State and Federal Grant Funding Opportunities First Quarter of 2026

Funding opportunities in the first quarter of 2026 are focused on improving natural resources, providing for recreation access and working lands, cleaning up and improving contaminated sites, and providing opportunities for tribes and local governments to improve planning and implementation for infrastructure. As the federal administration continues to evaluate federal funding programs, there may be uncertainty about the ongoing availability of grants we list. We include only open funding sources for which funds have been allocated. As always, we recommend that you confirm status and eligibility requirements at the program website links we provide.

First Quarter 2026

Federal Funding Opportunities 

$35 Million in Funding Available for Small Shipyards

Program funds capital improvements and training.

The U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration will provide $35 million to assist small shipyards with capital and other projects. Small shipyards are defined as a facility in one geographic location with 1,200 or fewer employees. The grants support small shipyards making capital improvements and providing maritime training programs to encourage technical skills and operational productivity relating to shipbuilding, ship repair, and associated industries. Eligible projects include capital projects that advance efficiency, competitiveness, and quality and marine training programs. Funding may not be used to construct buildings or acquire land. A match of 25 percent is required. Applications are due in late spring 2026; current due dates and application guidance will be posted on the  Small Shipyard Grants page.

First Quarter 2026

Washington State Funding Opportunities 

Up to $1 Million per Applicant Available for Aquatic Lands in Washington

Program supports protection and enhancement of aquatic lands in the state.

The Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office is providing funding for projects meant to preserve and restore the state’s shorelines and navigable water bodies. Eligible applicants include tribal and local governments and special purpose districts. Eligible project types include those that improve or protect ecological function, improve or create public access, and/or increase public awareness of aquatic lands and their role in aquatic ecosystems. Grant funding varies by proposed activity; applicants can receive up to $1 million for acquisition and up to $500,000 for development, renovation, and restoration. A match of 50 percent is required. Applications are due April 30, 2026. For more information, visit the Aquatic Lands Enhancement Account page.

$54 Million Grant Program for Land Protection and Outdoor Recreation in Washington

Program supports a broad range of projects in the state.

The Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office’s Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program is providing funding for several different grant categories to create or improve local parks, public trails, or access to the water for nonmotorized boating and recreation. Eligible applicants vary by grant category. The categories open to tribal and local governments and special purpose districts include projects for local parks, trails, or water access. Eligible project types include acquisition, development, renovation, or a combination of these. Grant funding varies by proposed activity; applicants can receive up to $1 million for local parks acquisition and up to $500,000 for a local parks development project. A match of 50 percent is required unless the project serves an underserved population or community in need or is in a federal disaster area. At least 10 percent of the contribution to the total project must be in the form of local matching funds. Applicants’ comprehensive plans must be submitted by March 2, 2026. Applications are due April 30, 2026. For more information, visit the Recreation Projects-Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program page.

$5 Million Grant Program for Boating Infrastructure in Washington

Program supports planning for, developing, or renovating facilities for boats at least 26 feet in length.

The Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office administers a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service funding stream for developing, renovating, and maintaining public boating facilities, boating information, and boater education in Washington. Eligible applicants include tribal and local governments, special purpose districts, qualified nonprofits, and private marina operators. Eligible project types include acquisition, development, renovation, or a combination of these. Projects must be for facilities that serve recreational boats at least 26 feet in length providing day use or stays of up to 15 days—no long-term moorage. Grant funding varies by tier, which is tied to level of review; applicants can receive up to $288,046 for Tier 1 (state-reviewed) maintenance, development or renovation or up to $1.4 million for Tier 2 (federally reviewed) development or renovation projects. A match of 25 percent is required. Applicants that contribute 26 percent or more will receive additional evaluation points. Pre-applications are due April 30, 2026. Applications are due July 15, 2026. For more information, visit the Boating Infrastructure Grant Program page.

$6.2 Million Grant Program for Community Forests in Washington

Program helps preserve working forest land in the state.

The Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office’s Community Forests Program provides funding to help preserve working forests. Eligible applicants include tribal and local governments, special purpose districts, public development authorities, and nonprofit conservation organizations. Up to $3 million per applicant is available for eligible project types, which include acquisition or a combination of acquisition and development or restoration. A match of 15 percent is required. Applications are due April 30, 2026. For more information, visit the Community Forests Program page.

$1.7 Million Grant Program Supports Planning for Recreation Access in Underserved Communities in Washington

Program focuses on diverse, urban, and small rural communities in the state.

The Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office’s Planning for Recreation Access program funds planning projects in communities that lack adequate access to outdoor recreation opportunities. Eligible applicants include tribal and local governments, special purpose districts, and nonprofit organizations that serve diverse urban neighborhoods, small rural communities, or those with less experience applying for RCO grants. Eligible activities include planning, community engagement, and collaboration to define needs and priorities for projects that will lead to capital investment. There is no funding limit for individual applicants and no match requirement. Applications will be due in July; the final due date will be available as RCO updates the program page. For more information, visit the Planning for Recreation Access page.

$10.8 Million Grant Program for Farmland Preservation in Washington

Program supports acquisition of development rights and some restoration on acquired land.

The Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office’s Wildlife and Recreation Program funds the acquisition of development rights on farmland to ensure that the land remains available for agricultural use. Eligible applicants include local governments and nonprofit nature conservancies. Eligible projects include acquisition of development rights via an easement or lease as well as some restoration and/or enhancement in combination with acquisition. There is no grant limit for individual applicants. A match of 50 percent is required. Applications are due April 30, 2026. For more information, visit the Farmland Preservation-Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program page.

Approximately $15 Million for Zero-Emissions School Bus Fleets in Washington

Program supports vehicle replacement, equipment purchases, and training.

The Washington State Department of Ecology is supporting the transition to zero-emissions school bus fleets in the state. The program includes a total of $14 million for zero-emissions school bus projects and $1 million for vocational training. Eligible projects include replacing or acquiring vehicles or equipment, planning or designing fueling infrastructure, procuring equipment, and staff training. A broad range of costs are covered.  Eligible applicants for school bus projects include school bus owners that transport students to qualifying K–12 schools; eligible applicants for training projects include local governments, public utility districts, school districts, tribes, nonprofit organizations, and local clean air agencies. Districts serving lower-income and rural communities will receive priority consideration for funding. Applicant matching requirements are not stated in the program guidance. Applications are due April 23, 2026. For more information, view the Clean Diesel Grants page and scroll down to the link for the Zero Emission School Bus and Fleet Transition Grant Program.

Up to $4.5 Million for Drought Response in Portions of Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties in Washington

Program aims to reduce hardship from drought conditions.

The Washington State Department of Ecology is providing up to $4.5 million to drought-stricken communities in portions of Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties to reduce drought-related hardships. Eligible applicants include tribal and local governments; public utility, water, sewer, conservation, irrigation, and port districts; and watershed management partnerships. Eligible projects include a broad range of activities to address drought-related problems for agriculture, livestock, public water supplies, fisheries, and wildlife.  A match of 50 percent is required. Applications are due April 3, 2026. For more information, visit the Water Resources Drought Response Grants page.

Up to $40 Million for Streamflow Restoration in Washington

Program aims to benefit stream flows and endangered aquatic species.

The Washington State Department of Ecology is providing up to $40 million to restore stream flows in the state. Eligible applicants include tribes with reservation land or treaty rights, local governments, and nonprofit organizations. Eligible projects include water right acquisitions, water storage, altered water management or infrastructure, watershed function, riparian and fish habitat improvements, environmental monitoring, planning, and feasibility studies. A match of 50 percent is required. Applications are due March 17, 2026. For more information, visit the Streamflow Restoration Competitive Grants page.

Funding Available for Projects in the Yakima Basin in Washington

Program aims to support ensuring sustainable water supplies.

The Washington State Department of Ecology is providing funding for water projects in the Yakima Basin. Eligible applicants include tribal and local governments, quasigovernmental entities (i.e., irrigation and conservation districts), and nonprofit organizations. Eligible projects include fish passage, fish habitat enhancement, irrigation system improvements, surface water storage, water banks, groundwater storage, and enhanced water conservation. Funding amounts and limits will be determined in consultation with program staff. No match is required. Applications are due March 17, 2026. For more information, visit the Yakima Basin Integrated Planning Grants page.

$700,000 Available for Voluntary Cleanup Projects in Washington

Program encourages expedited cleanups and reduces costs.

The Washington State Department of Ecology is providing $700,000 to clean up contaminated sites in the state. Eligible applicants include local governments that have completed an independent cleanup through the Voluntary Cleanup Program and received a No Further Action determination. Eligible projects include remedial investigations; development of remedial action plans and reports; feasibility studies and remedy selection; engineering design and remedy construction; operation, maintenance, and/or monitoring of constructed remedy for up to one year. Standard applicants may receive up to $300,000 for a project; economically disadvantaged local government applicants may receive up to $450,000.  A match of 50 percent is required for most applicants; a 25 percent match is required of economically disadvantaged local government applicants . The current application period closes June 16, 2026. A second application period opens August 10, 2026, and closes June 15, 2027. For more information, visit the Independent Remedial Action Grants page.

Funding Available for Mandatory Hazardous Waste Cleanups in Washington

Program provides for cleanups that are supervised by Ecology or the EPA under a legal order.

The Washington State Department of Ecology provides funding to applicants that are required to clean up hazardous waste sites supervised by Ecology or EPA under a legal order or decree. Total program funding is determined by the Washington State Legislature and is not available at time of posting. Eligible applicants include local governments conducting cleanup actions under an order or decree. Eligible activities and projects include interim actions, remedial investigations; feasibility studies and remedy selection; engineering design and remedy construction; landfill closures; operation, maintenance, and/or constructed remedy monitoring for up to one year. Match requirements vary; see program guidance. Applications are due March 17, 2026. For more information, visit the Oversight Remedial Action Grants and Loans page.

Funding Available to Restore Resources Affected by Oil Spills

Program provides for restoration or enhancement of a broad range of natural resources.

The Washington State Department of Ecology uses funds from oil spill penalties for restoration and enhancement projects and natural resource studies in the state. Eligible applicants include tribal and local governments, special-purpose districts, and nonprofit organizations. Eligible projects include remedial investigations; development of remedial action plans and reports; feasibility studies and remedy selection; engineering design and remedy construction; operation, maintenance, and/or constructed remedy monitoring for up to one year. Typical awards range from $10,000 to $50,000. There is no match requirement. Applications are due April 29, 2026. For more information, visit the Oil Spill Restoration Funding page.

First Quarter 2026

Oregon State Funding Opportunities 

Approximately $4.9 Million Available to Address Klamath River Water Quality in Oregon

Program aims to address water quality concerns in the Klamath River through nutrient reduction.

The Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board is providing approximately $4.9 million for restoration or technical assistance projects to improve water quality in the Klamath River. Eligible applicants include tribes, watershed councils, soil and water conservation districts, nonprofit institutions, schools, and institutions of higher education, and political subdivisions of Oregon that are not a state agency. Eligible projects provide technical assistance or restoration in the Klamath River Basin that result in improvements to the river. Project types include wetland restoration, treatment wetlands, riparian fencing and grazing management, and efficiency projects for on-farm irrigation and water management. A 5 percent match is required for technical assistance and a 25 percent match is encouraged for restoration projects. A preapplication conference with OWEB must be completed by April 6, 2026. Applications are due May 11, 2026. For more information, visit the Klamath Water Quality Improvements Grants Program page.

 

Financing Available for Water and Wastewater Technical Assistance to Support Small Communities in Oregon

Program can provide loans of up to $10 million, subject to availability.

Business Oregon is providing technical assistance funding in the form of grants and loans to applicants with populations of 15,000 people or less. Eligible applicants include cities, counties and county service districts, ports, special districts, and tribal councils of federally recognized tribes. Eligible projects include planning, engineering, economic investigations, and other feasibility studies related to an eligible construction project. An eligible entity may apply for a loan for up to $10 million. Grant funding of up to $50,000 per project may also be available. Terms and amounts vary by project type. Applications are accepted year-round on a rolling basis. For more information, visit the Water/Wastewater Financing Program page.

Up to $10 Million in Low-Cost Financing for Infrastructure Improvements in Oregon

Program supports planning, design, and construction of facilities that create jobs and support the local economy.

Business Oregon provides loans of up to $10 million per applicant to tribes, local governments, ports, and airport districts to support planning projects and capital improvements that assist in developing industrial lands, replace essential community facilities, and/or support the creation of jobs. Typical projects include developing energy, transportation, and telecommunications systems; providing or improving marine facilities; certifying levees or industrial sites; and developing or expanding water, sewer, and stormwater services. Funding can also be used for emergency response. The required match, loan amount, and other terms vary by application and project type. Applications are accepted year-round on a rolling basis. For more information, visit the Special Public Works Fund page.

Approximately $210,000 in Funding Available for Forests in Oregon

Program supports forest restoration on federal lands in the state.

The Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board is supporting Collaborative Governance projects that restore forest land or develop, expand, or advance Zones of Agreement in Oregon. Eligible applicants include Oregon-based nonprofit community-based organizations, and local and tribal governments. Proposals for collaborative Governance projects may request up to $20,000 and those for Zones of Agreement or Collective Action may request up to $85,000, as they will receive priority for funding. Eligible geographies include forests managed by the U.S. Forest Service or the Bureau of Land Management in Oregon. Eligible activities are tied to the type of project but may include developing or updating strategic plans, work plans, collaborative operating guidelines, stakeholder engagement; meeting planning; outreach and communications; data collection and analysis in support of project planning; training, travel to related meetings; and guest speaker presentations. A match of 5 percent is required. Applications are due April 9, 2026. For more information, visit the Forest Collaborative Grant program page.