Innovative Water Technology Grant Program

The purpose of this program is to accelerate the development and deployment of innovative water technologies that address pressing drinking water supply, quality, treatment, or security challenges of public water systems, areas served by private well

The Innovative Water Technology Grant Program supports grant(s) aimed at accelerating the development and deployment of innovative drinking water technologies for public water systems, areas served by private wells or source waters.

For certain competitive funding opportunities under this assistance listing, the Agency may limit eligibility to compete to a number or subset of eligible applicants consistent with the Agency's Assistance Agreement Competition Policy. Only these types of organizations may apply. Organization types are consistent with definitions at 2 CFR 200.1: • Public water systems located in the U.S. and its territories or possessions. Public water system, as defined by 42 U.S.C. 300f(4), means a system for the provision to the public of water for human consumption through pipes or other constructed conveyances, if such system has at least fifteen service connections or regularly serves at least twenty-five individuals. Such term includes (i) any collection, treatment, storage, and distribution facilities under control of the operator of such system and used primarily in connection with such system, and (ii) any collection or pretreatment storage facilities not under such control which are used primarily in connection with such system. Privately and publicly owned public water systems that meet the definition of a public water system in 42 U.S.C. 300f(4) are eligible to apply. • Institutions of higher education (IHEs) located in the U.S. and its territories or possessions. • Research institutions or foundations located in the U.S. and its territories or possessions. • Regional water organizations located in the U.S. and its territories or possessions. A Regional water organization, for purposes of this program, is an association or similar incorporated non-profit or governmental entity that represents or coordinates the operations of public water systems in a defined geographic area under a compact, charter or binding contractual agreement. • Certain nonprofit organizations as further described below, located in the U.S. or its territories or possessions. Note that 2 CFR § 200.1 specifically excludes Institutions of Higher Education from the definition of non-profit organization because they are separately defined in the regulation. 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 program. As provided at 42 U.S.C. 300j-1a(a)(2)(E) and 42 U.S.C. 300j-1(e)(8)(A) eligibility is limited to ". . . nonprofit organizations that provide to small public water systems onsite technical assistance, circuit-rider technical assistance programs, multistate, regional technical assistance programs, onsite and regional training, assistance with implementing source water protection plans, and assistance with implementing monitoring plans, rules, regulations, and water security enhancements." Profit-making firms and individuals are not eligible to apply. 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 as provided in the Lobbying Disclosure Act, 2 U.S.C. 1611. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities are not eligible to apply. National laboratories funded by Federal Agencies (Federally-Funded Research and Development Centers, "FFRDCs") may not apply. FFRDC employees may cooperate or collaborate with eligible applicants within the limits imposed by applicable legislation and regulations. They may participate in planning, conducting, and analyzing the research directed by the applicant, but may not direct projects on behalf of the applicant organization. An award recipient may provide funds through its assistance agreement from the EPA to an FFRDC for research personnel, supplies, equipment, and other expenses directly related to the research. Federal Agencies may not apply. Federal employees are not eligible to serve in a principal leadership role on an assistance agreement. Federal employees may not receive salaries or augment their Agency's appropriations through awards made under this program unless authorized by law to receive such funding.

Public nonprofit institutions/organizations and private nonprofit institutions/organizations located in the U.S.; state and local governments; U.S. territories or possessions; Anyone/General Public; Graduate Student; Scientists/Researchers.

The EPA may request that applicants demonstrate they have appropriate background, academic training, experience in the field, and necessary resources to carry out the research. EPA may ask applicants to provide curriculum vitae and relevant publications. EPA may also ask the lead principal investigator/contact principal investigator for information documenting past performance.

Assistance awards will focus on the development, testing, and deployment of innovative water technologies or technical assistance to deploy demonstrated innovative water technologies. Assistance agreement awards under this program may involve or relate to geospatial information. Further information regarding geospatial information may be obtained by viewing the following website: Geospatial Resources at EPA.

Grants are normally funded for a minimum of 3 years (over 180 days). Total approved project period may not exceed 5 years.

EPA financial assistance programs and activities subject to intergovernmental review that are subject to review under State single point of contact procedures are identified at https://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-financial-assistance-programs-subject-executive-order-12372-and-section-204. Applicants for programs or activities subject to Intergovernmental Review that are not subject to State single point of contact review must provide directly affected State, areawide, regional, and local entities at least 60 days to review their application following notification by EPA that the application has been selected for funding as provided by 40 CFR 29.8(a) and (c). When applicable, an environmental impact assessment is made by the Office of Research and Development as required by the National Environmental Policy Act. Regarding pre-application assistance with respect to the Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs) under this assistance listing, EPA will generally specify the nature of the pre-application assistance, if any, that will be available to applicants in the NOFO. For additional information, contact the individual(s) listed in the competitive announcement.

Applicants, except in limited circumstances approved by the Agency, must submit all initial applications for funding through Grants.gov. See RFA at https://www.epa.gov/research-grants for description of the steps for applying for assistance.

The evaluation and selection criteria for competitive awards under this assistance listing will be described in the competitive announcement.

For competitive awards, EPA will review and evaluate applications in accordance with the terms, conditions, and criteria stated in the competitive announcement. Competitions will be conducted in accordance with EPA policies/regulations for competing assistance agreements. Customarily, applicants are notified of award decisions within six months of the close of the RFA. After being recommended for award, applicants will be required to submit additional certifications and may be requested to submit an electronic version of the project abstract, provide responses to comments or suggestions offered by the peer reviewers, and provide a revised budget. EPA Project Officers will contact the Lead Principal Investigator/Contact Principal Investigator to obtain these materials. The official notification of an award will be made by the Agency's Grants and Interagency Agreement Management Division. Before or after award, certain applicants will be expected to provide additional quality assurance documentation.

For competitive awards, deadlines will be specified in the Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs).

Approximately 150-180 days from the close of the solicitation.

None. A standard grant application should be prepared and submitted electronically as a new grant using Grants.gov, which will be reviewed in the same manner as the original application and will compete for available funds.

Assistance agreement competition-related disputes will be resolved in accordance with the dispute resolution procedures published in 70 FR (Federal Register) 3629, 3630 (January 26, 2005). Copies of these procedures may also be found at: https://www.epa.gov/grants/grant-competition-dispute-resolution-procedures.