For Release: May 8, 2015

EPA’s Office of Pesticide Programs is soliciting applications for a cooperative agreement to distribute funds to Pesticide Safety Education Programs (PSEPs) at state Cooperative Extension Services for the education and training of certified pesticide applicators. 

The recent tragedy involving the use of the highly toxic fumigant, methyl bromide, reminds us of the importance of proper training for certified applicators. EPA has provided funding to PSEPs since l975 with the goal of protecting people, ecosystems and the environment from the risk of pesticide-related illness and injury. EPA expects to provide up to $1 million annually, depending on the agency’s budget, for a total of five years.

EPA’s Certified Applicator regulation aims to reduce the risk of pesticide poisoning and injury among handlers, applicators, bystanders and the public. The regulation establishes rules and procedures as well as standards of competency for pesticide applicator certification. This summer we expect to issue a proposed rule to strengthen those regulations. State pesticide regulatory agencies set certification requirements and administer the program. PSEPs educate and train persons to prepare for certification or maintain existing certification. 

The cooperative agreement will provide financial assistance to an eligible applicant to equitably distribute funds to PSEPs to educate and train pesticide applicators on the safe use of pesticides. 

EPA must receive proposals through Grants.gov no later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on June 22, 2015.  Additional information on this solicitation is available under Funding Opportunity Announcement EPA-OPP-2015-003. 

If you have questions, please contact Jeanne Kasai at kasai.jeanne@epa.gov.