Plastics Reduction and Environmental Protection Grant

The Plastics Reduction and Environmental Protection (PREP) Grant is administered by the Office of Community Sustainability in Howard County, Maryland. Originating from legislation passed in December 2019 that created a 5-cent fee on disposable plastic bags, the grant is funded through the Disposable Plastics Reduction Fund. The program became operational following the initiation of the bag fee in October 2020. Since 2021, the PREP Grant has aimed to support projects that reduce the use of disposable plastics, with a particular focus on environmental protection and sustainability education. As of grant year six (2026), the program aligns closely with the strategies and actions of Howard County’s “Climate Forward: Climate Action and Resiliency Plan,” expanding its scope beyond plastic reduction to broader environmental protection objectives. PREP Grant funding is available to a wide array of organizations that conduct projects within Howard County, MD. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, faith-based organizations, community and homeowners associations, service and civic groups, as well as both public and independent educational institutions. To be considered for funding, organizations must be in good standing with the state. Applicants may be asked to submit proof of nonprofit status at the time of award. Notably, the grant program does not support projects occurring outside the geographic boundaries of Howard County, which is a firm eligibility requirement. Applicants are encouraged to submit projects that educate the public on methods and benefits of reducing disposable plastics, and more broadly, those that support Howard County’s climate goals related to waste reduction and environmental resilience. Project activities may range from community cleanups and composting education to innovative environmental stewardship initiatives. Successful projects are expected to be both locally impactful and potentially transferable to other communities. The grant strongly emphasizes sustainability, with applicants required to describe plans for maintenance or continuation of project outcomes after the grant ends. The application for the 2026 PREP Grant cycle is currently open and must be submitted by 5:00 PM ET on Thursday, April 30, 2026. All proposals should be submitted via email to Jackie Cooper at jacooper@howardcountymd.gov using a standardized subject line and file-naming format. Completed applications should be in Microsoft Word format and include a project narrative (no more than five pages), budget table, and letters of support where applicable. Applicants may attach letters of support separately if needed, but all documents should ideally be sent in a single email. A confirmation of receipt will be sent within three business days. Applicants who do not receive a confirmation should follow up with the program contact. Applicants should not plan to begin project activities before October 1, 2026, as funding will not cover expenses incurred prior to the execution of a legal agreement between the applicant and Howard County Government. Awards will be announced by July 2026, and projects are ideally expected to be completed within one year of funding, though longer timelines may be approved with justification. The Office of Community Sustainability has outlined detailed scoring criteria that evaluate completeness, alignment with county goals, project need, community engagement, feasibility, transferability, sustainability, and cost effectiveness. Over its first five years, the PREP Grant program funded 62 projects with a total award amount of $1,901,066.67. This significant level of investment reflects Howard County’s ongoing commitment to environmental improvement and education at the community level. For the 2026 cycle, organizations can request up to $50,000, with match funding encouraged but not required. While the total available funding for the 2026 round is not specified, applicants are expected to provide clear justifications for their budget requests in alignment with proposed project goals and expected outcomes.

Include match if possible; Strong justification for budget items improves score