The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is pleased to announce funding for projects that will start or expand municipal food scraps recycling programs. To ensure equitable access and development of food scraps recycling opportunities for all New Yorkers, this year’s opportunity will prioritize the first half of available funds for eligible projects serving Environmental Justice and Disadvantaged communities.

The following types of projects are included in this opportunity:

• Increased residential food scraps recycling programs
• New or expanded food scraps recycling programs and/or facilities

a) Funding

Approximately $2 million is available for Municipal Food Scraps Recycling Initiatives Grants. Funding for this grant opportunity was outlined in the 2021/22 NYS Budget, making funds available through the Environmental Protection Fund (which provides funds dedicated to environmental projects including those to help municipalities meet environmental goals and mandates). The first $1,000,000 will prioritize eligible projects that dedicate at least 50% of the total requested funding to serving environmental justice communities.

b) Proposed Project Timeframes

All projects must have defined objectives, tasks, and deliverables accounted for in performance measures that can be completed and invoiced within a 3-year contract period/term. Costs outside of the contract period/term are ineligible. The Master Contract for Grants (MCG) must be fully approved by DEC, and if applicable approved by the Attorney General and the State Comptroller. Time extensions beyond the contract term end date will be determined by the Department based upon written justification from the Grantee. Up to two (2) one-year no cost time extensions will be allowed. Applicants should not submit an application if they do not anticipate their project can be completed within the specified contract term.

c) Minimum and Maximum Award Amounts

Minimum grant amount is $1,000; Maximum grant amount is $200,000.

Engineering costs are limited to 15% of the total project cost.

d) Application Limit/Award limit

Applicants may submit only one application. The application can contain multiple items. Any ineligible items requested in the application will be excluded from the final award amount. A project submitted as the subject of an application that is determined ineligible may be re-submitted in a new application only if the disqualifying factors can be ameliorated for re-submission before the application deadline.

Awards will be given to applications receiving a pass score in the order they are submitted in Grants Gateway, until DEC withdraws this request for applications, funds are exhausted, or May 3, 2024, 3:00 PM EST, whichever comes first.

e) Eligible Project Locations

Eligible projects for grant funding must be located in New York State. This opportunity will prioritize the first half of available funds for eligible projects serving Environmental Justice and Disadvantaged communities. (See section 2. Eligible Applicants)

Applications must be submitted in the grants gateway https://grantsgateway.ny.gov/ .

DEC01-DMMFSR-2021