Technical Assistance and Training for Rural, Small and Tribal Municipalities and Wastewater Treatment Systems

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), through its Office of Water, is offering a funding opportunity to support technical assistance and training for rural, small, and Tribal municipalities and wastewater treatment systems. Authorized under Section 104(b)(8) of the Clean Water Act, this program is designed to improve water quality, strengthen wastewater infrastructure, and enhance compliance with federal environmental regulations. The initiative aligns with national priorities to protect public health, expand access to clean water, and build long-term environmental resilience in underserved communities. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to provide capacity-building support to eligible entities that can deliver technical assistance and training services. These services are intended to help municipalities and wastewater systems identify challenges, develop sustainable solutions, and access financing for infrastructure improvements. The program focuses on four priority areas: acquisition of financing, water quality and compliance assistance, Tribal-specific support, and decentralized wastewater systems. Activities must emphasize technical assistance over training and are expected to produce measurable environmental and operational outcomes. Funding under this opportunity is not intended for construction or infrastructure upgrades. Instead, it supports activities such as planning, feasibility assessments, financial and managerial capacity development, and workforce training. Eligible uses include assisting communities with funding applications, developing engineering reports, conducting system assessments, and improving operational practices. Infrastructure-related costs such as equipment purchases or system repairs are explicitly prohibited. The program encourages leveraging existing resources and best practices to maximize efficiency and impact. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations and institutions of higher education that have the expertise to provide technical assistance to the targeted communities. Applicants must demonstrate relevant experience, organizational capacity, and the ability to deliver services at a regional or national scale. While cost sharing is not required, applicants may propose voluntary cost sharing, which becomes binding if included. Applications must address only one priority area and include a detailed project narrative, budget, workplan, and evidence of past performance. Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov by August 14, 2026, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. Prior to submission, applicants are encouraged to participate in a webinar scheduled for July 13, 2026, and may submit questions to the EPA by July 31, 2026. Required application components include standard federal forms, a project narrative limited to 20 pages, and supporting documentation such as staff qualifications and past performance summaries. The EPA evaluates applications based on technical approach, environmental outcomes, budget justification, organizational capability, and past performance. The EPA anticipates making between 6 and 12 awards, with individual award amounts ranging from $1,000,000 to $3,000,000. The total available funding is approximately $25.5 million. Projects are expected to have a performance period of one to three years. Successful applicants will be notified in November 2026, with awards issued around February 2027. The EPA maintains substantial involvement throughout the project period, including oversight, collaboration, and review of deliverables. This funding opportunity represents a strategic investment in strengthening wastewater systems and ensuring regulatory compliance across rural and Tribal communities. By supporting technical assistance providers, the EPA aims to expand access to funding, improve system operations, and deliver long-term environmental and public health benefits nationwide.

Emphasize technical assistance over training; demonstrate measurable environmental outcomes; align clearly with one priority area; provide strong evidence of past performance and capacity