FY23 Guidelines for Brownfields Cleanup Grants | EPA I OLEM OBLR 22 09

Opportunity Information: Apply for EPA I OLEM OBLR 22 09

The FY23 Guidelines for Brownfields Cleanup Grants is a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) discretionary funding opportunity that supports the cleanup phase of brownfields revitalization. Brownfields are generally properties where redevelopment or reuse is complicated by actual or potential contamination. This opportunity is rooted in federal authorities under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), as expanded by the 2002 Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act, which created CERCLA Section 104(k) to authorize federal financial assistance for brownfields activities such as assessment, cleanup, and revolving loan funds. The EPA notes that later statutory updates, especially the 2018 BUILD Act, reauthorized and adjusted key aspects of the program, including elements that affect EPA grant authorities and certain ownership and liability considerations. For FY23, the funding described in these guidelines is supported by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Public Law 117-58), commonly referred to as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which significantly increased federal investment in infrastructure and related environmental remediation priorities.

The purpose of the Cleanup Grants described in this guidance is to provide targeted financial assistance to entities that are ready to take a brownfield site from the planning and assessment stage into actual cleanup and preparation for reuse. In practical terms, this means EPA funding is intended to help communities remove or address contamination so properties can be put back into productive use, reduce risks to human health and the environment, and help stabilize or strengthen local economies. The broader EPA Brownfields Program framework emphasized in the notice is community-focused: it aims to empower states, tribal nations, local communities, and nonprofit organizations to prevent, inventory, assess, clean up, and reuse brownfield sites. While the specific document referenced is guidance for cleanup applications, it sits within this larger pipeline of work, where assessment identifies problems and cleanup funding helps pay to fix them so redevelopment can proceed.

Administratively, the opportunity is issued by the Environmental Protection Agency under Funding Opportunity Number "EPA I OLEM OBLR 22 09" and is categorized as a discretionary grant program using a cooperative agreement as the funding instrument. A cooperative agreement typically indicates that, in addition to providing funds, EPA expects to have substantial involvement in certain aspects of the funded work (for example, coordination, oversight, or technical engagement consistent with federal grant rules). The activity area is listed under Environment and ties explicitly to Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) priorities. The assistance listing is associated with CFDA (now often referred to as Assistance Listing) number 66.818, which corresponds to EPA brownfields assistance.

In terms of applicants, the opportunity broadly indicates that eligibility falls under an "Others" category and directs prospective applicants to consult the "Additional Information on Eligibility" section of the full guidelines for the exact list and definitions. In the program description, EPA highlights that the Brownfields Program is designed to support states, tribal nations, communities, and nonprofit organizations, suggesting that these are central categories of intended recipients, though the authoritative eligibility requirements would be in that referenced eligibility section. The notice also signals an emphasis on community benefit and public-purpose outcomes, consistent with the program's goal of enabling cleanup and reuse of contaminated or potentially contaminated properties.

From a funding standpoint, the opportunity lists an award ceiling of $60,000,000 and an expectation of around 40 awards. The ceiling figure in the listing reflects the maximum amount shown for the opportunity, while actual award sizes and the number of selected projects typically depend on annual appropriations, program policy, and the competitiveness and readiness of proposals. The timeline provided shows the opportunity was created on September 12, 2022, with an original closing date of November 22, 2022, which frames the application window for that funding cycle.

Overall, these FY23 Cleanup Grant guidelines function as EPA's roadmap for applicants seeking brownfields cleanup funding: they connect the program to CERCLA Section 104(k), incorporate the statutory updates from the BUILD Act, and reflect the expanded investment made available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The core takeaway is that EPA is offering cooperative agreement funding to help eligible entities carry out cleanup activities that reduce environmental and health risks and unlock reuse and redevelopment of brownfield properties, with a competitive selection process and a finite number of awards anticipated for the cycle.

• The Environmental Protection Agency in the environment, infrastructure investment and jobs act (iija) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY23 Guidelines for Brownfields Cleanup Grants" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 66.818.
• This funding opportunity was created on Sep 12, 2022.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Nov 22, 2022. (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 $60,000,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 40 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

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