Solid Waste Management Grant Program | SWMFY2020

Opportunity Information: Apply for SWMFY2020

The Solid Waste Management Grant Program is a discretionary grant opportunity offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Utilities Programs, designed to strengthen solid waste management in communities primarily through technical support rather than construction or equipment purchases. The program focuses on improving how landfills and local solid waste systems are assessed, operated, maintained, and planned for over time, with a clear emphasis on protecting water resources and helping communities manage waste more effectively. The assistance funded under this program is largely educational, planning-oriented, and capacity-building in nature, aiming to give local operators and communities the skills and guidance needed to run safer, more compliant, and more sustainable solid waste programs.

Grant funds can be used for several core activities. One major use is evaluating current landfill conditions to identify and understand potential threats to water resources, which can include issues like leachate management risks or other conditions that could impact surface water or groundwater. Funding can also support technical assistance and training to enhance the skills of landfill operators who run active facilities, helping them improve day-to-day operations and long-term maintenance practices. Another eligible purpose is providing technical assistance or training to help communities reduce the overall solid waste stream, which can involve education, program development, and strategies that reduce disposal volumes through better waste handling practices. The program also specifically supports communities dealing with landfills that are already closed or expected to close soon; in those cases, funding can be used for technical help in developing and implementing closure plans, identifying future land uses, establishing safety and maintenance plans, and creating closure schedules that meet applicable permit requirements.

At the same time, the program sets firm boundaries on what it will not pay for, underscoring that this is not an infrastructure construction grant. Funds may not be used to recruit applications for USDA Water and Waste loans or any other loan or grant programs. They also cannot be used to duplicate services that are already being provided or to replace support that would normally come from other sources, such as routine consultant work performed for an association when developing a project (including feasibility studies, design work, and cost estimates). Political or lobbying activities are explicitly prohibited. The grant cannot be used to pay for capital assets, and it cannot be used to purchase real estate or vehicles, renovate or improve office space, or repair and maintain privately owned property. It also cannot fund the construction, improvement, rehabilitation, modification, or operation and maintenance of water, wastewater, or solid waste disposal facilities. In addition, costs incurred before the grant becomes effective (as governed by 7 CFR 1775) are not eligible for reimbursement.

From the opportunity details provided, the funding opportunity title is Solid Waste Management Grant Program with the funding opportunity number SWMFY2020. It is categorized as a discretionary grant under the community development and environment activity areas, and it is associated with CFDA number 10.762. The administering agency is the Department of Agriculture, Utilities Programs. The opportunity was created on October 1, 2019, with an original closing date of December 31, 2019. The maximum award amount listed (award ceiling) is $1,000,000, and the agency anticipated making about 30 awards. Eligibility is broadly listed as "Others," with the note that applicants should consult the additional eligibility information in the full announcement for clarification on which organization types qualify.

In practical terms, this program is best understood as a way to pay for expertise, training, planning, and assessments that improve landfill management and solid waste practices, especially where better operations and better closure planning can reduce environmental risks to water resources. It is not meant to fund physical upgrades, vehicles, buildings, or construction projects; instead, it funds the know-how and technical groundwork that helps communities run and plan their solid waste systems responsibly and in line with regulatory expectations.

• 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 01, 2019.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Dec 31, 2019. (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 30 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for SWMFY2020

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