Solid Waste Management Grant Program
Rural Utilities Service grants fund technical assistance and training to reduce solid waste, improve landfill operations and closure planning, and assess landfill threats to water resources.
Funder: Rural Utilities Service
Due Dates: October 1, 2026 (Application window opens) | December 31, 2026 (Applications, 11:59 p.m. ET) | September 1, 2027 (Anticipated awards)
Funding Amounts: Up to $1,000,000 per award; $4,000,000 estimated total funding; 12-month performance period
Summary: Funds organizations providing free technical assistance and training to improve rural solid waste management and protect water resources.
Key Information: Projects must serve rural areas and towns with populations of 10,000 or less.
Description
The USDA Rural Utilities Service’s Solid Waste Management Grant Program supports organizations that provide free technical assistance and training to rural communities. Its goals are to reduce or eliminate pollution of water resources and improve planning and management of solid waste sites. Supported work includes waste reduction, recycling and reuse, landfill operator training, evaluation of landfill threats to water resources, and planning for landfill closure and future use.
FY 2027 priorities include financial and operational sustainability of solid waste facilities, emerging contaminants such as PFAS, and collection of hazardous household materials, including electronics and pharmaceuticals. Sustainability assistance may include site planning, disaster recovery, revenue improvements, and support for capital financing applications. This is a nationally competitive program administered by RUS Water and Environmental Programs.
