Solid Waste Management Grant Program | SWMFY24

Opportunity Information: Apply for SWMFY24

The Solid Waste Management Grant Program (Funding Opportunity Number SWMFY24) is a discretionary federal grant offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Utilities Service (CFDA 10.762). It supports community development and environmental goals by funding hands-on technical assistance and training related to solid waste management, with an emphasis on protecting water resources and improving how landfills are operated, maintained, and closed. The opportunity was posted on October 2, 2023, with an original application deadline of January 2, 2024. The program anticipated making about 40 awards, with a maximum award amount (ceiling) of $1,000,000 per grant.

Grant funds are intended for “capacity-building” work rather than construction or equipment purchases. Allowable uses include evaluating existing landfill conditions to identify potential threats to water resources, which can involve assessments that help communities understand environmental risks and compliance gaps. Funding can also be used to deliver technical assistance and training that strengthens operator skills for active landfill operations and maintenance, helping improve day-to-day management practices. Another eligible focus area is assisting communities in reducing the amount of solid waste entering the waste stream, typically through training or technical support that improves local solid waste planning and waste reduction approaches. In addition, the program can fund support for operators of landfills that are already closed or nearing closure, including technical help to develop and implement closure plans, future land use plans, safety and maintenance plans, and closure schedules that align with permit requirements.

The program places clear limits on what it will not pay for, reinforcing that it is not meant to finance physical infrastructure or replace other funding sources. Funds cannot be used to recruit applications for USDA water and waste loans or any other loan or grant programs. They also cannot be used to duplicate services that are already being provided or to replace support that would normally be available through other means, such as an association consultant preparing a project’s feasibility work, design, or cost estimates. Political or lobbying activities are explicitly prohibited. The grant also cannot be used to pay for capital assets or to purchase real estate or vehicles, nor can it be used to improve or renovate office space or to repair and maintain privately owned property. Importantly, funds cannot be used for construction, improvement, rehabilitation, modification, or operation and maintenance of water, wastewater, or solid waste disposal facilities. Finally, the program will not reimburse costs incurred before the grant’s effective date, consistent with the applicable regulatory framework referenced in 7 CFR 1775.

Eligibility is listed broadly as “Others,” with applicants directed to additional eligibility language in the full announcement for specifics. In practical terms, this kind of program commonly targets organizations that can deliver training and technical assistance at a community or regional level, especially in rural areas, but the definitive eligibility requirements would come from the official notice referenced in the opportunity package.

• The Department of Agriculture, Rural Utilities Service in the community development, environment, opportunity zone benefits sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Solid Waste Management Grant Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.762.
• This funding opportunity was created on Oct 02, 2023.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jan 02, 2024. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,000,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 40 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for SWMFY24

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal: