Opportunity Information: Apply for SWMFY2021
The Solid Waste Management Grant Program (Funding Opportunity Number SWMFY2021) is a discretionary grant offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Utilities Programs (CFDA 10.762). It is designed to support community development and environmental goals by improving how solid waste is managed, with a strong emphasis on technical assistance and training rather than building or operating facilities. The opportunity was created on October 7, 2020, with an original closing date of December 31, 2020. The program anticipated making about 30 awards, with an award ceiling of up to $1,000,000 per grant.
The primary purpose of the funding is to strengthen local and regional capacity to manage landfill and solid waste challenges in ways that protect water resources and improve public and environmental health. Grant funds can be used to evaluate current landfill conditions, especially to identify and assess potential threats to water resources. Funding can also support technical assistance and training that improves the skills of landfill operators responsible for the day-to-day operation and maintenance of active landfills. In addition, the program can fund community-focused technical assistance and training aimed at reducing the overall solid waste stream, which can include efforts that help communities adopt waste reduction practices, improve diversion, or implement better management strategies. Another key eligible use is technical assistance and training for operators of landfills that are already closed or expected to close soon, particularly to help with the development and implementation of closure plans, future land use plans, and safety and maintenance planning, as well as closure scheduling that aligns with applicable permit requirements.
The program also sets clear boundaries on what the grant cannot fund, reflecting its focus on capacity-building rather than infrastructure or promotional activity. Funds may not be used to recruit applications for USDA water and waste loans or any other loan or grant programs, and they cannot be used to duplicate services that are already being provided or to replace support that would normally come from other sources. The opportunity explicitly bars using funds for activities that would typically be performed by an association consultant for project development, such as feasibility studies, design work, or preparing cost estimates. Political or lobbying activities are not allowable. The grant cannot pay for capital assets, and it cannot be used to purchase real estate or vehicles. It also cannot be used to improve or renovate office space, or to repair or maintain privately owned property.
In line with the program’s technical-assistance orientation, the funding cannot be used for construction or for the improvement, rehabilitation, modification, or operation and maintenance of water, wastewater, or solid waste disposal facilities. Finally, the grant cannot reimburse costs incurred before the grant’s effective date under the applicable regulation (7 CFR 1775), meaning expenses must be planned to occur within the approved grant period and scope.
Eligibility is listed as “Others,” with additional details referenced in the full eligibility guidance, indicating the program may be aimed at specific types of organizations or entities (often those positioned to deliver training and technical assistance to communities) rather than general applicants. Overall, this opportunity is best understood as a support mechanism for assessments, training, and planning that helps communities and landfill operators prevent environmental harm, strengthen compliance and operational practices, and reduce the amount of solid waste entering landfills, without paying for facilities, equipment-heavy purchases, or construction.Apply for SWMFY2021
- 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 07, 2020.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Dec 31, 2020. (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).
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Solid Waste Management Grant Program (SWMFY2021) FAQs
What is the Solid Waste Management Grant Program (Funding Opportunity Number SWMFY2021)?
The Solid Waste Management Grant Program (Funding Opportunity Number SWMFY2021) is a discretionary grant offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Utilities Programs (CFDA 10.762). It supports community development and environmental goals by improving solid waste management, with a strong emphasis on technical assistance and training rather than building or operating facilities.
Which federal agency administers this grant?
This opportunity is offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Utilities Programs, and is associated with CFDA 10.762.
What is the main purpose of this funding?
The primary purpose is to strengthen local and regional capacity to manage landfill and solid waste challenges in ways that protect water resources and improve public and environmental health. The program is structured around assessments, training, and planning that improve management practices and reduce environmental risks.
Is this grant intended to pay for building or operating solid waste facilities?
No. The program is oriented toward technical assistance and training. Grant funds cannot be used for construction or for the improvement, rehabilitation, modification, or operation and maintenance of water, wastewater, or solid waste disposal facilities.
How many awards were expected and what is the maximum award size?
The program anticipated making about 30 awards. The award ceiling was up to $1,000,000 per grant.
When was this funding opportunity created and when was it originally due?
The opportunity was created on October 7, 2020, with an original closing date of December 31, 2020.
What types of activities are eligible for funding under this program?
Eligible uses focus on technical assistance, training, and evaluation activities that improve solid waste and landfill management. Examples described in the opportunity include evaluating landfill conditions to identify threats to water resources, training landfill operators, supporting community-focused waste reduction efforts, and helping closed or soon-to-close landfills with closure planning and related planning needs.
Can grant funds be used to evaluate current landfill conditions?
Yes. Funds can be used to evaluate current landfill conditions, particularly to identify and assess potential threats to water resources.
Can the program pay for training for active landfill operators?
Yes. Funding can support technical assistance and training to improve the skills of landfill operators responsible for the day-to-day operation and maintenance of active landfills.
Does the grant support community-based waste reduction work?
Yes. The program can fund community-focused technical assistance and training aimed at reducing the overall solid waste stream, including efforts that help communities adopt waste reduction practices, improve diversion, or implement better management strategies.
Can this grant help with landfill closure planning?
Yes. Technical assistance and training for operators of landfills that are already closed or expected to close soon is an eligible use, particularly for developing and implementing closure plans, future land use plans, safety and maintenance planning, and closure scheduling aligned with applicable permit requirements.
Can funds be used to recruit applications for USDA water and waste loans or other programs?
No. Funds may not be used to recruit applications for USDA water and waste loans or for any other loan or grant programs.
Can the grant be used to duplicate services or replace other funding sources?
No. The opportunity states that funds cannot be used to duplicate services already being provided or to replace support that would normally come from other sources.
Are feasibility studies, design work, or cost estimates allowable under this grant?
No. The opportunity explicitly bars using funds for activities that would typically be performed by an association consultant for project development, such as feasibility studies, design work, or preparing cost estimates.
Are political or lobbying activities allowed?
No. Political or lobbying activities are not allowable uses of grant funds under this opportunity.
Can the grant pay for capital assets?
No. The grant cannot pay for capital assets.
Can funds be used to buy real estate or vehicles?
No. Funds cannot be used to purchase real estate or vehicles.
Can funds be used to renovate or improve office space?
No. The grant cannot be used to improve or renovate office space.
Can funds be used to repair or maintain privately owned property?
No. The opportunity states the grant cannot be used to repair or maintain privately owned property.
Are construction and facility upgrades allowable costs?
No. Funds cannot be used for construction or for the improvement, rehabilitation, or modification of water, wastewater, or solid waste disposal facilities, and they cannot be used for operation and maintenance of those facilities.
Can the grant reimburse costs incurred before the grant starts?
No. The grant cannot reimburse costs incurred before the grant's effective date under the applicable regulation (7 CFR 1775). Expenses need to be planned to occur within the approved grant period and scope.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is listed as "Others," with additional details referenced in the full eligibility guidance. Based on how the program is described, it appears oriented toward organizations or entities positioned to deliver technical assistance and training to communities and landfill operators, rather than general applicants. Applicants should refer to the full eligibility guidance for the specific eligible entity types.
What makes this program different from infrastructure-focused waste or landfill funding?
This program is best understood as capacity-building support. It prioritizes assessments, training, and planning to prevent environmental harm, strengthen compliance and operational practices, and reduce the amount of solid waste entering landfills, while not paying for facilities, construction, vehicles, real estate, or other equipment-heavy purchases.
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