FY25 GUIDELINES FOR BROWNFIELD REVOLVING LOAN FUND GRANTS | EPA I OLEM OBLR 24 10

Opportunity Information: Apply for EPA I OLEM OBLR 24 10

The FY25 Guidelines for Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) Grants is a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) discretionary funding opportunity that supports communities in financing the cleanup of brownfield properties through a revolving loan fund model. Instead of paying for a single cleanup and ending there, an RLF award is designed to create a pool of capital that can be loaned out for eligible cleanups at no-interest or low-interest terms, then replenished as loans are repaid so the funding can be reused for additional projects over time. Alongside loans, the program can also support subgrants for cleanups and certain programmatic and administrative costs needed to manage and operate the RLF effectively. The overall goal is to turn underused or contaminated properties into assets by enabling cleanup, reuse, and redevelopment that aligns with local needs.

This opportunity is offered as a cooperative agreement, meaning EPA expects substantial involvement during the project period, such as oversight, coordination, and collaboration on key program elements. The funding activity category is Environment and includes an emphasis on IIJ (as listed in the source data). The applicable CFDA (assistance listing) number is 66.818. The funding opportunity number is EPA-I-OLEM-OBLR-24-10, and the opportunity was created on 2024-09-03 with an original application closing date of 2024-11-14.

Awards can be as large as $1,000,000 per recipient (award ceiling), and EPA anticipates making roughly 15 awards under this announcement. Eligible applicants are identified as "Others" in the summary data, but the definitive eligibility requirements are contained in Section III of the official Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). Because eligibility for EPA brownfields programs can be specific and may vary by applicant type (for example, units of government, quasi-governmental entities, or certain nonprofit structures depending on the NOFO), applicants are expected to rely on the NOFO language rather than the brief listing label.

EPA will evaluate applications based on how convincingly the applicant lays out a clear, realistic vision for cleaning up brownfield sites and putting them back into productive use. A strong application typically connects cleanup financing to a broader redevelopment strategy, explaining not only what will be cleaned up, but what the cleaned properties will become and how that transformation benefits the community. EPA also looks closely at whether the applicant has a credible strategy to leverage additional resources, such as pairing RLF dollars with local, state, private, or philanthropic funding, aligning with other infrastructure or economic development programs, or coordinating with developers and lenders to extend the impact of the fund.

Another major evaluation focus is whether the proposed RLF program is responsive to the environmental, social, health, and economic conditions of the target area or areas. Applicants are expected to demonstrate an understanding of local burdens and opportunities, describe the anticipated benefits of cleanup and reuse, and show how the program will improve outcomes such as reduced exposure to contamination, better neighborhood conditions, renewed economic activity, job creation, or improved community services. EPA also places weight on community engagement, meaning applicants should show they have a plan to involve residents and stakeholders in meaningful ways, communicate transparently, and ensure the program reflects community priorities rather than operating as a purely technical financing mechanism.

On the implementation side, EPA will assess whether the budget and costs are reasonable and whether proposed activities are eligible under the program. The agency also evaluates whether the applicant is using grant funds appropriately, including how they will structure and administer loans and/or subgrants, and how they will manage the day-to-day requirements of an RLF program. Capacity is a key deciding factor: applicants need to demonstrate they can manage the cooperative agreement successfully, handle compliance and reporting, administer financial assistance to borrowers or subrecipients, and sustain the fund over time. In practical terms, that often means showing strong financial management systems, relevant staff or partner expertise, clear internal controls, and a workable plan for underwriting, loan servicing, and project oversight.

In summary, this EPA Brownfields RLF opportunity is aimed at helping eligible entities build and operate a long-term cleanup financing tool that can fund multiple brownfield cleanups over time. Competitive applications are those that combine a clear redevelopment vision with a realistic leveraging strategy, demonstrate strong community engagement and tangible local benefits, propose eligible and cost-effective activities, and prove the organizational capacity needed to manage an EPA cooperative agreement and a revolving loan fund responsibly.

• The Environmental Protection Agency in the environment, iij sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY25 GUIDELINES FOR BROWNFIELD REVOLVING LOAN FUND GRANTS" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 66.818.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-09-03.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-11-14. (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 $1,000,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 15 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

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