Innovative Water Infrastructure Workforce Development Grant Program – Grant Opportunity

Workforce Services Information Notice                                                         

WSIN23-17

Issued: October 9, 2023

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Water, Office of Wastewater Management announces the availability of approximately $20.8 million in grant funds under the American Water Infrastructure Act of 2018, authorized the EPA to develop a grant program under Section 1459E of the Safe Drinking Water Act, to accelerate career pipelines in the water utilities sector and provide access to water utility workforce opportunities. In addition, under Clean Air Act Section 138(b)(2), which was created by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), Congress authorized EPA to award grants for workforce development activities that help reduce green-house gas emissions and other air pollutants that benefit disadvantaged communities. Through this grant program the EPA will assist in the development and utilization of innovative activities relating to workforce development and career opportunities in the water utility sector, which may include the following:

  1. Expanding the use and availability of activities and resources that relate to the recruitment of individuals (including the promotion of diversity within that recruitment) to careers in the drinking water and wastewater utility sector, including stormwater.
  2. Expanding the availability of training opportunities for (1) individuals entering the water and wastewater utility sector, and (2) individuals seeking to advance careers within the water and wastewater utility sector.
  3. Expanding the use and availability of activities and strategies (including the development of innovative activities and strategies) that relate to the maintenance and retention of a sustainable workforce in the water and wastewater utility sector.
  4. Expanding the availability of workforce development and training that enables drinking water and wastewater utility workers to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and other air pollutants to benefit disadvantaged communities.

Under this Request for Applications (RFA) there are two categories of applicant eligibility:

  1. Consistent with Assistance Listing 66.445, eligible applicants for Project Areas 1-5 are nonprofit professional or service organizations, nonprofit labor organizations, nonprofit community colleges, institutions of higher education, other nonprofit training, and educational institutions, or public works departments and agencies.
  2. Consistent with Assistance Listing 66.616, eligible applicants for Project Area 6 are community-based nonprofit organizations (CBO), a partnership of CBOs, or a partnership between a CBO and Federally recognized Indian Tribe, local government, or institution of higher education.

Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov before the deadline 11:59 p.m. ET on November 17, 2023.

For more information about this grant opportunity, visit the Grants.gov website to review the complete Funding Opportunity Announcement, including eligibility requirements and instructions for submitting an application. For questions concerning this grant opportunity visit the EPA website.

/s/ KIMBERLEE MEYER, Chief
Central Office Workforce Services Division