The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is soliciting applications from eligible applicants as described in Section III.A to (1) assist in the development and use of innovative activities relating to water workforce development and career opportunities in the drinking water and wastewater utility sector, and (2) expand public awareness about drinking water and wastewater utilities and to connect individuals to careers in the drinking water and wastewater utility sector.
The proposed activities support progress toward the Agency’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 – 2022 Strategic Plan for the following goal and objective:
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Goal 1 - A Cleaner, Healthier Environment: Deliver a cleaner, safer, and healthier environment for all Americans and future generations by carrying out the Agency’s Core
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Mission.
- Objective 1.2 - Provide for Clean and Safe Water: Ensure waters are clean through improved water infrastructure and, in partnership with states and tribes, sustainably manage programs to support drinking water, aquatic ecosystems, and recreational, economic, and subsistence activities.
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Mission.
EPA’s Strategic Plan is available at: https://www.epa.gov/planandbudget/strategicplan.
EPA is soliciting applications from eligible applicants for projects in five Project Areas listed below (See RFA for descriptions). While EPA intends to make awards in as many Project Areas as possible, the Agency reserves the right to make more than one award in a Project Area and the right to make no awards in a Project Area. Under this competition, only one application can be submitted per applicant. Applications must identify only one Project Area described below that is the primary focus of the application.
- Project Area 1: Targeted internship, apprenticeship, pre-apprenticeship, and post-secondary bridge programs for skilled water utility trades.
- Project Area 2: Education programs designed for elementary, secondary, and higher education students.
- Project Area 3: Regional industry and workforce development collaborations to address water utility employment needs and coordinate candidate development, particularly in areas of high unemployment or for water utilities with a high proportion of retirement eligible employees.
- Project Area 4: Integrated learning laboratories in secondary educational institutions.
- Project Area 5: Leadership development, occupational training, mentoring, or cross-training programs that ensure incumbent drinking water and wastewater utility workers are prepared for higher level supervisory or management-level positions.
Interested applicants should upload the following documents in sequence in one PDF file (File name: Last name_EPA-OW-OWM-20-01 no later than 4:00 p.m. on the internal submission deadline:
1. Cover Letter (1 page, pdf):
- Descriptive title of proposed activity
- Applicant Organization
- PI name, departmental affiliations(s) and contact information
- Co-PI's names and departmental affiliation(s)
- Names of other key personnel
- Participating institution(s)
- Number and title of this funding opportunity
2. Project Description (no more than two pages, pdf) identifying the project scope that addresses the key aspects and elements of the sponsor's solicitation, principal investigators, collaborators, and partner organizations.
3. 2-page CV's of Investigators
Formatting Guidelines:
Font/size: Times New Roman (12 pt.)
Document margins: 1.0” (top, bottom, left and right)
Standard paper size (8 ½” x 11)