Opportunity Information: Apply for EPA G2022 STAR F2

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) opened this funding opportunity under its Science to Achieve Results (STAR) program to support community-engaged research focused on the drivers and environmental impacts of energy transitions in underserved communities. The central idea is to fund research that does not just study communities from a distance, but actively involves community members and partners in shaping the research questions, methods, and interpretation of results. The EPA is looking for projects that can explain what is pushing energy transitions to happen (or preventing them), and what environmental outcomes those transitions create, particularly in places and among populations that have historically faced barriers to full participation in economic, social, and civic life.

In this competition, "underserved communities" is defined broadly and intentionally. It includes both communities of place (specific neighborhoods, towns, rural areas, tribal lands) and communities defined by shared characteristics. The definition explicitly calls out people of color, low-income populations, rural communities, tribal and Indigenous communities, and other groups that may be disproportionately burdened by environmental harms and risks. In practice, this means the EPA is prioritizing research that recognizes cumulative disadvantages and disproportionate exposures, and that takes environmental justice concerns seriously when evaluating how energy systems are changing.

The award mechanism includes grants and cooperative agreements, signaling that EPA may have an active role in coordinating or supporting aspects of the funded work depending on the specific agreement type. The funding activity category is environment, and the assistance listing is CFDA 66.509 (STAR research). The opportunity is discretionary, meaning awards are competitive and based on proposal merit and alignment with the program goals rather than being a formula-based allocation.

Financially, the program set an award ceiling of $1,125,000 per award and anticipated making about 11 awards. The opportunity was posted January 18, 2022, with an original application deadline of April 28, 2022. Eligible applicants are listed as "Others," with the expectation that applicants would need to consult the eligibility details in the full announcement, but the listing suggests eligibility is not limited only to a single applicant type and may include a range of institutions and organizations typically involved in research and community partnerships.

Overall, this grant opportunity is aimed at generating practical, credible evidence about how and why energy transitions unfold in underserved communities and what those changes mean for local environmental conditions and risks. The emphasis on community-engaged research indicates that EPA is looking for work that pairs scientific rigor with meaningful participation and relevance for communities that have often been left out of decision-making, even while bearing a larger share of environmental burdens.

  • The Environmental Protection Agency in the environment sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "DRIVERS AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF ENERGY TRANSITIONS IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES" and is now available to receive applicants.
  • Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 66.509.
  • This funding opportunity was created on Jan 18, 2022.
  • Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 28, 2022. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
  • Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,125,000.00 in funding.
  • The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 11 candidate(s).
  • Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
Apply for EPA G2022 STAR F2

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is this EPA funding opportunity?

This is a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) funding opportunity under the Science to Achieve Results (STAR) program. It supports community-engaged research focused on the drivers and environmental impacts of energy transitions in underserved communities.

What is the main purpose of the grant?

The purpose is to fund research that helps explain (1) what is pushing energy transitions to happen or preventing them, and (2) what environmental outcomes result from those transitions. The emphasis is on producing credible, practical evidence that is directly relevant to communities that have historically faced barriers to full participation in economic, social, and civic life.

What does "community-engaged research" mean in this opportunity?

In this opportunity, community-engaged research means the work should not treat communities as subjects observed from a distance. Instead, community members and partners are expected to be actively involved in shaping the research questions, methods, and interpretation of results, so the research is both rigorous and meaningful to the community.

What kinds of topics are considered a fit?

The opportunity is aimed at projects that study energy transitions and their environmental impacts, specifically in underserved communities. This includes research on the factors that drive or obstruct energy transitions and how those changes affect local environmental conditions and risks.

What are "energy transitions" in the context of this grant?

Based on the description provided, energy transitions refer broadly to changes in energy systems and how energy is produced, delivered, or used. The competition is concerned with what drives those changes (or prevents them) and what environmental effects they create in underserved communities.

How does the EPA define "underserved communities" for this competition?

The definition is broad and intentional. It includes communities of place (such as specific neighborhoods, towns, rural areas, or tribal lands) and communities defined by shared characteristics. The description explicitly includes people of color, low-income populations, rural communities, tribal and Indigenous communities, and other groups that may be disproportionately burdened by environmental harms and risks.

Does the opportunity focus on environmental justice?

Yes. The description emphasizes disproportionate burdens, cumulative disadvantages, and the need to take environmental justice concerns seriously when evaluating how energy systems are changing and what that means for environmental conditions and risks in affected communities.

What is the funding activity category?

The funding activity category is environment.

What program or assistance listing number is associated with this opportunity?

The assistance listing is CFDA 66.509, associated with STAR research.

Is this a competitive grant or a formula award?

This is a discretionary opportunity, meaning awards are competitive and based on proposal merit and alignment with program goals, rather than being distributed by formula.

What award types are available?

The award mechanism includes both grants and cooperative agreements. This signals that, depending on the agreement type, the EPA may have an active role in coordinating or supporting aspects of the funded work.

What is the maximum award amount?

The award ceiling is $1,125,000 per award.

How many awards does EPA expect to make?

The EPA anticipated making about 11 awards.

When was the opportunity posted?

The opportunity was posted on January 18, 2022.

What was the application deadline?

The original application deadline was April 28, 2022.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants are listed as "Others." The description indicates applicants would need to consult the eligibility details in the full announcement. As presented, eligibility does not appear to be limited to one single applicant type and may include a range of institutions and organizations involved in research and community partnerships.

What is the expected role of community partners in proposals?

Based on the emphasis on community engagement, proposals are expected to involve community members and partners in substantive ways, including helping shape the research questions, methods, and how results are interpreted, rather than only participating as study participants or recipients of findings.

What outcomes is EPA trying to achieve through this funding?

The stated aim is to generate evidence about how and why energy transitions unfold in underserved communities and what those changes mean for local environmental conditions and risks, with scientific rigor paired with meaningful community participation and relevance.

What makes a project especially aligned with this opportunity?

Projects appear especially aligned when they (1) focus on underserved communities as defined in the opportunity, (2) directly examine drivers and barriers to energy transitions, (3) assess environmental impacts and risks, and (4) are designed as community-engaged research where community partners help shape the study and interpret results.

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