DEP-BWR-NOI-RFP-FY26-WQM GRANT-ANNOUNCEMENT ONLY

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection is seeking grant proposals for the purpose of supporting ongoing or new monitoring and data collection efforts to increase the amount of external data used for water quality assessments under the federal Clean Water Act. The grant program will provide funding for eligible entities to conduct water quality monitoring and data collection activities, including the purchase of monitoring equipment and supplies, fees for external laboratory analysis, and salary for staff overseeing or conducting monitoring activities. The grant program will also support capacity-building actions that improve an organization's ability to monitor surface waters through field and laboratory work. Key priorities for the grant program include supporting disadvantaged communities, promoting collaborative approaches, and addressing specific priority data needs. Some of the key activities that will be funded through this grant program include: * Direct monitoring of surface waters through field and laboratory work * Associated capacity-building actions that improve an organization's ability to monitor surface waters * Developing regional and long-term monitoring programs and networks * Purchase of monitoring equipment and supplies * Fees for external laboratory analysis * Salary for staff overseeing or conducting monitoring activities * Training of volunteers or organization personnel to conduct monitoring activities * Outreach to the community to increase volunteer participation in organization monitoring activities