Clean Water Indiana Grant Program

The Clean Water Indiana Grant Program is administered by the Indiana State Department of Agriculture under the direction of the State Soil Conservation Board and is established under Indiana law to support conservation efforts that improve water quality across the state. The program provides financial assistance to conservation groups, including nonprofit organizations and governmental units, working in partnership with local Soil and Water Conservation Districts. Its primary objective is to reduce nonpoint source water pollution by funding projects that address sediment and nutrient runoff through conservation practices, education, and technical assistance. The program supports a broad range of project types, including conservation planning, implementation of agricultural and urban practices, laboratory analysis related to soil and water, and outreach initiatives. Funding may also be used to support staffing necessary to implement projects, though administrative costs are capped and certain expenses are restricted. Notably, funds cannot be used for food, promotional materials, office equipment, or employee benefits such as health insurance or retirement. Projects must align with at least two priority resource concerns identified in the State Soil Conservation Board business plan and are encouraged to leverage additional funding sources and partnerships. Eligibility is limited to Soil and Water Conservation Districts and natural resource related conservation groups located in Indiana. Applicants that are not a Soil and Water Conservation District must partner with one. Each project must have a designated lead applicant responsible for submission and administration. Applicants must be current on reporting for any previous Clean Water Indiana grants and must be registered vendors with the state prior to funding approval. Only one application per project is permitted, although organizations may participate as partners in multiple proposals. The application process requires submission of a Notification of Intent prior to or at the application deadline, followed by a full application submitted through the Indiana Grants Management System. The Notification of Intent must include basic organizational and contact information and be signed by the appropriate authority. Applications must include detailed project descriptions, budgets, partner roles, and required attachments such as letters of commitment. A maximum of three attachments totaling six pages is allowed, excluding required commitment letters and bid quotes. Applications are evaluated competitively and scored by a grants committee, with final funding decisions made by the State Soil Conservation Board. Projects may last up to three years, and all awarded funds must be expended within the contract period. Cost share components are permitted, with specific limits such as a maximum of 75 percent coverage for conservation practices and requirements for landowner contributions. Additionally, a mandatory 50 percent match in cash or in-kind contributions is required, with reduced match requirements for staffing components. The timeline for the 2027 grant cycle includes an application deadline of September 3, 2026 at 12 PM Eastern Time. Projects begin after contract execution and must be completed within three years, with all funds spent by December 31, 2029. Reporting requirements include semi annual progress and financial reports, as well as ongoing tracking of conservation practices. Contact information for program support is available through regional District Support Specialists and the Clean Water Indiana Program Director, providing applicants with assistance throughout the application and implementation process.

Align proposal with SSCB priority resource concerns; demonstrate partnerships and leveraged funding; ensure detailed budget justification and compliance with cost share rules