FY25 GUIDELINES FOR BROWNFIELD ASSESSMENT GRANTS (COMMUNITY-WIDE ASSESSMENT GRANTS)

Background
The FY25 Guidelines for Brownfield Assessment Grants are issued by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to support communities in addressing brownfield challenges. The program aims to empower states, Tribal Nations, communities, and nonprofit organizations to prevent, inventory, assess, clean up, and reuse brownfield sites.

This initiative is part of EPA's broader mission to safeguard and revitalize communities while ensuring that historically underserved populations benefit from environmental restoration efforts. The program also aligns with the Justice40 Initiative, which seeks to direct 40% of federal investments towards disadvantaged communities.

Grant Details
Community-wide Assessment Grants provide funding for various activities including: developing inventories of brownfield sites; prioritizing sites; conducting community involvement activities; conducting planning; conducting site assessments; developing site-specific cleanup plans; and developing reuse plans related to brownfield sites.

A portion of the grant funding must be allocated for site assessments. Applicants may request up to $500,000 for addressing sites contaminated by hazardous substances or petroleum, with a maximum of $200,000 per site for assessment activities. The grants are intended for communities beginning to address their brownfield challenges or those with ongoing efforts.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible applicants include general purpose units of local government, land clearance authorities, government entities created by state legislatures, regional councils established under governmental authority, redevelopment agencies chartered by a state, states themselves, federally recognized Indian Tribes (excluding those in Alaska), Alaska Native Regional Corporations and Village Corporations, nonprofit organizations under section 501(c)(3), limited liability corporations and partnerships comprised entirely of 501(c)(3) organizations, and qualified community development entities. Individuals and for-profit organizations are not eligible.

Period of Performance
The project period for Community-wide Assessment Grants is up to four years.

Grant Value
EPA anticipates awarding approximately 92 Community-wide Assessment Grants totaling an estimated $46 million. Individual grant awards will range from $300,000 to $500,000 depending on the quality of applications received and availability of funds.

Place of Performance
The grants can be performed in various geographic locations across the United States where brownfield sites are present.