Solid Waste Management Grant Program

The Solid Waste Management Grant Program, administered by the USDA Rural Utilities Service, seeks to provide technical assistance and training for improving solid waste management in rural communities. The grant aims to reduce water resource pollution, enhance landfill operations, and support environmental sustainability through activities such as operator training, landfill condition evaluation, and development of closure plans. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, public bodies, Native American tribes, and academic institutions with proven capabilities in providing regional technical assistance. The competitive application will be scored across 14 evaluation categories, including project area, applicant experience, population served, and technical assistance methods, with a maximum of 265 possible points. The application deadline is December 31, 2025, with electronic submissions required through Grants.gov.

The federal grant opportunity will distribute approximately $4,000,000 in funding for fiscal year 2026, with individual grant awards potentially ranging up to $100,000. The performance period for selected projects will run from October 1, 2026, to September 30, 2027, with funds disbursed on a reimbursement basis. Successful applicants will be selected based on their highest scores and available funding, with priority given to organizations that can demonstrate ability to assist small, low-income communities and serve multi-state or regional areas. The grants will focus on rural communities across the United States, with an emphasis on improving solid waste management infrastructure and environmental protection strategies.