Solid Waste Management Grant Program | SWMFY2018

Opportunity Information: Apply for SWMFY2018

The Solid Waste Management Grant Program (Funding Opportunity Number SWMFY2018) is a discretionary grant offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Utilities Programs, under CFDA 10.762. The program is aimed at improving solid waste practices in rural areas, with a particular emphasis on protecting water resources and strengthening the capacity of rural landfill operators and solid waste associations through technical assistance and training. In practical terms, the grant is designed to support planning, evaluation, and skill-building work that helps rural communities manage landfill-related risks more safely and more effectively, especially where limited staffing, funding, or technical expertise can make compliance and long-term stewardship difficult.

Grant funds can be used for several core purposes. One major eligible use is evaluating current landfill conditions to identify potential threats to water resources in rural communities, which can include assessing site conditions and operational practices that could lead to groundwater or surface water contamination. The program also supports technical assistance and training that improves operator skills for active rural landfills, focusing on better maintenance and day-to-day operational practices. In addition, funds may be used to help associations reduce the solid waste stream through technical assistance or training, which can involve education and operational guidance aimed at waste reduction, diversion, and improved management approaches. The grant also specifically addresses the needs of landfills that are closed or expected to close soon by funding technical assistance and training for closure-related planning. This includes developing or implementing closure plans, setting future land use plans, organizing safety and maintenance planning for post-closure conditions, and creating closure schedules that align with permitting requirements.

The opportunity also draws clear boundaries around what the grant will not pay for. Funds cannot be used to recruit or prepare pre-applications or applications for other loan and grant programs, including the RUS Water and Waste Disposal Loan and/or Grant Program. The program prohibits paying for work that duplicates services already being provided, and it cannot be used as a replacement or substitute for support that an organization previously funded through other means, such as routine consultant services used to develop a project. Political activities are explicitly disallowed. The grant is not intended to purchase capital assets or real property, so it cannot be used to buy real estate or vehicles. It also cannot be used to improve or renovate office space, or to repair and maintain privately owned property. Importantly, it does not pay for construction or for operation and maintenance costs of water and waste facilities, meaning the program is focused on assistance, training, assessment, and planning rather than building infrastructure or covering ongoing utility costs. Costs incurred before the effective date of an award made under 7 CFR 1775 are also not allowable.

For this FY 2018 cycle, the funding opportunity listed an award ceiling of $1,000,000 and anticipated making about 33 awards. The opportunity was created on October 2, 2017, and the application deadline for FY 2018 was adjusted to January 2, 2018 (because the normal date of December 31 fell on a Sunday), with applications due by 11:59 PM Eastern Time. Eligibility is noted broadly as “Others,” with additional specifics referenced in the opportunity’s eligibility clarification text. Overall, the program’s central purpose is to help rural communities and organizations improve solid waste management performance and reduce environmental risk, especially where better training, stronger operational practices, and well-developed closure planning can directly protect local water resources.

• The Department of Agriculture, Utilities Programs in the community development, environment 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 Oct 02, 2017.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jan 02, 2018 Close date for FY 2018 has been changed to January 2, 2018 due to normal close date (12/31) falling on Sunday. Applications must be submitted by 1159pm (Eastern Time) on Jan, 2, 2018. (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 33 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for SWMFY2018

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