EJ Action Grants Program
Providing grant funding to projects intended to lift the burden of pollution from those most vulnerable to its effects. Environmental Justice HomeAbout the Grants Program
The California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA) announced the establishment of the new CalEPA EJ Action Grants Program (Program) in June 2023.
CalEPA is administering the Program to provide grant funding to a wide variety of projects. CalEPA administers the new Program as part of its overall mission to restore, protect and enhance the environment, to ensure public health, environmental quality, and economic vitality.
On March 7, 2024, CalEPA announced the Program’s first 27 grantees. CalEPA will announce Round 2 Guideline public process and timeline later in 2024.
Check out the blog post | En español
Please see below for the Program’s guidelines, due dates and timelines, Program application forms and templates, listening session recordings, and FAQ and additional resources. If you have any questions, please contact us at EJActionGrants@calepa.ca.gov.
Environmental Justice Action Grant Program grant guidelines
Las lineamientos de la programa de subvenciones para acciones de justicia ambiental
To support applicants navigating the Program, CalEPA has developed application forms and templates. Applicants are encouraged to read the entirety of the Environmental Justice Action Grants grant guidelines, as the full grant guidelines contain important information about the Program.
Key Information
Important Due Dates and Timelines
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- August 29, 2023 – Solicitation Release
- September 27, 2023 – Virtual Application Workshop
- October 13, 2023 – Deadline for Submitting Applications by 11:59 pm PDT
- Early 2024 – Anticipated Notice of Proposed Award Posting Date
EJ Action Grants Workshop and Virtual Office Hours
Virtual Office Hours
Our virtual office hours have concluded. They were held:
- Tuesday, October 3 (4:00-5:00 PM)
- Monday, October 9 (4:00-5:00 PM)
Virtual Workshop
The EJ Action Grants Application Workshop was held on September 27, 2023.
Application Form and Templates
Round 1 EJ Action Grant Guidelines
Budget Table Sample
*Applicants may use this budget template provided in this past round of CalEPA’s EJ Small Grants; however, there is no template that is required in Round 1’s EJ Action Grants Application.
Examples of Potential Funded Activities
Applicant must propose a project that:
- Supports tribes, community-based organizations, and/or residents;
- Engage in at least one legislatively approved category (emergency preparedness, public health, environmental and climate decision-making, coordinated enforcement); and
- Serve an environmental justice purpose as defined in Section 1.2 of the grant guidelines.
CalEPA encourages applicants to review the 2022 EJ Small Grants recipients for examples of projects that may qualify for the Program.
FAQ and Additional Resources
EJ Action Grants and Tribal Beneficial Uses
Council on Environmental Quality Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool
Health and Human Services Environmental Justice Index
FEMA risk index for natural hazards
Map of CalEnviroScreen 4.0 Results
Mapa de Resultados de CalEnviroScreen 4.0 (en español)
Map of CalEnviroScreen 4.0 Indicators
Round 1 Draft Guidelines and Listening Sessions
- Draft Program Guidelines were released on June 5, 2023
- Program Public Listening Session 1 was held on June 27, 2023
- Program Public Listening Session 2 was held on July 12, 2023
Contact the Program
Leticia Syslo
EJActionGrants@calepa.ca.gov
(916) 323-2514
Join our EJ Action Grants Listserv to stay up to date on Program news.