DEP-BWR-FY24-WQM grant-announcement only

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) is seeking grant proposals from eligible entities, including federally recognized tribal nations, community water quality monitoring groups, and other non-profit organizations, for the purpose of supporting ongoing or new monitoring and data collection efforts to increase the amount of external data MassDEP uses for water quality assessments. This is a grant opportunity, not a traditional procurement, with grant awards ranging from $20,000 to $75,000 and a total funding pool of up to $200,000. Eligible activities include direct monitoring of surface waters, capacity-building actions to improve monitoring capabilities, and development of regional and long-term monitoring programs. Proposals will be evaluated on criteria such as the quality of the proposed work, the applicant's capacity for quality data collection and submission, and the project's benefits to environmental justice populations. The application deadline is November 15, 2023, and all grant funding must be used by June 30, 2024.

This grant opportunity is part of MassDEP's commitment to advancing equity, diversity, and environmental justice through its public investments. MassDEP will prioritize proposals that benefit environmental justice communities and address environmental inequities. Academic institutions and municipalities are not eligible for this grant, but they can serve as subcontractors. Successful grantees from prior years will be evaluated on their standing, including timely submission of invoices, deliverables, and data. There are no listed incumbent vendors or current contractors, and no specific technology or infrastructure integration requirements.