Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling (SWIFR) Grants for Tribes and Intertribal Consortia | EPA I OLEM ORCR 25 02

Opportunity Information: Apply for EPA I OLEM ORCR 25 02

The Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling (SWIFR) Grants for Tribes and Intertribal Consortia is a discretionary funding opportunity from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) focused on strengthening recycling and broader post-consumer materials management systems in tribal communities. The program is designed to help local waste management authorities make practical, on-the-ground improvements to how materials are collected, processed, and managed after use, with an emphasis on municipal-style recycling programs and other upgrades to local waste management systems that can reduce waste and improve overall system performance.

At its core, SWIFR is meant to fund infrastructure and system improvements that move communities toward a more circular, systems-focused economy, as described in Section 302(a) of the Save Our Seas 2.0 Act. That framing goes beyond simply increasing recycling rates. It emphasizes designing and operating systems that keep materials at their highest value for as long as possible, support restorative or regenerative approaches, and reduce waste through better design of materials, products, and service models. In practice, that typically aligns with projects that modernize collection and sorting, expand access to recycling services, strengthen end markets and material pathways, and improve local capacity to manage materials efficiently and sustainably.

This opportunity is offered as a cooperative agreement, meaning recipients should generally expect active involvement from the EPA during the project period compared with a standard grant. The funding opportunity number is EPA I OLEM ORCR 25 02, and it sits within the EPA program area tied to environmental work (including the IIJ category as listed in the opportunity data). The listed CFDA number for this program is 66.920.

Funding is substantial, with an award ceiling of $1,500,000 per award, and the EPA anticipates making around 20 awards under this announcement. The application closing date is December 12, 2025, giving eligible applicants time to develop proposals that clearly define current gaps in local materials management and specify how proposed investments will measurably improve recycling and waste system outcomes. The opportunity was created on September 8, 2025.

Eligibility is specifically aimed at tribes and intertribal consortia (and the announcement indicates applicants should review Section 2 of the funding opportunity announcement for the complete eligibility rules and definitions). In short, the program is positioned to support tribal-led or tribally coordinated efforts to build or upgrade the infrastructure, programs, and operational capacity needed for stronger post-consumer materials management, aligned with the national policy direction of reducing waste and supporting circular economy principles.

• The Environmental Protection Agency in the environment, iij sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling (SWIFR) Grants for Tribes and Intertribal Consortia" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 66.920.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2025-09-08.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-12-12. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,500,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 20 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

Apply for EPA I OLEM ORCR 25 02

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