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Materials Management Grants Program

Reduce Reuse Reimagine: Materials Management Grants

Following a successful relaunch in 2024, Oregon DEQ's Materials Management program is ready to share some information about the next solicitation of the Reduce, Reuse, Reimagine Grants. New features of the next solicitation will include:
  • Biennial grant cycle (instead of annual), with the next solicitation scheduled for early 2026 
  • Up to $2 million available for the 2026 grant cycle 
  • Extended application windows to provide applicants with additional time to develop strong proposals 
  • Expanded applicant support, including more information sessions, office hours, and webinars 

Additional program enhancements based on insights and feedback from recent applicants, to be announced soon. 

  • ​​Application process
    The first step of the solicitation period is a simple pre-application. Following an eligibility screen, the most competitive projects will be invited to submit a main application.
  • First-time applicants
    Extra points will be awarded to first-time applicants during the main application round and we strongly encourage projects that address inequities in BIPOC, rural, and underrepresented communities to apply. ​​
  • Grant term
    Grant recipients will have up to 24 months to complete their projects. 

​To align with DEQ's 2050 Vision and Framework for Action, the Reduce, Reuse, Reimagine Grant Program previously adopted a dedicated funding priority for each grant cycle. While the 2024 cycle focused on waste prevention, the 2026 cycle will support projects in the Built Environment sector. The built environment encompasses the physical spaces we occupy, along with the infrastructures—both physical and social—that shape daily life, well-being, and ecological systems. DEQ's work in the built environment aims to build relationships, and support efforts that eliminate harm, enhance well-being, and create a just future for all beings. 

Thank you for your continued engagement and commitment to support statewide efforts to reduce the environmental and human health impacts of materials at all stages of their life cycle.   

For more information and updates, please sign up for our newsletter or reach out with any questions.

2024 grant announcement

Oregon Department of Environmental Quality's Reduce, Reuse, Reimagine: Materials Management Grants Program is proud to announce the recipients of the 2024 waste prevention grant cycle! 

Visit our 2024 grant recipient page or learn more about the 2024 grant recipients through our interactive story map!

Additional information

​​Grant funds may be used for (but are not limited to) the following activities and costs, so long as they are directly tied to the grant project and are supported by legible proof of payment documentation.

Eligible activities:

  • Education and outreach
  • Training
  • Research
  • Program, project or policy development
  • Workforce development

Eligible costs:

  • Administrative costs, such as travel, office expenses, and overhead
  • Salaries and benefits for project personnel and payments to consultants or contractors
  • Publications and other printed materials
  • Machinery, vehicles, equipment, signs, containers and project-related supplies

​Ineligible costs:

Grant funds cannot be used for:

  • Costs for which payment has been or will be received under another financial assistance program.
  • Costs associated with solid waste or materials management planning that are outside the scope the proposed project.
  • Costs incurred before DEQ issues a grant agreement (anticipated January 2025).
  • Costs incurred after the expiration date of the grant agreement (anticipated January 2027).
  • License applications or permit fees.
  • Ordinary operating expenses of the grant applicant that are not directly related to the project.
  • Costs incurred for permitted facility closures.
  • Payment of fines, penalties, arrears, judgments or other such obligations.
  • Costs associated with preparing a grant proposal, proposal, stock or debt offering, formation of partnerships, incorporations, fundraising or other forms of such business costs.
  • Any activity or program that supports mechanical, chemical or other forms of recycling of paper, packaging, food serviceware or other products.​

​

​​​DEQ accepts grant applications through the online system called WebGrants. New WebGrants account will be approved beginning late 2025. If you would like to request accommodations to apply in another format, send an email to our grants team at: RRRGrants@deq.oregon.gov ​

How do I access WebGrants?

Visit the WebGrants site.
WebGrants works best on a laptop or desktop. You may encounter problems using a cell phone.​

I created my account on WebGrants but can’t log in. What do I do?

All new registrants will need to be approved individually by DEQ’s grants coordinator. You will receive an email with a username and a temporary password. Please allow 1-2 days after registration to receive this email. If you do not receive a confirmation email contact RRRGrants@deq.oregon.gov​ ​for assistance.

When creating an account in the online grants system, whose information should I provide in the 'User Information' section? Whose information should I provide in the 'Organization Information' section?

The information under “user information” should be of the grant writer or main point of contact for the grant application. The Organization Information should be the information for the organization that you are representing and seeking funding for.


​​Information session dates for the 2025 grant cycle will be announced in late 2025.

Disclaimer: These documents may not contain current contact or program information and should be used for reference only.


Other resources will be added as they become available.

​​​​​Eligibility and ineligibility questions


Q: Who is eligible for your grants program?
A: The following entities are eligible to apply:
  •  Local governments
  •  Nonprofits (501(c)(3) and (c)(4) status, or a fiscally sponsored organization
  •  Tribal Nations
  •  Organizations created through intergovernmental agreements
  •  Public School, Public university or Community College
  •  Small business (50 employees or less)
Q: What costs does a Reduce, Reuse, Reimagine grant allow? 
A: The following are eligible costs:
  • Administrative costs, such as travel, office expenses, and overhead
  • Salaries and benefits for project personnel and payments to consultants or contractors
  • Publications and other printed materials
  • Machinery, vehicles, equipment, signs, containers and project-related supplies
 
Q: If I am awarded a grant, would I be ineligible for MIRROR grants?
A: No. Being awarded an RRR grant does not impact eligibility for MIRROR grant funding.
 
Q: Are projects that focus on recycling eligible?
A: No. Recycling-focused projects and associated program costs are not eligible.

Q; Is rent on physical space (storage, warehousing, operations, office) an eligible expense for grant funds? 
A. Yes, rent on physical space is an eligible expense. 
 

Application questions


​Q: Is there an obligation to proceed to the main application if invited after the pre-application?
A: No, you are not required to submit a main application if you are invited.
 
Q: Will a scoring rubric be provided so we know what is most important in the application?
A: Yes, our scoring criteria will be available on our website and linked within the application on the WebGrants platform.

Q: Can organizations submit more than one grant application?
A: An organization can submit more than one grant application for different projects. The applications must be for distinct projects and cannot be combined.
 
Q: Can two entities partner on a project and submit an application together? 
A: Yes. One entity should complete an application as the main applicant and may list the partner entity as a subcontractor. Funds will only be disbursed to the main applicant.
 
Q: It is stated that first-time applicants will receive extra points. How are first time applicants defined? When will the extra points be awarded?
A: A first-time applicant is an independent entity that has not applied for a Materials Management grant during a previous grant cycle. For example: a particular department (Department A) within a government agency is applying for a Materials Management grant for the first time. A different department (Department B) within that same government agency applied for a Materials Management grant in 2017. Department A would be considered a first-time applicant, even if Department B applied in 2017. If you are unsure whether or not you are a first-time applicant, ask us and we will let you know. 

Q: Can you describe the difference between the pre-application and main applications? 
A: The prep-application has a few narrative questions that will ask the applicant to address information about their organization, their project and how it related to the waste prevention funding area, and the community their project serves. The main application will ask more detailed questions about your project goals, outcomes, budget, and timelines.   

Q: Are letters of support required?
A: Three letters of support are required with the main application. At least one letter of support must come from someone who will directly benefit from the proposed project such as residents, neighbors, local environmental justice groups, or others. 
Letters may also come from:  

  • Former or current grantors  
  • Former or current partner organizations 
  • Local governments or jurisdiction representatives  
  • Subject matter experts  

Funding questions


Q: Are submissions with matching funds more competitive in this process?
A: Matching funds are not required and are not a criterion for scoring.
 
Q: Is there an option to have this grant renewed and the project sustained past the two-year grant period? 
A: No. Grant funds for each grant cycle are only available during the 24-month grant term and cannot be renewed. The Reduce, Reuse, Reimagine grant program will have annual funding opportunities with a new funding area each year.

Q: When will funds be dispersed? 
A: Grant agreements will be generated starting in January. Funds will be dispersed after the agreement is final. 
 
Q: Can you provide more detail on the 3-installment timeframe?
A:  Installment timeframes will differ based on the schedule of each grant recipient. The first 50% of funds are disbursed at the execution of the grant agreement. Installment 2 (40% of grant) will be disbursed after the grant recipient has spent the first installment and provided DEQ with all receipts and a report documenting how the grant funds were spent. Installment 3 (10% of grant) will be disbursed after the grant recipient has spent the second installment and provided DEQ with all receipts and a report documenting how the grant funds were spent.

Q: Is there a certain amount of funds allocated for each region? 
A: No. The total funding amount is available across the entire state.  

Q: Does the amount of funding an organization can apply for different based on the entity apply? 
A: No. The funding range is the same for all entities. 

Q: Do you have an estimate of how many awards you might make? 
A: No. We will award the full amount of funding that is available so long as we receive project proposals that fit within our program's annual funding area and goals. We do not know the number of projects that will be awarded.  

Q: How is the Reduce, Reuse, Reimage Grants program funded?  
A: The program is funded through statewide fees on landfill tipping.

Q: If a grant recipient is requesting funds to pay a salary, is it critical that the organization demonstrate they can continue to pay the salary after the 2-year grant project?
A: The budget tables on the main application only request you to show the funding you are requesting during the grant term. It is not required that an applicant demonstrates how they will continue to the project after the granting term.

Q: What is average amount grant award?
A: The average grant amount varies. Grant evaluation and scoring is not based on the dollar amount requested.
 
Q: For administrative costs, what indirect rate is allowed?
A: The maximum indirect cost rate is 15% unless your organization has a negotiated indirect rate with the federal government. The indirect rate that is charged to DEQ cannot be higher than what is charged against any other provider of funding.


Contact

If you have any questions you can reach out to the Reduce, Reuse, Reimagine Grants team.

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