GCEEC Technical Assistance Program 

We warmly invite everyone to submit proposals to help advance the GCEEC mission and contribute to the well-being of Alabama's coastal communities. We are here to support you and offer the following technical assistance for anyone who may have questions, concerns, or need guidance throughout the process. Please make best use of them! 

• September 10, 2025 - Completed

• September 24, 2025 - Completed

• October 8, 2025 - Completed

• October 22, 2025 - 12:00-1PM Central - Zoom link.  Mtg# 924 6327 1655

Questions and Answers (Q/A)

If you have any questions, please reach out to Mrs. Marty Lind (Email: mlind@southalabama.edu). All questions will be answered and posted to this page. This webpage will be updated weekly to include responses to all questions.

1. Would it be possible for us to team up with a university located in an eligible area and apply together?
Response: Yes. The project must be located in an eligible area, regardless of the applicant. Project locations must be in the coastal counties of Alabama, including any locations in Baldwin, Escambia, Geneva, Houston, and Mobile counties; and/or partial location in Clarke, Coffee, Conecuh, Covington, Dale, Henry, Monroe, and Washington counties.

2. Are only universities eligible to be the Principal Investigators (PIs), or can community colleges in those eligible areas also act as PIs?
Response: Please refer to Eligibility Criteria (1) in RFP.  Applications may be accepted from non-profit organizations, state and local government agencies (including State-designated Indian Tribes), communities, interstate agencies, Federally Recognized Indian Tribal governments, public and private universities and colleges, public or private nonprofit institutions, and intertribal consortia. For-profit organizations are not eligible entities for this funding opportunity.

3. How are the proposal to be selected?

Response: The proposals will be reviewed by external evaluators, including independent experts and advisory board members, using an evaluation rubric found in Appendix B in the Request for Proposal (RFP).

4. May I seek a partner, and if so, how could I find one?

Response: Yes. If you are looking for a collaborating partner, you can email Marty Lind with your name, organization, and contact information. We will post potential partner information on the GCEEC website’s technical assistance webpage below to help foster collaboration.

5. My proposed project does not specifically include an educational aspect.  Is this acceptable?

Response:  The project should include benefits to the target communities that can be demonstrated (at all 3 levels).  Promoting research, education, and partnership to address environmental justice issues.  A community engagement piece should be included that explicitly benefits underserved/underrepresented communities, including the demographics of those students, educational programs and how that engagement would be sustained.

6. Can organizations from disadvantaged communities apply?

Response: Yes.

7. We do not qualify as a non-profit organization, but can we partner with a non-profit?

Response: Yes. For-profit companies cannot receive the funding, but they can partner with others that are eligible.  Please refer to Eligibility Criteria (1) in RFP. 

8. One of our professors at our institution is planning to submit a proposal for this opportunity.  I see this is submitted via InfoReady.  Would our PI need to submit this or someone from our Office of Sponsored Programs?

Response: The PI would need to register in InfoReady themselves, as the personal details will be prefilled from the user profile created.

9.  I am considering putting in a proposal for the RFP that is currently open.  I’m wondering if this is a one time funding opportunity or if you foresee this program being available next year as well?

Response: Whether we open up another round of requests for proposals next year is dependent on available funds remaining.

10.  My organization has been approached by a potential collaborator for a proposal submission.  Would our involvement in this submission reduce our chances of having our own full proposal funded?  Is there a downside to submitting both?

Response:  Your organization can submit it's own proposal and also be a collaborator with another entity on a separate submission.  If both proposals are awarded, you would have to be able to fulfill both.

11.  Can I submit a proposal to survey the defined areas in Alabama for my subject, but conduct the lab part in Louisiana?

Response:  This approach is acceptable, provided the survey work takes place within the designated eligible locations, and as long as the area of study and its community connections are well established.  It’s important to note that the proposal must still align with one of the RFP’s thematic priorities and demonstrate clear community benefits. While proposers themselves do not need to reside in the eligible area, the project location must fall within the regions identified in the RFP.

12.  Will basic science research be eligible?

Response:  Research that clearly supports at least one of the theme areas and meets the requirements outlined in the RFP, may be eligible.

13.  Is there a limit for the amount of proposals submitted?

Response:  While there is no limit on the amount of proposals your entity submits, if multiple proposals are awarded, you would have to be able to fulfill each.

14.  Can a previously submitted proposal that was not awarded be resubmitted?

Response:  Yes, as long as the outreach component is updated.

15.  Can abstracts/proposals of the awarded projects be shared? 

Response:  While detailed abstracts/proposals of the awarded projects are not available for distribution, summaries can be found on the GCEEC website, including contact information.

16.  Is funding allowed to pay for refreshments for meetings within the community? 

Response:  Generally speaking, yes as long as it is well justified. Since we are an EPA pass-through entity, we recommend following EPA’s budget policy.

17.  Is land acquisition allowable under conservation?

Response:   No, acquisition is not allowed as a sub-award to EPA.

18.  Can you tell me if my references count as one of the 8 pages, or is it considered part of the appendix?

Response:  References should be included in the Appendix and will not count toward the page limit. Appendix materials may include:

• Resumes (maximum 2 pages each): Please provide for the Principal Investigator (PI), any co-PIs, and senior personnel.

• Budget Table: Use the template provided in Appendix C to ensure clarity and completeness for reviewers. The finalized table should be saved as a PDF.

• Letters of Support (References): Optional, up to 5 may be included.

• Federally Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (if applicable): Required only if the project budget includes indirect costs beyond the 15% de minimis rate. Please include a copy of your organization’s agreement if relevant.