Renewable Resource Program

The Renewable Resource Grant Program (RRG) Planning Grant is administered by the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) under the Conservation and Resource Development Division. This program provides funding to governmental entities for professional and technical services necessary to prepare high-quality RRG project grant applications. The objective is to support projects that conserve, manage, develop, or protect Montana’s renewable resources. Funding is intended to help produce feasibility, design, research, and resource assessment studies, as well as the preparation of construction, rehabilitation, or production plans. All funded planning efforts must have renewable resource and public benefits and meet program eligibility standards established in state law. Eligible applicants are limited to local government entities, which include cities, towns, counties, water and/or sewer districts, conservation districts, irrigation districts, school districts and universities, regional water authorities, state agencies, and tribal governments. While private and nonprofit entities cannot directly apply, an eligible governmental entity may sponsor a planning grant application on their behalf, subject to DNRC sponsorship guidelines. Sponsored applications must adhere to all DNRC requirements for both the sponsoring and ineligible entities. Grant funding limits vary by planning effort type. For example, Preliminary Engineering Reports (PERs) and Watershed Restoration Plans may request up to $40,000, Technical Narratives up to $30,000, and updates to existing PERs or Technical Narratives up to $15,000. Capital Improvement or Growth Plans are limited to $15,000 and must focus only on components with both renewable resource and public benefits. Studies, surveys, and technical assessments can be funded up to $15,000. Applicants may submit more than one application per cycle for distinct projects but may receive only one award per planning effort. All planning documents must meet DNRC technical standards, and an adequate alternatives analysis is required. Grant funds can only reimburse expenses for technical or engineering services and must comply with the Montana Procurement Act and local procurement regulations. Ineligible expenses include grant administration, indirect costs, lobbying, litigation, property acquisition, and costs for activities that limit lawful access to property. While there is no minimum match requirement, applications demonstrating a committed cash match may receive a higher ranking. Projects are competitively ranked on renewable resource benefits, public benefits, technical and financial feasibility, and the applicant’s capacity to manage the project. The final application deadline for the 2026 cycle is September 26, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. Applications must be submitted online via the DNRC grant portal. DNRC generally does not reimburse expenses incurred prior to the award letter date. Grant recipients must submit start-up documents for DNRC approval before execution of a grant agreement. Reimbursement is limited to two milestones: an optional 50% payment at draft document completion and a final payment upon submission of the final planning document and all closeout materials. Applicants must include a comprehensive technical narrative covering project identification, history, purpose, current renewable resource conditions, desired outcomes, alternatives analysis, cost-benefit comparisons, and implementation plans, as well as supporting technical documentation. The program contact for the RRG Planning Grant is Katherine Certalic, reachable by phone at 406-444-3146 or by email at Kcertalic@mt.gov. Legal authority is derived from MCA Title 85, Chapter 1, Part 6, and ARM 36.17.6.