901 Municipal Waste Planning Grant
🏛 Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
✓ Free, no account · Source: Pennsylvania Grants (CODE PA) · Last verified Jul 20, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for Pennsylvania counties seeking funding to prepare municipal waste management plans and related studies. Eligible activities include feasibility studies, environmental mediation, research on siting, and project development for waste processing, disposal, or composting facilities. Combustion facilities without energy recovery are excluded. Each county may request no more than $75,000 per calendar year and cannot exceed 80% of approved project costs.
Before applying, the applicant must meet with the appropriate DEP Regional Planning and Recycling Coordinator to discuss the project. Applications may be submitted at any time during the year. No federal cost-sharing requirement applies.
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Program description
The Section 901 Planning Grants are available to all Pennsylvania counties for the cost of preparing municipal waste management plans; the cost of carrying out related studies, surveys, investigations, inquiries, research and analyses, including those related to siting; Environmental mediation; and feasibility studies and project development for municipal waste processing, disposal or composting facilities, except for facilities for the combustion of municipal waste that are not proposed to be operated for the recovery of energy. A county may not request or receive more than $75,000 per calendar year for planning nor exceed more than 80% of approved project costs. Applications may be submitted at any time during the year. Prior to applying, the applicant must meet with the appropriate DEP Regional Planning and Recycling Coordinator to discuss the proposed project and the grant requirements.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- Application form
- Municipal waste management plan or proposed plan
- Feasibility study or project development documentation
- Project budget and cost breakdown
- Evidence of pre-application meeting with DEP Regional Coordinator
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
Pennsylvania counties can apply. Applicants must meet with their DEP Regional Planning and Recycling Coordinator before submitting.
What activities are eligible for funding?
Planning, studies, surveys, research, environmental mediation, and feasibility studies for waste management facilities. Combustion facilities without energy recovery are not eligible.
What is the maximum award amount?
Counties may request no more than $75,000 per calendar year and cannot exceed 80% of approved project costs.
When can I apply?
Applications may be submitted at any time during the year. No specific deadline applies.
Do I need to provide matching funds?
No federal cost-sharing is required, but your project costs cannot exceed the grant amount by more than 20%.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Meet with your DEP Regional Planning and Recycling Coordinator early in the process. This is required before applying.
- Request no more than $75,000 per calendar year. Going higher will result in automatic rejection.
- Ensure your project budget clearly shows how the grant covers approved costs. Document the 80% maximum calculation.
- Compile detailed studies and feasibility reports showing the need for the project. Strong data strengthens competitiveness.
- Start early even though rolling deadline applies. Coordination meetings take time.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Submitting without pre-application meeting with DEP Regional Coordinator. Requesting more than $75,000 or exceeding 80% of project costs. Proposing ineligible activities like combustion facilities without energy recovery.
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