Technical Assistance Grant Information
The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) currently is not accepting applications for Technical Assistance Grants (TAGs) while it transitions the application process to New York's online Statewide Financial System. DEC anticipates completing the transition during 2024.
Please check this web page periodically to learn about the current status of the TAG application process.
In the interim, community groups potentially interested in TAGs can become familiar with the program by reviewing the information below, including eligibility criteria. They also can visit the Statewide Financial System at the weblinks identified below to learn about the online application process, as well as how to register and prequalify in order to submit an application.
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) provides funding for Technical Assistance Grants (TAGs) to enable eligible not-for-profit community groups to obtain independent technical assistance related to the investigation and cleanup of State Superfund and Brownfield Cleanup Program (BCP) sites that pose a significant threat to public health or the environment.
A TAG helps the grant recipient and the community at large understand the nature and extent of contamination at the eligible site, and to evaluate and comment about the development and implementation of a remedy to clean up the site.
Activities Eligible for TAG Funding
Title 13 and Title 14 of Article 27 of the Environmental Conservation Law authorize TAGs and define the activities they can fund:
- independent technical assistance in interpreting information regarding the nature and extent of contamination at, or emanating from, the site and the hazard to public health and the environment posed by contaminants located at or emanating from the site;
- hiring health and safety experts to advise affected residents on any health assessments or the hazard, or potential hazard, to life or health resulting from the contaminants at the site;
- training and education of interested affected community members to enable them to more effectively participate in the remedy selection process.
Eligible Sites
Sites that are eligible for a TAG are:
- Class 2 sites on the New York State Registry of Inactive Hazardous Waste Disposal Sites (State Superfund Program significant threat sites);
- sites being investigated and remediated within the State's Brownfield Cleanup Program that the State has determined pose a significant threat to public health or the environment.
Sites that are not eligible for a TAG include:
- Sites eligible for TAGs under the federal Superfund Program (e.g., sites on the National Priorities List).
Who May Apply for a TAG
The following entities are considered eligible to apply for a TAG:
- community-based organizations constituted as 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporations and such organizations acting in partnership with other eligible 501(c)(3) not-for-profit community-based organizations.
Note: Government entities, quasi-government entities, municipalities, universities, consulting firms, individuals, and unincorporated groups may not apply or partner with an eligible applicant.
An eligible community-based organization must meet the following requirements:
- is subject to New York State's Not-For-Profit Corporation Law;
- is qualified for tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Federal Internal Revenue Code;
- has an IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter to be incorporated in New York State and is current in their charities reporting requirements with the Office of the Attorney General;
cannot have its charter revoked or otherwise be dissolved through the action of another organization; and - can enter into legal agreements independent of any affiliated nonprofit organization, government body, university, or other entity that would be ineligible to apply for this grant.
An eligible community-based organization also must meet the following requirements:
- demonstrate that its membership represents the interests of the community affected by such site, and
- demonstrate that members' health, economic well-being or enjoyment of the environment are potentially affected by such site.
Requirements to Apply
New York State is transitioning grantmaking activities from the Grants Gateway to the Statewide Financial System (SFS). SFS is a statewide initiative to make it easier for grantees to apply for and receive funding. All applicants must apply through SFS. This includes answering all program questions and uploading completed and required program documents and forms. Paper applications are not accepted.
A Community Group potentially interested in applying for a TAG should visit the SFS Transition website (link leaves DEC's website) and become familiar with the new statewide SFS web-based grants management system.
An Applicant must be Registered with SFS to submit an application for a TAG.
An Applicant also must be Prequalified in SFS when it submits an application for a TAG. An Application received from an otherwise qualifying Applicant that has not registered and is not Prequalified in the SFS will not be considered or evaluated.
Not-for-profit community groups potentially interested in applying for a TAG should go to the SFS Transition website (link leaves DEC's website) to learn about how to register and become prequalified.
For More Information
Write or call the DEC TAG Coordinator. Contact information is on the right side of this page.
