EPA FY26 Brownfields Grant Announcement: 30 R9 and R10 Applicants Selected
The results are in! The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced a monumental 193 grant awards totaling over $270 million in funding for the Brownfield Multipurpose, Assessment, and Cleanup (MARC) grant programs.
These grants represent a massive step forward for communities looking to transform previously used properties into vibrant, sustainable community assets.
A Huge Win for Regions 9 and 10!
Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon received a $4 million Cleanup grant
We want to extend a massive congratulations to the 30 selectees from EPA Regions 9 and 10 who collectively secured more than $51.6 million in grants!
The Center for Creative Land Recycling (CCLR) is incredibly proud to have assisted 22 applicants and reviewed 17 applications that were selected, helping to secure $39.3 million—which represents 76% of the total FY26 funding allocated to these regions.
A Highly Competitive Year
FY26 was an exceptionally tough and competitive cycle. Across Regions 9 and 10, 88 applications were submitted, but only 34% were awarded.
To everyone who poured their time, energy, and heart into an application this year: Your hard work is highly commendable. Regardless of the outcome, completing an application for this rigorous federal program is a massive achievement, and you should be deeply proud of your efforts.
See the full list: Read the EPA’s official announcement and view all selectees here.
Next Steps for Applicants:
If Your Project Was Selected:
White Mountain Apache Tribe received a $2.8 million Cleanup grant to assist with remediation of old cabins at Hawley Lake
Securing the grant is just the beginning. To hit the ground running, keep these crucial next steps in mind:
- Complete Required Training: All EPA selectees must take the EPA Grants Management Training for Applicants and Recipients. Get a jump on this requirement as soon as possible!
- Watch for Guidance: Check out CCLR’s webinar, Dynamic Blueprints: A Game Plan for Your Workplan, to help visualize your next moves.
- Lean on CCLR: We are here to help you navigate the administrative roadmap. Contact us if you need support drafting your workplan, or if you have questions regarding reporting, procurement, or any other aspect of your new grant.
If Your Project Wasn’t Selected:
We know firsthand how much work goes into these applications, and we understand how frustrating it is to miss out. But please, don’t get discouraged! With a less than 35% national success rate, many amazing projects face the same hurdle.
CCLR is fully committed to helping you refine your approach, prepare for the next solicitation, and identify alternative funding pools. Here is our recommended playbook for future success:
- Request an EPA Debrief: Reach out to the EPA to get concrete feedback on your application. Understanding your weak points is the best way to return with a much more competitive edge.
- Explore Alternative Capital: Read our specialized blog post, Thriving in Low Funding Times, to pinpoint other creative funding streams that can keep your project moving.
- Strategize with Us: Schedule a meeting with the CCLR team so we can dive into your project specifics and build a tailored funding strategy together.
- Keep Building Momentum: Continue securing stakeholder partnerships and finalizing your end-use planning.
Looking Ahead: Competition is projected to remain elevated in FY27 due to the sunsetting of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). Eighty one percent of FY26 grants received IIJA funding, the reduction in available funding amounts to regular appropriation levels will lead to fewer grants being issued in FY27 and beyond. Programs that have ironclad community support and clearly identified end-uses will be the best positioned to capture tightening federal dollars.
The Future of Federal Brownfields Funding
The overwhelming demand for brownfield funding is undeniable. This year, the EPA received 554 MARC applications but could only fund 193 of them—leaving nearly 65% of projects without federal funding to support pre-construction work necessary to ensure properties are clean and safe for redevelopment.
Despite this clear need, the funding levels for this vital environmental and economic work are currently at risk of significant cuts. The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment is actively debating the Brownfield Reauthorization Act. Current proposals on the table threaten to reduce brownfield funding to below 2002 levels, which would drastically decrease cleanup resources and create immense barriers to land reuse.
For more details on the current legislation, visit the National Brownfield Coalition’s advocacy page.
Let’s keep working together to clean up, rebuild, and revitalize our communities!
