205(j) Water Quality Management Planning Grant
Pursuant to Section 205(j)/604(b) of the Clean Water Act, the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Division of Water Resources (DWR) is currently seeking proposals for water quality planning projects using federal fiscal year 2026 grant funds. Only Regional Councils of Government (COGs)/Regional Planning Organizations are eligible to apply for 205(j) grants, however, COGs may partner with any public or private sector organization to implement projects. Download application materials from the Division’s 205j Grant Program Website. Applications are due by Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026, at 11:59 PM EDT.
Overview
Through the Section 205(j) Grant program, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency provides states with funding to do water quality planning. These projects can involve identifying the nature, extent and cause of water quality problems or doing planning work to address those problems. Projects can include but are not limited to the development of EPA 9-Element Watershed Restoration Plans for a 12-digit or smaller USGS HUC, mapping stormwater infrastructure, conducting engineering designs for stormwater best management practices, and watershed assessments of pollutant sources.
205(j) grants are only available to regional Councils of Government (COGs); however, COGs may partner with any public sector organization to implement projects. A match is preferred but not required. Once contracted, projects can run for a maximum of 18 months. Funds are dispersed on a quarterly reimbursement basis, with any invoice to be accompanied by a report of the work performed. The Request for Proposals is released annually in summer and projects are selected in fall.
Watch the What is the 205(j) Water Quality Planning Grant? webinar.
| Timeline | 2026 205j Timetable for Grant Applications |
|---|---|
| Friday, July 24, 2026 | 205(j) grant RFP opens |
| Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026 | Deadline for proposals; must be received electronically by midnight |
| Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026 | Applicants will receive review team’s questions about their proposals |
| Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026 | Deadline for applicants to answer review team’s questions |
| Week of Oct. 26, 2026 | Applicants notified if selected for funding. Move forward with contracting. (estimated depending on DWR grant selection meeting date) |
| Friday, Nov. 6, 2026 | Deadline for selected applicants to return completed contracting forms to 205(j) grant manager, to enable contracts to be developed on time. (estimated depending on notification of award date) |
| Friday, Jan. 1, 2027 | Contracts executed, projects may start. (Estimated depending on time for contract preparation.) |
2026 205(j) Grant Request for Proposals
2026 205(j) Grant Application
2026 205(j) Grant Review Criteria
PIs for funded projects must submit a quarterly report detailing work performed along with any invoice to be reimbursed. If no work is completed in a quarter, no report is required. Final project reports are due 45 days after contract expiration. Project PIs should use the following report and invoice templates:
205j Grant Administrator
Robin Hoffman
robin.hoffman@deq.nc.gov
(919) 707-3643