ATSDR’s Partnership to Promote Local Efforts To Reduce Environmental Exposure

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) offers cooperative agreement funding through the “ATSDR’s Partnership to Promote Local Efforts To Reduce Environmental Exposure” program (CDC-RFA-TS-23-0001). This opportunity supports states and political subdivisions in conducting site-related health assessments and proactive environmental public health activities to reduce exposure to hazardous substances and prevent related illnesses. It builds on ATSDR’s statutory responsibilities under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), also known as the Superfund Act, as amended by the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA). The program provides funding to state and local governments, tribal governments, and other political subdivisions that have the capacity to carry out environmental health assessments and implement prevention strategies. Activities funded under this program fall into two main domains: (1) decreasing or eliminating exposures through site-related activities such as public health assessments and consultations, and (2) preventing exposures through innovative non-site-specific activities, including the Choose Safe Places for Early Care and Education (CSPECE) initiative, environmental policy development, and community capacity building. This dual focus enhances ATSDR’s ability to respond to hazardous exposures while proactively addressing risks in communities. Funded recipients are expected to collaborate with ATSDR to translate scientific data into community-specific tools, actions, and health messaging. The cooperative agreement model ensures ongoing interaction between ATSDR staff and awardees throughout the period of performance, including training, technical assistance, and monitoring. Projects may also include dissemination of best practices, engagement with vulnerable populations, and identification of environmental contamination threats through partnerships with local public health, environmental, and educational organizations. The award period is five years, with a total estimated program funding of $73,250,000. Up to 34 awards are anticipated, but the number may vary based on application quality and funding availability. Although the award ceiling and floor are listed as $0 in the Grants.gov synopsis, the NOFO clarifies that awards will vary and will be based on applicant capacity, program scope, and available resources. There is no matching requirement, and cost sharing is not mandatory, though leveraging other sources of support is encouraged. Applicants must submit electronically via Grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on December 9, 2022. Applications must include a detailed work plan, performance measures, logic models, and budget justifications. Required forms include SF-424, SF-424A, SF-424B, and other standard federal grant documentation. Eligible applicants include state governments, county and city governments, tribal organizations (federally and non-federally recognized), and special district governments, as defined under CERCLA Section 104(i)(15). The program is managed by ATSDR’s Office of Capacity Development and Applied Prevention Science. Audra Henry serves as the primary point of contact and can be reached at ate1@cdc.gov for application-related questions. Award announcements are contingent upon review and approval of applications, federal appropriations, and ATSDR’s determination of programmatic and administrative capacity.

Ensure alignment with ATSDR prevention priorities; include a logic model and measurable indicators; adhere to CDC file formatting rules.