Funding Opportunity for Indian Tribes and Intertribal Consortia for Nonpoint Source Management Grants Under Clean Water Act Section 319

Margot Buckelew
tribal319grants@epa.gov

Grants.gov contact center:
800.518.4726
support@grants.gov
Self-service knowledge base

This program provides funding to develop and/or implement watershed-based plans and on-the-ground projects that will result in significant steps towards solving Nonpoint Source (NPS) water quality impairments on a watershed-wide basis.

Examples of eligible project activities include:

• Road stabilization or removal
• Planting on the banks of rivers and streams (riparian planting)
• Streambank stabilization
• Natural water channel restoration
• Development of low impact storm water management practices
• Livestock exclusion fencing
• Nutrient or grazing management practices
• NPS ordinance development
• Septic system rehabilitation
• Project monitoring
• Development of a watershed-based plan
• Training
• Materials, education, and outreach

List of eligible tribes

To be eligible to apply, tribes and intertribal consortia must have met all eligibility requirements as of October 10, 2025:

1. Be federally recognized
2. Have an EPA-approved NPS assessment report in accordance with CWA section 319(a)
3. Have an EPA-approved NPS management program in accordance with CWA section 319(b)
4. Have "treatment-in-a-manner-similar-to-a-state" (TAS) status in accordance with CWA section 518(e)

Award ceiling: $175,000
Estimated number of awards: 20
Total program funding: $3,500,000

The program requires a non-federal cost share/match of 40% of the total project cost. The match may be provided through cash or in-kind contributions. EPA may decrease the match requirement if the applicant can demonstrate a hardship submitted in writing to the appropriate regional administrator. Additional guidance on cost sharing is available in the application instructions.

A portion of the total funding will be set aside for applicants that have not received a competitive CWA Section 319 Tribal program grant in the last five years. Up to 5 recipients will be selected for these funds.

Links to the full announcement, application instructions, and the online application process are available through grants.gov and the EPA website.