Application Notes:

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until 11:59 p.m. ET on September 30, 2026.

Applications must be submitted online at www.ecivis.com/grants.gov. Each application must be submitted to the appropriate funding agency line office.

Applications must include:

• SF 424
• SF 424A or SF 424C (as applicable)
• SF 424B or SF 424D (as applicable)
• CD-511
• Title page (1 page max)
• Project synopsis (1 page max)
• Project description (15 pages max)
• Literature cited (if applicable)
• Resumes for each major participant
• National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) questionnaire (if applicable)
• Data management plan (if applicable)
• Indirect cost rate statement (if applicable)
• Additional forms required from nonprofit organizations, commercial entities, and state/local/tribal governments, as detailed on pages 9-11 of the NOFA file (as applicable)

Applications must be submitted on standard-sized, single-spaced pages with one-inch margins, using a font no smaller than 11-point.

The following are required in order to submit an application:

• Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number
• SAM (System for Award Management) registration
• SPOC (state Single Point of Contact) notification

Applicants may obtain a UEI number and verify or renew SAM registration status at www.ecivis.com/sam. Applicants in states participating in the SPOC program must contact the relevant SPOC listed in the SPOC file before applying.

Generally, applications will be evaluated using the following criteria:

• Importance/relevance and applicability of proposed project to program goals
• Technical/scientific merit
• Overall qualifications of applicants
• Project cost
• Outreach and education

Refer to pages 13-15 of the NOFA file for additional information regarding the program's evaluation criteria.

Refer to the NOFA file for additional application information.

Match Notes:

Matching funds are not required for this program, unless it is determined that a project can only be funded under an authority that requires match/cost sharing.

Funding Notes:

An unspecified amount of funding is expected to be available to support grants or cooperative agreements through this program.

Applications will be evaluated within three to six months of submission. Applications received after March 31, 2025, may not receive awards until fiscal year 2026. 

Projects are expected to generally begin within three to six months of application submission. Applicants should generally propose a one-year project period, but the project period may be renegotiated once funding is awarded. Projects must begin on the first day of a month and end on the last day of a month.

Applicants are authorized to incur pre-award costs up to 90 days before the start of the project period at their own risk, without prior approval from the funding agency. Pre-award costs expended more than 90 days before the start of the project period must be pre-approved by the funding agency. Pre-award costs are only allowable to the extent that they would be allowable if incurred after awards.

Funds may not be used for application preparation costs.