Enhanced Aquifer Use and Recharge Program

The purpose of this program is to carry out groundwater research on enhanced aquifer use and recharge in support of sole source aquifers. This program will support groundwater research on enhanced aquifer use and recharge by States, units of local go

The Enhanced Aquifer Use and Recharge program funds groundwater research by States, units of local government, Indian Tribes, and research centers on enhanced aquifer use and recharge in support of sole source aquifers.

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: • States. • Unit of local government (consistent with the definition of "local government" in 2 CFR 200.1). • Federally Recognized Indian Tribal Governments. The State, unit of local government, or Federally Recognized Indian Tribal Government who receives the award is required to make one or more subawards to, and establish a formal research relationship with, a research center. Research centers can be comprised of a single eligible subrecipient or a consortium of eligible subrecipients. Research centers are limited to public and private nonprofit institutions/organizations located in the U.S. and its territories or possessions, public and private institutions of higher education (IHEs) located in the U.S. and its territories or possessions; state and local governments located in the U.S. and its territories or possessions; and Federally Recognized Indian Tribal Governments. Profit-making firms and individuals are not eligible to apply. For-profit colleges, universities, trade schools, and hospitals are ineligible. 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; Federally Recognized Indian Tribal Governments; Anyone/General Public, Health Professional, Education Professional, Student/Trainee, 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 award(s) will focus on groundwater research on enhanced aquifer use and recharge in support of sole source aquifers. 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.

An environmental impact statement is required for this listing. An environmental impact assessment is required for this listing. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." 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 NOFO 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 competitive announcement. For additional information, contact the individual(s) listed in the NOFO.

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 a 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 about award decisions within six months of the solicitation deadline. After being recommended for award, applicants will be required to submit additional certifications and may be requested to provide responses to comments or suggestions offered by the peer reviewers, a revised budget, and/or make appropriate revisions. EPA Project Officers will contact Principal Investigators to obtain these materials. The official notification of an award will be made by the Agency's Grants and Interagency Agreements 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 Opportunity (NOFO).

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.