Exchange Network

Exchange Network Grant Program

Overview

The Exchange Network Grant Program provides funding to states, territories and federally recognized Indian tribes to support the development of the Environmental Information Exchange Network (EIEN). The primary outcome expected from Exchange Network assistance agreements is improved access to, and exchange of, high-quality environmental data from public and private sector sources. Applications should demonstrate support for and results toward EIEN program priorities.

Since FY 2002, EPA has awarded approximately $200 million in assistance agreements to build the Environmental Information Exchange Network. All 50 states, five territories and 87 federally recognized tribes have received grants to facilitate the development and implementation of the EIEN.

Each fiscal year, EPA expects to award about $10 million to approximately 40 to 50 EIEN projects; awards for each project can be up to $500,000. The exact number of awarded grants will depend on:

the final amount of EPA’s appropriation for the grant program,
the number of applications submitted to EPA by the application deadline,
the amounts of proposed budgets, and
the outcome of application reviews.

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FY 2016 Exchange Network Grant Solicitation Notice

The FY 2016 Exchange Network (EN) Grant Program Solicitation Notice is now available to interested applicants.
See: FY 2016 Exchange Network Grant Solicitation Notice

Several resources are available to assist applicants.

What's New in the FY 2016 Exchange Network Grant Solicitation Notice(1 pg, 27 K, September 2015)
Do’s and Don’ts for the FY 2016 Exchange Network Grant Applications(2 pp, 33 K, September 2015)
Checklist of Required Documents for the FY 2016 Exchange Network Grant Applications(1 pg, 26 K, September 2015)
FY 2016 Exchange Network Solicitation Notice Webinar

EPA only accepts project proposals for EN assistance agreements submitted electronically through the Grants.gov website, unless applicants have a waiver.
See: Grants.gov

Applications are due to EPA by November 13, 2015. EPA anticipates that it will announce selection decisions in or around April 2016. EPA plans to issue the awards by July 31, 2016.

Further details for future grant program solicitations will be posted here and provided through Exchange Network alerts.

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Presentation for Grant Applicants

To assist applicants, EPA hosts webinars and presentations.

In preparation for the FY 2016 Exchange Network Grant cycle, EPA will present at the Exchange Network National Meeting in Philadelphia. An informational presentation is scheduled for September 28^th in the afternoon.

For detailed information, see: EN 2015 Agenda Exit

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Exchange Network Grants Meeting Excessive Unliquidated Obligations (ULO) Criteria

Unliquidated Obligations (ULOs) are funds that have been awarded to grantees but that remain unspent.

EPA will post updates on Exchange Network ULOs in mid-October for the FY 2015 fourth quarter report and in mid-January 2016 for the FY 2016 first quarter report.

Points will be deducted from grant applications when the applicant has excessive ULOs on prior grants. Decision regarding point deductions will be made based on the FY 2016 first quarter report.

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Related Information About Grants

Previous Exchange Network Grant Projects
Review information on Exchange Network grants awarded between 2002 and 2013. Find out more about the types of activities in which states, tribes and territories are involved to support the Environmental Information Exchange Network.
Grants Awards Database
Read a summary record for all non-construction EPA grants awarded in the last 10 years, including grants that were awarded before that time, but that remain open.
Grants and Debarment
Understanding, managing, and applying for EPA grants.
Grants.gov
Visit the federal government's single access point for over 1,000 grant programs offered by all federal grant-making agencies.

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