MEB Public-Private Partnership Grant

The MEB Public-Private Partnership Grant is administered by the Pennsylvania State Conservation Commission under the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, with funding provided by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. This funding originates from federal appropriations under Section 117(e) of the Clean Water Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, supporting conservation efforts within designated Most Effective Basin areas across Pennsylvania. The program is designed to advance agricultural best management practices that reduce nutrient and sediment pollution, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus, which impact water quality in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The primary purpose of this grant program is to incentivize collaboration between public and private sector partners to enhance environmental outcomes on agricultural lands. The initiative emphasizes leveraging combined expertise, financial resources, and relationships with farmers to expand conservation practices. Through these partnerships, the program aims to increase the scale and effectiveness of conservation activities beyond what individual entities could accomplish independently. Eligible projects must directly contribute to reducing nutrient and sediment runoff and must be located within specified eligible counties or designated portions of counties within the Most Effective Basin geography. Funding under this program supports a range of project costs, including implementation and construction of conservation practices, technical assistance such as planning and design, and limited administrative expenses. Administrative costs are restricted to no more than ten percent of the total award, while technical assistance costs must constitute at least twenty five percent of the total state request. Projects must also demonstrate a matching contribution, including cash or in kind support, as reflected in the required budget documentation. The addendum form includes detailed budget tables requiring itemized breakdowns of personnel, implementation costs, and matching contributions. Eligibility for the grant includes for profit conservation entities, nonprofit organizations, private and corporate businesses, and county conservation districts. A key requirement is that each application must include at least one conservation district and one private sector partner, ensuring that proposals reflect true public private collaboration. Additionally, all relevant conservation districts must be notified if projects occur within their jurisdictions. Projects must be situated within eligible counties or mapped portions of counties identified as part of the Most Effective Basin, and applicants must verify geographic eligibility using the provided mapping tool. The application process consists of two required steps. First, applicants must complete and submit an addendum form via email to the program contact. This form includes narrative responses describing the proposed project, its alignment with program goals, partnership structure, nitrogen effectiveness metrics, and any special considerations. Second, applicants must complete and submit an online intake form. The application window opens on July 27, 2026 at 8:00 AM and closes on September 18, 2026 at 11:59 PM. Completed addendum forms must also be submitted by the same deadline. Applications are evaluated based on alignment with conservation goals, strength and novelty of partnerships, expected environmental impact, and the ability to leverage additional funding or resources. Applicants are required to provide supporting materials such as farm plans, maps, and detailed project descriptions. The performance period for funded projects extends through June 30, 2028, aligning with the broader federal funding timeline that began in October of the federal fiscal year. Program compliance requirements include federal lobbying certification, subrecipient reporting under the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act, and adherence to Pennsylvania labor and workforce laws. Applicants must certify compliance with applicable labor standards and may be subject to penalties for false certifications. For additional information or submission questions, applicants may contact Sarah Xenophon via email or phone. The program is contingent upon the availability of federal funding and is expected to follow a multi year funding cycle aligned with federal budget periods.

Ensure strong partnership between conservation district and private entity; clearly demonstrate measurable nitrogen reduction impact; align proposal with watershed implementation goals; provide detailed and realistic budget with matching funds