INDOOR ENVIRONMENTS: REDUCING PUBLIC EXPOSURE TO INDOOR POLLUTANTS

Grant: Indoor Environments: Reducing Public Exposure to Indoor Pollutants
Agency: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Division: Region 9, which consist of the states of California, Arizona, Hawaii, Nevada and the Pacific Islands (U.S. territories of Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and other unincorporated U.S. Pacific possessions). EPA Region 9 is the lead region for the Navajo Nation; accordingly, this RFP addresses work anywhere in the Navajo Nation, regardless of state boundaries.
Deadline: October 18, 2010. An optional intent to apply email is due October 7, 2010.

Description: EPA Region 9 is soliciting proposals from eligible entities for projects in Region 9 to support demonstration, training, outreach and/or education projects to reduce exposure to indoor pollutants for K-12 schools and homes. These projects are expected to achieve environmental results in one or more indoor air quality priority areas. Proposals may address more than one area.

The goal of EPA's Indoor Environments Program is to improve indoor air quality (IAQ) and to reduce associated human health risks caused by pollutants in the indoor environment. This is accomplished by increasing public awareness and understanding of the potential health risks related to indoor air pollutants commonly found in homes and schools, as well as by promoting appropriate voluntary practices and risk reduction actions by the public and key stakeholders. EPA estimates that indoor levels of many pollutants are typically two to five times higher than outdoor levels. These levels raise concern because it is estimated that most people spend approximately 90 percent of their time indoors. One of the goals of this grant program is to ensure that good IAQ Management Practices are used in urban, suburban, rural and tribal K-12 public and private schools and to promote holistic approaches that help schools address the entire range of environmental issues they face.

Applicants must identify demonstration, training, outreach and/or education project objectives and goals that are aligned with the indoor air quality priority areas:

• The Indoor Air Quality Management in Schools priority area aims to increase the number of K-12 schools with effective indoor air quality management practices and plans based on, or consistent with, IAQ Tools for Schools. The major work of these projects is to fund organizations that will conduct outreach, education and specialized trainings on IAQ Tools for Schools or equivalent. Projects under this priority should involve training school staff – including teachers – and school nurses to prevent and resolve common IAQ problems, identify practical solutions and develop IAQ management plans.
• The Reduce Exposure to Indoor Asthma Triggers priority requires projects to address asthma education taking place in homes, in schools or both. These projects should aim to increase the number of people with asthma who take actions to reduce their exposure to environmental triggers. This priority area includes two subobjectives: Asthma Trigger Education Taking Place in the Home and Indoor Asthma Trigger Education in Elementary Schools.
• The Indoor Asthma Trigger Training for Health Professionals priority aims to decrease the number of people with asthma exposed to indoor environmental asthma triggers by training healthcare professionals on the environmental management of asthma so they can counsel people with asthma and/or their caregivers on actions to reduce exposure to environmental asthma triggers indoors.

Applicants may submit more than one proposal, but each proposal must be for a different priority area. An applicant may not submit multiple proposals for the same priority area.

The project must be for work carried out within EPA Region 9 which consists of the states of California, Arizona, Hawaii, Nevada and the Pacific Islands (U.S. territories of Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands). EPA Region 9 is the lead region for the Navajo Nation; accordingly, this RFP addresses work anywhere in the Navajo Nation, regardless of state boundaries.

Fit for public broadcasting: Public broadcasting stations are eligible to apply for this grant and are well-suited to complete the required activities. With their expertise and experience in public and adult education and workforce training programs, public broadcasting stations can receive funding from this program to implement projects that communicate information about air quality and its effects. While partnerships are allowed, the EPA will only award funds to one eligible applicant per project. Successful applicants may then award subgrants to fund partnerships.

Eligibility: Proposals will be accepted from private and public universities and colleges, states, local governments, hospitals, laboratories, Indian Tribes, territories and possessions of the U.S., international organizations, and other public and private nonprofit organizations. For-profit organizations are not eligible to apply.

Anticipated funding: The total amount anticipated to be awarded under this RFP is approximately $225,000. EPA Region 9 anticipates awarding approximately three to five grants and/or cooperative agreements. Awards will range from approximately $20,000 to $70,000, with each project period being two years. Project periods for awards resulting from this competition will be from March 1, 2011 until February 29, 2012.

No matching funds are required under this competition, but EPA will evaluate proposals based on a leveraging criterion.

How to apply: Applications must be hand delivered or submitted via Grants.gov by 5:00 PM, Pacific Daylight Time on October 18, 2010.

Resources:
Program notice
Program website
EPA Indoor Air Quality programs
EPA information about asthma