National Tribal Air Association

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), through its Office of Air and Radiation (OAR), has issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) under the opportunity number EPA-OAR-IO-25-01. This grant supports the operations of the National Tribal Air Association (NTAA), an entity established to enhance communication and coordination between the EPA and federally recognized Tribes and Alaska Native Villages concerning air quality issues. The NTAA was founded in 2001 as a result of a cooperative agreement initiated by the EPA based on Tribal input to better represent Tribal interests in air quality regulations and policy decisions under the Clean Air Act. The purpose of this funding is to enable the selected applicant to provide expert regulatory and policy analysis, administrative support, and national coordination to aid Tribal governments in understanding and participating in EPA’s air quality planning and regulatory activities. The goal is to reinforce the co-regulatory role of Tribes in managing air quality while supporting Tribal sovereignty and the government-to-government relationship between Tribes and the federal government. The total expected funding under this opportunity is $1,675,000 over a five-year period, with annual allocations of $335,000. One cooperative agreement is anticipated. The recipient will be required to support the NTAA Executive Committee, provide expert analysis of EPA actions, facilitate communication and coordination efforts among Tribes and the EPA, and host an annual conference. Additional responsibilities include maintaining the NTAA website, conducting outreach, and supporting the involvement of Tribal representatives in the national air quality management community. Outputs such as the number of meetings, comment letters, outreach materials, and policy calls must be reported, along with outcomes like increased Tribal participation and knowledge regarding EPA air programs. Eligible applicants include state and local governments, U.S. territories and possessions, federally recognized Tribes, public and private higher education institutions, hospitals, laboratories, and nonprofit organizations (excluding 501(c)(4) groups that engage in lobbying). For-profit entities are not eligible. The application must be submitted through Grants.gov, and must adhere strictly to the format requirements outlined in the NOFO, including a 20-page project narrative limit. Applications are due by October 1, 2025, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. Applicants must be registered with SAM.gov and have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). The EPA anticipates notifying selected applicants by November 2025, with awards finalized by January 2026. Applications must include mandatory forms such as the SF-424, SF-424A, EPA Key Contacts Form, and others. Optional attachments like support letters and staff biographies may also be submitted. Evaluation criteria include project summary and approach, expected environmental results, programmatic capability, budget, and ability to expend funds efficiently. The technical contact for this opportunity is Pat Childers, who can be reached at childers.pat@epa.gov. All applications must be submitted electronically via Grants.gov. In cases of technical submission issues, a backup PDF submission may be accepted if accompanied by a Grants.gov support ticket and a timely notification to the EPA.

Use clear formatting, legible fonts, and follow instructions exactly. Attachments exceeding the page limit will not be reviewed. Emphasize clarity in presenting expected outputs and outcomes.