205(j) Water Quality Management Planning Grant
Overview
Through the Section 205(j) Grant program, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency provides states with funding to do water quality planning. These projects can involve identifying the nature, extent and cause of water quality problems or doing planning work to address those problems. Projects can include but are not limited to the development of EPA 9-Element Watershed Restoration Plans for a 12-digit or smaller USGS HUC, mapping stormwater infrastructure, conducting engineering designs for stormwater best management practices, and watershed assessments of pollutant sources.
205(j) grants are only available to regional Councils of Government (COGs); however, COGs may partner with any public sector organization to implement projects. A match is preferred but not required. Once contracted, projects can run for a maximum of 18 months. Funds are dispersed on a quarterly reimbursement basis, with any invoice to be accompanied by a report of the work performed. The Request for Proposals is released annually in summer and projects are selected in fall.
Watch the What is the 205(j) Water Quality Planning Grant? webinar.
| Timeline | 2025 205j Timetable for Grant Applications |
|---|---|
| Friday, July 25, 2025 | 205(j) grant RFP opens |
| Thursday, September 18, 2025 | Deadline for proposals; must be received electronically by midnight |
| Thursday, October 2, 2025 | Applicants will receive review team’s questions about their proposals |
| Thursday, October 9, 2025 | Deadline for applicants to answer review team’s questions |
| Friday, October 24, 2025 | Applicants notified if selected for funding. Move forward with contracting. |
| Friday, November 7, 2025 | Deadline for selected applicants to return completed contracting forms to 205(j) grant manager, to enable contracts to be developed on time. |
| Thursday, January 1, 2026 | Contracts executed, projects may start. (Estimated depending on time for contract preparation.) |
2025 205(j) Grant Request for Proposals
2025 205(j) Grant Application
2025 205(j) Grant Review Criteria
PIs for funded projects must submit a quarterly report detailing work performed along with any invoice to be reimbursed. If no work is completed in a quarter, no report is required. Project PIs should use the following report and invoice templates:
205j Grant Administrator
Robin Hoffman
robin.hoffman@deq.nc.gov
(919) 707-3643