Grants Guide
Welcome to the Hudson Valley Regional Council's Grants Guide. The grants listed below focus on federal, state, and local funding opportunities that can support Mid-Hudson Region goals. We hope they provide your local governments with resources to help you achieve your goals. Grants that cover a number of different funding categories may be listed more than one time. You can also find the full list of grants in our most recent monthly Grants Guide email here.
This webpage was last updated on August 10, 2026.
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NYSDEC: Urban and Community Forestry Grant Program
Deadline: August 12, 2026 by 2:00pm ET
Eligibility: Municipalities, not-for-profit organizations, Indian Nations and Tribes, State agencies
Description: There is $10MM in funding available through Round 17 of DEC’s Urban and Community Forestry Grant Program, with $3MM set aside for communities with populations of 65,000 or less. Maximum grant awards are limited to $2.5MM and minimum awards are $50,000. Eligible projects include traditional street and landscaped park tree inventory and assessment, street tree and landscaped park tree inventory and assessment using ground-based remote sensing technologies, and forested natural areas inventory and assessment data.
NYSERDA: Building Cleaner Communities Competition
Deadline: August 14, 2026 by 4:00pm ET through the NYS CFA
Eligibility: Non-profits, for profits; municipal, government, or agency entities
Description: The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) has $25 million of funding available to support regionally significant, all electric, carbon neutral, and resilient projects in New York State. These projects can be new construction, deep retrofit, adaptive reuse, and/or gut rehabilitation projects that will be clean and resilient, beautiful, and functional, and will provide healthy, safe, comfortable, and resilient spaces. All projects must demonstrate that the project will achieve all electric, carbon neutral, or net zero energy performance. Projects should also demonstrate how they will help achieve the goals of the New York State Regional Economic Development Council’s (REDC’s) Strategic Plan. The financial support for all projects will be capped at $1.5MM for a single building and $3MM for multiple buildings, or 35% of total project cost for 501(c)(3) entity or government entity and 25% of total project cost for all other entities, whichever is less.
NYSERDA: NYS Clean Energy Internship Program
Deadline: August 31, 2026 by 3:00pm ET
Eligibility: Local municipalities, counties, clean technology business, organizations, or labor management organizations
Description: The Program focuses on enhancing the talent pipeline for New York State businesses and organizations engaged in the clean energy industry by facilitating the placement of students, recent graduates, and other eligible individuals considering clean energy careers into paid internships across the state. Funding is allocated on a first-come first-served basis to Eligible Employers that register, are confirmed as eligible, and have submitted a completed Internship Application. Reimbursement is only eligible for wages up to $17.00/hour. NYSERDA will only fund 90% or 75% of the intern wage depending on the organization’s size. Internships must be a minimum of 8 weeks and 80 total hours; reimbursement will be available for a maximum 480 hours or a 12-month period. $2MM of total funding is available.
DASNY: New York Providing Local Access to Essential Sustenance Program (NY PLATES)
Deadline: August 20, 2026
Eligibility: Emergency food programs, municipalities providing food relief services, food banks
Description: Established by Governor Hochul, NY PLATES Program aims to combat hunger and food insecurity. This is a competitive grant program; funding can be used for capital projects, including construction to expand space and upgrade infrastructure, and the purchase of equipment such as cold storage, freezers, and food transport vehicles. There is a total of $10MM available. For food programs and municipalities, grants range from $25,000 to $125,000. For food banks, grants range from $150,000 to $500,000.
Northern Border Regional Commission: The Catalyst Program
Deadline: Pre-applications are due August 21, 2026; applications are due October 16, 2026.
Eligibility: Sullivan County local governments, educational institutions, non-profits, and federally recognized tribal entities
Description: The Catalyst Program supports a broad range of economic development initiatives that will modernize and expand the region’s basic infrastructure and revitalize communities to support and attract the region’s workforce. Eligible project categories include basic public infrastructure, transportation infrastructure, telecommunication infrastructure, business and workforce development, basic healthcare, resource conservation, tourism, and recreation. Projects can apply for a feasibility award for early-stage activities (such as assessments, planning, or analyses), or an implementation award for construction or non-construction projects (such as facilities, assets, and programs). Feasibility projects can receive up to $100,000. Implementation projects can receive up to $3MM for multi-infrastructure or multi-jurisdiction infrastructure category projects, up to $1MM for infrastructure category projects, or up to $500,000 for all other implementation projects. In total, the project expects to award $7.5MM to New York based projects between spring and fall rounds. The Program has a 20% cost share.
Northern Border Regional Commission: The Forest Economy Program
Deadline: Pre-applications are due August 21, 2026; applications are due October 16, 2026.
Eligibility: Sullivan County local governments, educational institutions, non-profits, and federally recognized tribal entities
Description: The Forest Economy Program supports a broad range of economic development initiatives, including infrastructure, in direct support of timber and forest-based industries. Projects must be related to improving the region’s forest-based economy. Eligible project categories include community development projects, workforce training, business planning, technical assistance, public infrastructure projects, and marketing, communication, and education work. The Program expects to award $4MM in total and projects can receive up to $1MM. The Program has a 20% cost share.
Northern Border Regional Commission: The Timber for Transit Program
Deadline: Pre-applications are due August 21, 2026; applications are due October 16, 2026.
Eligibility: Sullivan County local governments, educational institutions, non-profits, and federally recognized tribal entities
Description: The Timber for Transit Program supports domestic forest products in transportation infrastructure. Highly competitive projects will demonstrate and widely promote the utility of high value forest products in transportation infrastructure and commit to enhancing climate resilience in rural communities. Projects can apply for feasibility awards, implementation awards, or both. Feasibility awards are for early-stage activities (assessments, planning, analyses). Implementation awards are for construction or non-construction projects in one of the eligible project categories: transportation infrastructure, design or construction of pilot projects, or transportation-adjacent structures. Feasibility projects can receive up to $1MM. Implementation projects or projects that address feasibility and implementation aspects can receive up to $1MM, or up to $5MM provided they can meet at least one of the three following criteria: alignment with two or more program funding priorities, the project has been identified as time-sensitive by NBRC or New York State, or construction takes place in two or more eligible communities. In total, the program expects to award $14MM. The program has a 20% cost share.
World Wildlife Fund (WWF): National Household Wasted Food Prevention Project
Deadline: September 1, 2026 by 5:00pm ET
Eligibility: Nonprofits, local governments, Tribal governments, educational institutions, and others
Description: WWF is administering community grants through the National Household Wasted Food Prevention Project (NHWFPP). Grantees will design and deliver hands-on programs that build on the impact of the national media campaign to deliver behavior change locally. Grantees will address local barriers through structured interventions tailored to the communities they serve. Community grant activities must have enough depth and reach to make a meaningful impact, with clear measurement and reporting of results. Grant amounts will range from $75,000 to $750,000, with approximately 15 total grants awarded.
US DOA: Community Facilities Direct Loan & Grant Program
Deadline: Rolling through September 30, 2026
Eligibility: Community-based non-profits, cities, villages, townships and towns including Federally Recognized Tribal Lands in rural areas with a population under 20,000.
Description: The Community Facilities Program provides affordable funding to develop essential community facilities in rural areas. An essential community facility is defined as a facility that provides an essential service to the local community for the orderly development of the community in a primarily rural area, and does not include private, commercial, or business undertakings. Examples of eligible projects include health care facilities, community centers, child-care centers, libraries, utility services, and safety services, among others. Low interest direct loans, grants, or both are available.
The average project size funded in FY24 was $1MM and the Program can cover up to 75% of costs depending on the community’s population and the median household income.
USDA: Water & Waste Disposal Loan & Grant Program
Deadline: Rolling through September 30, 2026
Eligibility: State and Local Governmental entities, Private Nonprofits, and federally recognized Tribes in rural areas with populations of 10,000 or less.
Description: This Program provides funding for clean and reliable drinking water systems, sanitary sewage disposal, sanitary solid waste disposal, and storm water drainage to households and businesses in eligible rural areas. Funds may be used to finance the acquisition, construction or improvement of:
- Drinking water sourcing, treatment, storage, and distribution
- Sewer collection, transmission, treatment, and disposal
- Solid waste collection, disposal, and closure
- Storm water collection, transmission, and disposal
Long-term, low-interest loans are available through this Program. If funds are available, a grant may be combined with a loan if necessary to keep user costs reasonable.
USDA: Water & Waste Disposal Predevelopment Planning Grant
Deadline: Rolling through September 30, 2026
Eligibility: State and local governments in rural areas and towns with populations of 10,000 or less (see link for eligible addresses), nonprofit organizations, and federally recognized tribes (in rural areas).
Description: This Program helps eligible low-income communities plan and develop applications for proposed USDA Rural Development water or waste disposal projects. The area must have a median household income below the poverty line or less than 80 percent of the statewide non-metropolitan median household income. The amount of the grant will be subtracted from the total grant eligibility if a USDA grant is awarded for part of the water or waste disposal project. Maximum of $60,000 or 75% of the predevelopment planning costs. 25% match required.
USDA: SEARCH – Special Evaluation Assistance for Rural Communities and Households Grant
Deadline: Rolling through September 30, 2026
Eligibility: State and local government entities, nonprofits, and federally recognized tribes in areas that are rural (population of 2,500 or less) and financially distressed (have a median household income below the poverty line or less than 80 percent of the statewide non-metropolitan median household income based on latest Census data).
Description: This Program helps very small, financially distressed rural communities with predevelopment feasibility studies, design and technical assistance on proposed water and waste disposal projects. Funds may be used to pay predevelopment planning costs, including:
- Feasibility studies to support applications for funding water or waste disposal projects
- Preliminary design and engineering analysis
- Technical assistance for the development of an application for financial assistance
USDA: Rural Energy Savings Program (RESP)
Deadline: Rolling through September 30, 2026
Eligibility: Eligible applicants under the RESP include current and former Rural Utilities Service (RUS) electric borrowers, subsidiaries of current or former RUS electric borrowers, and entities that provide eligible purposes under RESP, including municipalities; people's utility districts; and cooperative, nonprofit, limited-dividend, or mutual associations that provide or propose to provide eligible purposes under RESP.
Description: The Rural Energy Savings Program (RESP) helps lower energy bills for people in rural America and reduces barriers to investment in energy efficiency projects. RESP provides loans to utilities, municipalities and others who then lend those funds to people and businesses in rural America for cost-effective, energy efficiency projects.
Grants by Category
Expand each section by hitting the Plus (+) icon to view available grants within each grant category.
Economic Development, Infrastructure, & Community Resilience
DASNY: New York Providing Local Access to Essential Sustenance Program (NY PLATES)
Deadline: August 20, 2026
Eligibility: Emergency food programs, municipalities providing food relief services, food banks
Description: Established by Governor Hochul, NY PLATES Program aims to combat hunger and food insecurity. This is a competitive grant program; funding can be used for capital projects, including construction to expand space and upgrade infrastructure, and the purchase of equipment such as cold storage, freezers, and food transport vehicles. There is a total of $10MM available. For food programs and municipalities, grants range from $25,000 to $125,000. For food banks, grants range from $150,000 to $500,000.
Northern Border Regional Commission: The Catalyst Program
Deadline: Pre-applications are due August 21, 2026; applications are due October 16, 2026.
Eligibility: Sullivan County local governments, educational institutions, non-profits, and federally recognized tribal entities
Description: The Catalyst Program supports a broad range of economic development initiatives that will modernize and expand the region’s basic infrastructure and revitalize communities to support and attract the region’s workforce. Eligible project categories include basic public infrastructure, transportation infrastructure, telecommunication infrastructure, business and workforce development, basic healthcare, resource conservation, tourism, and recreation. Projects can apply for a feasibility award for early-stage activities (such as assessments, planning, or analyses), or an implementation award for construction or non-construction projects (such as facilities, assets, and programs). Feasibility projects can receive up to $100,000. Implementation projects can receive up to $3MM for multi-infrastructure or multi-jurisdiction infrastructure category projects, up to $1MM for infrastructure category projects, or up to $500,000 for all other implementation projects. In total, the project expects to award $7.5MM to New York based projects between spring and fall rounds. The Program has a 20% cost share.
Northern Border Regional Commission: The Forest Economy Program
Deadline: Pre-applications are due August 21, 2026; applications are due October 16, 2026.
Eligibility: Sullivan County local governments, educational institutions, non-profits, and federally recognized tribal entities
Description: The Forest Economy Program supports a broad range of economic development initiatives, including infrastructure, in direct support of timber and forest-based industries. Projects must be related to improving the region’s forest-based economy. Eligible project categories include community development projects, workforce training, business planning, technical assistance, public infrastructure projects, and marketing, communication, and education work. The Program expects to award $4MM in total and projects can receive up to $1MM. The Program has a 20% cost share.
Northern Border Regional Commission: The Timber for Transit Program
Deadline: Pre-applications are due August 21, 2026; applications are due October 16, 2026.
Eligibility: Sullivan County local governments, educational institutions, non-profits, and federally recognized tribal entities
Description: The Timber for Transit Program supports domestic forest products in transportation infrastructure. Highly competitive projects will demonstrate and widely promote the utility of high value forest products in transportation infrastructure and commit to enhancing climate resilience in rural communities. Projects can apply for feasibility awards, implementation awards, or both. Feasibility awards are for early-stage activities (assessments, planning, analyses). Implementation awards are for construction or non-construction projects in one of the eligible project categories: transportation infrastructure, design or construction of pilot projects, or transportation-adjacent structures. Feasibility projects can receive up to $1MM. Implementation projects or projects that address feasibility and implementation aspects can receive up to $1MM, or up to $5MM provided they can meet at least one of the three following criteria: alignment with two or more program funding priorities, the project has been identified as time-sensitive by NBRC or New York State, or construction takes place in two or more eligible communities. In total, the program expects to award $14MM. The program has a 20% cost share.
USDOL VETS: Stand Down Grants
Deadline: September 30, 2026; non-competitive grant offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
Eligibility: State, County, City, Local, Special District, and Tribal Government agencies, Non-profit and For-profit entities, State and Local Workforce Boards, Institutions of Higher Education, Public Housing Authorities, and Faith-based organizations.
Description: The US Department of Labor’s (DOL) Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS) supports local Stand Down events that assist veterans experiencing homelessness by providing a wide range of employment, social, and health services. These collaborative events, coordinated by VA, DOL, and other federal, state, and local government agencies, and community-based organizations provide services and supplies to veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness. The critical services provided at these events are often the catalyst that enables those individuals to re-enter the workforce. Grants can be used to support one-day ($7,000 grant) or multi-day events ($10,000 grant).
US DOA: Community Facilities Direct Loan & Grant Program
Deadline: Rolling through September 30, 2026
Eligibility: Community-based non-profits, cities, villages, townships and towns including Federally Recognized Tribal Lands in rural areas with a population under 20,000.
Description: The Community Facilities Program provides affordable funding to develop essential community facilities in rural areas. An essential community facility is defined as a facility that provides an essential service to the local community for the orderly development of the community in a primarily rural area, and does not include private, commercial, or business undertakings. Examples of eligible projects include health care facilities, community centers, child-care centers, libraries, utility services, and safety services, among others. Low interest direct loans, grants, or both are available.
The average project size funded in FY24 was $1MM and the Program can cover up to 75% of costs depending on the community’s population and the median household income.
Long Island Sound Partnership (LIS Partnership), New York Sea Grant (NYSG) and Connecticut Sea Grant (CTSG): Long Island Sound Resilience Grant Writing Assistance Program
Deadline: Accepted on a rolling basis until September 30, 2026
Eligibility: Westchester municipalities, intermunicipal councils/organizations, nonprofits, and NGOs, private voluntary organizations, community-based organizations, academic entities, federally and state recognized Tribes/Nations, and unrecognized Indigenous Communities (within the Long Island Sound Coastal Boundary).
Description: This funding opportunity provides up to $9,950 to municipalities or community organizations for hiring a grant writing consultant. Consultants should support grant preparation/writing for resiliency projects in the Long Island Coastal Boundary (Westchester, Bronx, Queens, Nassau and Suffolk counties, western Connecticut, and eastern Connecticut). Examples of eligible support areas include: "budget preparation, cost-benefit analysis, writing and narrative development, mapping, and proposal preparation and submission.” There are no match requirements for this funding source.
NYSERDA: Municipal Permitting Modernization Program
Deadline: December 31, 2026 by 3:00pm ET (First-Come, First-Serve Basis)
Eligibility: Cities, towns, villages, and counties in NYS
Description: This Program will provide New York State (NYS) Municipalities with two years of no-cost access to a software platform called Citizenserve® that will improve workflow, modernize, support, and enhance current municipal building and zoning processes. This Program Opportunity Notice (PON) affirms New York’s “Letting New York Build” agenda by helping to accelerate housing development, lower costs for families, and ensure critical infrastructure projects move forward without needless delays. This Program seeks municipalities interested in having no-cost access to Citizenserve®, a browser-based Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform for building plan approval, including a subscription, support, and training for two years.
NYSERDA: Municipal Permitting Modernization Program
Deadline: December 31, 2026 by 3:00pm ET (First-Come, First-Serve Basis)
Eligibility: Cities, towns, villages, and counties in NYS
Description: This Program will provide New York State (NYS) Municipalities with two years of no-cost access to a software platform called Citizenserve® that will improve workflow, modernize, support, and enhance current municipal building and zoning processes. This Program Opportunity Notice (PON) affirms New York’s “Letting New York Build” agenda by helping to accelerate housing development, lower costs for families, and ensure critical infrastructure projects move forward without needless delays. This Program seeks municipalities interested in having no-cost access to Citizenserve®, a browser-based Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform for building plan approval, including a subscription, support, and training for two years.
HTFC: 2026 NYS Community Development Block Grant Program
Deadline: December 31, 2026
Eligibility: Non-entitlement units of local governments; cities, urban counties, and Indian Tribes designated as Entitlement Communities are not eligible. Specific information on eligible communities is available here.
Description: Funded by HUD and administered by the Housing Trust Fund Corporation’s Office of Community Renewal, $20MM in funding is available to support economic development that particularly supports low-to-moderate income communities. Funding can address public facilities, community planning, economic development, or imminent threats. Awards available vary by project type with award maximums spanning $50,000-$1MM, and award minimums spanning none-$100,000.
US DOC EDA: FY 2025 Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance Programs
Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: States and local governments, among others
Description: Economic Development Administration (EDA) supports development in economically distressed areas of the United States by fostering job creation and attracting private investment. EDA solicits applications that provide investments supporting construction, non-construction, planning, technical assistance, and revolving loan fund projects under EDA’s Public Works Program and Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) Program. The Public Works Program provides resources to meet construction and/or infrastructure design needs of communities to enable them to become more economically competitive. Examples of previously funded projects under this Program include development of land improvements for use in public works and water and sewer system improvements. The EAA Program provides investments that support a wide range of construction and non-construction activities in regions experiencing adverse economic changes that may occur suddenly or over time. Examples of previously funded projects include construction or upgrading of public infrastructure and enhancement of infrastructure to make it more resilient to natural disasters. Funding may be used for workforce development projects and resiliency projects.
If you are interested in applying for projects within public works, EAA, workforce, and resiliency, please reach out to Hudson Valley Regional Council Executive Director Carla Castillo at ccastillo@hudsonvalleyrc.org.
Environment & Land Management
NYSDEC: Urban and Community Forestry Grant Program
Deadline: August 12, 2026 by 2:00pm ET
Eligibility: Municipalities, not-for-profit organizations, Indian Nations and Tribes, State agencies
Description: There is $10MM in funding available through Round 17 of DEC’s Urban and Community Forestry Grant Program, with $3MM set aside for communities with populations of 65,000 or less. Maximum grant awards are limited to $2.5MM and minimum awards are $50,000. Eligible projects include traditional street and landscaped park tree inventory and assessment, street tree and landscaped park tree inventory and assessment using ground-based remote sensing technologies, and forested natural areas inventory and assessment data.
World Wildlife Fund (WWF): National Household Wasted Food Prevention Project
Deadline: September 1, 2026 by 5:00pm ET
Eligibility: Nonprofits, local governments, Tribal governments, educational institutions, and others
Description: WWF is administering community grants through the National Household Wasted Food Prevention Project (NHWFPP). Grantees will design and deliver hands-on programs that build on the impact of the national media campaign to deliver behavior change locally. Grantees will address local barriers through structured interventions tailored to the communities they serve. Community grant activities must have enough depth and reach to make a meaningful impact, with clear measurement and reporting of results. Grant amounts will range from $75,000 to $750,000, with approximately 15 total grants awarded.
Orange County: Orange County Open Space Fund
Deadline: September 25, 2026 by 4:00pm ET
Eligibility: Orange County towns, villages, and cities; not-for-profit organizations and individual property owners in Orange County
Description: Each year, to support the protection of farmland, forests, waterways, and community spaces, Orange County awards funding to local projects that conserve open space, expand recreation opportunities, and enhance quality of life. The Orange County Open Space Fund will provide matching support for fee simple, development rights, or conservation easements up to fifty percent (50%) of the purchase price, not to exceed 50% of the appraised value. The County will consider applications for funding in which the owner seeks to convey the property in fee simple, to convey a conservation easement, or participate in a Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) program.
The Understory: Regional Resilience Grants
Deadline: November 18, 2026, 11:59PM ET
Eligibility: Hudson Valley nonprofit 501(c)(3) charitable organizations, municipal or county-level governments, schools and universities, public libraries, faith-based institutions
Description: The Understory gathered funders with an interest in the Hudson Valley and drew together $4MM in available funding. Grants of between $10,000 - $200,000 will be disbursed. Locally-based subject matter experts and practitioners informed the development of the grants program. This Program is organized into 4 “guilds”: Culture, Food & Farming, Shelter, and Ecology. The Understory is seeking energetic, tax-exempt, or fiscally-sponsored organizations with great ideas and detailed, realistic, and well-formed plans to foster social and ecological restoration, resilience, and regeneration in the Hudson Valley (Albany, Columbia, Dutchess, Greene, Orange, Putnam, Rensselaer, Rockland, Ulster, and/or Westchester Counties). Please register for the July 23 info session on Zoom:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/nHgOtheGTryg3zWZ-6dQsA
NYS Environmental Facilities Corporation: Clean Vessel Assistance Program (CVAP)
Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Marinas pursuing projects directly related to the construction, upgrade, or replacement of pump-out and dump stations, including pumpout boats and portable pumpout units used for the proper disposal of septic waste from recreational marine vessels. Municipalities and nonprofits are eligible for the Information and Education Grant category.
Description: CVAP provides grants that help maintain or replace pumpout facilities for the removal and disposal of recreational boater septic waste. CVAP includes three grant categories that marinas can apply for: Construction and Upgrade, Operation and Maintenance, and Information and Education.
- The Construction and Upgrade Grant provides funding for up to 75% of costs, with a maximum of $60,000 for a pumpout boat and $35,000 for a stationary unit per project.
- The Operation and Maintenance Grant can cover routine replacement items and annual maintenance costs (up to 75% of eligible costs up to $2,000 for land-based pumpout facilities and $5,000 for pumpout boats).
- The Information and Education Grant provides municipalities and nonprofit organizations with funding to promote the understanding, use, and knowledge of pumpout stations in their area (up to 75% of eligible costs with a maximum award of $5,000 per project).
NY Dept of Ag and Markets: Municipal Agriculture and Farmland Protection Planning Grants
Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: NYS municipalities located within a county that has established an agricultural and farmland protection board and has not previously prepared an agricultural and farmland protection plan.
Description: The NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets offers grants to municipalities focusing on how to protect agricultural lands through municipal zoning, land use, and subdivision regulations. Grants are up to $25,000 or 75% of the cost (whichever is less) for developing a local farmland protection plan. Local cost share must be provided in at least 20% cash (no more than 80% in the form of in-kind services) and any two municipalities may collaborate on an application for a planning grant.
NY Dept of Ag and Markets: Farmland Protection Implementation Grants (FPIG) Program
Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: NYS county agricultural and farmland protection boards with an approved county plan, or any NYS municipality with a local farmland protection plan approved by the county farmland protection board. Comprehensive plans may be eligible as a local farmland protection plan.
Description: This Program provides financial and technical assistance to support the implementation of agricultural and farmland protection plans. The State will provide a maximum of $2MM or 87.5% of total project costs. The remaining costs must be contributed by the landowner, applicant, or non-federal supporter.
Air Quality & Environmental Health
US DOT: Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Improvement Program
Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: States and Metropolitan Planning Organizations choose projects.
Description: The CMAQ Program provides a flexible funding source to State and local governments for transportation projects and programs to help meet the requirements of the Clean Air Act. Funding is available to reduce congestion and improve air quality for areas that do not meet the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for ozone, carbon monoxide, or particulate matter (nonattainment areas), and for former nonattainment areas that are now in compliance (maintenance areas). Proposed projects or programs must have a high level of effectiveness in reducing air pollution and be included in the metropolitan planning organization’s (MPO’s) current transportation plan and transportation improvement program or the current State transportation improvement program in areas without an MPO.
Water Quality & Wastewater
NYSDEC: Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) Research Grant Program
Deadline: September 15, 2026 at 3:00pm ET
Eligibility: Government entities, academic institutions, and not-for-profits
Description: The Harmful Algal Bloom Research Grant Program is a competitive, statewide reimbursement grant program. The Program funds projects to advance research goals of the DEC HAB Roadmap and the DEC HABs Research Guide through improved understanding of HAB drivers and the reduction of impacts to health and recreation across New York State. Match is required at a rate of 10% for all applications and research focus areas.
NYSDOH: Drinking Water Fluoridation RFA
Deadline: September 28, 2028 by 4:00pm ET
Eligibility: Municipalities
Description: This Request for Applications and accompanying funding seeks to maintain and expand NYS residents’ access to optimally fluoridated water. The purpose of this RFA is to identify eligible NYS municipalities that want to work with NYS to increase the number of communities with access to fluoridated water. The key characteristic of a successful applicant is the ability to document a proposed NYS municipal drinking water fluoridation project utilizing the documents provided. There are two components available in this funding opportunity. Component A is for eligible municipalities seeking to develop an Engineering Report to determine the feasibility of starting community water fluoridation or upgrade/modify an existing fluoridation system. Component B is for eligible municipalities looking to purchase, upgrade, replace, or repair water fluoridation equipment to initiate or maintain community water fluoridation. There is $2.5MM available in funding.
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Services: Partners for Fish and Wildlife FY26
Deadline: September 30, 2026 at 11:59pm ET
Eligibility: State governments, local governments, special district governments, federally recognized Native American tribal governments, Native American Tribal organizations, public and Indian housing authorities, independent school districts, higher education institutions, nonprofits with/without 501(c)(3) status, individuals, businesses
Description: Technical assistance and funding opportunities are available to support fish and wildlife habitats on private lands. For the purposes of this opportunity, private land is defined as land owned by an entity other than the State or Federal government. Awards are capped at $750,000, and there are no cost-sharing requirements. Prior to submitting an application, applicants must meet with a local Program office.
USDA: Water & Waste Disposal Loan & Grant Program
Deadline: Rolling through September 30, 2026
Eligibility: State and Local Governmental entities, Private Nonprofits, and federally recognized Tribes in rural areas with populations of 10,000 or less.
Description: This Program provides funding for clean and reliable drinking water systems, sanitary sewage disposal, sanitary solid waste disposal, and storm water drainage to households and businesses in eligible rural areas. Funds may be used to finance the acquisition, construction or improvement of:
- Drinking water sourcing, treatment, storage, and distribution
- Sewer collection, transmission, treatment, and disposal
- Solid waste collection, disposal, and closure
- Storm water collection, transmission, and disposal
Long-term, low-interest loans are available through this Program. If funds are available, a grant may be combined with a loan if necessary to keep user costs reasonable.
USDA: Water & Waste Disposal Predevelopment Planning Grant
Deadline: Rolling through September 30, 2026
Eligibility: State and local governments in rural areas and towns with populations of 10,000 or less (see link for eligible addresses), nonprofit organizations, and federally recognized tribes (in rural areas).
Description: This Program helps eligible low-income communities plan and develop applications for proposed USDA Rural Development water or waste disposal projects. The area must have a median household income below the poverty line or less than 80 percent of the statewide non-metropolitan median household income. The amount of the grant will be subtracted from the total grant eligibility if a USDA grant is awarded for part of the water or waste disposal project. Maximum of $60,000 or 75% of the predevelopment planning costs. 25% match required.
USDA: Emergency Community Water Assistance Grants
Deadline: Rolling through September 30, 2026
Eligibility: Rurally located public bodies (rural areas and towns with populations of 10,000 or less), nonprofit organizations, and federally recognized tribes (in rural areas).
Description: Funding is available to help eligible communities prepare for, or recover from, an emergency that threatens the availability of safe, reliable drinking water. Applicants must show that a major decline in quantity or quality of water occurred within two years of the date of the application. Grants are also awarded when a significant decline in quality or quantity of water is imminent. Events that qualify as an emergency are as follows: drought or flood, earthquake, tornado or hurricane, disease outbreak, chemical spill, leak or seepage, or other disasters. A federal disaster declaration is not required. Funding may be used for construction of waterline extensions, new wells, reservoirs, transmission lines, treatments, repair breaks or leaks, and address related maintenance necessary to replenish the water supply. A maximum of $150,000 may be awarded in the form of water transmission line grants and a maximum of $1MM may be awarded for source water grants.
USDA: SEARCH – Special Evaluation Assistance for Rural Communities and Households Grant
Deadline: Rolling through September 30, 2026
Eligibility: State and local government entities, nonprofits, and federally recognized tribes in areas that are rural (population of 2,500 or less) and financially distressed (have a median household income below the poverty line or less than 80 percent of the statewide non-metropolitan median household income based on latest Census data).
Description: This Program helps very small, financially distressed rural communities with predevelopment feasibility studies, design and technical assistance on proposed water and waste disposal projects. Funds may be used to pay predevelopment planning costs, including:
- Feasibility studies to support applications for funding water or waste disposal projects
- Preliminary design and engineering analysis
- Technical assistance for the development of an application for financial assistance
FEMA: Flood Mitigation Assistance Swift Current
Deadline: December 30, 2026
Eligibility: City or township governments, Native American tribal governments, county governments, state governments
Description: The goal of this Program is to better align the delivery of flood mitigation funding to the disaster survivor experience. Funding is available to assist local governments in reducing or eliminating risk of repetitive flood damage to buildings and structures insured under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), and within NFIP-participating communities. This Program funds a variety of flood mitigation activities that are designed to reduce flood risk to NFIP policyholders. There is a total of $500MM available in funding.
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service: National Fish Passage Program
Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Projects that improve community infrastructure resilience, rebuild fish populations, improve recreational and commercial fisheries, and restore the beauty of free-flowing waters. Project proposals may be initiated by any individual, organization, government, or agency, in cooperation with their local Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office.
Description: This Program provides financial and technical assistance to support projects that improve the ability of fish or other aquatic species to migrate by reconnecting habitat that has been fragmented by a barrier such as a dam or culvert. Please contact your local Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office to begin the application process.
NYS Environmental Facilities Corporation: Clean Vessel Assistance Program (CVAP)
Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Marinas pursuing projects directly related to the construction, upgrade, or replacement of pump-out and dump stations, including pumpout boats and portable pumpout units used for the proper disposal of septic waste from recreational marine vessels. Municipalities and nonprofits are eligible for the Information and Education Grant category.
Description: CVAP provides grants that help maintain or replace pumpout facilities for the removal and disposal of recreational boater septic waste. CVAP includes three grant categories that marinas can apply for: Construction and Upgrade, Operation and Maintenance, and Information and Education.
- The Construction and Upgrade Grant provides funding for up to 75% of costs, with a maximum of $60,000 for a pumpout boat and $35,000 for a stationary unit per project.
- The Operation and Maintenance Grant can cover routine replacement items and annual maintenance costs (up to 75% of eligible costs up to $2,000 for land-based pumpout facilities and $5,000 for pumpout boats).
- The Information and Education Grant provides municipalities and nonprofit organizations with funding to promote the understanding, use, and knowledge of pumpout stations in their area (up to 75% of eligible costs with a maximum award of $5,000 per project).
NY Dept of Ag and Markets: Agricultural Nonpoint Source Abatement and Control
Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Local Governments
Description: This is a cost-share grant program that provides funding to address and prevent potential water quality issues that stem from farming activities. Financial and technical assistance support the planning and implementation of on-farm projects with the goal of improving water quality in New York’s waterways. Projects include conservation measures, such as nutrient management through manure storage, vegetative buffers along streams, and conservation cover crops. The Program is a competitive grant program, with funds applied for and awarded through county Soil and Water Conservation Districts.
USDA: Watershed Rehabilitation Program (REHAB)
Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Local Government Entities and Indian Tribes
Description: This Program provides funding and technical assistance to rehabilitate aging dams reaching the end of their design lives, and/or to build or augment existing water supplies based on current and future water supply demands. Eligible projects include planning, design, and construction of dam rehabilitation projects. Up to 65% of eligible project costs will be covered, and up to 100% of engineering/technical assistance costs will be covered.
USDA: Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Operations (WFPO) Program
Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: States, Local Governments, and Indian Nations
Description: This Program provides technical and financial assistance to implement watershed projects for the purpose of flood prevention, watershed protection, public recreation, public fish and wildlife, agricultural water management, municipal and industrial water supply, and water quality management. Projects require public sponsorship, must be smaller than 250,000 acres, and agricultural benefits must be more than 20% of the total benefits for the project. Cost sharing varies from 0-100% depending on project type.
USDA: Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) Program
Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Cities, Counties, Towns, Conservation Districts, or any federally recognized Native American Tribe or Tribal organizations
Description: This Program offers technical and financial assistance to help local communities relieve imminent threats to life and property caused by floods, fires, windstorms, and other natural disasters that impair a watershed. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) State Conservationist can declare a local watershed emergency to initiate the EWP Program. A disaster declaration by federal or state governments is not required. Eligible projects should provide protection from flooding or soil erosion, reduce threats to life and property, restore the hydraulic capacity to the natural environment, or be economically and environmentally defensible.
NYS EFC: Septic System Replacement Fund
Deadline: Rolling; County dependent
Eligibility: Property owners in participating Counties (Dutchess, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster, Westchester) with land near priority waterbodies. Please contact your local county Program contact for more information and eligibility determination. Contact information can be found at the link above.
Description: This Program provides funds to counties to help homeowners replace cesspools and septic systems that are adversely impacting designated waterbodies. Eligible projects include replacement of a cesspool with a septic system; installation, replacement, or upgrade of a septic system; or installation of enhanced treatment technologies. Participating counties provide grants to reimburse property owners for up to 50% (maximum $10,000) of the cost for their septic system project.
NYS EFC: Emergency Financial Assistance
Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Municipalities, school districts, recognized Indian Nations or Tribes, public benefit corporations or authorities
Description: This Program offers emergency financial assistance for wastewater and drinking water system issues that pose hazards to public health, public welfare, or the environment. Loan amounts are based on the reasonable costs immediately necessary to address the emergency and repairs must be made within one year. Eligible facilities include publicly owned treatment works, publicly owned sewer systems, and municipally owned public water systems. Eligible costs include infrastructure construction, replacement or repair, and related engineering costs.
USDA: Circuit Rider Program - Technical Assistance for Rural Water Systems
Deadline: Rolling, no application required
Eligibility: A public body, nonprofit, or Tribe with legal authority to own or operate a rural water facility. Must be in an area where population is less than 10,000.
Description: This Program provides technical assistance to rural water systems that are experiencing day-to-day operational, financial, or managerial issues. Circuit Riders can assist with board training, management/finance, operation/maintenance, leak detection, water treatment, regulatory compliance, facility security, loan application and reporting, and disaster and emergency assistance. Technical assistance is provided through the New York Rural Water Association (NYRWA). Assistance is provided on an as-needed basis. Contact the NY Rural Development Office or the NYRWA for details.
NRWA: Rural Water Loan Fund
Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Public entities servicing up to 10,000 persons, or in a rural area with no population limits.
Description: This Fund provides low-cost loans for short-term repair costs, small capital projects, or pre-development costs associated with larger projects. Eligible projects include pre-development, or planning, costs for infrastructure projects, replacement of equipment, upgrades, maintenance, and small capital projects, energy efficiency projects, and disaster recovery or other emergency projects. Loan amounts may not exceed $200,000 or 75% of the total project costs, whichever is less. Emergency loans are 90-day no interest.
US EPA: Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) Program
Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: State and local governmental entities
Description: The WIFIA statute authorizes EPA to provide credit assistance for a wide variety of creditworthy drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure projects. For detailed project eligibility information, review the WIFIA Program Handbook. Projects must have eligible costs that are reasonably anticipated to be equal to or exceed $20MM, or for small communities (serving not more than 25,000 individuals), project costs that are reasonably anticipated to equal or exceed $5MM. In addition, under this iterative, rolling selection process, the WIFIA Program can provide technical assistance to prospective borrowers that need support to complete their Letter of Interest (LOI) package.
US EPA: Water Technical Assistance (WaterTA)
Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Local Governments, states, tribes, territories, and drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater utilities; non-governmental organizations
Description: EPA WaterTA aims to provide free assistance to water utilities, local governments, and communities with applications for federal funding, quality water infrastructure, and reliable water service. WaterTA cannot provide direct assistance to federal facilities.
Clean Energy & Sustainability
NYSERDA: Building Cleaner Communities Competition
Deadline: August 14, 2026 by 4:00pm ET through the NYS CFA
Eligibility: Non-profits, for profits; municipal, government, or agency entities
Description: The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) has $25 million of funding available to support regionally significant, all electric, carbon neutral, and resilient projects in New York State. These projects can be new construction, deep retrofit, adaptive reuse, and/or gut rehabilitation projects that will be clean and resilient, beautiful, and functional, and will provide healthy, safe, comfortable, and resilient spaces. All projects must demonstrate that the project will achieve all electric, carbon neutral, or net zero energy performance. Projects should also demonstrate how they will help achieve the goals of the New York State Regional Economic Development Council’s (REDC’s) Strategic Plan. The financial support for all projects will be capped at $1.5MM for a single building and $3MM for multiple buildings, or 35% of total project cost for 501(c)(3) entity or government entity and 25% of total project cost for all other entities, whichever is less.
NYSERDA: NYS Clean Energy Internship Program
Deadline: August 31, 2026 by 3:00pm ET
Eligibility: Local municipalities, counties, clean technology business, organizations, or labor management organizations
Description: The Program focuses on enhancing the talent pipeline for New York State businesses and organizations engaged in the clean energy industry by facilitating the placement of students, recent graduates, and other eligible individuals considering clean energy careers into paid internships across the state. Funding is allocated on a first-come first-served basis to Eligible Employers that register, are confirmed as eligible, and have submitted a completed Internship Application. Reimbursement is only eligible for wages up to $17.00/hour. NYSERDA will only fund 90% or 75% of the intern wage depending on the organization’s size. Internships must be a minimum of 8 weeks and 80 total hours; reimbursement will be available for a maximum 480 hours or a 12-month period. $2MM of total funding is available.
USDA: Rural Energy Savings Program (RESP)
Deadline: Rolling through September 30, 2026
Eligibility: Eligible applicants under the RESP include current and former Rural Utilities Service (RUS) electric borrowers, subsidiaries of current or former RUS electric borrowers, and entities that provide eligible purposes under RESP, including municipalities; people's utility districts; and cooperative, nonprofit, limited-dividend, or mutual associations that provide or propose to provide eligible purposes under RESP.
Description: The Rural Energy Savings Program (RESP) helps lower energy bills for people in rural America and reduces barriers to investment in energy efficiency projects. RESP provides loans to utilities, municipalities and others who then lend those funds to people and businesses in rural America for cost-effective, energy efficiency projects.
ESD: Business Food Waste Mitigation Grant Program
Deadline: October 9, 2026 at 4:00pm ET
Eligibility: NYS municipalities and non-profit/not-for-profit organizations undertaking a food waste mitigation project; municipalities and eligible organizations can apply on behalf of a NYS-based business
Description: This Grant Program is designed to reduce business-generated food waste in New York State. Successful business food waste mitigation projects are those that will expand food waste recycling infrastructure in the State to reduce commercially generated food waste sent to landfill and combustion facilities. The Program provides grants to cover costs of equipment purchased for the purpose of building new, or expanding existing, organics recycling facilities to accept food waste from businesses and expanding fleet services to collect commercial food waste destined for recycling. Grants will be awarded competitively and will range from $50,000 - $750,000. Funds can be used for machinery and equipment related to mitigating commercial food waste.
NYSDEC: Grants for Recycling Coordination & Education Projects
Deadline: October 30, 2026 at 3:00pm ET
Eligibility: Municipalities
Description: This Grant, through the Municipal Waste Reduction & Recycling Program (MWR&R), provides funding for planning, educational, and promotional activities to increase public awareness of and participation in waste reduction and recycling. Funding may be used for recycling coordination, publications, education, and outreach. Applications for Recycling Coordination/Education grants will be accepted by DEC during the months of August, September and October of each calendar year for the following calendar year period. A project application will be reviewed and may be approved, disapproved or modified by DEC. If acceptable, applications will be approved for state assistance for up to 50 percent of eligible costs, not to exceed two million dollars.
NYSERDA: Charge Ready NY 2.0
Deadline: Rolling until December 31, 2026 at 3:00pm ET
Eligibility: Public, Private, and Not-for-profit organizations
Description: Charge Ready NY 2.0 offers incentives to install Level 2 EV charging stations at workplaces, multi-unit dwellings (MUD’s) or public facilities that are owned and operated by municipal or state government entities. NYSERDA provides incentives on a per-port basis at varying amounts, based on location type and whether it is located within a Disadvantaged Community (DAC):
- $4,000 per charging port installed at a public facility (must be located within a DAC).
- $2,000 per charging port installed at a workplace or multi-unit dwelling location.
The Charge Ready NY 2.0 Program will also offer bonus incentives to equipment owners at a workplace and MUD locations who complete additional actions to promote EV adoption in their own fleets or with their employees/tenants. Workplace and MUD locations are eligible for bonus incentives of varying amounts depending on workplace/MUD size.
NYSERDA: Affordable Solar and Storage Predevelopment and Technical Assistance
Deadline: December 31, 2029 by 3:00pm ET
Eligibility: Local government agencies, owners, providers, or manager of regulation multifamily affordable housing, community land trusts, land bank, or portfolios of single-family affordable housing
Description: This Program will provide funding for the development of solar and/or storage projects that offer meaningful benefits to low-to-moderate income customers and affordable housing providers and demonstrate viable models for equitable solar and/or storage development. Maximum funding per project is $200,000 with a total budget of $11.45MM.
USDOE: Technical Assistance for States and Communities
Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Municipalities, counties
Description: The U.S. Department of Energy has several opportunities for Technical Assistance currently available to Counties and Municipalities. They include:
- Energy2Communities: connects local governments, Tribes, electric utilities, and community-based organizations with national experts and customized analysis to achieve abundant, reliable, affordable, and secure energy systems and reflect local and regional priorities.
- SolSmart: provides no-cost technical assistance to help local governments follow national best practices to increase energy options in their jurisdictions.
- Charging Smart: free expert technical assistance to support communities in adopting procedures and practices that facilitate the growth of EVs.
NYSERDA: FlexTech Program
Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Eligible participants include commercial, industrial, institutional, and multifamily facilities located in New York State and pay into the electric System Benefits Charge (SBC)
Description: This Program provides a cost-share for a wide range of activities to help customers make informed clean energy investment and sustainability decisions for existing buildings. Participants have the option of selecting either a NYSERDA qualified FlexTech Consultant or an Independent Service Provider of their choosing. The service provider will identify, analyze, and prioritize energy efficiency or carbon reduction recommendations. Implementation of these recommendations may lead to lower annual utility costs, reduced operation and maintenance costs, extended equipment life, and increased occupant comfort. Cost-share percentage ranges from 50%-100%, or a maximum of $500,000, depending on the sector.
NYSERDA: On-site Energy Manager Program
Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Commercial, multifamily, campuses, and industrial facilities located in New York State
Description: The Program seeks to demonstrate the value of an on-site energy manager (OsEM) role at a given facility such that the role becomes standardized and self-sustaining. Facilities will benefit from the successful energy and productivity projects that will be driven by OsEMs. Projects may include operation and maintenance improvements, behavioral changes, energy efficiency upgrades, process improvements, throughput and scrap reduction improvements, cost management, and other improvements such as water savings. $100,000 or $200,000 is available as a cost-share for hiring an OsEM for a minimum 12-month term. Cost-share amount is dependent on a facility’s annual energy spend.
IRS: Elective Pay
Deadline: Rolling* Credit availability has changed. Please see Updates to Elective Pay Eligible Credits Guidance Brief from Lawyers for Good Government (L4GG).
Eligibility: IRA Elective Pay is open to tax-exempt entities such as local governments. IRS Energy Credits Online tool, or IRS ECO, is for clean vehicle dealers and sellers.
Description: As part of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), tax-exempt and government agencies can take advantage of tax credits for clean technologies for the first time. All eligible tax credits for clean energy and vehicles can be found here. In December, the IRS introduced the first steps to take advantage of these tax breaks by opening the IRS Energy Credits Online tool. The online portal allows those claiming credits to complete the pre-filing registration process and receive a registration number and complete the entire process online and receive their advance payments within 72 hours. A user guide that explains how to use the portal can be found here.
Transportation
Northern Border Regional Commission: The Timber for Transit Program
Deadline: Pre-applications are due August 21, 2026; applications are due October 16, 2026.
Eligibility: Sullivan County local governments, educational institutions, non-profits, and federally recognized tribal entities
Description: The Timber for Transit Program supports domestic forest products in transportation infrastructure. Highly competitive projects will demonstrate and widely promote the utility of high value forest products in transportation infrastructure and commit to enhancing climate resilience in rural communities. Projects can apply for feasibility awards, implementation awards, or both. Feasibility awards are for early-stage activities (assessments, planning, analyses). Implementation awards are for construction or non-construction projects in one of the eligible project categories: transportation infrastructure, design or construction of pilot projects, or transportation-adjacent structures. Feasibility projects can receive up to $1MM. Implementation projects or projects that address feasibility and implementation aspects can receive up to $1MM, or up to $5MM provided they can meet at least one of the three following criteria: alignment with two or more program funding priorities, the project has been identified as time-sensitive by NBRC or New York State, or construction takes place in two or more eligible communities. In total, the program expects to award $14MM. The program has a 20% cost share.
Northern Border Regional Commission: The Catalyst Program
Deadline: Pre-applications are due August 21, 2026; applications are due October 16, 2026.
Eligibility: Sullivan County local governments, educational institutions, non-profits, and federally recognized tribal entities
Description: The Catalyst Program supports a broad range of economic development initiatives that will modernize and expand the region’s basic infrastructure and revitalize communities to support and attract the region’s workforce. Eligible project categories include basic public infrastructure, transportation infrastructure, telecommunication infrastructure, business and workforce development, basic healthcare, resource conservation, tourism, and recreation. Projects can apply for a feasibility award for early-stage activities (such as assessments, planning, or analyses), or an implementation award for construction or non-construction projects (such as facilities, assets, and programs). Feasibility projects can receive up to $100,000. Implementation projects can receive up to $3MM for multi-infrastructure or multi-jurisdiction infrastructure category projects, up to $1MM for infrastructure category projects, or up to $500,000 for all other implementation projects. In total, the project expects to award $7.5MM to New York based projects between spring and fall rounds. The Program has a 20% cost share.
NYSERDA: Charge Ready NY 2.0
Deadline: Rolling until December 31, 2026 at 3:00pm ET
Eligibility: Public, Private, and Not-for-profit organizations
Description: Charge Ready NY 2.0 offers incentives to install Level 2 EV charging stations at workplaces, multi-unit dwellings (MUD’s) or public facilities that are owned and operated by municipal or state government entities. NYSERDA provides incentives on a per-port basis at varying amounts, based on location type and whether it is located within a Disadvantaged Community (DAC):
- $4,000 per charging port installed at a public facility (must be located within a DAC).
- $2,000 per charging port installed at a workplace or multi-unit dwelling location.
The Charge Ready NY 2.0 Program will also offer bonus incentives to equipment owners at a workplace and MUD locations who complete additional actions to promote EV adoption in their own fleets or with their employees/tenants. Workplace and MUD locations are eligible for bonus incentives of varying amounts depending on workplace/MUD size.
USDOE: Technical Assistance for States and Communities
Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Municipalities, counties
Description: The U.S. Department of Energy has several opportunities for Technical Assistance currently available to Counties and Municipalities. They include:
- Energy2Communities: connects local governments, Tribes, electric utilities, and community-based organizations with national experts and customized analysis to achieve abundant, reliable, affordable, and secure energy systems and reflect local and regional priorities.
- SolSmart: provides no-cost technical assistance to help local governments follow national best practices to increase energy options in their jurisdictions.
- Charging Smart: free expert technical assistance to support communities in adopting procedures and practices that facilitate the growth of EVs.
NYSERDA: NY School Bus Incentive Program
Deadline: Rolling; first-come, first-serve basis
Eligibility: To participate in NYSBIP, vehicle manufacturers and modifiers must apply to have their vehicles listed for voucher eligibility. The following fleets may apply: NYS Public School Districts or other public entities that provide pupil transportation services, and third-party Operators under contract with a NYS public school district.
Description: The NYSBIP is a point-of-sale incentive program which will accelerate the deployment of zero-emission school buses in the medium- and heavy-duty vehicle weight classes in New York State. Zero-emission school buses include both electric school buses and hydrogen fuel cell school buses. $300MM is available to fund the acquisition of new ESBs and charging infrastructure costs. School Bus Voucher amounts are based on type of bus (e.g., Type A, Type C, Type D) and by whether the ESB is purchased new (60% cost covered) or if it is an existing school bus that is being repowered (75% cost covered).
NYSERDA: School Bus Charging Voucher Applications
Deadline: Rolling; first-come, first-serve basis
Eligibility: Entities that have purchased electric school buses.
Description: To submit a Charging Voucher Application, Purchasers must fill out a contractor application and be approved before applying via the NYSBIP Charging Voucher Portal. Please note that Charging Voucher funds are based on an electric school bus purchase, though the purchase does not have to be through New York’s School Bus Incentive Program. Once approved, Purchasers can install their charging infrastructure. After installation is complete and paid for, the Purchaser will return to the School Bus Charging Portal and submit documentation for Charging Voucher Redemption. Once approved, NYSERDA will send voucher funds to the Purchaser for reimbursement. For more information about the Charging Voucher rules and process, refer to the NYSBIP Implementation Manual.
US DOT: Capital Investment Grants (CIG) Program - Small Starts
Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Local governments operating public transit
Description: This Program will fund public transit projects generally, but applicants should prioritize projects that will increase ridership, reduce the need for private vehicle use, decrease vehicle miles traveled, and be in coordination with regional transit-oriented development planning. When rail projects are not possible, communities should look to deploy extensive, well-connected bus rapid transit projects that can align with local, regional, and statewide vehicle electrification plans. Eligible projects are those with a total estimated project cost of less than $400MM. A 20% match will be required.
US DOT: Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Improvement Program
Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: States and Metropolitan Planning Organizations choose projects.
Description: The CMAQ Program provides a flexible funding source to State and local governments for transportation projects and programs to help meet the requirements of the Clean Air Act. Funding is available to reduce congestion and improve air quality for areas that do not meet the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for ozone, carbon monoxide, or particulate matter (nonattainment areas), and for former nonattainment areas that are now in compliance (maintenance areas). Proposed projects or programs must have a high level of effectiveness in reducing air pollution and be included in the metropolitan planning organization’s (MPO’s) current transportation plan and transportation improvement program or the current State transportation improvement program in areas without an MPO.
IRS: Elective Pay
Deadline: Rolling* Credit availability has changed. Please see Updates to Elective Pay Eligible Credits Guidance Brief from Lawyers for Good Government (L4GG).
Eligibility: IRA Elective Pay is open to tax-exempt entities such as local governments. IRS Energy Credits Online tool, or IRS ECO, is for clean vehicle dealers and sellers.
Description: As part of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), tax-exempt and government agencies can take advantage of tax credits for clean technologies for the first time. All eligible tax credits for clean energy and vehicles can be found here. In December, the IRS introduced the first steps to take advantage of these tax breaks by opening the IRS Energy Credits Online tool. The online portal allows those claiming credits to complete the pre-filing registration process and receive a registration number and complete the entire process online and receive their advance payments within 72 hours. A user guide that explains how to use the portal can be found here.
MSW Management
World Wildlife Fund (WWF): National Household Wasted Food Prevention Project
Deadline: September 1, 2026 by 5:00pm ET
Eligibility: Nonprofits, local governments, Tribal governments, educational institutions, and others
Description: WWF is administering community grants through the National Household Wasted Food Prevention Project (NHWFPP). Grantees will design and deliver hands-on programs that build on the impact of the national media campaign to deliver behavior change locally. Grantees will address local barriers through structured interventions tailored to the communities they serve. Community grant activities must have enough depth and reach to make a meaningful impact, with clear measurement and reporting of results. Grant amounts will range from $75,000 to $750,000, with approximately 15 total grants awarded.
USDA: SEARCH – Special Evaluation Assistance for Rural Communities and Households Grant
Deadline: Rolling through September 30, 2026
Eligibility: State and local government entities, nonprofits, and federally recognized tribes in areas that are rural (population of 2,500 or less) and financially distressed (have a median household income below the poverty line or less than 80 percent of the statewide non-metropolitan median household income based on latest Census data).
Description: This Program helps very small, financially distressed rural communities with predevelopment feasibility studies, design and technical assistance on proposed water and waste disposal projects. Funds may be used to pay predevelopment planning costs, including:
- Feasibility studies to support applications for funding water or waste disposal projects
- Preliminary design and engineering analysis
- Technical assistance for the development of an application for financial assistance
ESD: Business Food Waste Mitigation Grant Program
Deadline: October 9, 2026 at 4:00pm ET
Eligibility: NYS municipalities and non-profit/not-for-profit organizations undertaking a food waste mitigation project; municipalities and eligible organizations can apply on behalf of a NYS-based business
Description: This Grant Program is designed to reduce business-generated food waste in New York State. Successful business food waste mitigation projects are those that will expand food waste recycling infrastructure in the State to reduce commercially generated food waste sent to landfill and combustion facilities. The Program provides grants to cover costs of equipment purchased for the purpose of building new, or expanding existing, organics recycling facilities to accept food waste from businesses and expanding fleet services to collect commercial food waste destined for recycling. Grants will be awarded competitively and will range from $50,000 - $750,000. Funds can be used for machinery and equipment related to mitigating commercial food waste.
NYSDEC: Grants for Recycling Coordination & Education Projects
Deadline: October 30, 2026 at 3:00pm ET
Eligibility: Municipalities
Description: This Grant, through the Municipal Waste Reduction & Recycling Program (MWR&R), provides funding for planning, educational, and promotional activities to increase public awareness of and participation in waste reduction and recycling. Funding may be used for recycling coordination, publications, education, and outreach. Applications for Recycling Coordination/Education grants will be accepted by DEC during the months of August, September and October of each calendar year for the following calendar year period. A project application will be reviewed and may be approved, disapproved or modified by DEC. If acceptable, applications will be approved for state assistance for up to 50 percent of eligible costs, not to exceed two million dollars.
NYS DEC: Municipal Waste Reduction and Recycling (MWRR) Program
Deadline: October 31, 2027
Please be advised that this grant program is operating under a multi-year waitlist. Awards will be issued upon availability of funding on an ongoing first-come-first-served basis.
Eligibility: Municipalities defined as county, city, town or village, local public authority, local public benefit corporation (as established by New York State law), school district, supervisory district, and improvement district, Native American tribe or Nation residing in New York State, combination of the above.
Description: The MWRR State Assistance Program covered by this application can help fund the eligible costs of:
- A waste reduction project, i.e. capital, planning and educational or promotional activities conducted by a municipality and intended to increase public awareness of methods to prevent the generation of waste, including reuse of certain materials, substitution of non-toxic household products, and the promotion of backyard composting
- Recycling projects, i.e. capital costs of recyclables recovery equipment purchases, recyclables recovery programs, and source separation equipment
- A household hazardous waste (HHW) collection facility project, i.e. the construction of a new, municipally owned facility used exclusively for collection and storage of household hazardous wastes
- A beverage container assistance project, i.e. the acquisition of equipment or real property or structures necessary for the establishment of new beverage container redemption centers, subject to the provisions of New York State’s Returnable Container Act
- Closing of municipal solid waste landfills or landfills that will be inactive withing 18 months of application
- Promoting improved air quality at solid waste landfills to capture greenhouse gases and encourage energy recovery from landfill gas
Maximum grant amount is $2MM.