Application Notes:

Prior to submitting an application, applicants are required to complete a mandatory registration with FedConnect at www.fedconnect.net.

Applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. ET on March 3, 2025.

The due date for the application has been extended to 11:59 p.m. ET on June 20, 2025. Additional information is included in the revised NOFA file.

Applications must be submitted online at www.ecivis.com/grants.gov. Mailed or faxed submissions will not be accepted.

Applications must include:

• SF 424
• SF 424A
• Project narrative
• Budget narrative and estimates
• Standard Title VI/non-discrimination assurances
• Certification regarding lobbying
• Approved negotiated indirect cost rate agreement (if applicable)

The following are required in order to submit an application:

• Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number
• SAM (System for Award Management) registration

Applicants may obtain a UEI number and verify or renew SAM registration status at www.ecivis.com/sam.

Applications will be evaluated according to the following criteria:

• Establishment of clear goals and objectives focused on pipeline development and operation without accidents or incidents
• Applicant’s experience with, and commitment to, advancing pipeline safety through fostering meaningful public involvement with affected operators and other key members of the community to ensure project success
• Alignment with challenges and strategies for advancing pipeline safety and whether the project seeks to improve performance and safety over time in such areas as engineering, damage prevention; land use planning; public awareness, education and outreach; emergency response; and community awareness
• Clear establishment of resources, milestones, and estimated project costs that align with project goals and objectives
• Identification of measurable results and deliverables and specification of how results will be evaluated and disseminated to affected stakeholders
• Potential for learning or technology transfer to other groups and communities

Refer to the NOFA file and Application folder for additional application information.

Match Notes:

Matching funds are not required for this program; however, applicants should detail any other funding sources, including other federal funding sources, for the project in the application.

Funding Notes:

Approximately $2 million is expected to be available to support awards of up to $100,000 each through this program.

The funding agency will also issue an additional award of $1 million to an eligible nonprofit applicant for the purpose of improving the quality of technical assistance provided to communities or individuals.

Funding may be provided on an advance payment or reimbursement basis. 

Awards are expected to be made by September 30, 2025. The project period will span 12 months from the effective date of award.

For nonprofit municipal pipeline operator applicants, funds may not be used for regulatory compliance or routine operations and maintenance of pipeline facilities, including compliance with pipeline safety integrity management regulations.

Funds may not be used for:

• Renewal or supplementation of existing projects
• Projects addressing pipeline facilities regulated under Public Law 93-153 
• Activities that involve fees or profit
• Lobbying
• Direct support of litigation
• Direct advocacy for or against a pipeline construction or expansion project or other pipeline policy matters
• Activities associated with regulatory compliance or typical operations and maintenance of pipeline facilities
• Expenses claimed and/or reimbursed by another program
• Expenses counted as match funds toward another federal program
• Costs disallowed or stated as ineligible in Title 2, Part 200 of the CFR

Refer to page 6 of the NOFA file for additional ineligible costs information.

For FY 2024, a total of $2,000,019 was recommended to be distributed via 13 awards ranging from $13,500 to $1 million through this program. For FY 2023, a total of $2,000,580 was distributed via 12 awards ranging from $33,135 to $1 million. Refer to the Award file for details.

June 10, 2025
A revised solicitation containing an updated due date for the application has been released and attached as the NOFA file. All sections have been updated accordingly.

April 4, 2025
Information regarding recommended awards through this program has been released and appended to the Award file. A sample of recommended award recipients has been added to the Eligibility section, and a brief summary of the recommended awards has been added to the Financial section.

January 27, 2025
A notice regarding the removal of the solicitation for this program from Grants.gov has been released and attached as the Postponement file. All relevant sections have been updated accordingly.