Opportunity Information: Apply for EPA OW OWM 24 01
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is offering a discretionary funding opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number: EPA-OW-OWM-24-01; CFDA: 66.446) to support training and technical assistance that helps rural, small, and Tribal communities prevent, reduce, and eliminate water pollution under the Clean Water Act. The funding is intended to strengthen the capacity of eligible local and Tribal entities and wastewater system operators by providing practical guidance, tools, and hands-on assistance that lead to better wastewater planning, improved operations, stronger compliance outcomes, and more successful access to financing for water quality projects. The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement, meaning recipients should expect active involvement and collaboration with EPA during project implementation.
A key requirement is that proposed work must be limited to training and technical assistance activities; this is not a construction or direct infrastructure funding program. Applicants must design their projects around one specific focus area, called a Priority Area, and each application may address only one Priority Area. An organization may submit multiple applications under this competition, but only if each application is submitted separately and each one focuses on a different Priority Area. In addition, only one application per Priority Area may be submitted by a given applicant.
The announcement is organized around four Priority Areas. Priority Area 1 focuses on acquisition of finance and funding, with training and technical assistance aimed at helping rural, small, and Tribal municipalities plan projects, develop the documentation and readiness needed for financing, and successfully secure funding for activities eligible under the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF). In practice, this can include coaching communities on project planning, capital improvement strategies, financial and managerial capacity, preparing CWSRF applications, and improving readiness to move projects from concept to fundable proposals.
Priority Area 2 emphasizes protecting water quality and supporting compliance. It funds training and technical assistance for rural, small, and Tribal publicly owned treatment works (POTWs) as well as decentralized wastewater systems, with the goal of improving water quality outcomes and helping systems achieve and maintain compliance with applicable requirements. This area is geared toward operational and compliance capacity building, such as helping facilities understand permit obligations, improve treatment performance, address recurring violations, strengthen operator practices, and implement management approaches that reduce pollutant discharges.
Priority Area 3 is specifically Tribal-focused. It supports training and technical assistance designed for Tribes to help with planning and developing projects, acquiring financing and funding, improving water quality, and achieving and maintaining compliance. This priority also allows a focus on supporting project development related to emerging contaminants, reflecting growing needs around newer or increasing water quality threats that may require targeted project planning and readiness support.
Priority Area 4 concentrates on decentralized wastewater treatment systems, with an emphasis on information dissemination, training, and technical assistance that helps these systems plan projects, develop approaches, and acquire financing. This priority is tailored to the unique challenges of decentralized and non-sewered systems, where owners, local governments, and service providers often need clearer guidance, better management structures, and stronger pathways to fund repairs, replacements, or upgrades that protect public health and local water quality.
From a funding perspective, the opportunity lists an award ceiling of $4,000,000 and anticipates making about 28 awards. The opportunity was created on 2024-09-23, and the original application closing date is 2024-11-25. Eligibility is not fully detailed in the summary text provided; applicants are directed to consult Section III of the Notice of Funding Opportunity for the official eligibility rules and any conditions on who may apply under the "Others" eligible applicant category.
Overall, this grant opportunity is aimed at expanding real-world capacity in communities and systems that often have limited staff and resources, by funding organizations that can deliver high-quality training, targeted technical assistance, and practical support aligned with one of the four clearly defined priorities: financing readiness for CWSRF projects, compliance and water quality improvement support, Tribal-specific assistance (including emerging contaminants project development), and decentralized system-focused training and information dissemination to support planning and financing.Apply for EPA OW OWM 24 01
- The Environmental Protection Agency in the environment sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Training and Technical Assistance for Rural, Small and Tribal Municipalities and Wastewater Treatment Systems for Clean Water Act Prevention, Reduction, and Elimination of Pollution" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 66.446.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2024-09-23.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-11-25. (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 $4,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 28 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is this EPA funding opportunity?
This is a discretionary Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) funding opportunity to support training and technical assistance that helps rural, small, and Tribal communities prevent, reduce, and eliminate water pollution under the Clean Water Act.
What are the identifying numbers for this opportunity?
Funding Opportunity Number: EPA-OW-OWM-24-01. CFDA: 66.446.
What is the main goal of the program?
The main goal is to strengthen the capacity of eligible local and Tribal entities and wastewater system operators by providing practical guidance, tools, and hands-on assistance that lead to better wastewater planning, improved operations, stronger compliance outcomes, and more successful access to financing for water quality projects.
What type of award is EPA using for this opportunity?
The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement.
What does it mean that the award is a cooperative agreement?
A cooperative agreement means recipients should expect active involvement and collaboration with EPA during project implementation.
Is this a construction or infrastructure funding program?
No. Proposed work must be limited to training and technical assistance activities. This is not a construction or direct infrastructure funding program.
What kinds of activities are expected under this opportunity?
Activities are expected to be training and technical assistance that provide practical guidance, tools, and hands-on support to improve wastewater planning, operations, compliance performance, and the ability to secure financing for eligible water quality projects.
How is the program organized?
Applications must be designed around one specific focus area called a Priority Area. The announcement includes four Priority Areas.
How many Priority Areas can a single application address?
Each application may address only one Priority Area.
Can an organization submit more than one application?
Yes. An organization may submit multiple applications under this competition only if each application is submitted separately and each focuses on a different Priority Area.
Can an applicant submit multiple applications for the same Priority Area?
No. Only one application per Priority Area may be submitted by a given applicant.
What is Priority Area 1?
Priority Area 1 focuses on acquisition of finance and funding. It supports training and technical assistance aimed at helping rural, small, and Tribal municipalities plan projects, develop the documentation and readiness needed for financing, and successfully secure funding for activities eligible under the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF).
What kinds of assistance fit under Priority Area 1?
Examples described include coaching communities on project planning, capital improvement strategies, financial and managerial capacity, preparing CWSRF applications, and improving readiness to move projects from concept to fundable proposals.
What is Priority Area 2?
Priority Area 2 emphasizes protecting water quality and supporting compliance. It funds training and technical assistance for rural, small, and Tribal publicly owned treatment works (POTWs) as well as decentralized wastewater systems, with the goal of improving water quality outcomes and helping systems achieve and maintain compliance with applicable requirements.
What kinds of assistance fit under Priority Area 2?
This area is geared toward operational and compliance capacity building, such as helping facilities understand permit obligations, improve treatment performance, address recurring violations, strengthen operator practices, and implement management approaches that reduce pollutant discharges.
What is Priority Area 3?
Priority Area 3 is Tribal-focused. It supports training and technical assistance designed for Tribes to help with planning and developing projects, acquiring financing and funding, improving water quality, and achieving and maintaining compliance.
Does Priority Area 3 include emerging contaminants?
Yes. Priority Area 3 allows a focus on supporting project development related to emerging contaminants.
What is Priority Area 4?
Priority Area 4 concentrates on decentralized wastewater treatment systems, with an emphasis on information dissemination, training, and technical assistance that helps these systems plan projects, develop approaches, and acquire financing.
Why is Priority Area 4 specifically focused on decentralized systems?
The opportunity notes that decentralized and non-sewered systems often face unique challenges where owners, local governments, and service providers may need clearer guidance, better management structures, and stronger pathways to fund repairs, replacements, or upgrades that protect public health and local water quality.
What is the award ceiling?
The opportunity lists an award ceiling of $4,000,000.
How many awards does EPA expect to make?
EPA anticipates making about 28 awards.
When was this opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on 2024-09-23.
What is the application deadline?
The original application closing date is 2024-11-25.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is not fully detailed in the summary information provided. Applicants are directed to consult Section III of the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the official eligibility rules and any conditions on who may apply under the "Others" eligible applicant category.
Does the program support help with Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) financing?
Yes. Priority Area 1 is specifically focused on training and technical assistance to help communities become ready to secure financing for activities eligible under the CWSRF, including planning and preparing for CWSRF applications.
Is this opportunity intended for communities with limited staff and resources?
Yes. The opportunity is aimed at expanding real-world capacity in communities and systems that often have limited staff and resources by funding organizations that can deliver high-quality training and targeted technical assistance aligned with one of the four Priority Areas.
Does the opportunity support compliance improvements for wastewater systems?
Yes. Priority Area 2 (and also Priority Area 3 for Tribes) includes training and technical assistance to support achieving and maintaining compliance and improving water quality outcomes.
Are decentralized systems eligible to be served by this program?
Yes. Decentralized wastewater systems are explicitly included under Priority Area 2, and they are the central focus of Priority Area 4.
What should an applicant do if they want to work across multiple Priority Areas?
The structure requires one Priority Area per application. An organization may submit multiple separate applications if each application focuses on a different Priority Area, with no more than one application per Priority Area for that applicant.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Environment
Next opportunity: BRAIN Initiative: Optimization of Instrumentation and Device Technologies for Recording and Modulation in the Nervous System (U01 Clinical Trials Not Allowed)
Previous opportunity: Support Uganda Ministry of Health Capacity to Address HIV and Other Health Priority Conditions through Strengthening Health Systems under the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDs Relief
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for EPA OW OWM 24 01
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (EPA OW OWM 24 01) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| American Indian Air Quality Training Program Apply for EPA OAR IO 24 05 Funding Number: EPA OAR IO 24 05 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Environment Funding Amount: $8,000,000 |
| Training and Technical Assistance to Improve Water Quality and Enable Small Public Water Systems to Provide Safe Drinking Water Apply for EPA OW OGWDW 24 04 Funding Number: EPA OW OGWDW 24 04 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Environment Funding Amount: $13,000,000 |
| F25AS00034 Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund: Recovery Land Acquisition Grants Apply for F25AS00034 Funding Number: F25AS00034 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment Funding Amount: $14,162,000 |
| F25AS00035 Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund: Habitat Conservation Plan Land Acquisition Grants Apply for F25AS00035 Funding Number: F25AS00035 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment Funding Amount: $26,000,000 |
| Pesticides Health Care Initiative: National and Community Based Health Care Provider Training for Pesticide Illness Apply for EPA OCSPP OPP 2024 005 Funding Number: EPA OCSPP OPP 2024 005 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Environment Funding Amount: $2,100,000 |
| Grants Technical Assistance for Pesticide Safety Programs: Technical Assistance in Support of the Health Care Initiative and the Farmworker Training and Education Program Apply for EPA OCSPP OPP 2024 007 Funding Number: EPA OCSPP OPP 2024 007 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Environment Funding Amount: $1,470,000 |
| Farmworker Training and Education Program for Pesticide Safety Apply for EPA OCSPP OPP 2024 006 Funding Number: EPA OCSPP OPP 2024 006 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Environment Funding Amount: $3,800,000 |
| National Climate Adaptation Science Center Program (NCASC) Apply for G25AS00457 Funding Number: G25AS00457 Agency: Geological Survey Category: Environment Funding Amount: $24,050,000 |
| Management of the 507 Program’s Collaboration and Communication Activities Apply for EPA OA OSDBU 25 01 Funding Number: EPA OA OSDBU 25 01 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Environment Funding Amount: $550,000 |
| Southwest Border Resource Protection Program Apply for P25AS00045 Funding Number: P25AS00045 Agency: National Park Service Category: Environment Funding Amount: $55,000 |
| OIA Coral Reef and Natural Resources Program 2025 Apply for OIA CRNR 2025 Funding Number: OIA CRNR 2025 Agency: Department of the Interior Category: Environment Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| F25AS00039 Rapid Response Fund for Aquatic Invasive Species FY2025 Apply for F25AS00039 Funding Number: F25AS00039 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment Funding Amount: $960,000 |
| Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund 2025 Call for Proposals Apply for OFOP0001675 Funding Number: OFOP0001675 Agency: U.S. Mission to Barbados Category: Environment Funding Amount: $35,000 |
| Transboundary Watershed Grants Apply for EPA R10 WD TWG 2025 01 Funding Number: EPA R10 WD TWG 2025 01 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Environment Funding Amount: $600,000 |
| Logistics, Meeting Coordination Apply for DFOP0017018 Funding Number: DFOP0017018 Agency: Bureau of Oceans - Int. Environmental - Scientific Category: Environment Funding Amount: $142,768 |
| F25AS00376 MENTOR - ApeHealth Apply for F25AS00376 Funding Number: F25AS00376 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment Funding Amount: $5,300,000 |
| Central Africa regional initiative to advance biodiversity, conservation, forest management and climate change mitigation objectives across the Congo Basin. Apply for 72066025RFI0001 Funding Number: 72066025RFI0001 Agency: Democratic Republic of the Congo USAID-Kinshasa Category: Environment Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| F25AS00184 FY 2025 Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund: Conservation Planning Assistance Apply for F25AS00184 Funding Number: F25AS00184 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| 2025 Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) Program Implementer Apply for OFOP0001714 Funding Number: OFOP0001714 Agency: U.S. Mission to Barbados Category: Environment Funding Amount: $35,000 |
| UPLIFT Climate and Environmental Community Action Grant Apply for EPA R HQ UCECA 25 01 Funding Number: EPA R HQ UCECA 25 01 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Environment Funding Amount: $2,500,000 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "EPA OW OWM 24 01", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.