National Network for Environmental Management Studies Fellowship Program
To foster a growing interest among higher education students in environmental careers.
To help defray the costs associated with the pursuit of academic programs related
Funding Priority - Fiscal Year 2008: Includes research projects in the following categories: (1) Environmental Policy, Regulation, and Law, (2) Environmental Management and Administration, (3) Environmental Science, (4) Public Relations and Communication, and (5) Computer Programming and Development.
Funding Priority -Fiscal Year 2009: It is anticipated that the funding priorities will remain the same in the next annual cycle.
Examples of Funded Projects
NNEMS fellows are placed in EPA Headquarters and Regional offices and laboratories nationwide.
They work on a variety of EPA developed research projects and environmental topics relating to the following five categories: Environmental Policy, Regulation, and Law; Environmental Management and Administration; Environmental Science; Public Relations and Communications; and Computer Programming and Development.
Examples of projects offered by the NNEMS fellowship program relating to the above categories are as follows: 1) Environmental Policy, Regulation and Law: Fellowships offered in this category may provide students an opportunity to review and evaluate existing policies and regulations, or perhaps conduct research related to the development of new policies.
A recently funded project involved a student researching and assessing a variety of air pollution control strategies designed to reduce particulate matter and ozone in order to reach the nation's air quality goals.
2) Environmental Management and Administration: The fellowships offered in this category may focus on environmental management goals.
A recently funded project involved a student conducting research to identify contaminated superfund sites that have the potential for beneficial reuse.
3) Environmental Science: Research projects in this category typically include direct participation in field studies and laboratory research.
A recently funded project involved a student researching, compiling, and analyzing information on laboratory and field research and demonstration projects using bioremediation to address dense non-aqueous phase liquid contamination at hazardous waste sites.
4) Public Relations and Communications: These types of projects may include the review and analysis of public response to EPA policies and regulations, as well as general public opinion of environmental issues.
These projects may also include assisting with the development of communication tools.
A recently funded project involved researching and analyzing environmental information of interest to the public, researching and recommending information to include in press releases, and gaining knowledge and experience in how the Agency prepares for special press events.
5) Computer Programming and Development: These research projects may include the development of computer software, the development and querying of databases, or the design of programming functions required in laboratory work.
A past funded project involved researching and collecting specific data about children's health, risks of exposure, and possible sources, incorporating this information into a children's health database, and conducting analysis using a variety of spatial tools.
Analysis procedures investigated the impacts of environmental pollution on children's health and identified where children are at the greatest risk.
For a complete listing of NNEMS 2008 project descriptions, see: http://www.epa.gov/enviroed/NNEMS.
- FY 2013 National Network for Environmental Management Studies Fellowship Program
- FY 2012 National Network for Environmental Management Studies (NNEMS) Fellowship Program
- FY 2011 National Network for Environmental Management Studies Fellowship Program
- FY 2010 National Network for Environmental Management Studies (NNEMS) Fellowship Program
- FY 2010 National Network for Environmental Management Studies (NNEMS) Fellowship Program
The mission of the Environmental Protection Agency is to protect human health and the environment. Since 1970, EPA has been working for a cleaner, healthier environment for the American people.
Program Accomplishments
Each year, the NNEMS program offers approximately 20 to 25 research projects, developed and sponsored by EPA Headquarters in Washington, DC and in EPA's 10 regional offices and laboratories throughout the EPA has awarded nearly 1,400 fellowships under the NNEMS program since its inception in 1986. Each year, EPA announces the available projects offered by EPA offices and students from colleges and universities nationwide make application to do the research or other environmental studies and tasks that are educational and promote environmental careers. In 2007, 138 applications were received and 16 applicants were awarded a NNEMS fellowship of which the average stipend amount was about $14,000. In 2008, 142 applications were received and 18 applicants were awarded a NNEMS fellowship with the average amount of the stipend being about $13,000. In 2009 EPA anticipates approximately 20 applicants will be awarded a fellowship, with $235,000.00 as the estimated total amount of awards.
Uses and Use Restrictions
The funds are to provide resources to allow for training and research fellowships relating to environmental issues.
No matching funds are required.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Applicant Eligibility: A NNEMS Fellowship is available to any associate, undergraduate, graduate, or advanced student who meets the general criteria listed below, as well as those identified for associate, undergraduate, graduate and advanced students.
At a minimum, all applicants must be: 1) A citizen of the United States, its territories or possessions, or lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residency.
2) Enrolled for academic credit at a college or university, or distance-learning institution accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization recognized by the United States Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
Associate and Undergraduate Students: Students attending 2- or 4-year institutions or distance learning institutions must meet the following requirements: 1) 3.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA) based on a scale of 4.0 at the time that the application is due.
2) Completion of at least four courses related to the field of environmental studies.
Graduate and Advanced Students: Students enrolled in graduate or doctoral programs must meet the following requirements: 1) Currently enrolled in a graduate or Ph.D.
program or can provide proof of acceptance and enrollment to a graduate or Ph.D.
program at the time of fellowship award.
2) Completion of at least one semester of graduate or Ph.D.
work, or at least four undergraduate courses related to the field of environmental studies.
For certain competitive funding opportunities under this CFDA description, the Agency may limit eligibility to compete to a number or subset of eligible applicants consistent with the Agency's Assistance Agreement Competition Policy.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Students.
Credentials/Documentation
Students are required to submit an official transcript from each 2- or 4-year college or university, or distance learning institution attended. A student must submit verification of acceptance and/or enrollment in a graduate or Ph.D. program if the applicant is a graduating senior.
Aplication and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
Regarding pre-application/pre-proposal assistance with respect to competitive funding opportunities under this program description, EPA will generally specify the nature of the pre-application/pre-proposal assistance, if any, that will be available to applicants in the competitive announcement.
For additional information, contact the individual(s) listed as "Information Contacts" or see Appendix IV of the Catalog.
This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.
12372.
Application Procedures
Students who are interested in applying for a NNEMS fellowship must submit four complete application packages (one original and three copies) that include: (1) A completed NNEMS application, (2) SF 424, (3) A resume, (4) A completed NNEMS reference form, (5) A completed NNEMS Disclosure and Waiver Statement, (6) Verification of acceptance and/or enrollment in a graduate or Ph.D. program if the applicant is a graduating senior, and (7) An official transcript for each 2-or 4-year college or university, or distance learning institution attended. Official transcripts should be opened and photocopied as three copies. NNEMS application forms can be obtained on our web site at: www.epa.gov/enviroed. Applicants must submit their completed application package to: NNEMS Fellowship Program, Tetra Tech EM Inc., 1881 Campus Commons Drive, Suite 200, Reston, VA 20191. Students selected for a NNEMS Fellowship must fill out a Fellowship Application (EPA Form 5770-2), a Fellowship Facilities and Commitment Statement (5770-3), and a NNEMS Fellowship Application. Applicants may be able to use http://www.grants.gov to electronically apply for certain grant opportunities under this CFDA.
Award Procedures
For competitive awards, EPA will review and evaluate applications, proposals, and/or submissions in accordance with the terms, conditions, and criteria stated in the competitive announcement. Competitions will be conducted in accordance with EPA policies/regulations for competing assistance agreements.
Deadlines
Completed application packages are generally due in late January. The exact date is specified annually in the catalog that lists the fellowship projects available for the current year. That catalog is available at www.epa.gov/enviroed and on many college campuses where reference documents for financial opportunites are located.
Authorization
National Environmental Education Act, Section 7; Public Law 101-619; Clean Air Act, as amended, Section 103(b)(5), (Section 42 of the United States Code (U.S.C.) 7403(b)(5)); Clean Water Act, as amended, Section 104(b)(5) and (g)(3)(B), (33 U.S.C. 1254(b)(5) and (g)(3)(B)); Safe Drinking Water Act, as amended, Section 1442, (42 U.S.C. 300j-1); Solid Waste Disposal Act, as amended, Section 8001 (42 U.S.C. 6981); Toxic Substances Control Act, as amended, Section 10 (15 U.S.C. 2609); Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, as amended, Section 20 (7 U.S.C. 136r); Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, Section 311 (42 U.S.C. 9660).
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Approximately 120 days.
Appeals
Assistance agreement competition-related disputes will be resolved in accordance with the dispute resolution procedures published in 70 FR (Federal Register) 3629, 3630 (January 26, 2005). Copies of these procedures may also be requested by contacting the individual(s) listed as "Information Contacts." Disputes relating to matters other than the competitive selection of recipients will be resolved under 40 CFR 30.63 or 40 CFR 31.70, as applicable.
Renewals
Grants are solicited through competitions and are not renewed.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
None.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
NNEMS Fellowships are awarded for three months full-time and up to three years part-time. Students receive payment in the form of a stipend typically paid in equal monthly payments throughout the duration of the fellowship period.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Reporting requirements will be stated in the Terms and Conditions of the official grant award documents.
Recipients must submit original final reports to both the EPA Project Officer and to the Office of Environmental Education NNEMS Coordinator.
The final report should be submitted on the last day of the fellowship.
Unless directed otherwise by the EPA Project Officer, the final report should summarize the specific project undertaken by the student and the project results.
Audits
Grants and cooperative agreements are subject to inspections and audits by the Comptroller General of the United States, the EPA Office of Inspector General, other EPA staff, or any authorized representative of the Federal government. Reviews by the EPA Project Officer and the Grants Specialist may occur each year. In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," non-federal entities that expend $500,000 or more in a year in Federal awards shall have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Non-federal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in OMB Circular No. A-133.
Records
Pursuant to 40 CFR Part 46- Fellowships, Subpart E-46.230, Closeout Procedures: NNEMS Fellows must retain all records related to the fellowship for 3 years following the completion date identified on the Completion of Studies Notice. The EPA, the Inspector General, and the Comptroller General of the United States, and any duly authorized representatives have the right of timely and unrestricted access to a student's documents, papers, or other records related to a fellowship in order to make audits, examinations, excerpts, transcripts, and copies of such documents. The rights of access in this paragraph are not limited to the required retention period but shall last as long as those records are retained.
Financial Information
Account Identification
68-0108-0-1-304.
Obigations
FY 07 $221,335; FY 08 $217,859; and FY 09 est $235,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
Recipients of NNEMS fellowships receive a grant award in the form of a stipend, based on the student's level of education and the duration and location of the project. Grant awards range from approximately $7,400.00 to $12,600.00 per award for a 3-month, full-time period. The average award is for approximately $10,000.00.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
40 CFR Part 46-Fellowships and 40 CFR Part 30-General Regulations for Assistance Programs.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
None.
Headquarters Office
For additional information on the NNEMS program, please contact: Michael Baker, Office of Environmental Education (MC1704A), Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington DC 20460. Telephone: (202) 564-0443. Fax: (202) 564-2754. E-mail: baker.michael@epa.gov.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
None.
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