Solid Waste Management Grants

The Solid Waste Management Grants Program (SWMGs) for Fiscal Year 2025 is a federal grant opportunity administered by the Rural Utilities Service (RUS), a division of the Rural Development mission area under the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The RUS aims to improve the quality of life in rural America by investing in infrastructure and community development, including initiatives to support economic recovery, ensure equitable access to resources, and promote climate resilience. The SWMGs Program supports technical assistance and training projects that focus on reducing or eliminating the pollution of water resources and improving the planning and management of solid waste sites in rural communities. This funding opportunity aligns with USDA Rural Development’s key priorities, including promoting economic growth in rural areas, expanding equitable access to federal resources, and addressing climate change. Projects eligible under the SWMGs Program may include activities related to the mitigation of emerging contaminants, such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), improving disaster resiliency, or other environmental and public health priorities. These grants are not awarded directly to individuals or businesses for infrastructure improvements but instead are provided to organizations that can deliver technical assistance or training to rural communities in need. The SWMGs Program expects to provide approximately $4 million in grant funding for FY25, subject to appropriations. There are no specified minimum or maximum award amounts, and all funding will be awarded through a competitive review process. The performance period for funded projects will begin on October 1, 2025, and end on September 30, 2026. Eligible organizations include nonprofit organizations, public bodies, academic institutions, and federally or state-recognized Native American Tribes. These entities must be legally established within a U.S. state and demonstrate both past performance in similar projects and the capacity to provide regional technical assistance in rural areas. Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov. The application window opens on October 1, 2024, and closes at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on December 31, 2024. To be eligible, applicants must have an active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) and provide a valid Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number. Applications that are incomplete or submitted after the deadline will not be considered. Proposals must meet the intent and purpose outlined in 7 CFR part 1775, including clarity of goals, demonstrated need, alignment with key USDA priorities, and a defined work plan. The review process is competitive and based on a scoring system that evaluates factors such as the applicant’s experience, the project’s geographic reach, the income level of the community served, clarity of work plan and goals, the type of assistance provided, evaluation methods, and sustainability of the project post-grant. Additional discretionary points may be awarded by the RUS Administrator for projects that align with USDA’s equity, climate, or economic distress criteria as outlined on the Rural Development priority points website. Interested applicants may obtain additional information from the program website or contact Cynthia “Cyndy” Leonard by email at Water-RD@usda.gov or by phone at (540) 742-5284. Details about the SWMGs Program Application Guide, regulatory framework, required forms, and additional technical assistance can be accessed at www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/water-environmental-programs/solid-waste-management-grants. All applicants are strongly encouraged to review the full FY 2025 Notice of Funding Opportunity and the Application Guide for complete application instructions and requirements.

Projects addressing PFAS or disaster resilience may score higher. Ensure SAM and UEI registrations are current.