Reduce, Reuse, Reimagine Grants

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) administers the Reduce, Reuse, Reimagine Grants through its Materials Management program. This program is part of the agency's broader commitment to environmental protection and sustainable resource use across the state. The grants are designed to support projects that minimize the environmental and human health impacts of materials throughout their lifecycle, from production and consumption to disposal. DEQ relaunched the program in 2024 with enhanced features and continues to prioritize equity, innovation, and public health in its grantmaking. The upcoming 2026 grant cycle will provide up to $2 million in total funding for projects aligned with the theme "Built for Well-Being: Reducing Exposure to Toxic Substances in Building Materials." The focus is on eliminating harmful chemicals commonly found in construction and renovation materials—such as flame retardants, PFAS, solvents, and heavy metals—that pose serious risks to human health and the environment. Applicants are encouraged to use the Six Classes framework to guide chemical reduction efforts, though projects targeting other toxic substances with a compelling rationale will also be considered. The grant supports a wide range of eligible activities, including education and outreach, training, research, policy development, and workforce development. Allowable costs include salaries, equipment, publications, administrative expenses, and project-related supplies, provided they are tied directly to the grant-funded project and documented accordingly. However, funding may not be used for environmental cleanup, projects required by law, or projects unrelated to building materials, such as those focusing on clothing or packaging. The application process begins with a simple pre-application screening for eligibility. Selected applicants will then be invited to submit a full proposal. The application period is scheduled to open in Spring 2026 via the WebGrants platform, and applicants will benefit from expanded support resources such as information sessions and office hours. Preference will be given to first-time applicants and to projects that serve BIPOC, rural, or historically underserved communities. Grant recipients will have up to 24 months to complete their funded projects. A dedicated portion of the funding—up to $500,000—is reserved for Oregon’s nine federally recognized Tribal governments, their enterprises, and businesses they own. This allocation is part of DEQ’s effort to promote inclusive participation and uphold environmental justice throughout the state. Projects will be evaluated based on their potential to reduce exposure to toxics, alignment with the annual funding priority, and overall feasibility. The DEQ team can be contacted at RRRgrants@deq.oregon.gov for more information, and further details will be released as the grant cycle approaches.

Prioritize BIPOC, rural, and underrepresented communities; stronger proposals include clear chemical rationale; first-time applicants receive scoring boost