Opportunity Information: Apply for EPA GM 2021 MIST
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), through its Gulf of Mexico Division, released a discretionary Request for Applications focused on improving conditions across the Gulf of Mexico watershed in the Continental United States. The specific grant opportunity titled "Improving Community Health through Microbial Source Tracking" (Funding Opportunity Number EPA-GM-2021-MiST; CFDA 66.475) is part of a broader set of four related funding opportunities that were posted separately on Grants.gov. While the overall RFA frames a shared regional goal, applicants have to choose one specific funding opportunity and submit directly under that opportunity's unique number, rather than submitting one application for the combined RFA.
At a high level, the purpose of the MiST opportunity is to support projects that strengthen community health by improving water quality outcomes using microbial source tracking approaches. Microbial source tracking generally refers to methods used to identify where fecal contamination in water is coming from (for example, distinguishing human sources from livestock or wildlife). In the context of a watershed as large and complex as the Gulf of Mexico basin, this kind of work can guide targeted fixes, help reduce exposure to pathogens, and support better decision-making for local and regional water management. The EPA describes the intended results broadly as improvements to water quality and habitat, increased community resilience, and expanded environmental education, with the understanding that exact geographic requirements depend on the details in the individual funding posting.
The awards under this opportunity are available as either grants or cooperative agreements, meaning some projects may involve a more collaborative relationship with EPA depending on the selected instrument. The award ceiling is listed as $1,500,000, and EPA anticipated making about five awards under this particular competition. Eligible applicants are described in the source data as "Others," with the expectation that applicants consult the full announcement text (especially the section on eligibility) for the specific list of eligible entity types and any conditions or limitations.
Key administrative details include the posting timeframe and deadlines: the opportunity was created on June 1, 2021, and the original closing date was August 6, 2021, with EPA directing applicants to the official announcement for exact submission methods and any deadline nuances. The RFA also references an EPA Gulf of Mexico story map as a resource for viewing projects funded under previous rounds, which can help applicants understand the kinds of activities that have historically been supported and how proposed work might align with program goals.
Finally, it is worth noting that this MiST opportunity was presented alongside three other separate but related Gulf of Mexico funding tracks, each with its own Funding Opportunity Number and posting: "Trash Free Waters - Preventing More, Picking Up Less" (EPA-GM-2021-TFW), "Building Community Resilience Through the Reduction and Prevention of Nonpoint Source Pollution" (EPA-GM-2021-NPS), and "STEM Career Development for High School Aged Youth" (EPA-GM-2021-HSCD). The EPA's structure here is essentially a shared umbrella theme for Gulf watershed benefits, divided into distinct competitions so applicants can target the program area that best matches their proposed work.Apply for EPA GM 2021 MIST
- The Environmental Protection Agency in the environment sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Improving Community Health through Microbial Source Tracking" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 66.475.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jun 01, 2021.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 06, 2021 Please refer to the announcement, including Section IV, for additional information on submission methods and due dates.. (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 $1,500,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 5 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): EPA Gulf of Mexico Division - Improving Community Health through Microbial Source Tracking (MiST)
What is this funding opportunity?
This is a discretionary EPA funding opportunity from the EPA Gulf of Mexico Division titled "Improving Community Health through Microbial Source Tracking" (Funding Opportunity Number EPA-GM-2021-MiST; CFDA 66.475). It is designed to fund projects that improve conditions across the Gulf of Mexico watershed in the Continental United States.
What is the main purpose of the MiST grant?
The purpose is to support projects that strengthen community health by improving water quality outcomes using microbial source tracking approaches. The EPA frames this work as a way to reduce exposure to pathogens, guide targeted fixes, and support better local and regional water management decisions.
What does "microbial source tracking" mean in this context?
Microbial source tracking generally refers to methods used to identify where fecal contamination in water is coming from, such as distinguishing human sources from livestock or wildlife. In a large watershed like the Gulf of Mexico basin, this helps communities and decision-makers focus remediation and prevention efforts more precisely.
Where do projects need to take place?
The opportunity focuses on improving conditions across the Gulf of Mexico watershed in the Continental United States. The EPA notes that exact geographic requirements depend on the details in the individual funding posting, so applicants are directed to the official announcement for location-specific rules.
What outcomes is EPA looking for?
The EPA describes intended results broadly as: improvements to water quality and habitat, increased community resilience, and expanded environmental education. The MiST track specifically emphasizes water quality improvements supported by microbial source tracking approaches.
Is this part of a larger EPA Gulf of Mexico funding initiative?
Yes. MiST is one of four related Gulf of Mexico funding opportunities released under a shared regional theme. Each opportunity was posted separately on Grants.gov and is treated as its own competition.
Can an applicant submit one application that covers the entire combined RFA?
No. Even though the overall Request for Applications (RFA) frames a shared regional goal, applicants must choose one specific funding opportunity and submit under that opportunity's unique Funding Opportunity Number. Applications are not submitted as a single combined package for the umbrella RFA.
What are the other related Gulf of Mexico funding tracks?
The MiST opportunity was presented alongside three other separate opportunities, each with its own Funding Opportunity Number:
- Trash Free Waters - Preventing More, Picking Up Less (EPA-GM-2021-TFW)
- Building Community Resilience Through the Reduction and Prevention of Nonpoint Source Pollution (EPA-GM-2021-NPS)
- STEM Career Development for High School Aged Youth (EPA-GM-2021-HSCD)
What types of awards will EPA make under MiST?
Awards may be made as either grants or cooperative agreements. This means some projects may involve a more collaborative relationship with EPA depending on the award instrument selected.
What is the maximum funding amount for a single award?
The award ceiling for this opportunity is listed as $1,500,000.
How many awards did EPA expect to make?
EPA anticipated making about five awards under the MiST competition.
Who is eligible to apply?
In the source information provided, eligible applicants are described as "Others". The EPA indicates that applicants should consult the full announcement text, especially the eligibility section, for the specific eligible entity types and any conditions or limitations.
When was the opportunity posted and what was the deadline?
The opportunity was created on June 1, 2021. The original closing date was August 6, 2021. The EPA directs applicants to the official announcement for exact submission methods and any deadline nuances.
Where is the application submitted?
The opportunities were posted separately on Grants.gov. Applicants must submit directly under the MiST opportunity's unique Funding Opportunity Number (EPA-GM-2021-MiST), rather than under a combined umbrella listing.
What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?
The CFDA number listed for this funding opportunity is 66.475.
Does EPA provide any resources to understand what kinds of projects have been funded before?
Yes. The RFA references an EPA Gulf of Mexico story map that can be used to view projects funded under previous rounds. This can help applicants understand historically supported activities and how proposed work might align with program goals.
Why did EPA split the Gulf of Mexico RFA into multiple separate competitions?
EPA used a shared umbrella theme focused on Gulf watershed benefits, but divided it into distinct competitions so applicants can target the program area that best matches their proposed work (for example, microbial source tracking versus trash prevention, nonpoint source pollution, or STEM career development).
Does the geographic scale of the Gulf watershed affect how projects are framed?
Yes. The EPA notes that in a watershed as large and complex as the Gulf of Mexico basin, microbial source tracking can help guide targeted fixes, reduce exposure to pathogens, and support better water management decision-making at local and regional scales.
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