Nonpoint Source Program Grant

The Nonpoint Source Program Grant is administered by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality in coordination with the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board, using federal funding authorized under Section 319(h) of the Clean Water Act. The program is designed to support activities that prevent or reduce water pollution from nonpoint sources, which include diffuse sources such as agricultural runoff, stormwater, and failing septic systems. Funds are appropriated by Congress and distributed at the state level to support projects that improve water quality across Texas rivers, lakes, and bays. The primary purpose of this grant program is to fund projects that lead to measurable water quality improvements, particularly through the development and implementation of watershed protection plans. These plans are community-driven and involve identifying pollution sources, collecting and analyzing water quality data, and implementing voluntary management measures. Priority is given to projects located in watersheds identified in the state’s Priority Watersheds Report and to those implementing federally accepted watershed protection plans. A significant portion of funding is required to support implementation of these plans. Funding is structured as a cost-reimbursement model, where the program reimburses up to 60 percent of eligible project costs. Applicants must provide a 40 percent match, which can include in-kind contributions such as volunteer labor or partner support. Eligible costs include project-related indirect costs and expenses tied to implementing best management practices, education and outreach, and restoration activities. However, certain costs are ineligible, including those related to regulatory compliance, application preparation, or activities conducted outside the contract period. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, federal and state agencies, and political subdivisions within Texas such as cities, counties, school districts, and universities. Individuals and for-profit businesses are not eligible to apply directly but may participate as partners or contractors. Applicants are encouraged to collaborate with other entities to strengthen project impact. All proposed activities must align with the objectives of the Texas Nonpoint Source Management Program. The application process requires submission through the Texas Comptroller’s Electronic State Business Daily system using a specified solicitation ID. Applicants must download and complete all required documents and submit a separate application for each proposed project. Questions must be submitted via email by a specified deadline, and responses are issued at the discretion of the administering agency. Selected applicants may be asked to revise proposals before final approval. Applications are reviewed by both the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Projects may be approved, rejected, or modified through negotiation. Following approval, contracts are developed with selected applicants, with project start dates typically occurring the following year. Applicants are notified of decisions after review, generally in the fall following submission. The timeline for the current cycle begins in May 2026, with a submission deadline at the end of June 2026. A separate deadline is established for submitting questions earlier in June. Contracts are anticipated to begin in September of the following year, allowing time for review, revisions, and administrative processing. The program operates on a recurring cycle aligned with federal funding allocations and state-level planning processes.

Focus on watershed protection plans and measurable pollutant reduction; prioritize projects in designated priority watersheds; include strong partnerships and data-driven approaches