International Compliance and Enforcement Projects

This program has been terminated.

The primary purpose of this program is to support projects that protect human health and the environment while advancing U.S. national interests through international environmental collaboration on environmental compliance and enforcement. International capacity building plays a key role in protecting human health, communities and the environment by providing technical cooperation to help countries improve environmental compliance and enforcement. The Office of Environmental Enforcement and Compliance (OECA) works to transfer appropriate compliance and enforcement tools and techniques to key countries and regions as we collaborate with partners to improve compliance with domestic environmental laws in those countries. In Fiscal Year 2026 OECA will continue efforts to strengthen domestic, regional, and global networks on criminal and civil/administrative enforcement, build capacity in developing countries to monitor and enforce compliance with environmental laws, and share information with countries on targeting and advanced monitoring tools, environmental justice and enforcement, and addressing climate change. OECA plays a key role in ensuring trade-related activities support environmental protection, particularly related to effective enforcement of environmental laws. Initiatives relating to environmental trade and investment are carried out bilaterally, multilaterally or in connection with multilateral institutions such as the International Network for Environmental Compliance and Enforcement (INECE) and associated regional networks, including INTERPOL's Pollution Crimes Working Group. OECA will also provide targeted capacity building support under the environmental cooperation agreements developed parallel to U.S. free trade agreements.

Assistance under this program is generally available to States and local governments, territories and possessions, foreign governments, international organizations, Indian Tribes, and possessions of the U.S., including the District of Columbia, public and private universities and colleges, hospitals, laboratories, other public or private nonprofit institutions, which submit applications proposing projects with significant technical merit and relevance to EPA's Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance's mission. 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 Policy for Competition of Assistance Agreements.

States and local governments, territories and possessions, foreign governments, international organizations, Indian Tribes, and possessions of the U.S., including the District of Columbia, public and private universities and colleges, hospitals, laboratories, other public or private nonprofit institutions.

For competitive awards, EPA will review and evaluate applications in accordance with the terms, conditions, and criteria stated in the NOFO. Competitions will be conducted in accordance with EPA policies/regulations for competing assistance agreements. For non-competitive awards made under this assistance listing, EPA will conduct an administrative evaluation to determine the adequacy of the application in relation to grant regulations and a technical and program evaluation to determine the merit and relevance of the project. The Agency will then advise the applicant if funding is being considered. A final work plan will then be negotiated with the applicant.

Approximately 180 days after the application submission due date.