EPA's Ports Initiative is pleased to share news that funding is available for approximately 6 Environmental Justice Small Grant (EJSG) projects that address diesel emissions at coastal and inland ports or rail yards. A maximum of $50,000 is available for each one-year project. This funding opportunity is part of a larger EJSG Request for Applications (RFA) that anticipates funding approximately 56 projects. The EJSG Program, established in 1994, awards grants to projects designed to develop strategies that address local environmental and public health issues, build consensus in the community, and set community priorities.

Eligible Organizations

Applying organizations should have a direct connection to underserved communities impacted by environmental harms and risks.

Eligible entities for this opportunity include:

• Incorporated non-profit organizations;
• U.S. Territories;
• Federally or state recognized tribal governments;
• Tribal organizations.

Ports Initiative Projects

The EPA Ports Initiative plans to fund projects that prepare community stakeholders to effectively engage with operators and other stakeholders of nearby port or rail facilities.

A demonstrated use of the Community-Port Collaboration Toolkit during the project period is strongly encouraged, with particular emphasis on Steps 1, 2, and 3 of the Community Action Roadmap: prioritizing goals and concerns; identifying levers of change; and identifying influencers and other stakeholders with whom to build relations.

Informational Webinars - 2021 EJSG RFA

March 10, 2021 - 3:00-4:30 p.m. (ET) 

EJSG and Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem Solving (EJCPS) Cooperative Agreement Programs' EJSCREEN Demo. Webinar Format - Applicants may ask questions about EJSG or EJCPS and how to use the EJSCREEN tool in their applications.

Webinar link below:

Join ZoomGov Meeting

Meeting ID: 160-585-5608

March 16, 2021 - 7:00-8:30 p.m. (ET)

EJSG Live Call

Dial: 866-299-3188 and then enter code:

202-564-6439#

March 31, 2021 - 2:00-3:30 p.m. (ET)

(EJSG Live Call en Español)

Dial: 866-299-3188 and then enter code:

202-564-6439#

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The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) announced it is seeking applicants for the FY 2021 round of the INFRA discretionary grant program to fund transportation projects of national and regional significance.

For the first time, priority is given for projects that address climate change and environmental justice. Projects will be evaluated on whether they were planned as part of a comprehensive strategy to address climate change, or whether they support strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions such as deploying zero-emission-vehicle infrastructure or encouraging modal shift and a reduction in vehicle-miles-traveled.

Racial equity will also be considered as a selection criterion, to the extent that project sponsors have completed equity-focused community outreach, and projects are designed to benefit underserved communities.

Funding

The funding available for this year's grants totals approximately $889 million. Awards under the INFRA program will be made to both large and small projects. For a large project, the INFRA grant must be at least $25 million. For a small project, the grant must be at least $5 million.

Eligible INFRA project costs may include:

• reconstruction,
• rehabilitation,
• acquisition of property (including land related to the project and improvements to the land),
• environmental mitigation,
• construction contingencies,
• equipment acquisition, and
• operational improvements directly related to system performance

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