Water Quick Finder

List of Funding Sources

U.S. EPA USDA Joint EPA/USDA Other

See also Catalog of Federal Funding Sources for Watershed Protection

U.S. EPA Funding Sources

§319 Clean Water Act, Nonpoint Source grant Program: This is a state-operated water quality improvement program. States are required to develop an Assessment Report (identification of the water quality problems) and a Management Program (the strategy). The grant program is intended to implement the milestones of the Management Program such that water quality problems identified in the Assessment Report are addressed and water bodies are returned to their designated uses. State Nonpoint Source Programs can take many forms and use a combination of local projects and statewide efforts and programs to implement solutions. If you have a water quality problem in your area you are interested in working on, first contact your State Nonpoint Source Agency to discuss your idea and learn more about their particular funding cycle and current priorities. While developing a project proposal, consider the Watershed Approach, leverage the funds and abilities of various partners, analyze cost effectiveness and how well the project really addresses the root cause of the water quality problem.

The Clean Water State Revolving Fund Program: Under this program, EPA provides grants or "seed money" to all states to capitalize state loan funds. The states, in turn, make loans to communities, individuals, and others for high-priority water-quality activities. As money is paid back into the revolving fund, new loans are made to other recipients that need help in maintaining water quality. While traditionally used to build or improve wastewater treatment plants, loans are also used increasingly for: agricultural, rural, and urban runoff control; estuary improvement projects; wet weather flow control; and alternative treatment technologies. Financial Assistance(http://www.epa.gov/OWM)

The Hardship Grants Program for Rural Communities: This grant program is designed to help small, disadvantaged rural communities address their wastewater needs. The Hardship Grants Program is designed to complement the Clean Water State Revolving Fund Program, which allows states to make loans to communities and individuals for high-priority water-quality projects. Financial Assistance (http://www.epa.gov/OWM)

Environmental Education: (EE) The purpose of the Environmental Education grants is to provide financial support for projects which design, demonstrate or disseminate environmental education practices, methods or techniques. Eligible applicants include local, tribal, or state education agencies, colleges and universities, nonprofit organizations, state environmental agencies and non-commercial educational broadcasting agencies. Award amounts are up to $25,000 regionally and $25,000 to $250,000 nationally. There is a non-federal government match required of 25%. The approximate application due date is December/January each year with selections announced each summer. Applicants must demonstrate how the proposed project is new or significantly improved, has the potential for wide application and addresses a high priority environmental issue. Projects MUST focus on one of the following: Improving environmental education teaching skills or; educating teachers, students or public about human health problems or; building state, local or tribal government capacity to develop environmental education programs or; educating community through community-based organization or; educating general public through print, film, broadcast or other media. Contact Ms. Jo Taylor (214/665-2204) with EPA Region 6.

Environmental Justice: (EJ) The purpose of the Environmental Justice grants is to provide financial assistance to eligible community groups, and federally recognized tribal governments that are working on or plan to carry out projects to address environmental justice issues. Eligible applicants include any affected community group, non-profit organization, university or tribal government. Award amounts are up to $20,000 granted. There is no federal government match required. The approximate application due date is February each year with selections announced each June. Applicants must demonstrate how the proposed project will improve the environmental quality of the community by: having wide application or addressing a high priority issue; enhancing skills in addressing EJ issues and problems; establishing or expanding information systems for communities; facilitating communication, information exchange and community partnerships; motivating the public to be more conscious of EJ issues, leading to action to address those issues.

EPA Research Grants: 2000-01 Research Grants include topics such as research in environmental indicators, aggregate exposure assessment for pesticides, issues in human health risk assessment, nutrient fate and transport through watersheds, and technology for a sustainable environment. The list might differ from year to year. Information, forms, etc. may be obtained by consulting the EPA National Center for Environmental Research Web Page.

USDA Funding Sources

Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS): Funding Sources Fact Sheets

Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP): The EQIP provides cost sharing funds for land users to implement conservation practices on their operating units. The program requires funds to be spent implementing practices prescribed in an approved conservation plan on land located in high priority targeted watersheds. Contracts for funding implementation of practices will be developed for five to ten years. Contact your local NRCS office to apply.

Wetland Reserve Program (WRP): The WRP provides funds for agricultural producers to enroll acreage into 30 year and permanent easements for wetland restoration. It provides 75 to 100 percent cost sharing for permanent easements, 50 to 75 percent cost sharing for 30 year easements, and 50 to 75 percent for restoration cost share agreements to help pay for the restorations. Contact your local NRCS office to apply.

Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP): This new program will help landowners improve wildlife habitat on private lands by cost sharing the development of habitat for upland wildlife, wetland wildlife, endangered species, fisheries and other wildlife. Contact your local NRCS office to apply.>

Emergency Watershed Protection Program Floodplain Easements: This program authorizes the federal government to purchase floodplain easements. Contact your local NRCS office to apply.

Forestry Incentives Program (FIP): FIP provides cost sharing funds for implementing practices that develop or restore forested lands according to an approved forest management plan. Contact your local NRCS office to apply.

Farm Services Agency (FSA): The FSA Conservation Reserve Program Information protects highly erodible and environmentally sensitive lands by enrolling the land into CRP contracts which pay the landowner to plant the land in grass, trees or other acceptable permanent cover and keep it in that long term cover for ten years or more.

Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES): The Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 established an account in the Treasury of the United States to provide funds for rural development programs and a competitive grant program to support research, education, and extension activities. To obtain program application materials, please contact The Fund for Rural America Program, Proposal Services Unit, Grants Management Branch; Office of Extramural Programs; USDA/CSREES at (202) 401-5048. These materials may also be requested via Internet by sending a message with your name, mailing address (not e-mail) and phone number to psb@reeusda.gov which states that you want a copy of the application materials for the Fund Program. The materials will then be mailed to you (not e-mailed) as quickly as possible.

USDA and EPA Joint Funding Sources

Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (SAREP): The purpose of the SARE Program is to facilitate and increase scientific investigation and education to reduce the use of chemical pesticides, fertilizers, and toxic materials in agricultural production; to improve management of on-farm resources to enhance productivity, profitability, and competitiveness; to promote crop, livestock, and enterprise diversification and to facilitate the research of agricultural production systems located in areas that possess various soil, climatic, and physical characteristics; to study farms that have been and continue to be managed using farm practices that optimize the use of on-farm resources and conservation practices; and to promote partnerships among farmers, nonprofit organizations, agribusiness, and public and private research and extension institutions.

Other Research Funding sources which may leverage with Water Quality Funds

NCASI- National Council of the Paper Industry for Air and Stream Improvement- This organization requests proposals apparently on a 2 year cycle for research projects related to sustainable forestry (Agenda 2020). Current priorities are Biotechnology, Basic Physiology, Soil Productivity and Remote Sensing. Although the main goal of these funds appears to be forest productivity, it may be possible to leverage these funds with others to develop a project with water quality improvement benefits also. Projects with 20% funding from non-federal sources may qualify for Department of Energy funding. Contact Information: Ms. Stephanie Jeffries, NCASI, P.O. Box 13318, Research Triangle Park NC 27709-3318 Phone: (919) 558-1983 Fax: (919) 558-1998