Opportunity Information: Apply for EPA R8 2024 SMM

The Region 8 Sustainable Materials Management (SMM) Grant is a discretionary funding opportunity from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) focused specifically on advancing sustainable materials management within EPA Region 8. The program is designed to fund projects that meaningfully support source reduction, reuse, and market development, which are three core strategies for reducing waste and improving how materials are produced, used, recovered, and reintegrated into the economy. The notice is clear that proposals outside these SMM priorities will not be reviewed, so applications need to stay tightly aligned with these themes rather than broader environmental or recycling education work that is not tied to source reduction, reuse, or end-market development.

A key feature of this opportunity is that EPA Region 8 has identified three specific regional activities as the central focus of the grant, and every applicant must include at least one of those activities in their proposal. While the notice excerpt does not list the three activities themselves, it indicates that they are Region 8-specific priorities and that applicants should consult the full Notice of Funding Opportunity (particularly the sections detailing the program priorities and requirements) to ensure their project directly maps to one or more of those activities. Projects can target any material stream that fits within the SMM framework, and EPA explicitly notes examples such as the built environment, construction and demolition (C&D) debris, materials commonly handled at materials recovery facilities (MRFs), electronics reuse or recycling, and food systems. This means applicants have flexibility in what they work on, as long as the approach clearly advances upstream waste prevention or reuse and/or strengthens viable markets for recovered materials.

The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement, which typically implies more substantial EPA involvement compared to a standard grant. In practical terms, that often means the agency may collaborate with the recipient through regular check-ins, technical input, or coordination to ensure the project meets federal program goals and reporting expectations. The opportunity falls under the environmental assistance CFDA listing 66.808, and it is administered by the Environmental Protection Agency. Eligibility is described broadly as "Others," but the notice directs applicants to Section III of the NOFO for the definitive eligibility rules, which is where details normally appear about which organization types may apply, whether partnerships are allowed, and any restrictions (for example, on for-profit entities, certain governmental units, or pass-through arrangements).

From a funding and competition standpoint, the maximum award amount (award ceiling) is $51,000, and EPA expects to make one award. That structure suggests a relatively small, targeted project rather than a large multi-year program, and it also means the competition may be tight because there is only a single expected recipient. The original application closing date is September 27, 2024, and the opportunity was created on August 13, 2024. Because of the limited funding and single anticipated award, proposals typically need to be especially clear on deliverables, realistic timelines, measurable outcomes, and how the work will create lasting impact beyond the grant period, particularly in terms of preventing waste at the source, expanding reuse systems, or improving end-market viability for recovered materials.

Overall, this opportunity is best suited for applicants proposing practical, implementation-oriented SMM projects in Region 8 that can demonstrate concrete benefits such as reduced material consumption, increased reuse and repair, improved diversion through better sorting or capture paired with real market pathways, or strengthened local/regional demand for recycled-content feedstocks. To be competitive, an application would need to clearly identify which of the Region 8 priority activities it addresses, show how the work aligns with source reduction, reuse, and/or market development (not just collection), and provide a credible plan for tracking results and reporting outcomes consistent with EPA cooperative agreement requirements.

  • The Environmental Protection Agency in the environment sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Region 8 Sustainable Materials Management Grant" and is now available to receive applicants.
  • Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 66.808.
  • This funding opportunity was created on 2024-08-13.
  • Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-09-27. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
  • Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $51,000.00 in funding.
  • The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
  • Eligible applicants include: Others.
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Region 8 Sustainable Materials Management (SMM) Grant (EPA) - FAQs

What is the Region 8 Sustainable Materials Management (SMM) Grant?

The Region 8 Sustainable Materials Management (SMM) Grant is a discretionary funding opportunity from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) focused on advancing sustainable materials management within EPA Region 8. It is intended to support projects that reduce waste and improve how materials are produced, used, recovered, and reintegrated into the economy.

Which EPA office is administering this opportunity?

The opportunity is administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and is specific to EPA Region 8 priorities.

What strategies or project types does the grant prioritize?

The grant is designed to fund projects that meaningfully support three core SMM strategies: source reduction, reuse, and market development. Proposals need to be tightly aligned with these themes.

Will EPA review proposals that do not align with the SMM priorities?

No. The notice is clear that proposals outside these SMM priorities will not be reviewed. Applications should avoid drifting into broader environmental topics or recycling education that is not clearly tied to source reduction, reuse, or end-market development.

Are there specific Region 8 activities that proposals must include?

Yes. EPA Region 8 identified three specific regional activities as the central focus of the grant, and every applicant must include at least one of those activities in their proposal. The excerpt does not list the three activities, so applicants are expected to consult the full Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) sections that detail program priorities and requirements.

Where can applicants find the definitive list of Region 8 priority activities?

The excerpt indicates applicants should consult the full Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), particularly the sections that describe program priorities and requirements, to ensure the project directly maps to one or more of the Region 8 activities.

What material streams or sectors can a project focus on?

Projects can target any material stream that fits within the SMM framework. Examples referenced include the built environment, construction and demolition (C&D) debris, materials commonly handled at materials recovery facilities (MRFs), electronics reuse or recycling, and food systems.

Does the opportunity only support recycling projects?

The priorities are broader than recycling alone. Projects need to advance source reduction, reuse, and/or market development. Collection or recycling work that is not connected to upstream waste prevention, reuse systems, or viable end markets may be viewed as misaligned with the stated priorities.

What is the funding instrument for this award?

The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement.

What does it mean that the award is a cooperative agreement?

A cooperative agreement typically implies more substantial EPA involvement than a standard grant. In practical terms, that may include regular check-ins, technical input, or coordination to help ensure the project meets federal program goals and reporting expectations.

What is the CFDA listing for this opportunity?

The opportunity falls under the environmental assistance CFDA listing 66.808.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is described broadly as "Others," but the excerpt directs applicants to Section III of the NOFO for the definitive eligibility rules. That is where details typically appear regarding eligible organization types, whether partnerships are allowed, and any restrictions.

Where are the official eligibility requirements found?

The definitive eligibility rules are referenced as being in Section III of the NOFO.

What is the maximum award amount?

The maximum award amount (award ceiling) is $51,000.

How many awards does EPA expect to make?

EPA expects to make one award.

What does it mean that only one award is expected?

With a single anticipated recipient and a relatively small ceiling, the opportunity appears designed for a targeted project rather than a large multi-year program. It also suggests competition may be tight, so proposals typically need to be especially clear and well-justified.

What is the application deadline?

The original application closing date is September 27, 2024.

When was the opportunity created?

The opportunity was created on August 13, 2024.

What kinds of outcomes would a competitive project be expected to show?

Based on the priorities described, competitive projects would be expected to demonstrate concrete benefits such as reduced material consumption, increased reuse and repair, improved diversion paired with real market pathways, and strengthened local or regional demand for recycled-content feedstocks.

What should applicants emphasize in their project plan to fit the stated priorities?

Applicants should clearly identify which Region 8 priority activity (at least one) their project addresses, show direct alignment to source reduction, reuse, and/or market development (not just collection), and present measurable deliverables, realistic timelines, and a credible plan for tracking and reporting results consistent with a cooperative agreement.

Can projects be implementation-oriented rather than purely educational?

The description suggests the opportunity is best suited for practical, implementation-oriented SMM projects, particularly those that can demonstrate measurable and lasting impact beyond the grant period.

What should applicants avoid based on the review limitation described?

Applicants should avoid submitting proposals that do not clearly advance source reduction, reuse, or market development. The excerpt specifically cautions against broader environmental or recycling education work that is not tied to those priorities.

Is alignment with Region 8 priorities optional?

No. The excerpt indicates every applicant must include at least one of the three Region 8-specific activities, and proposals outside the SMM priorities will not be reviewed.

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