Opportunity Information: Apply for EPA OW OWM 26 01
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is offering a discretionary grant opportunity, issued as a cooperative agreement, titled Technical Assistance and Training for Rural, Small and Tribal Municipalities and Wastewater Treatment Systems (Funding Opportunity Number: EPA OW OWM 26 01; CFDA: 66.446). The funding is authorized under Clean Water Act (CWA) section 104(b)(8) and is designed to help small, rural, and Tribal communities strengthen how they plan for, manage, and comply with wastewater and clean water requirements. Rather than paying for construction or equipment purchases, this program focuses on the know-how and capacity communities need to identify wastewater challenges, build workable plans, meet regulatory obligations, and successfully pursue funding for infrastructure improvements from other sources.
The core purpose is to improve public health and environmental protection by expanding the availability of trained water sector personnel, increasing readiness to secure wastewater financing, and supporting sustained compliance with the Clean Water Act. EPA positions this effort as aligned with broader federal priorities focused on improved water quality, reduced exposure risks, and more resilient wastewater infrastructure that supports responsible economic growth in smaller and historically underserved communities. The agency also frames the work under its Powering the Great American Comeback Initiative, specifically Pillar 1: Clean Air, Land, and Water for Every American, emphasizing long-term stewardship and stronger local systems in partnership with states, Tribes, and local governments.
EPA identifies three main priority areas for proposed projects. First, the agency seeks technical assistance and training for rural, small, and Tribal municipalities to support planning and project development and to help these communities acquire financing or funding for eligible wastewater-related needs. This includes hands-on assistance and training for publicly owned treatment works (POTWs) and decentralized wastewater systems aimed at improving water quality and achieving and maintaining compliance. Second, EPA highlights a Tribal-specific focus area that supports Tribal planning, project development, and acquisition of financing or funding, with the same overall goals of improved water quality and durable CWA compliance, and it may also include support for emerging contaminants project development. Third, the EPA calls for information dissemination, technical assistance, and training that specifically targets decentralized wastewater treatment systems (for example, non-sewered or onsite approaches) to improve their planning and readiness to pursue financing.
Eligible applicants are nonprofit organizations and institutions of higher education that can deliver technical assistance and training to rural, small, and Tribal municipalities, POTWs, and decentralized wastewater systems. A major emphasis is helping communities build technical, managerial, and financial (TMF) capacity, since EPA views TMF capacity as central to long-term compliance and sustainable operations. Importantly, the notice makes clear that infrastructure construction is not eligible under this announcement. That means the grant cannot be used to pay for repairing sewer lines, purchasing and installing new treatment equipment, or upgrading, retrofitting, or rehabilitating physical assets. The intent is to fund the support services that help communities prepare for and successfully execute those kinds of projects using other financing and funding sources.
From a funding and timing standpoint, the opportunity anticipates up to 12 awards, with an award ceiling of $3,000,000. The opportunity was created on June 15, 2026, and the original application closing date is August 14, 2026. Applicants should expect the full Notice of Funding Opportunity to spell out additional eligibility details, required components of workplans, and any programmatic or reporting expectations typical of cooperative agreements, where EPA may have substantial involvement in guiding or coordinating the funded work.Apply for EPA OW OWM 26 01
- The Environmental Protection Agency in the environment sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Technical Assistance and Training for Rural, Small and Tribal Municipalities and Wastewater Treatment Systems" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 66.446.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-06-15.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-08-14. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $3,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 12 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1) What is the name of this EPA grant opportunity?
The opportunity is titled Technical Assistance and Training for Rural, Small and Tribal Municipalities and Wastewater Treatment Systems.
2) What type of funding mechanism is this?
This is a discretionary EPA grant opportunity issued as a cooperative agreement, which typically means EPA may have substantial involvement in coordinating or guiding the funded work.
3) What is the Funding Opportunity Number and CFDA number?
Funding Opportunity Number (FON): EPA OW OWM 26 01
CFDA: 66.446
4) What is the legal authority for this funding?
The funding is authorized under Clean Water Act (CWA) section 104(b)(8).
5) What is the main purpose of this program?
The program is designed to help small, rural, and Tribal communities strengthen how they plan for, manage, and comply with wastewater and clean water requirements. It focuses on building the know-how and capacity communities need to identify wastewater challenges, create workable plans, meet regulatory obligations, and successfully pursue infrastructure funding from other sources.
6) What outcomes is EPA trying to achieve with this funding?
EPA frames the core outcomes as improving public health and environmental protection by:
- Expanding the availability of trained water sector personnel
- Increasing community readiness to secure wastewater financing
- Supporting sustained compliance with the Clean Water Act
7) Does this grant pay for wastewater construction, repairs, or equipment purchases?
No. The announcement explicitly states that infrastructure construction is not eligible. Funds cannot be used to pay for repairing sewer lines, purchasing and installing treatment equipment, or upgrading/retrofitting/rehabilitating physical assets. The grant supports the technical assistance, training, and capacity-building that helps communities prepare for and successfully execute infrastructure projects using other funding and financing sources.
8) Who is this program intended to help?
The funded work is intended to benefit:
- Rural municipalities
- Small municipalities
- Tribal communities/municipalities
- Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTWs)
- Decentralized wastewater systems (including non-sewered/onsite approaches)
9) Who can apply for the grant?
Eligible applicants are:
- Nonprofit organizations
- Institutions of higher education
Applicants must be able to deliver technical assistance and training to rural, small, and Tribal municipalities, POTWs, and decentralized wastewater systems.
10) What kinds of activities does EPA want to fund?
This opportunity prioritizes projects that provide technical assistance and training to strengthen community capacity to plan, manage, and comply with wastewater requirements, including support that helps communities develop projects and pursue financing for eligible wastewater-related needs.
11) What are the three EPA priority areas described in the announcement?
EPA identifies three main priority areas for proposed projects:
- Technical assistance and training for rural, small, and Tribal municipalities focused on planning, project development, and helping communities acquire financing or funding for eligible wastewater-related needs, including hands-on assistance and training for POTWs and decentralized systems to improve water quality and achieve/maintain compliance.
- Tribal-specific focus area supporting Tribal planning, project development, and acquisition of financing or funding for improved water quality and durable CWA compliance, and it may include support for emerging contaminants project development.
- Support targeted to decentralized wastewater treatment systems, including information dissemination, technical assistance, and training to improve planning and readiness to pursue financing (for example, non-sewered or onsite approaches).
12) What does EPA mean by building TMF capacity?
EPA emphasizes helping communities build technical, managerial, and financial (TMF) capacity. In the context of this announcement, TMF capacity is described as central to long-term Clean Water Act compliance and sustainable operations of wastewater systems.
13) Is helping communities pursue other infrastructure funding an eligible objective?
Yes. A central theme of the program is helping communities become ready to acquire financing or funding for wastewater-related needs and to successfully pursue funding for infrastructure improvements from other sources.
14) Are decentralized (onsite/non-sewered) wastewater systems specifically included?
Yes. Decentralized wastewater treatment systems are explicitly included, and one of the three priority areas specifically targets information dissemination, technical assistance, and training for decentralized systems to improve planning and financing readiness.
15) Are publicly owned treatment works (POTWs) included in the intended beneficiaries?
Yes. EPA specifically references hands-on assistance and training for publicly owned treatment works (POTWs) as part of the first priority area.
16) How many awards does EPA expect to make?
EPA anticipates making up to 12 awards.
17) What is the maximum award amount?
The award ceiling is $3,000,000.
18) When was this opportunity created and what is the application deadline?
Created: June 15, 2026
Original application closing date: August 14, 2026
19) How does EPA describe the broader federal priorities this supports?
EPA describes this effort as aligned with broader federal priorities around improved water quality, reduced exposure risks, and more resilient wastewater infrastructure supporting responsible economic growth in smaller and historically underserved communities. EPA also links it to its Powering the Great American Comeback Initiative, specifically Pillar 1: Clean Air, Land, and Water for Every American, emphasizing long-term stewardship and stronger local systems in partnership with states, Tribes, and local governments.
20) Where should applicants expect to find additional requirements and details?
The announcement indicates the full Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) will provide additional eligibility details, required workplan components, and programmatic and reporting expectations typical of cooperative agreements.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Environment
Next opportunity: Public Wireless Supply Chain Innovation Fund Grant Program – Solutions for AI-Native RAN
Previous opportunity: Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Part C Capacity Development Program
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for EPA OW OWM 26 01
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (EPA OW OWM 26 01) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| F26AS00104 State ANS Management Plan 2026 Apply for F26AS00104 Funding Number: F26AS00104 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| Department of Interior Wildland Fire Service BLM-National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) Joint Fire Science Program (JFSP)Fire Leaders And Managers, Emerging Scientists (FLAMES) Apply for FA NOFO0027 001 Funding Number: FA NOFO0027 001 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Environment Funding Amount: $40,000 |
| U.S. Wildland Fire Service BLM-National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) Joint Fire Science Program (JFSP) Primary Announcement Apply for FA NOFO0027 002 Funding Number: FA NOFO0027 002 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Environment Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| U.S Wildland Fire Service BLM-National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) Joint Fire Science Program (JFSP) Regional Fire Science Exchange Announcement Apply for FA NOFO0027 003 Funding Number: FA NOFO0027 003 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Environment Funding Amount: $262,000 |
| FY27 Brownfields Job Training (JT) Grants Apply for EPA OLEM OBLR 26 01 Funding Number: EPA OLEM OBLR 26 01 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Environment Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Seabed Mapping, Exploration, and Characterization in the Pacific Apply for DFOP0019432 Funding Number: DFOP0019432 Agency: Bureau of Oceans - Int. Environmental - Scientific Category: Environment Funding Amount: $7,000,000 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "EPA OW OWM 26 01", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.