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

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Solid Waste Management Grant Program (SWMFY24) - FAQs

What is the Solid Waste Management Grant Program (SWMFY24)?

The Solid Waste Management Grant Program (Funding Opportunity Number SWMFY24) is a discretionary federal grant offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Rural Utilities Service. 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.

Which federal agency administers this grant?

The grant is offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Rural Utilities Service.

What is the CFDA number for this program?

The program is listed under CFDA 10.762.

Is this grant competitive or formula-based?

This opportunity is described as a discretionary federal grant, which indicates a competitive award process rather than a formula allocation.

When was this opportunity posted?

The opportunity was posted on October 2, 2023.

What was the original application deadline?

The original application deadline was January 2, 2024.

How many awards were anticipated?

The program anticipated making about 40 awards.

What is the maximum award amount?

The maximum award amount (ceiling) is $1,000,000 per grant.

What types of projects does this program fund?

The program funds capacity-building work, specifically hands-on technical assistance and training related to solid waste management. It is designed to improve environmental outcomes and support communities by strengthening skills, plans, and practices rather than paying for physical infrastructure.

Does the grant focus on water resource protection?

Yes. A major emphasis of the program is protecting water resources, including work that evaluates landfill conditions to identify potential threats to water resources.

Can grant funds be used to evaluate existing landfill conditions?

Yes. Allowable uses include evaluating existing landfill conditions to identify potential threats to water resources, including assessments that help communities understand environmental risks and compliance gaps.

Can this grant support training for active landfill operators?

Yes. Funding can be used to deliver technical assistance and training that strengthens operator skills for active landfill operations and maintenance, supporting improved day-to-day management practices.

Can the grant support waste reduction efforts?

Yes. Another eligible focus area is helping communities reduce 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.

Can the program fund assistance for closed landfills or landfills nearing closure?

Yes. The program can fund technical help for operators of landfills that are already closed or nearing closure, including support to develop and implement closure plans and related planning documents.

What kinds of closure-related deliverables can be supported?

Eligible closure-related support can include developing and implementing closure plans, future land use plans, safety and maintenance plans, and closure schedules that align with permit requirements.

Is this program intended to pay for construction or equipment purchases?

No. Grant funds are intended for capacity-building (technical assistance and training) rather than construction or equipment purchases.

Can funds be used to recruit applications for USDA water and waste loans or other funding programs?

No. Funds cannot be used to recruit applications for USDA water and waste loans or any other loan or grant programs.

Can the grant be used to duplicate services already being provided?

No. Funds cannot be used to duplicate services that are already being provided or to replace support that would normally be available through other means.

Can the grant pay for feasibility work, design, or cost estimates that would normally be provided by an association consultant?

No. The program will not replace support normally available through other means, and it specifically notes examples such as an association consultant preparing a project's feasibility work, design, or cost estimates.

Are political or lobbying activities allowed under this grant?

No. Political or lobbying activities are explicitly prohibited.

Can grant funds be used to purchase capital assets?

No. The grant cannot be used to pay for capital assets.

Can the grant be used to purchase real estate or vehicles?

No. The program cannot be used to purchase real estate or vehicles.

Can the grant be used to improve or renovate office space?

No. Funds cannot be used to improve or renovate office space.

Can the grant be used to repair or maintain privately owned property?

No. The program cannot be used to repair and maintain privately owned property.

Can grant funds be used for construction, improvement, rehabilitation, modification, or operation and maintenance of facilities?

No. Funds cannot be used for construction, improvement, rehabilitation, modification, or operation and maintenance of water, wastewater, or solid waste disposal facilities.

Can the program reimburse costs incurred before the grant starts?

No. The program will not reimburse costs incurred before the grant's effective date, consistent with the regulatory framework referenced in 7 CFR 1775.

What regulations are referenced regarding pre-award costs?

The opportunity references 7 CFR 1775 in connection with the restriction on reimbursing costs incurred before the grant's effective date.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others," with applicants directed to additional eligibility language in the full announcement for specifics. The definitive eligibility requirements would come from the official notice referenced in the opportunity package.

Does the provided information specify the exact eligible applicant types?

No. The provided information notes that eligibility details are in the full announcement, and it does not provide a definitive list of eligible applicant categories.

What kinds of organizations does this type of program commonly target?

Based on the description provided, this kind of program commonly targets organizations that can deliver training and technical assistance at a community or regional level, especially in rural areas. However, applicants should rely on the official eligibility language in the full announcement.

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