PRIA 5 Training Development

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), through its Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention (OCSPP), has released a funding opportunity aimed at enhancing the pesticide registration process by developing robust training for pesticide registrants. This initiative is aligned with the objectives of the Pesticide Registration Improvement Act (PRIA) and forms part of EPA’s broader efforts to improve regulatory efficiency, clarity, and consistency. The program intends to strengthen the capabilities of stakeholders and professionals involved in pesticide regulation by delivering educational materials and programs that align with EPA's mission-critical competencies. The grant opportunity titled “PRIA 5 – Pesticide Registrant Training Development” is specifically designed to support the creation and delivery of training materials and workshops that cover regulatory procedures under PRIA 5. In addition to creating and updating materials, the selected recipient will organize workshops and webinars, support their delivery, and help identify agricultural locations suitable for EPA crop tours. This cooperative agreement is expected to foster stakeholder engagement, disseminate best practices, improve administrative procedures, and promote consistent decision-making in pesticide regulation. This funding opportunity is open exclusively to land-grant colleges and universities, non-land-grant colleges of agriculture, and 1994 Institutions as defined by federal statute. Applicants must not request more than $200,000 over the two-year performance period and may submit only one application. While cost sharing is not required, only federal funds should be listed in financial documentation. The EPA expects that the selected organization will collaborate closely with the agency, including participating in the design and implementation of the training programs and regular progress reporting. Applications are due by March 31, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET, with a suggested letter of intent deadline of February 20, 2026. Awards are anticipated to be announced in June 2026, with final notifications in July. Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov and must include a project narrative, budget forms (SF-424 and SF-424A), EPA-specific forms (4700-4 and 5700-54), and brief resumes for key staff. Submissions must be in PDF or Word format and follow strict formatting guidelines. The application will be evaluated based on several weighted criteria including the clarity and relevance of the project scope and objectives, program design, milestone scheduling, outreach and sustainability plans, organizational capability, and budget detail. The EPA reserves the right to consider other factors in its final selection, including alignment with agency priorities and availability of funds. Awardees will be required to adhere to all administrative and reporting conditions as outlined in the Uniform Administrative Requirements. This opportunity supports PRIA and FIFRA mandates by directly addressing the need for improved education and process transparency in pesticide registration. It is also tied to Administrator Zeldin’s Five Pillars, particularly Pillar 3 which promotes permitting reform and cross-agency partnerships. Through the delivery of well-structured and accessible training programs, the EPA aims to facilitate a more efficient regulatory process, reducing backlogs and increasing stakeholder understanding across the United States.

Clearly address PRIA 5 objectives; use legible formatting and font; include measurable objectives and detailed outcomes.