FY26 Guidelines for Brownfield Cleanup Grants

The Brownfield Cleanup Grant program administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) through the Office of Brownfields and Land Revitalization provides funding to eligible entities to carry out cleanup activities at brownfield sites they own. These sites are defined as properties complicated by the presence or potential presence of hazardous substances, pollutants, contaminants, petroleum, or mine-scarred lands. The goal of the program is to help communities, particularly those historically burdened by disinvestment and contamination, transform brownfields into productive, safe, and sustainable properties. Under this grant opportunity, applicants may apply for funding up to $4,000,000, with specific tiers for awards up to $500,000 or between $500,001 and $4,000,000. Approximately 36 awards will be made, totaling an anticipated $107,000,000 in available funding. Funding can support direct cleanup costs, programmatic management, health monitoring by local governments, and environmental insurance. However, funds may not be used for site assessment, proposal preparation, administrative costs over 5%, or costs related to legal liability for contamination. Applicants must meet strict eligibility criteria including sole site ownership by January 28, 2026, and compliance with CERCLA and EPA definitions for brownfields. Entities eligible to apply include local and state governments, tribes, nonprofit organizations (including 501(c)(3)s and community development entities), and certain Alaska Native Corporations. Individuals and for-profit organizations are not eligible. Applications must pass threshold criteria including confirmation of site eligibility, ownership, contamination status, assessment reports, and community notification procedures. The application requires detailed narrative responses across several criteria, such as project area description, community need, revitalization strategy, leveraging of additional resources, task descriptions, and programmatic capability. Applicants must also host a public meeting and provide a draft Analysis of Brownfield Cleanup Alternatives (ABCA) for public review and comment. Applications are due by January 28, 2026, at 11:59 PM ET. A national outreach webinar will be held on December 4, 2025. Notification of selection is expected in June 2026, with awards made in September 2026. The performance period for awarded grants is four years. The opportunity is recurring, issued annually, and applicants may only submit one cleanup application per cycle. EPA encourages early coordination with regional contacts and emphasizes compliance with procurement and eligibility rules.

Ensure sole site ownership by deadline; submit all community engagement proof including draft ABCA; do not reuse contractor unless procured competitively; verify eligibility with regional contact early