The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced the availability of up to $6 million in funding this year through two environmental justice programs: Justice Collaborative Problem-Solving (EJCPS) Cooperative Agreement Program and the Environmental Justice Small Grants (EJSG) Program.

The EJCPS program enables organizations to partner with other stakeholders such as local governments or academia to develop solutions to address environmental and/or public health issues at a local level. The EJSG program has a similar focus, with the goal of helping communities understand and address exposure to environmental risks. This year’s grant availability for EJCPS and EJSG is $3.2 million and $2.8 million, respectively.

For the EJCPS program, approximately two grants per EPA region will be awarded (New York and New Jersey are located in EPA region 2). The EJSG program anticipates awarding approximately five grants per EPA region. Specifically, EJSG is seeking projects focusing on Covid-19 impacts, and climate and disaster resiliency. The program is also emphasizing projects addressing diesel pollution in communities living near ports and rail yards.

Applicants must submit grant proposals by May 7, 2021, and should plan to begin their project on October 1, 2021. To qualify, the applicants applying for either program must be an incorporated non-profit organization, a tribal organization or U.S. territory.