Environmental Health Capacity (EHC) Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)
Visit our new website to learn more about Strengthening Environmental Health Capacity program (EHC) projects and recipients.
EHC is a 5-year opportunity to bolster the capacity of environmental health (EH) programs in public health departments to leverage data-driven and evidence-based approaches to detect, prevent, and control EH hazards.
The new funding opportunity allows recipients to develop evidence-based practices needed to improve community EH:
- Use EH data and information
- Identify and address EH hazards
- Assess the effectiveness and impact of EH interventions
Informational Call: April 15, 2020, 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time
Funding Opportunity Number: CDC-RFA-EH20-2005, Strengthening Environmental Health Capacity to Detect, Prevent, and Control Environmental Health Hazards through Data-Driven, Evidence-Based Approaches
Application due date: June 30, 2020
Deadline for Letter of Intent (requested, not required): May 18, 2020
Q: Where can I learn more about the EHC funding opportunity?
A: Continue to revisit this page for updates. This page has been updated with questions and answers provided during the April 15 webinar and with additional questions received during the application period.
Q: Where can I find the EHC funding opportunity?
A: Visit https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=325641external icon
Q: What are the expected number of awards?
A: Approximately 50. The estimated number of awards shall be based on the availability of funds and will vary by component and component-specific project.
Q: How long is the period of performance?
A: 5 years
Q: What is the approximate total fiscal year funding?
A: $9,500,000. All components are subject to availability of funds and may be adjusted at the discretion of CDC.
Q: What is the overall approach to this funding opportunity?
A:All applicants must apply to build capacity for use of environmental health data (Component A).
- Proposed project activities should be based on applicant needs.
- These activities may address a standalone EH area that does not have to directly relate to optional projects of interest in Components B or C.
- Please see Part II, Section A, Subsection iv. Funding Strategy of the funding opportunity for more information on required projects.
In year 1, applicants can pursue additional funding for optional projects related to
- Safe water (Component B), which focuses on strengthening EH programs and services.
- Disaster recovery (Component C), which aims to enhance capacity to address emerging or priority EH hazards and issues.
Over the course of the 5-year period of performance, new projects may be added. The projects shown in the list of projected projects in the appendices of the funding opportunity (Related Documents tab) are not currently available. They are examples of potential projects that could be funded in the future.
Q: What strategies does this funding opportunity use?
A: This funding opportunity uses three strategies to develop evidence-based practices needed to improve community health. Each proposed EHC project should address the following strategies and be incorporated into the applicant’s work plan:
- Using EH data and information.
- Identifying and addressing EH hazards.
- Assessing the effectiveness and impact of EH interventions.
Q: What is an environmental health program?
A: EH programs in public health departments have the authority and responsibility to deliver comprehensive services for detecting, preventing, and controlling EH hazards and issues. EH programs address a range of EH topic areas and emerging or priority EH hazards and issues to prevent environmental exposures and protect community health.
Q: What outcomes are recipients expected to accomplish during the period of performance?
A: Recipients are expected to accomplish the outcomes found in Part II, Section A, Subsection ii. Outcomes of the funding opportunity. Project work plan activities and accomplishments for Components A, B, and C will contribute to the recipient’s overall performance and evaluation using the NOFO process and outcomes measures. All projects will contribute to the outcomes indicated in the NOFO logic model.
Q: Who is eligible to apply?
A: NOFO eligibility is unrestricted and all entities are eligible to apply. Applicants are required to submit documentation that addresses the responsiveness criteria described in Part II, Section C., Subsection 2 Additional Information on Eligibility. Applications that do not address or meet the responsiveness criteria may not receive further review.
Component C Year 1 project eligibility includes public health departments and agencies within or serving jurisdictions in which a major disaster or emergency in 2018 or 2019 was declared under section 401 or 501 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170 and 5191). Applicants can visit the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s websiteexternal icon to find out if their jurisdiction had a declared disaster in 2018 or 2019.
Q: When are applications due?
A: June 30, 2020, at 11:59 p.m. U.S. Eastern Standard Time, at www.grants.gov.external icon
Q: Do applicants have to submit a Letter of Intent (LOI)?
A: An LOI is requested, but not required. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit an LOI (2-page limit) by May 18, 2020. Visit Part II, Section D, Subsection 7. Letter of Intent of the funding opportunity to learn more about what to include in an LOI.
Q: Are applicants required to submit a work plan for each optional project?
A: Yes. Applicants must submit a work plan for each optional project of interest they apply for.
Q: Is there a work plan template?
A: Yes. Visit Part II, Section A, Subsection d. Work Plan of the funding opportunity for a template showing how a traditional work plan aligns with the logic model and narrative sections of the funding opportunity.
Q: What must be included in the work plan?
A: Applicants must clearly describe how their work plan aligns with the strategies, activities, outcomes, and evaluation and performance measures presented in the logic model and the narrative sections of the funding opportunity. Work plans should include detailed activities for the first year of the project period and a high-level plan for subsequent years.
Q: Are recipients expected to update their work plans after year 1?
A: Yes. Recipients will be expected to update their work plans, including budgets and budget narratives, every year.
Q: Are applicants required to submit a budget for each project?
A: Yes. Applicants must submit a 1-year budget and budget narrative for each of required and optional project.
Q: Is there a page limit for the project narrative?
A: Yes. The limit is 30 pages. This includes the work plans and budgets for all projects.
Q: Is there a cost sharing or matching requirement for this funding opportunity?
A: No. However, leveraging other resources and related ongoing efforts to promote sustainability is strongly encouraged.
Q: What outcomes are recipients expected to accomplish during the period of performance?
A: Recipients are expected to accomplish the outcomes found in Part II, Section A, Subsection ii. Outcomes of the funding opportunity.
Q: Are there performance measures for this funding opportunity?
A: Yes. Applicants will be required to demonstrate the ability to collect necessary data in response to the proposed outcome measures. Performance measures can be found in Part II, Section A, Subsection b. Evaluation and Performance Measurement of the funding opportunity. Optional projects require performance measures specific to the topic area and activities being addressed.