Pursuant to Section 205(j)/604(b) of the Clean Water Act, the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Division of Water Resources (DWR) is currently seeking proposals for water quality planning projects using federal fiscal year 2026 grant funds. Only Regional Councils of Government (COGs)/Regional Planning Organizations are eligible to apply for 205(j) grants, however, COGs may partner with any public or private sector organization to implement projects. Download application materials from the Division’s 205j Grant Program Website. Applications are due by Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026, at 11:59 PM EDT.
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.
This page was last modified on 09/09/2026