will provide technical assistance, training, and other eligible forms of assistance, resources, and support to program participants.

The mission of the EPA is to protect human health and the environment for all people with an emphasis on assisting those communities adversely and disproportionately affected by environmental, climate, and human health harms and risks. EPA, as illustrated by the funding provided under the Infrastructure Investment Jobs Act (IIJA) and annual appropriations, intends to make significant investments in the health, equity, and resilience of these, and all communities, to address past, current, and future environmental health and justice challenges. To maximize these significant investments, new and innovative strategies and approaches for issues such as community engagement and participation in environmental programs, equitable distribution of financial resources, capacity-building and outreach, and technical assistance and training to enhance access to financial assistance opportunities and promote effective grants management and performance, are necessary especially for underserved communities that have, and continue to be, plagued by environmental pollution and health, and environmental justice, challenges.

EPA is seeking applications from eligible entities to establish and operate Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Centers (EJ TCTAC). The EJ TCTAC's will provide technical assistance, training, and other eligible forms of assistance, resources, and support to program participants.