Performance Partnership Grants

Fostering EPA's partnership with states and Tribes is critical to accelerating environmental outcomes. Performance Partnership Grants (PPGs) are the cornerstone of the National Environmental Performance Partnership System (NEPPS), which aims to stren

States and Tribes can combine funds from two or more eligible grant programs into a PPG. A key benefit of the PPG is that it requires only one application and one budget, regardless of the number of eligible programs included in the PPG. Applicants are not required to submit separate budgets for each individual program when funds are included in a PPG. Additionally, a PPG is managed through one consolidated work plan for all programs that are included in the PPG. There are currently 18 grant programs that have been determined as eligible for inclusion in a PPG. For a list of eligible programs, which include competitive and/or non-competitive grants, please visit www.epa.gov/the NEPPS. website at https://www.epa.gov/NEPPS The agency supports the goals of Performance Partnership Grants (PPGs) which serve to: (1) strengthen partnerships between EPA and recipients through joint planning, priority setting, and efficient and effective management of resources; (2) provide states, Tribes, and interstate agencies with flexibility to direct resources where they are needed to address environmental and public health priorities; (3) link program activities more effectively with environmental and public health goals and environmental outcomes; (4) foster implementation of innovative approaches such as pollution prevention, ecosystem management, and community-based environmental protection strategies; and (5) provide savings by streamlining administrative requirements.

States agencies (including environmental, health, agriculture, and other agencies where authorized by state or Tribal law), interstate agencies, U.S. territories, the District of Columbia, federally recognized Indian Tribes (including Alaska Native villages), and intertribal consortia are eligible to receive more than one of the 18 categorical grant programs are eligible to apply for PPGs. Any duly authorized state or Tribal entity that currently receives or is eligible to receive EPA categorical program grants may request a PPG for the funds it administers.

States, U.S. territories, federally recognized Indian tribal governments, and interstate agencies.

Environment (water, air, solid waste, pesticides, radiation)

While this program offers flexibility in how funds can be used, there are specific restrictions and guidelines that recipients must adhere to, such as: 1. Allowable Activities: Funds must be used for activities that align with the objectives of the PPG as stated on the grant workplan. Certain activities may be prohibited or restricted based on statutory or regulatory requirements. 2. Cost Share Requirements: Certain PPG-eligible grants require recipients to provide a matching contribution to support the funded activities.

The period of performance for a PPG is flexible and can be negotiated between EPA and the recipient for up to five years. To maximize flexibilities and ensure program continuity, it is a best practice to apply for multi-year PPGs. Recipients are encouraged to align their multi-year PPG work plans with EPA's 2-year National Program Guidances (NPGs) to streamline the work plan negotiation process and reduce administrative burden. Grantees are reimbursed for actual expenses based on submissions in financial status reports.

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). Applicants interested in pursuing PPGs should coordinate with their appropriate EPA regional office to develop a PPG through joint negotiations.

Applicants must meet selection criteria for each categorical grant to be combined in the PPG.

Grant applications are reviewed by the appropriate EPA regional office, and if approved, awarded by the Regional Administrator. If an applicant is selected for a competitive award, the applicant will work with the EPA regional office to add competitive grant funds to the PPG if requested by the recipient. The workplan activities and supporting documentation that were the basis of the competitive award also will be added to the PPG.

From 60 to 90 days for approval, approximately 60 days for disapproval.

Generally, EPA may choose to either fully award or incrementally fund an awarded grant or cooperative agreement. Approval of subsequent funding increments and extensions is dependent on satisfactory project progress, continued relevance of the project to EPA's priorities, availability of funds, and Agency policy on the competitive grant process.

Disputes relating to matters other than the competitive selection of recipients will be resolved under 2 CFR 1500 Subpart E, as applicable.