Municipal Resources

Municipal Resources

Welcome to the Office of the Municipal Ombudsman's Municipal Resources guide with a broad swath of clean and safe water resources. Subscribe here to receive the weekly e-list of federal water resources with a municipal focus. (Check out a sample here).  

On this page:

General Resources

Federal Funding

  • DOT-FHWA's Fiscal Years 2024 through 2026 Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-saving Transportation (PROTECT) Competitive Grant Program. Funding to improve the resilience of the surface transportation system, with program goals of protecting surface transportation assets by making them more resilient, protecting communities through resilience improvements and strategies that allow continued operation or rapid recovery, protecting coastal infrastructure, and protecting natural infrastructure that protects and enhances surface transportation assets. Four grant types are offered — Planning, Resilience Improvement, Community Resilience and Evacuation Route, and At-Risk Coastal Infrastructure. [States, metropolitan planning organizations, local governments, Tribes, public transportation agencies, port authorities, and federal land managing agencies applying jointly with a state are eligible; territories are eligible for the coastal grants. See grant.gov for full details.] Apply by October 9, 2026.
  • USDA Forest Service’s 2026 National Urban and Community Forestry Challenge Cost Share Grant Program. This year’s round focuses on advancing community tree resource utilization — turning wood generated from pruning, removals, storm events, and pest or disease outbreaks into useful products. [Local governments, housing authorities, school districts, tribes, and nonprofits apply.] Apply by October 12, 2026.
  • USDA Forest Service’s Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program. Provides financial assistance to Tribes, local governments, and qualified conservation nonprofits to establish community forests. Apply by October 13, 2026.
  • EPA’s Innovative Water Infrastructure Workforce Development Grant. To build career pipelines into the drinking water and wastewater utility sector —  Eligible activities include apprenticeship and internship programs, education programs designed for elementary, secondary, and higher education students, regional industry collaborations, and training programs designed to support decentralized workforce. [Eligible applicants include Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs), nonprofit organizations, and public works departments and agencies.] Apply by [extended] October 15, 2026.
  • USFWS’ Fiscal Year 2026 Implementation of the Quagga and Zebra Mussel Action Plan (QZAP) in the Western United States. Funding toward the top priorities in the Quagga/Zebra Mussel Action Plan, aimed at invasive mussels that are rapidly expanding their range in the West — popular reservoirs on or connected to the lower Colorado River are a major source, and the mussels move easily to uninvaded waters on trailered watercraft. [All legal entities are eligible. The program will not fund land acquisition, and applications are accepted only through grantsolutions.gov, not grants.gov. These  mussels can foul raw water intakes, screens, and conveyance.] Apply by October 24, 2026.
  • NOAA's Climate Program Office FY2026 Earth System Science and Services Partnership. A single cooperative agreement, up to $10 million, for collaborative research on the atmosphere, oceans, coasts, land, and ice and their effects on ecosystems, weather and hazards, and communities and infrastructure — observations and monitoring, modeling, and the development of services with stakeholders. [Research-oriented — only academic institutions granting doctoral degrees in NOAA-related sciences, consortia of them, and nonprofit research institutions may apply, and multi-institution applications are not accepted. Send to your university partner!] Apply by October 26, 2026.
  • USFWS’ Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund: Habitat Conservation Plan Land Acquisition Grants. Matching grants to state agencies for land acquisition projects that conserve species habitat in perpetuity through fee simple acquisition or permanent conservation easements on parcels associated with approved and permitted habitat conservation plans. [State agencies with a section 6(c) cooperative agreement apply, and counties and conservation organizations can take part as subgrantees — a route to permanent protection of riparian and source water land already inside an approved HCP.] Apply by October 30, 2026.
  • NPS’ Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program (ORLP). National Park Service matching grants, under the Land and Water Conservation Fund, to acquire land and water for parks and other outdoor recreation purposes and to develop new or renovate existing outdoor recreation facilities in qualifying areas — an urban area with a population of 25,000 or more, or an area administered by a federally recognized Tribe or an Alaska Native or Native Hawaiian community organization. [State and territorial LWCF lead agencies, Tribes, and Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian organizations apply directly; cities, counties, and park districts apply as subrecipients through their state lead agency. Riverfront access and park projects with stormwater features can qualify.] Apply by November 1, 2026.  (recurring, due each year on November 1 through 2030)
  • NSF’s State and Regional Super Intelligence Infrastructure Hubs. Aims to expand access to the compute required for SI-enabled scientific discovery and to transform the research, education, and training opportunities offered by institutions of higher education. SI Infrastructure Hubs will connect researchers to new compute infrastructure that leverages contributions from state governments, research institutions, industry, and philanthropy, accelerating SI-enabled discovery across science and engineering and developing a skilled technical workforce for SI use in the scientific enterprise. [Eligible applicants include Institutions of Higher Education and some Non-profit, non-academic organizations, see full details here] Apply by November 4, 2026.
  • NPS' Exploring and Enhancing Outdoor and Heritage Tourism in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. National Park Service Chesapeake Gateways grants to strengthen a community's ability to offer or enhance outdoor recreation and natural, historical, and cultural tourism connecting visitors and residents to the Chesapeake Bay watershed. [Local governments, Tribes, nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status, school districts, universities, and small businesses are all eligible] Apply by November 4, 2026.
  • EPA SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) 2026 Phase I Solicitation is Now Open Through November 8. EPA is accepting proposals from small businesses for Phase I SBIR awards of up to $100,000 that demonstrate proof of concept for specific topics under the broad focus areas of clean and safe water, air quality, circular economy/sustainable materials, and safer chemicals. Successful Phase I awardees are eligible to receive Phase II funding, up to $400,000 for two years, through an additional application process. More information can be found on the EPA SBIR Funding Opportunities Page. Apply by November 8, 2026.
  • EPA’s Fiscal Year 2026 Funding Opportunity for Indian Tribes and Intertribal Consortia for Nonpoint Source Management Grants Under Clean Water Act Section 319. Implementation funding under CWA section 319(h) for best management practices and measures identified in approved Tribal Nonpoint Source Management Program Plans to address the pollution sources named in a Tribe’s assessment report. [Federally recognized Tribes and intertribal consortia apply.] Apply by November 9, 2026.
  • NOAA’s Advancing Coastal Flood Protection through public-private partnerships, innovative insurance products, and improved sediment management. Projects that advance the use of natural infrastructure for coastal flood protection through public-private partnerships, innovative insurance products, or improved sediment management, with research teams that include regional users so that long-term flood and storm preparedness is led by states and localities.[Eligible applicants include state and local governments, Tribal governments, institutions of higher education, nonprofits, and for-profit organizations.]
    • October 20 - Webcast 
    • November 9, 2026 by 11:59 p.m. ET – Deadline for required letters of intent (LOIs)
    • February 12, 2027 by 11:59 p.m. ET – Deadline for Full Applications 
  • USGS’ Water Resources Research Act Program National Competitive Grants FY2026 (104g General). The scope includes the development, testing, and demonstration of innovative methodologies for observing, estimating, and validating water use associated with data centers and other industries drawing from public supply systems including the identification of variables for accurate prediction of data center water usage, quantification of the uncertainty around those predictions, and the ability to forecast future scenarios of usage.  [Only the state Water Resources Research Institutes — one at a university in every state, D.C., Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam — may apply; a utility with a research question should contact its state Institute.] Apply by November 12, 2026.
  • DOT-FHWA’s Fiscal Year 2026 Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program. Projects that reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions “and, in doing so, improve habitat connectivity for terrestrial and aquatic species”; construction and non-construction projects, 20 percent non-federal share, and at least 60 percent of funds must go to rural areas. [Eligible applicants are state DOTs, metropolitan planning organizations, units of local government, regional transportation authorities, special purpose districts or public authorities with a transportation function, Indian Tribes, federal land management agencies, or groups of these.] Apply by November 16, 2026.
  • NOAA's Damage Assessment, Remediation and Restoration Program (DARRP) Restoration Implementation Grants. Funding for NOAA to collaborate with non-federal partners on marine and coastal habitat restoration and conservation tied to oil spills, hazardous substance releases, and other natural resource damages, implementing restoration authorized under the Oil Pollution Act, CERCLA, the Clean Water Act, the National Marine Sanctuaries Act, and other authorities including the RESTORE Act. [Institutions of higher education, nonprofits, and for-profit organizations apply; federal, state, and Tribal governments are not eligible because of their potential trustee role, and local governments are eligible where they identify large-scale restoration opportunities. Non-eligible organizations are encouraged to work with those that are eligible to apply.] Apply by November 18, 2026.
  • USDA-NRCS’ Easement Restoration and Stewardship. Cooperative agreements for work on lands protected through Wetland Reserve Easements under the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program and Floodplain Easements under the Emergency Watershed Protection Program: restoration of wetland and floodplain easements (including structural practices such as levees and water control structures, and vegetative practices such as tree planting), stewardship of restored easements (repair, maintenance, management, and enhancement), and onsite and offsite easement condition assessments. [City, county, township, and special district governments are among the eligible applicants listed.] Apply by November 19, 2026.
  • USFWS’ Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund: Recovery Land Acquisition Grant Program. Grants that “promote State and Federal cooperation in listed species conservation by leveraging funds to acquire specific parcels of land, through fee simple or conservation easement, in support of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS)-approved recovery plans and outlines”; projects must support at least one listed species whose approved recovery document identifies habitat loss as a threat and habitat protection as a priority recovery action. [States and territories with a current Endangered Species Act section 6 cooperative agreement apply; counties and conservation organizations can take part as subgrantees.] Apply by November 20, 2026.
  • USBR’s Native American Affairs: Colorado River Basin Tribal Drought Resiliency Program. Funding for drought relief projects that mitigate drought impacts for designated federally recognized Tribes within the Colorado River Basin. [extended!] Apply by November 20, 2026.
  • Forest Service’s Great Lakes Restoration Initiative: Community Forest and Open Space Conservation. Federally recognized Tribes, local governments, and qualified nonprofits may apply for up to $1,000,000 for fee-simple acquisition of threatened private forest land in the Lake Superior Basin of Michigan and Wisconsin, protecting habitat and community benefits. Apply by December 8, 2026.
  • DOE's The Genesis Mission: Transforming Science and Energy with SI. For interdisciplinary teams addressing the Genesis Mission National Science and Technology Challenges to accelerate scientific discovery and research and development (R&D) workflows using novel super intelligence (SI) models and frameworks.  Apply by December 17, 2026.
  • USDA Rural Development’s Water and Waste Disposal Technical Assistance and Training Grants. Grants that help qualified nonprofits strengthen eligible rural water and waste disposal systems by helping prepare applications for funding, training board members and system operators, and improving daily operation and maintenance. Per the September 28 release, the next application window opens October 1, 2026. Apply by December 31, 2026.
  • USDA Rural Utilities Service’s Solid Waste Management Grant Program. Grants to organizations that provide technical assistance or training to improve the planning and management of solid waste sites in rural areas and towns with a population of 10,000 or less, under a program whose stated purpose is to reduce or eliminate pollution of water resources: evaluating landfill conditions and threats to water resources, training landfill operators, reducing the solid waste stream, and planning for landfill closure. [Public bodies, nonprofits, federally acknowledged or state-recognized Tribes, and academic institutions may apply.] Apply by December 31, 2026.
  • EPA’s 2026 Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) National Program. Competitive funding to “incentivize and accelerate the upgrade or retirement of the nation’s legacy diesel engine fleet” through retrofit or replacement of existing diesel engines, vehicles, and equipment with EPA- or CARB-certified technologies. Apply by January 22, 2027.
  • USBR’s WaterSMART Cooperative Watershed Management Program. This opportunity provides funding for watershed group development, restoration planning, and watershed management project planning and design. The closing dates for each of the four application periods are: October 7, 2026, February 24, 2027, September 1, 2027, February 15, 2028. [existing watershed group or sponsoring the establishment of a new watershed group] Apply by February 24, 2027 for the second round. Rolling opportunity, other rounds go through February 15, 2028.
  • USFWS’ National Fish Passage Program. Technical and financial assistance to partners to remove instream barriers and restore aquatic connectivity, including obsolete and dangerous infrastructure removals, culvert replacements, floodplain restoration, and installation of fishways. Apply by April 30, 2027.
  • USBR's WaterSmart Title XVI Water Reclamation and Reuse Projects. For Western States or Territories ONLY, see eligibility. Proposals for the planning, design, and/or construction of water reclamation and reuse projects. Title XVI projects develop and supplement urban and irrigation water supplies through water reuse, which provides growing communities with new sources of clean water, increases water management flexibility during times of shortage, and makes the water supply more reliable. The Second and final application submission period due date is August 26, 2027 at 4:00 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time (MDT). 
  • USBR's WaterSMART: Desalination Construction Projects. For Western States or Territories ONLY, see eligibility. Proposals for the planning, design, and/or construction of facilities to desalinate seawater or brackish surface water or groundwater. The second and final application submission period due date is August 26, 2027. Applications received after August 26, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time (MDT). 
  • FEMA’s FY 2026 Flood Mitigation Assistance Swift Current. Makes federal funds available to states, U.S. territories, federally recognized Tribal governments, and local governments to reduce or eliminate the risk of repetitive flood damage to buildings and structures insured under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), and within NFIP-participating communities [Local governments apply through their state/territory.] Apply by January 31, 2028.
  • Delta Regional Authority's (DRA) Community Infrastructure Fund 2025 Funding.  Providing communities within DRA’s eight-state service region (Mississippi River and Alabama Black Belt regions) funding that complements the States’ Economic Development Assistance Program as a primary investment tool for DRA. Investments support projects that address flood control, basic public infrastructure, and transportation infrastructure improvements. Application Deadline: Rolling. 
  • For FY25, EPA has allotted $25 Million for the Small, Underserved, and Disadvantaged Communities Grant Program - grant to award funding to states, territories, and tribes to assist public water systems in meeting Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) requirements. View the FY25 national allotments:
  • Search EPA’s Clearinghouse for Environmental Finance and Fed FUNDS (Federal Funding for Water and Wastewater Utilities in National Disasters (Fed FUNDS)) for more funding opportunities
  • DOE’s Federal Energy Funding For Rural and Remote Areas: A Guide for Communities
  • EPA/State Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF)
  • EPA’s Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loan program - a federal credit program administered by EPA for eligible water and wastewater infrastructure projects. 
  • USDA Rural Development Launches a New Program Eligibility Lookup Tool. The Tool enables user flexibility in determining programmatic eligibility based on their location across multiple programs simultaneously
  • USDA's Emergency Community Water Assistance Grants. USDA Rural Development provides funding in the form of low-interest loans and grants to develop essential community facilities in eligible rural areas, including Federally Recognized Tribal Lands. Guaranteed Loan Options are also available. Application Deadline: Ongoing
  • USDA’s Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program USDA Rural Development provides funding in the form of low-interest loans and grants to develop essential community facilities in eligible rural areas, including Federally Recognized Tribal Lands. Guaranteed Loan Options are also available. Application Deadline: Ongoing
  • USDA's Water and Environmental Programs. Through Rural Utilities Service Water and Environmental Programs (WEP), rural communities obtain the technical assistance and financing necessary to develop drinking water and waste disposal systems. Application Deadline: Ongoing 
  • USDA’s Watershed & Flood Prevention Operations (WFPO) Program. The program provides for cooperation to prevent erosion; floodwater and sediment damage; to further the conservation development, use and disposal of water; and to further the conservation and proper use of land in authorized watersheds. Applications accepted year-round.
  • USDA’s SEARCH - Special Evaluation Assistance for Rural Communities and Households Grant. This program helps very small, financially distressed rural communities with predevelopment feasibility studies, design and technical assistance on proposed water and waste disposal projects. Application Deadline: Ongoing
  • USDA Rural Development Launches a New Program Eligibility Lookup Tool. The Tool enables user flexibility in determining programmatic eligibility based on their location across multiple programs simultaneously
  • EDA’s Open Funding Opportunities 
  • USACE's Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Projects (Section 206) - Provides a continuing authority for USACE to restore degraded habitats (aquatic ecosystems) at any location to benefit fish and wildlife resources. Application Deadline: Rolling
  • EPA Announces Funding for New England States to Reduce Lead in Drinking Water at Schools and Child Care Facilities. EPA will allocate grant funding to states and territories through the Voluntary School and Child Care Lead Testing and Reduction Grant Program. See the total allotment amounts for each of the 50 states, DC, and four territories. Tribal allotments for this program will be released separately. Check in with your state contacts on their timing. 
  • USACE's Continuing Authorities Programs. A group of nine legislative authorities under which USACE can plan, design, and implement certain types of water resources projects without additional project specific congressional authorization. The purpose of the CAP is to plan and implement projects of limited size, cost, scope and complexity. Application Deadline: See website and check with your District Office
  • Delta Regional Authority (DRA) Funding DRA’s eligible entities include those geographically located in 252 counties and parishes in parts of Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee – along the lower Mississippi River region and Alabama Black Belt:
    • Strategic Planning Program Funding, Applications accepted on a rolling basis. This program gives public entities access to strategic planning funds to address long-standing issues and develop a roadmap for economic growth and opportunity. Eligible plans include, but are not limited to, economic development plans, utility rate studies, transportation plans, workforce development plans, and broadband deployment plans.
    • See other DRA programs
  • USBR's WaterSmart grants. For specific Western States or Territories ONLY. When open these funding opportunities include the Small-Scale Water Efficiency Program, Applied Science Grants, Drought Resiliency Projects, and Large-Scale Water Recycling grants

Technical Assistance

Webcasts, Workshops, and Meetings

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White House Resources

Public Comment Periods

Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Resources

Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Resources 

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The information on this page is curated from many resources, including the email updates from these federal programs: 

Congressional and Intergovernmental Relations

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Last updated on October 8, 2026