Brownfields Training, Research, and Technical Assistance Grants and Cooperative Agreements

Brownfield sites are real property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant. CERCLA Section 104(k)(7) provides EPA with authority for a financial assistance program of training, research, and technical assistance to individuals and organizations to facilitate the inventory of brownfield properties, assessments, cleanup of brownfield properties, community involvement, or site preparation.

Funding Priorities - Fiscal Year 2026, EPA fully fund the Technical Assistance to Brownfields (TAB) cooperative agreements with satisfactory project progress selected in previous CERCLA Section 104(k)(7) training, research, and technical assistance grant competitions. Additionally, using a competitive grants process, EPA may select applications and award cooperative agreements for technical assistance to support specific sector needs (e.g., revolving loan fund, Tribal governments) to help communities increase their understanding of brownfields issues and advance their brownfields assessment, cleanup and reuse goals.

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 Assistance Agreement Competition Policy.

Under CERCLA Section 104(k)(7), EPA may provide financial assistance to eligible entities and other nonprofit organizations. CERCLA 104(k)(1) defines eligible entities as: a general purpose unit of local government; a land clearance authority or other quasi-governmental entity that operates under the supervision and control of, or as an agent of, a general purpose unit of local government; a government entity created by a State legislature; a regional council or group of general purpose units of local government; a redevelopment agency that is chartered or otherwise sanctioned by a State; a State (note CERCLA 107(27) defines term "State" to include territories or possessions over which the United States has jurisdiction); a Federally recognized Indian Tribe other than in Alaska; an Alaska Native Regional Corporation, Alaska Native Village Corporation and the Metlakatla Indian Community; Intertribal consortia, except consortia comprised of ineligible Alaskan tribes; nonprofit organizations exempt from taxation under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, Limited liability corporation in which all managing members are 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations or limited liability corporations whose sole members are 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, Limited liability partnership in which all general partners are 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations or limited liability corporations whose sole members are 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, and qualified community development entities as defined in section 45D(c)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. Other nonprofit organizations that do not have 501(c)(3) tax exempt status are also eligible for training, research, and technical assistance grants. For the purposes of the Brownfields Grant Program, the term “other nonprofit organization” consistent with 2 CFR 200.1 means any corporation, trust, association, cooperative, or other organization that is operated mainly for scientific, educational, service, charitable, or similar purpose in the public interest and is not organized primarily for profit; and uses net proceeds to maintain, improve, or expand the operation of the organization. The term includes nonprofit institutions of higher education. However, nonprofit organizations described in Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code that engage in lobbying activities as defined in Section 3 of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 are not eligible to apply. For profit organizations are not eligible to apply.

Cooperative agreement-funded activities will benefit the community members and local stakeholders who are proximate to brownfield sites (whether in an urban, suburban or rural setting) including local governments, non-profit organizations, quasi-public nonprofits, residents, local business owners, community groups, universities and colleges, industry, other public and private institutions, individuals, states and tribes.

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.

Final approval of applications is made by EPA. Award of grant funds are generally made by EPA Regional Award Officials.

Approximately 180 days.