The Brownfield Assessment Grants program, administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) through its Office of Brownfields and Land Revitalization, supports state agencies and Tribal nations in identifying, assessing, and planning the reuse of brownfield sites. These sites are real properties whose redevelopment may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of hazardous substances, pollutants, contaminants, petroleum, or controlled substances. The EPA provides funding through cooperative agreements to empower grantees to assess a minimum of ten sites within their jurisdiction, and to develop inventories, conduct community involvement activities, and prepare site-specific cleanup and reuse plans. Cleanup activities are not eligible for funding under this program.
This funding opportunity, identified as EPA-I-OLEM-OBLR-25-06, offers a total of $35,000,000 with an anticipated 18 awards. Applicants may request up to $2,000,000. The grant period is five years, and awards may be made in full or in increments, depending on funding availability and recipient performance. A unique feature of this grant is the prioritization of communities historically impacted by economic disinvestment and environmental contamination. Eligible uses of funds include site assessments, community engagement, reuse planning, and related programmatic activities. Participant support costs, such as stipends or childcare to facilitate community meeting attendance, are also allowable. However, the use of funds for cleanup, penalties, fines, or indirect administrative costs above 5% is prohibited.
Eligibility is strictly limited to state agencies under the control of governors or other elected executive officials and federally recognized Tribal nations (excluding those in Alaska, with the exception of the Metlakatla Indian Community). Intertribal consortia and Alaska Native Regional and Village Corporations are also eligible. The program excludes state or Tribal universities and colleges, individuals, and for-profit or non-tax-exempt nonprofits. No cost sharing or matching funds are required, and voluntary cost share is not accepted.
Applications are submitted via Grants.gov, with a submission deadline of January 28, 2026, at 11:59 PM ET. The application package must include standard federal forms (SF-424, SF-424A, etc.), a narrative addressing specific evaluation criteria, and responses to threshold eligibility requirements. Required components include documentation of eligibility, evidence of community involvement strategies, proposed site details, and procurement documentation for any contractors or subrecipients.
Evaluation of applications is based on criteria such as the applicant’s capacity, proposed activities, community engagement plan, and potential for site reuse. Additional review factors may include whether the site is in a floodplain, near water, or impacted by a closed coal plant, and whether the site reuse plan includes renewable energy or energy efficiency features. Applicants selected for funding will be notified around June 2026, with awards expected by September 2026. The grant supports EPA’s broader objectives for environmental justice, climate resilience, and sustainable redevelopment.
