Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) Grants are Available

EPA anticipates awarding approximately  $44 million in competitive grant funding under the Diesel Emissions Reductions Act (DERA) National Grants Program. The program is soliciting applications nationwide for projects that achieve significant reductions in diesel emissions and exposure, particularly from fleets operating in areas designated by the Administrator as poor air quality areas.
Application packages must be submitted electronically to EPA through Grants.gov ( www.grants.gov ) no later than Wednesday, February 26, 2020, at 11:59 p.m. (ET) to be considered for funding.

Wednesday, December 11, 2019; 1:00 p.m. (ET)Join Webinar Wednesday, December 18, 2019; 3:00 p.m. (ET)Join Webinar Tuesday, January 14, 2020; 3:00 p.m. (ET)Join Webinar 1+ (202) 991-0477, 4149804# (audio dial-in number)
Supporting Information for RFA

Questions and AnswersAll applicants are encouraged to review the Questions and Answers (PDF)(13 pp, 270 K, December 9, 2019) for further clarification of this Request for Applications. The deadline for submitting questions is February 14, 2020 at 4 p.m. ET. The final Questions and Answers document will be posted on February 19, 2020 at 4:00 p.m. All questions and answers, including those from all webinar information sessions, will be added to this document.
Eligible ApplicantsThe following U.S. entities are eligible to apply for DERA National Grants:

  • Regional, state, local or tribal agencies/consortia or port authorities with jurisdiction over transportation or air quality
  • Nonprofit organizations or institutions that represent or provide pollution reduction or educational services to persons or organizations that own or operate diesel fleets or have the promotion of transportation or air quality as their principal purpose.

School districts, municipalities, metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs), cities and counties are all eligible entities to the extent that they fall within the definition above.
Please refer to the  full RFA for specific information about this competition.
Eligible Uses of FundingEligible diesel vehicles, engines and equipment include:

  • School buses
  • Class 5 – Class 8 heavy-duty highway vehicles
  • Locomotive engines
  • Marine engines
  • Nonroad engines, equipment or vehicles used in construction, handling of cargo (including at ports or airports), agriculture, mining or energy production (including stationary generators and pumps).

Grant funds may be used for diesel emission reduction projects including:

Funds awarded under this program cannot be used to fund emission reductions mandated by federal law. Equipment for testing emissions or fueling infrastructure is not eligible for funding.
Please refer to the  full RFA for specific information about this competition.
Grant ProcessThe RFA includes information on how to prepare and submit a proposal package. The proposal package must be received by the deadline and include the following documents:

  • Project Narrative (no more than 11 pages)
  • Standard Form SF 424 – Application for Federal Assistance
  • Standard Form SF 424A – Budget Information
  • Standard Form 424B – Non-Construction Programs
  • EPA Form 4700-4 – Pre-Award Compliance Review
  • EPA Key Contacts Form – Key Contacts Form
  • Applicant Fleet Description information (not included in the page limit)
  • Emissions Reduction Calculations (not included in the page limit)
  • Cost-Share Commitment Letters, if applicable (not included in the page limit)
  • Partnership Letters, if applicable (not included in the page limit)
  • Mandated Measures Justification Supporting Information, if applicable (not included in the page limit)

After the closing date, all eligible applications will be reviewed and ranked. Selected projects may be fully or partially funded. 
Tools and Resources for Applicants