U.S. EPA Brownfields Grants & Targeted Assessments

Brownfields are complex sites, surrounded by additional liability concerns and regulatory processes. Brownfields also hold the key for many communities to revitalize their economy, become resilient in the face of climate change, and transform health outcomes and to provide neighborhoods with the jobs, housing, parks and amenities they need to thrive.

The Center for Creative Land Recycling provides free technical assistance to state and local governments, tribes, non-profits, housing authorities, development agencies, and other public entities through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. EPA under the Brownfield and Land Revitalization Program. We serve EPA Regions 9 and 10, which includes Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, and the Pacific Island territories.

Our experts have decades of experience working on brownfields projects across the country. View examples of our projects here. CCLR is an expert advisor available to support you throughout the lifetime of your redevelopment project. We will meet you where you’re at, help you work through problems, provide you with resources, help you apply for EPA brownfield grants, and connect you with others who can help.

If you are part of a private entity or other group, or are located outside of EPA Regions 9 and 10, please see information on our consulting services or contact us at [email protected] for information on how we may be able to provide discounted support based on project merit and demonstration of need.

FY26 Multipurpose, Assessment and Cleanup (MAC) Grants

Open Nov. 20 2025 – Jan. 28 2026

EPA is now accepting grant applications for FY26 Brownfield Grants.

View Funding Opportunities at Grants.Gov:

EPA Live Outreach Webinars

EPA will provide two guideline outreach webinars to assist applicants with understanding the Narrative criteria for the FY 2026 Multipurpose, Assessment, and Cleanup Grant Guidelines. There is no need to pre-register for either webinar.

Note, these webinars will cover the Narrative criteria only, not the grant submission process, Application Information Sheet, or threshold requirements.

A recording of the webinars and the presentations will be made available on the MARC Grant Application Resources at a later date.

Preparing for your Grant Application

CCLR recommends these following resources to help you craft a grant-winning application:

• CCLR and National League of Cities Brownfield Workshop resource
• Review examples of successful EPA grant applications
• EPA’s Multipurpose, Assessment, RLF, and Cleanup (MARC) Grant Application Resources page
• KSU TAB EZ: this template can help you develop your grant application within EPA’s submission requirements.

CCLR Grant Review Services

The Center for Creative Land Recycling offers cost-free review of EPA brownfield grant applications for entities in: Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Washington State, the Pacific Territories.

In FY25 91% of selectees from Regions 9 and 10 had their grants reviewed by CCLR, securing $30.9 million in funding!

Grant review submission instructions:

• Email the narrative of your FY2026 EPA Brownfield Grant Application to [email protected] by January 7, 2026 to provide time for two full rounds of comments. Drafts should be complete and within 2 pages of the page limit.
• Attach your application in Microsoft word (doc/docx) format.
• Name the file: APPLICANT NAME_STATE_GRANT TYPE_Review Request. (Exp. City of Whoville_OR_Cleanup_Review Request)
• CCLR will also provide feedback on your Narrative Information Sheet, Threshold Criteria Response, and other application materials upon request.
• To Consultants: If you are sending CCLR an application on behalf of an eligible applicant, you must include the applicant’s contact information and copy the applicant on all communications CCLR. We won’t begin application review until the applicant is included!

Application tips:

• Contact CCLR early: we are happy to provide feedback on portions of your application or answer questions you may have along the way. Reach out to the technical assistance team member you already work with, or schedule a meeting on Calendly.
• Watch your application length: EPA limits Cleanup and CWA applications to 10 pages, and CWGST, MP and Coalition Assessment grant applications to 12 pages. If drafts are too long, you may be asked to edit and resubmit for review.
• Use your budget to drive your narrative, not the other way around. Tips on how to craft an accurate budget.
• Support your narrative with data. View our resource ‘Using Data to Make Your Case’

An Important note regarding Threshold Criteria Response review and questions

If you include your Threshold Criteria Response sheet along with your grant narrative when you request a review, CCLR will look at it to confirm that you have provided a response to each and every threshold item and may flag missing or confusing information. However, CCLR will not judge the quality or completeness of the threshold responses or the applicants’ eligibility to apply.

If you have threshold or eligibility related questions, please be in touch with EPA – Lisa Hanusiak for R9 ([email protected]) and Terri Griffith and Meredith Lightbody for R10 ([email protected] [email protected] )

We strongly encourage you to include the Threshold Criteria Response attachment as the consequences of incomplete or unclear responses to threshold criteria could include your grant application being rejected for consideration.