EJ Action Grants Program

Providing grant funding to projects intended to lift the burden of pollution from those most vulnerable to its effects.
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About 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.

Check out the blog post | En español

Please see below for Round 2’s timeline, and an archive of resources and documents from Round 1. If you have any questions, please contact us at EJActionGrants@calepa.ca.gov.

 

Key Information

 Important Due Dates and Timelines

  • November 20, 2024 – Draft Guidelines Released for Tribal Comment and Public Comment 
  • December 11, 2024 – Listening Session 1  
  • December 19, 2024 – Listening Session 2  
  • January 8, 2025 – Grant Management System Workshop 
  • January 10, 2025 – Office Hour 1
  • January 10, 2025 – Tribal Comment and Public Comment Period Closes 
  • January 16, 2025 – Office Hour 2
  • January 21, 2025 – Anticipated Round 2 Solicitation Release 
  • February 28, 2025 – Anticipated Round 2 Solicitation Closing 

Round 2

Opportunity for Tribal Comment and Public Comment and on Draft Guidelines

On November 20, 2024, CalEPA released draft Program Guidelines for the EJ Action Grants Program for tribal comment and public comment.

[DRAFT] Round 2 Environmental Justice Action Grant Guidelines

[BORRADOR DE LINEAMIENTOS] Programa de Subvenciones de Accion de Justicia Ambiental, Ronda 2

We respectfully request tribal comment and public comment be sent by January 10, 2025. Written comments can be sent via email to EJActionGrants@calepa.ca.gov with the subject line “Draft Guidelines Public Comment” or “Draft Guidelines Tribal Comment.”

Given delayed mailing times, email submission is preferred for comments, but you may also submit comment via mail to:

California Environmental Protection Agency
ATTN: Yvonne Chi, Deputy Secretary for Environmental Justice and Equity
1001 I Street, 25th Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814

CalEPA also accepted comments at two Public Listening Sessions that were held in December 2024.

Virtual Listening Session 1 
Date: December 11, 2024 
Recording: https://youtu.be/PwkaUajbzcQ 

Virtual Listening Session 2 
Date: December 19, 2024 
Recording: https://youtu.be/YEI2Ej9Vdak 

Grant Management System

To support applicants navigating the Program, CalEPA will be utilizing a Grant Management System (GMS) for online application submission in Round 2. Program Staff held a workshop on January 8, 2025 to provide an overview of the system and answer questions.

Grant Management System Workshop
Date: January 8, 2025
Recording: https://youtu.be/SKnkccm406g

Applicants are encouraged to read the entirety of the Environmental Justice Action Grants draft guidelines and note that additional GMS information and application instructions will be provided once the guidelines have been finalized.

Office Hours

The EJ Action Grants team will be hosting informal virtual office hours on Zoom to provide a space for potential applicants to ask Program Staff questions and learn from each other. Live Spanish interpretation will be available for the second office hour on Thursday, January 16th.

Virtual Office Hour 1
Date: January 10, 2025 
Time: 12:00-1:00pm
Location: Zoom 
Registration: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/PJfsD8meQfGOiR_h2VKmGg

Virtual Office Hour 2
*Spanish interpretation available
Date: January 16, 2025 
Time: 5:00-6:00pm
Location: Zoom 
Registration: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/6zT2NWkrTJyZ7-w_bo8q_g

FAQ and Additional Resources

FAQ

Guideline Changes from EJ Action Grants Round 1

Tribal Beneficial Uses Overview

CalHeatScore

Council on Environmental Quality Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool

Health and Human Services Environmental Justice Index

EPA EJSCREEN

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 

Supplemental Environmental Projects

CalEPA Enforcement Home

Contact the Program

Chloe Skewis
EJActionGrants@calepa.ca.gov
(916) 866-0014

Join our EJ Action Grants Listserv to stay up to date on Program news.

Round 1 Archive

Round 1: EJ Action Grants Workshop and Virtual Office Hours

 

Round 1: Application Form and Templates

 

Round 1 EJ Action Grant Guidelinesopens in a new windowPDF download
Las lineamientos de la programa de subvenciones para acciones de justicia ambiental
Application [WORD]opens in a new windowWord document download
Application [PDF]opens in a new window
Budget Table Sampleopens in a new windowExcel download

 

Round 1: Draft Guidelines and Listening Sessions