Solid Waste Management Grant Program

The Solid Waste Management Grants Program is administered by the Rural Utilities Service, a division of USDA Rural Development. The program is funded under the authority of Section 310B(b) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act and is implemented by 7 CFR part 1775. It supports technical assistance and training activities to improve planning and management of solid waste sites in rural areas, with the overarching goal of reducing or eliminating pollution of water resources. For Fiscal Year 2026, the program anticipates approximately $4 million in available funding, contingent on appropriations. The program is designed to help eligible organizations deliver technical assistance that reduces the volume of solid waste through reduction, recycling, and reuse; provides training for landfill operators; assists in the development of closure and future land use plans; and evaluates threats to water resources from existing landfill conditions. Applicants are encouraged to integrate priorities such as addressing emerging contaminants, including PFAS, and supporting hazardous waste collection for items like electronics and pharmaceuticals. Proposals should demonstrate attention to sustainability, disaster recovery, and long-term operational improvements. Funding is provided as grants, with no stated minimum or maximum award amounts. Awards are expected to be announced in June 2026, with performance periods running from October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027. Grantees may apply for renewed funding in future cycles but must submit new applications for consideration. Funds are disbursed through reimbursement for eligible expenses, and all projects must adhere to the applicable federal statutes, regulations, and executive orders referenced in the program notice. Eligible applicants include private nonprofit organizations with IRS tax-exempt status, public bodies, federally acknowledged or state-recognized Native American tribes or groups, and academic institutions. For-profit businesses, individuals, and federal agencies are ineligible. Applicants must demonstrate the organizational capacity and experience necessary to provide technical assistance and may partner with affiliates or contract with nonaffiliated organizations for up to 49 percent of the grant. No cost sharing or matching funds are required, although applicants may earn competitive points for providing additional nonfederal resources. Applications must be submitted electronically via Grants.gov by December 31, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Applications open October 1, 2025, and late submissions will not be considered. Required steps include registering with the System for Award Management (SAM) and obtaining a Unique Entity Identifier. The program does not require intergovernmental review, and applications submitted by any medium other than Grants.gov will not be accepted. Evaluation of proposals is competitive, with points awarded based on applicant status, experience, resource allocation, population served, median household income of the service area, project duration, needs assessment, clarity of goals, quality of work plan, methods of assistance, evaluation measures, matching or in-kind contributions, sustainability planning, and administrator discretion. Additional points may be awarded to projects that advance financial and operational sustainability, address emerging contaminants like PFAS, or promote hazardous materials collection. Award notices will include grant agreements specifying terms, conditions, and reporting requirements. For questions, applicants may contact Sandra Alarcon at Water-RD@usda.gov or visit the USDA Rural Development program website.

Proposals should emphasize sustainability, remediation of PFAS, and hazardous materials collection to maximize scoring; applicants should include an Administrative Points section to address USDA priorities.