DEP-BWR-NOI-RFP-FY26-WQM grant-announcement only

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) through the Watershed Planning Program is seeking grant proposals for water quality monitoring and data collection efforts under the federal Clean Water Act. Specifically, the Water Quality Monitoring Grant (WQMG) Program for State Fiscal Year 2026 aims to increase external data used for water quality assessments. The grant opportunity targets projects that involve direct monitoring of surface waters, including rivers, streams, lakes, ponds, and estuaries, with a focus on building organizational capacity for comprehensive water quality monitoring. Eligible activities include purchasing monitoring equipment, laboratory analysis, consultant fees, staff salaries, training, outreach, and developing long-term monitoring networks. The grant requires a clear data submission plan, examination of specific priority analytes, and proposals that demonstrate potential benefits. Applications are due by November 3, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. EST, with MassDEP anticipating award contracts in late January 2026. The evaluation will use a 100-point scoring system considering proposed work, data collection capacity, benefits to Disadvantaged Communities, organizational capacity, and project budget.

The grant is exclusively available to federally or state-recognized Tribal Nations and non-profit organizations, explicitly excluding academic institutions, towns, and municipalities. MassDEP will award individual grants ranging from $10,000 to $50,000, with a total funding pool of up to $200,000 available for the grant period from the date of full contract execution through June 30, 2026. While matching funds are not mandatory, projects that provide matching sources (either in-kind services or external funding) will receive preferential treatment. The program places significant emphasis on projects that provide direct benefits to Disadvantaged Communities, which will be a key consideration in the evaluation process. Funding will be provided on a reimbursement basis, and MassDEP reserves the right to adjust award amounts based on funding availability and proposal merit. Eligible expenses are comprehensive, including equipment purchases, laboratory analysis fees, staff salaries, training activities, and travel mileage, providing flexibility for applicants to design robust water quality monitoring proposals.