Natural Resource Nitrogen Sensitive Area Planning Grants
The Natural Resource Nitrogen Sensitive Area Planning Grants fund scientific planning and research to address nitrogen pollution and support watershed-based water quality plans in Massachusetts.
Funder: Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs
Due Dates: September 30, 2026 (Questions due) | October 31, 2026 (Full application due)
Funding Amounts: ~$1.8 million total; typical award $20,000–$350,000; no match required but recommended; duration up to 2 years
Summary: Supports water quality management planning projects to address nonpoint source pollution and develop watershed-based plans in Massachusetts.
Key Information: Grants fund planning only (not implementation); open to a wide range of public entities; reimbursement basis.
Description
This grant program, administered by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) under the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, provides funding for water quality management planning projects across Massachusetts. The focus is on addressing nonpoint source (NPS) pollution through the development of Watershed-Based Plans (WBPs) and related planning activities. Projects may include data collection, technical analyses, modeling, stakeholder engagement, and preliminary design for best management practices (BMPs). The program aims to help local communities and eligible entities identify water quality issues and develop effective, comprehensive plans to restore or protect water resources.
Projects must not involve construction or implementation activities. Instead, the emphasis is on planning, assessment, and design that lay the groundwork for future implementation and restoration efforts. The program is funded through Section 604(b) of the federal Clean Water Act, with supplemental funds provided by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).
