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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released its FY26 Brownfield Cleanup Grant guidelines under Funding Opportunity Number EPA-I-OLEM-OBLR-25-07. This opportunity provides up to $4,000,000 per application to support cleanup activities at brownfield sites contaminated by hazardous substances and/or petroleum. Applicants must own the site(s) by January 28, 2026, and may only submit one application. The total available funding is approximately $107 million, with around 36 awards expected. Applications are due by Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at 11:59 PM ET.

Program Goals and Objectives

The Brownfield Cleanup Grant is part of EPA’s larger effort to empower states, Tribal Nations, local governments, and nonprofit organizations to assess, clean up, and reuse brownfield properties. The program supports environmental and public health improvements, encourages sustainable redevelopment, and prioritizes investment in communities historically affected by environmental injustice, disinvestment, and health disparities.

Who is Eligible to Apply?

Eligible applicants include:

• General purpose units of local government (e.g., cities, towns, counties, parishes)
• Land clearance authorities and redevelopment agencies
• Government entities created by State legislatures
• Regional councils and inter-governmental groups
• States and federally recognized Indian Tribes (with exceptions in Alaska)
• Alaska Native regional and village corporations
• Nonprofit organizations under section 501(c)(3), or other nonprofit definitions in 2 CFR § 200.1
• Qualified community development entities

For-profit organizations and 501(c)(4) entities that engage in federal lobbying are not eligible.

Threshold Criteria

To be eligible, applicants must own the site by January 28, 2026, and meet all threshold criteria outlined in the NOFO. Among other requirements, these include demonstrating the site qualifies as a brownfield under CERCLA definitions, completing a Phase II environmental site assessment (ASTM E1903-19 or equivalent), and ensuring there are no conflicting enforcement actions at the site. Applicants may only submit one application and cannot also apply for a FY26 Multipurpose Grant. Community involvement is a critical component of the application process. Applicants must issue a community notification at least 14 days before submission, host a public meeting to discuss the application and draft Analysis of Brownfield Cleanup Alternatives (ABCA), and provide documentation of public comments and meeting participation.

Types of Eligible Projects

Eligible projects must involve the cleanup of brownfield sites contaminated by:

• Hazardous substances
• Petroleum or petroleum products
• Controlled substances
• Pollutants or contaminants
• Mine-scarred lands

Eligible activities include:

• Cleanup and remediation of contamination
• Environmental monitoring and cleanup oversight
• Community engagement and public notification
• Health monitoring (for local governments, up to 10% of the grant)
• Purchase of environmental insurance

All funded activities must align with federal cost principles and be necessary to achieve cleanup and reuse of the site.

Funding Details

Applicants may request:

• Up to $500,000 for one or more sites, or
• Between $500,001 and $4,000,000 for one or more sites

EPA anticipates making:

• Up to 10 awards in the $500,000 range
• Approximately 26 awards in the $500,001 to $4 million range

Total funding available is expected to be $107,000,000, and each project will have up to a four-year performance period. No cost share is required for this opportunity. Awards may be incrementally or partially funded based on performance and availability of funds.

Solicitation Timeline

• National Outreach Webinar: December 4, 2025 at 1:00 PM ET
• Application Deadline: January 28, 2026 at 11:59 PM ET
• Anticipated Notification of Selection: June 2026
• Anticipated Award Date: September 2026

To access the full Notice of Funding Opportunity, click here.

For help preparing your application, contact Morrison’s Grants Team at grants@morrisonco.net.