Solid Waste Management Grant Program

The USDA Rural Utilities Service (RUS) is offering FY 2027 Solid Waste Management Grants to eligible nonprofit, tribal, public‑body, or academic entities. Grants fund technical assistance and training aimed at reducing solid‑waste streams, improving landfill operations, developing closure plans, and protecting water resources in rural areas. Applicants must submit a complete application (≤ 50 pages) via Grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. EST on 31 Dec 2026. Funding is limited to 40 awards, with a total FY 2027 pool of $4 million and a maximum award of $1 million. Eligible organizations must be tax‑exempt nonprofits, public bodies, recognized tribal entities, or academic institutions, and must demonstrate capacity to deliver regional technical assistance. The grant period runs Oct 1 2026 – Sep 30 2027 (12 months). Evaluation is based on eligibility, experience, staff vs. contract use, population served, project duration, needs assessment, goals, work plan, matching funds, and sustainability. • Eligible applicants: 501(c)(3) nonprofits, public bodies, tribal groups, colleges/universities. • Funding purpose: technical assistance/training for waste reduction, landfill operation, closure planning, water‑resource protection. • Application deadline: 31 Dec 2026, 11:59 p.m. EST (electronic submission). • Award ceiling: $1 M per project; total FY 2027 budget $4 M across ~40 awards. • Project period: 12 months (Oct 1 2026 – Sep 30 2027). • Required documents: SF‑424, SF‑424A, certifications, legal existence evidence, budget, work plan, matching‑fund documentation. • Scoring criteria include applicant status, experience, staff composition, population served, project duration, needs assessment, objectives, work plan, sustainability, and matching‑fund contributions.