Opportunity Information: Apply for EPA R4 SFL 2020 01

The 2020 South FL Geographic Initiative is a discretionary funding opportunity from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) focused on supporting environmental projects across key South Florida coastal and estuarine ecosystems. Issued as a Request for Applications (RFA), it invites proposals that advance the goals of several connected regional programs: the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Water Quality Protection Program, the Southeast Florida Coral Reef Initiative, and restoration or protection efforts tied to the Caloosahatchee Estuary, Indian River Lagoon, Florida Bay, and Biscayne Bay. In practical terms, the opportunity is aimed at improving water quality and strengthening the health and resilience of sensitive marine and coastal habitats that are heavily influenced by nutrient pollution, stormwater runoff, wastewater, altered freshwater flows, and other human-driven stressors.

Funding is offered through grants and cooperative agreements, meaning awards may range from relatively hands-off grant support to more collaborative projects where EPA remains substantially involved in shaping or overseeing key aspects of the work. The program is categorized under environmental assistance (CFDA 66.436) and is structured as an open competition, so applicants are not limited to a single pre-selected pool; instead, eligible entities compete based on how well their projects align with the stated program goals and how strong their proposed approach, outcomes, and implementation plan are. While the eligibility category is listed broadly as "Others," the solicitation notes that applicants must consult the additional eligibility language in Section IV to confirm whether their organization type qualifies.

The opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number: EPA R4 SFL 2020 01) was created on July 1, 2020, with an original closing date of August 7, 2020, though the solicitation directs applicants to verify deadline details in Section IV, which is where final submission timing and any updates or nuance about closing dates are typically specified. EPA anticipated making around 20 awards, with a maximum award amount (ceiling) of $325,000. Taken together, that structure suggests the program was designed to fund multiple targeted projects across the region rather than a small number of very large efforts, encouraging a portfolio of on-the-ground actions, monitoring and assessment work, planning or implementation projects, and other activities that directly support water quality protection and ecosystem recovery in South Florida.

Overall, this RFA is best understood as a regional initiative supporting science-based and implementation-ready work in some of Florida's most important marine environments, with an emphasis on projects that clearly connect proposed activities to measurable environmental outcomes and to the established objectives of the listed sanctuary, reef, bay, and estuary programs.

  • The Environmental Protection Agency in the environment sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "2020 SOUTH FL GEOGRAPHIC INITIATIVE" and is now available to receive applicants.
  • Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 66.436.
  • This funding opportunity was created on Jul 01, 2020.
  • Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 07, 2020 See Section IV of the solicitation for close date information.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
  • Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $325,000.00 in funding.
  • The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 20 candidate(s).
  • Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - 2020 South FL Geographic Initiative (EPA)

What is the 2020 South FL Geographic Initiative?

The 2020 South FL Geographic Initiative is a discretionary funding opportunity from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to support environmental projects across key South Florida coastal and estuarine ecosystems. It was issued as a Request for Applications (RFA).

Which EPA funding announcement is this?

This opportunity is identified as Funding Opportunity Number EPA R4 SFL 2020 01.

What is the main purpose of this funding opportunity?

The main purpose is to improve water quality and strengthen the health and resilience of sensitive marine and coastal habitats in South Florida that are impacted by nutrient pollution, stormwater runoff, wastewater, altered freshwater flows, and other human-driven stressors.

What geographic area does this opportunity focus on?

The focus is South Florida, specifically coastal and estuarine ecosystems tied to the Florida Keys and multiple bays and estuaries across the region.

Which ecosystems and waterbodies are specifically referenced?

The solicitation references work connected to the Caloosahatchee Estuary, Indian River Lagoon, Florida Bay, and Biscayne Bay, along with efforts relevant to the Florida Keys.

Which regional programs are connected to this initiative?

The RFA is intended to advance the goals of several connected regional programs, including:

  • Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Water Quality Protection Program
  • Southeast Florida Coral Reef Initiative
  • Restoration or protection efforts tied to Caloosahatchee Estuary, Indian River Lagoon, Florida Bay, and Biscayne Bay

What types of projects is EPA looking to fund?

The opportunity is aimed at science-based, implementation-ready work that directly supports water quality protection and ecosystem recovery. The description indicates a mix of potential activities, including on-the-ground actions, monitoring and assessment, and planning or implementation projects, as long as they clearly connect to measurable environmental outcomes and the objectives of the referenced programs.

What environmental problems is this funding intended to address?

The solicitation emphasizes stressors affecting South Florida coastal and marine habitats, including nutrient pollution, stormwater runoff, wastewater impacts, altered freshwater flows, and other human-driven stressors.

Is this a grant program or something else?

Funding is offered through grants and cooperative agreements. This means some awards may be relatively hands-off (traditional grants), while others may involve substantial EPA involvement in shaping or overseeing key aspects of the project (cooperative agreements).

What is the CFDA number or assistance listing for this program?

The program is categorized under environmental assistance with CFDA 66.436.

Is this an open competition?

Yes. The program is described as an open competition where eligible entities compete based on alignment with program goals and the strength of their approach, outcomes, and implementation plan.

Who is eligible to apply?

The eligibility category is listed broadly as "Others." However, the solicitation notes that applicants must consult the additional eligibility language in Section IV to confirm whether their organization type qualifies.

Where should applicants look to confirm eligibility requirements?

Applicants are directed to Section IV of the solicitation for additional eligibility language and confirmation of whether their organization type qualifies.

When was the funding opportunity created?

The opportunity was created on July 1, 2020.

What was the original application deadline?

The original closing date was August 7, 2020. The solicitation also directs applicants to verify deadline details in Section IV, where final submission timing and any updates or nuances are typically specified.

Where should applicants verify the final deadline and submission details?

The RFA points applicants to Section IV to confirm the final submission timing and any updates or deadline nuances.

How many awards did EPA anticipate making?

EPA anticipated making around 20 awards under this opportunity.

What is the maximum award amount?

The maximum (ceiling) award amount is $325,000.

Does the funding structure suggest large projects or multiple smaller projects?

Based on the anticipated number of awards (around 20) and the maximum award ceiling ($325,000), the structure suggests funding multiple targeted projects across the region rather than a small number of very large projects.

What will make a proposal competitive based on the description provided?

Projects are positioned as more competitive when they align closely with the stated program goals, present a strong proposed approach, define clear outcomes, and include a solid implementation plan. The description also emphasizes connecting activities to measurable environmental outcomes and to established objectives of the sanctuary, reef, bay, and estuary programs.

What overall outcomes is EPA trying to achieve with this initiative?

The RFA is focused on measurable improvements in water quality and stronger health and resilience of marine and coastal habitats across South Florida, supporting ecosystem recovery in some of Florida's most important marine environments.

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