Grants for Local Governments

Proposals for the 2026 grant round are due by 5 p.m. on Friday, February 13, 2026. Grant winners will be notified in April 2026, and funds will become available on July 1, 2026. Download the Request for Proposals for the 2026 grant round: PDF or Word.

Priority projects for this grant round include:

1. When is the Request for Proposals (RFP) open? The RFP typically opens in late-fall with proposals due in mid-February.
2. Do I have to apply for the full grant amount? No. You can request any amount up to the maximum. The amount you request does not affect the competitiveness of your proposal.
3. When can I start spending grant funds? Contracts begin on July 1 each year, if all parties have signed the contract. Contracts must have signatures from both the grantee and the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) to be fully executed. Expenses incurred before the start date of the fully executed contract are not reimbursable.
4. When will I know if I’m awarded? DEQ aims to send award notifications by April each year.
5. What makes a strong proposal? Successful proposals include:  
   • Clear data, appropriate details, and reference the project throughout.  
   • Explain how proposed purchases will directly improve or expand current operations.  
   • Include tangible expected results and the calculations behind them (e.g., additional tons diverted, new jobs created, operational savings expected).  
   • Justify the infrastructure or market need for the project.  
   • Demonstrate adequate business experience and planning to ensure the long-term success of the proposed project.
6. Is the grant program competitive? Yes. Requests typically exceed available funds, and not all proposals receive funding. DEQ may also award a grant at a lower level than requested in order to support as many qualifying projects as possible. If partial funding is offered, applicants will have the opportunity to accept or decline. Those who accept must update their proposal to reflect the revised award amount.  
7. What can grant funds be used for? Eligible expenses include capital costs that expand or improve recycling capacity and efficiency. Examples include sorting machinery, shredders, balers, roll-off containers, carts, trailers, building improvements, trucks, and forklifts.  
8. What can grant funds not be used for? Funds cannot be used for land purchases, salaries or labor costs, general operating expenses, marketing costs, or contract processing fees.  
9. Do I need a vendor quote? No, but it is encouraged to add estimated quotes when possible.
10. How is the cash match calculated? You must provide a 50% match of the awarded grant amount. • Example: If awarded $50,000, you must provide a match of at least $25,000,resulting in a project budget of $75,000. • Larger projects are acceptable; match may exceed 50%. • Use our Grant Calculator Tool to help you plan your proposal. o Note: Calculations generated by this tool are for informational purposes only and do not guarantee an award amount or funding decision. Enabling this tool may require downloading this PDF  
11. When will funds be distributed? All funds are provided on a reimbursement basis. To request reimbursement, you must submit: • Invoices for purchases made (approved budgeted items only). • Vendor contact information. • A cover letter on letterhead stating purchases made, amount spent, and requesting grant reimbursement (template available).
12. Are there examples of previous grantees? Yes, visit  

As a condition set forth of each of the above grant programs, any North Carolina municipality, county, council of government and solid waste authority that receives a reimbursement grant shall submit a final report to the DEACS grant manager prior to the end of the grant contract. The final report is required in order to receive the final 10% reimbursement funds. Download the Community Waste Reduction and Recycling (CWRAR) Grant Final Report

Successful grant applicants are required to provide the following forms, which will be included as part of the grant contract:

• No Overdue Taxes Certification
• Conflict of Interest Policy - Local governments are encouraged to use the state's Conflict of Interest Policy Template