Opportunity Information: Apply for SWMFY2019
The Solid Waste Management Grant Program is a discretionary grant opportunity administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Utilities Programs, focused on improving solid waste management practices in rural communities, especially where landfill conditions may pose risks to local water resources. The core purpose of the program is to fund technical support activities that help rural areas better assess, manage, and plan for landfill operations and closures in a way that protects public health and the environment, with a strong emphasis on preventing contamination and strengthening operator capacity through hands-on assistance and training.
Grant funds can be used for several practical, service-oriented activities. A major allowable use is evaluating current landfill conditions to identify potential threats to water resources in rural areas, which can include technical reviews and assessments designed to pinpoint risks and recommend corrective actions. The program also supports technical assistance and training that improves the skills of landfill operators who run active rural landfills, particularly around maintenance and day-to-day operational practices that reduce environmental hazards and improve compliance. In addition, the grants can support assistance and training for associations and similar entities seeking to reduce the overall solid waste stream, which generally means helping communities adopt better waste reduction practices, education efforts, or operational strategies that decrease what ultimately ends up in landfills. Another key eligible activity is helping operators of rural landfills that are already closed or likely to close soon, including the development and implementation of closure plans, planning for future land use, establishing safety and maintenance procedures, and building realistic closure schedules that align with permit requirements. Taken together, the program is structured to strengthen rural solid waste systems through planning, training, and technical expertise rather than through building or purchasing infrastructure.
The opportunity also sets clear boundaries on what it will not fund, reinforcing that it is not intended as a construction or capital improvement program. Funds cannot be used to recruit or prepare pre-applications or applications for any other loan or grant program, including the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) Water and Waste Disposal Loan and/or Grant Program. It also prohibits paying for services that would duplicate existing services or replace support that has previously been provided, such as work typically performed by an association's consultant in developing a project. Political activities are not allowable. The grant may not pay for capital assets, real estate purchases, or vehicles, and it cannot be used to improve or renovate office space. It also cannot be used to repair or maintain privately owned property. Importantly, it does not cover construction or operation and maintenance costs for water and waste facilities, and it cannot reimburse costs incurred before the grant is effective under 7 CFR 1775. In practical terms, the program is meant to pay for expertise, planning, assessment, and training, not physical development or routine operating expenses.
From a funding and administrative standpoint, the program is listed under Funding Opportunity Number SWMFY2019 and CFDA (now often referenced as Assistance Listing) 10.762, with activity categories tied to Community Development and Environment. The award ceiling is $1,000,000, and the opportunity anticipated around 30 awards. The original posting date was October 1, 2018, with an original closing date of December 31, 2018. Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others," with the expectation that applicants consult the program's additional eligibility language to confirm which kinds of organizations qualify. Overall, the grant is best suited for organizations positioned to deliver training, technical assistance, assessments, and planning support that help rural communities reduce solid waste impacts and manage landfill operations and closures responsibly.Apply for SWMFY2019
- 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, 2018.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Dec 31, 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 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 (USDA) FAQs
What is the Solid Waste Management Grant Program?
The Solid Waste Management Grant Program is a discretionary grant opportunity administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Utilities Programs. It focuses on improving solid waste management practices in rural communities, especially where landfill conditions may pose risks to local water resources.
What is the main purpose of this grant?
The core purpose is to fund technical support activities that help rural areas assess, manage, and plan for landfill operations and closures in ways that protect public health and the environment. A central emphasis is preventing contamination of water resources and strengthening landfill operator capacity through hands-on assistance and training.
Is this grant meant for construction or infrastructure projects?
No. The program is designed to support planning, assessment, technical assistance, and training rather than building or purchasing infrastructure. It is not intended as a construction or capital improvement program.
What types of activities can grant funds be used for?
Allowable uses include service-oriented, technical support activities such as:
- Evaluating current landfill conditions to identify potential threats to water resources in rural areas.
- Providing technical assistance and training to improve skills of operators at active rural landfills (especially around maintenance and day-to-day operational practices that reduce environmental hazards and improve compliance).
- Assistance and training for associations and similar entities seeking to reduce the overall solid waste stream (for example, helping communities adopt better waste reduction practices, education efforts, or operational strategies to decrease what ends up in landfills).
- Helping operators of rural landfills that are already closed or likely to close soon, including closure planning and implementation support.
What does "evaluating landfill conditions" mean under this program?
It generally refers to technical reviews and assessments that identify potential threats to local water resources, pinpoint risks, and recommend corrective actions to reduce or prevent contamination.
Does the program fund hands-on training for landfill operators?
Yes. A major focus is technical assistance and training that strengthens operator capacity at active rural landfills, with emphasis on operational practices that reduce environmental hazards and support compliance.
Can the grant support waste reduction efforts, not just landfill operations?
Yes. The program supports assistance and training for associations and similar entities seeking to reduce the overall solid waste stream, meaning strategies and education that reduce what ultimately goes to landfills.
What kinds of support are eligible for landfills that are closing or already closed?
The grant can support helping operators of rural landfills that are already closed or likely to close soon. Eligible support includes developing and implementing closure plans, planning for future land use, establishing safety and maintenance procedures, and building realistic closure schedules that align with permit requirements.
What is explicitly not allowed with grant funds?
The opportunity includes clear restrictions. Grant funds cannot be used for:
- Recruiting or preparing pre-applications or applications for any other loan or grant program, including the RUS Water and Waste Disposal Loan and/or Grant Program.
- Paying for services that would duplicate existing services or replace support that has previously been provided (for example, work typically performed by an association's consultant in developing a project).
- Political activities.
- Capital assets, real estate purchases, or vehicles.
- Improving or renovating office space.
- Repairing or maintaining privately owned property.
- Construction or operation and maintenance costs for water and waste facilities.
- Reimbursing costs incurred before the grant is effective under 7 CFR 1775.
Can this grant be used to write applications for other funding programs?
No. Funds cannot be used to recruit or prepare pre-applications or applications for any other loan or grant program, including the RUS Water and Waste Disposal Loan and/or Grant Program.
Can the grant pay for construction or facility operations and maintenance?
No. The program does not cover construction costs or operation and maintenance costs for water and waste facilities. The emphasis is on expertise, planning, assessment, and training rather than physical development or routine operating expenses.
Can grant funds be used to buy vehicles, land, or other major equipment?
No. The grant may not pay for capital assets, real estate purchases, or vehicles.
Can the grant pay to renovate or improve office space?
No. Improving or renovating office space is not an allowable use of funds under this opportunity.
Can the grant 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 political activities allowable under this program?
No. Political activities are not allowable.
Can costs incurred before the grant starts be reimbursed?
No. The program cannot reimburse costs incurred before the grant is effective under 7 CFR 1775.
What is the funding opportunity number for this program?
The Funding Opportunity Number is SWMFY2019.
What is the CFDA/Assistance Listing number?
The CFDA (now often referenced as the Assistance Listing) number is 10.762.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is $1,000,000.
How many awards were anticipated?
The opportunity anticipated around 30 awards.
When was the opportunity originally posted and when did it close?
The original posting date was October 1, 2018, and the original closing date was December 31, 2018.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others," with the expectation that applicants consult the program's additional eligibility language to confirm which kinds of organizations qualify.
What types of organizations are this grant best suited for?
Based on the described purpose and eligible uses, the grant is best suited for organizations positioned to deliver training, technical assistance, assessments, and planning support that help rural communities reduce solid waste impacts and manage landfill operations and closures responsibly.
Which general activity categories does this opportunity align with?
The activity categories are tied to Community Development and Environment.
What is the overall focus of the program in practical terms?
In practical terms, the program is meant to pay for expertise, planning, assessment, and training that strengthen rural solid waste systems and protect water resources, rather than paying for construction, capital purchases, or routine operating expenses.
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|---|
| Solid Waste Management Grant Program Apply for SWMFY2020 Funding Number: SWMFY2020 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Utilities Programs Category: Community Development, Environment Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
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| 2023 U.S.-ASEAN Women's Leadership Academy for YSEALI Apply for WLA USASEAN FY22 01 Funding Number: WLA USASEAN FY22 01 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to ASEAN Category: Community Development, Environment Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Community-Building Initiatives Program Apply for DOS AZE PD 24 03 Funding Number: DOS AZE PD 24 03 Agency: U.S. Mission to Azerbaijan Category: Community Development, Environment Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| ROOTS/RAICES Apply for 72051424RFA00001 Funding Number: 72051424RFA00001 Agency: Colombia USAID-Bogota Category: Community Development, Environment Funding Amount: $20,000,000 |
| Coastal Habitat Restoration and Resilience Grants for Tribes and Underserved Communities, Under the BIL Round 3 Apply for NOAA NMFS HCPO 2025 29689 Funding Number: NOAA NMFS HCPO 2025 29689 Agency: DOC NOAA - ERA Production Category: Community Development, Environment Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
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