Solid Waste Management Grant Program | SWMFY25

Opportunity Information: Apply for SWMFY25

The Solid Waste Management Grant Program (Funding Opportunity Number: SWMFY25) is a discretionary grant offered by the USDA Rural Utilities Service (CFDA 10.762) to support rural communities through technical assistance and training related to solid waste management, with a strong emphasis on landfill operations, landfill closure planning, and protecting water resources. The program is positioned as a capacity-building and technical support opportunity rather than a construction or infrastructure funding source. The original application closing date listed is 2024-12-31. Awards can be as large as $1,000,000, and the agency anticipates making about 40 awards.

Grant funds are intended to help communities and landfill operators strengthen how they manage solid waste and reduce environmental risks. Eligible activities include evaluating current landfill conditions in order to identify and understand threats to water resources, which can involve assessments that inform better operational practices and risk mitigation. Funds may also be used to deliver technical assistance and/or training that improves operator skills for the operation and maintenance of active landfills, helping ensure landfills are managed safely and in compliance with applicable requirements. Another major focus is supporting communities in reducing the overall solid waste stream through training and technical assistance, which can include education, planning support, and implementation guidance aimed at waste reduction. The program also supports assistance and training for operators of landfills that are already closed or expected to close soon, specifically to aid with the development and implementation of closure plans, future land use plans, safety and maintenance planning, and closure scheduling that aligns with permit requirements.

The program includes clear limits on what the funding cannot be used for, reinforcing that this is not a capital or facilities program. Funds may not be used to recruit applications for the agency's water and waste loan programs or any other loan or grant program. They also cannot be used to duplicate existing services or replace support normally provided through other channels, such as work typically performed by an association's consultant when developing a project, including feasibility studies, design work, and cost estimates. In addition, the grant cannot fund political or lobbying activities. Capital-related restrictions are extensive: recipients may not use funds to pay for capital assets, purchase real estate or vehicles, improve or renovate office space, or repair and maintain privately owned property. The grant also cannot pay for the construction, improvement, rehabilitation, modification, or operation and maintenance of water, wastewater, or solid waste disposal facilities. Finally, costs incurred before the effective date of awards made under 7 CFR 1775 are not allowable, meaning applicants should plan their timelines and spending so that eligible costs begin only after the grant is officially in effect.

Eligibility is broad but specific, covering several types of organizations that can demonstrate the capacity to deliver technical assistance and training to rural areas. An applicant may qualify if it is a private nonprofit organization with IRS tax-exempt status, a public body, a federally acknowledged or state-recognized Native American tribe or group, or an academic institution. The organization must be legally established and located within a U.S. state, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or a U.S. territory. Beyond organizational type and location, applicants must have the legal authority to carry out the grant purpose and a proven track record of successfully providing technical assistance and/or training to rural areas, since program goals rely on the applicant being able to deliver services effectively.

There are also financial and compliance-related conditions applicants must meet. The organization must have capitalization acceptable to the agency, and at least 51 percent of the outstanding interest or membership must be held by U.S. citizens or individuals who reside in the U.S. after lawful admission for permanent residence. The applicant must not have delinquent federal debt or outstanding judgments to repay a federal debt. It must also demonstrate the financial, technical, and managerial capability to comply with federal and state laws and requirements. If the applicant plans to subcontract work, the program limits this by requiring that the recipient may contract with a non-affiliated organization for no more than 49 percent of the grant to provide the proposed assistance, which keeps primary responsibility and control with the grantee.

In practical terms, this opportunity is best viewed as funding for expert support, training programs, assessments, planning assistance, and related services that help rural communities and landfill operators improve day-to-day management, reduce waste generation, plan responsibly for closures, and safeguard water resources. It is not meant for buying equipment, building facilities, or paying for routine operations; instead, it targets the knowledge, planning, and technical capacity that make solid waste systems safer and more sustainable over time.

• The Rural Utilities Service in the community development, environment, oz 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 2024-10-01.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-12-31. (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.

Apply for SWMFY25

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