Nonpoint Source Program Grant

See also: NPS Program Home Texas NPS Management Program Quality Assurance Project Plans Watershed Protection Plans NPS Grant Funded Projects Texas NPS Annual Reports Public Education Materials On this page: Grant Application Types of Projects Prioritized Eligibility Requirements Related to Stormwater Activities Quality Assurance Requirements Guidance for NPS Grants Tools for Documenting Pollutant Reductions Funding for Septic Systems/On-Site Sewage Facilities Other Nonpoint Source Funding For More Information Grant Application TCEQ and the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board (TSSWCB) administer a federal grant for  activities that prevent or reduce nonpoint source (NPS) pollution . The grant is made available through a federal program authorized under Section 319(h) of the Clean Water Act. Funds are appropriated by Congress. The grant will reimburse 60%  of the cost of selected projects; applicants provide the other  40%  of the cost as  match which may include in-kind services by volunteers or partner organizations. The Request for Grant Applications (RFGA) for the Federal FY27 Clean Water Act Section 319(h) Grant submittal period is closed. Our next RFGA will open in the summer of 2027. You must submit a separate application form for each individual project proposed. All applicants that meet submission requirements will be notified of the outcome of their proposal, and TCEQ will ask selected applicants (usually in the fall) to submit a revised project proposal addressing any comments. TCEQ and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will review proposals and may negotiate revisions of the projects. TCEQ will then develop a contract with each applicant, which is anticipated to start on September 1 of the following year. Types of Projects Prioritized You can find descriptions of past projects funded through the TCEQ’s Nonpoint Source Program on our Projects webpage . Agricultural and silvicultural projects addressing nonpoint source pollution are funded through the  TSSWCB Section 319(h) Grant Program. The types of projects that are prioritized include those that: lead to water quality improvements develop and implement EPA-accepted watershed protection plans (WPPs). Eligibility Nonprofit organizations, federal agencies and all state agencies or political subdivisions of the State of Texas—including districts, state universities, and special districts—are eligible. Individuals and for-profit business organizations may participate in projects as partners or contractors but may not apply for direct funding. Applicants are encouraged to partner with other federal authorities to increase the impact of their activities. Activities and Costs That Are Eligible To be eligible for funding, a project must address the priorities identified in the  most recent Texas Nonpoint Source Management Program . Priority is given to developing and implementing WPPs. Local stakeholder groups guide the development of these voluntary plans to restore and protect water quality in specific Texas waterways. This planning process commonly involves gathering or assessing water quality data, determining the probable causes and sources of pollution, and selecting management measures designed to reduce pollution through voluntary efforts. Half of this grant program’s funding must be spent to implement federally accepted WPPs. For more information about these plans please refer to our  Watershed Protection Plan webpage and the  NPS Project Viewer an interactive mapping application for Texas WPPs and projects that are protecting and restoring specific bays. Water bodies in the most recent