Fwd: Reduce, Reuse, Reimagine: Materials Management 2026 Grants Announcement

[Jeanette Hardison]

A very different DEQ Grant focus this coming year...

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From: DEQ Online Subscriptions <or...@public.govdelivery.com>
Date: Tue, Jul 15, 2025, 9:00 AM
Subject: Reduce, Reuse, Reimagine: Materials Management 2026 Grants Announcement
To: <Hardi...@gmail.com>

Haz clic aquí para leer el mensaje en español. 2026 Grant Cycle Update: Funding Priority Area and Application Timeline Announced Thank you for your interest in DEQ’s Materials Management: Reduce, Reuse, Reimagine Grant Program! In this update we are sharing information about the 2026 funding area, a few project examples, eligibility requirements and application timeline. Visit our website to learn more! Funding Area  In 2024, DEQ introduced a funding area. To be eligible for an RRR grant, all project proposals must fit within the grant cycle’s funding area. The 2026 grant cycle will have up to $2 million available to disburse across eligible projects. The 2026 funding area is: Built for Well-Being: Reducing Exposure to Toxic Substances in Building Materials    Many building materials — such as carpet, paint, furniture, insulation, and contract textiles —contain toxic chemicals that are harmful to people and to the environment. The 2026 RRR Grant cycle will fund projects that help reduce exposure to these toxic chemicals. A helpful framework for identifying chemicals of concern is the Six Classes approach (more info below). Projects can focus on other chemicals and methods of reducing exposure to toxics in building materials with compelling rationale.   The Six Chemical Classes We're Focused On  PFAS  Antimicrobials   Flame Retardants  Bisphenols & Phthalates  Solvents   Heavy Metals  Don’t worry if you’re not familiar with these! We’ll host free webinars before the application period opens to help you learn more. Visit DEQ’s website to learn more about the Six Chemical Classes.  Potential Project Examples   Buying safer building materials that don’t include harmful chemicals such as furniture without flame retardants, low-VOC emitting paints, etc.   Creating guides to help homeowners and contractors choose safer materials  Starting programs to carefully take apart old buildings and avoid spreading lead or asbestos  Testing a new, safer building product (like hemp insulation instead of toxic foam)  These are just a few examples. We are open to other creative ideas that reduce toxic exposures in building materials.  Who Can Apply  The following entities are eligible to apply for the Reduce, Reuse, Reimagine Grants:  Local Government  Nonprofit (501(c)3 and 501(c)4), including fiscally sponsored organizations   Organizations created through intergovernmental agreements  Public School, Public University or Community College  Small Business (50 employees or less)  Tribal Nation, Government, and Entities  Set-Aside Grant Fund for Federally Recognized Tribes  To support the leadership and environmental stewardship of Oregon’s nine federally recognized Tribal Nations, DEQ is setting aside up to $500,000 of the total $2 million grant fund specifically for Tribal governments, Tribal enterprises, and businesses owned by Tribal governments. These set-aside funds help create a more inclusive funding opportunity while ensuring all applicants have access to funding that supports statewide efforts to reduce the environmental and human health impacts of materials at all stages of their life cycle.  Application Timeline  The application period will open in Spring 2026, and applications will be accepted through the WebGrants online platform. We will share more details on exact dates soon.  What’s Next  We will continue to share updates through this email list and our website as more information becomes available. Look for more information about webinars, applicant handbook, and more in the coming months.  If you have any questions, please reach out to our grants team at: RRRG...@deq.oregon.gov. SUBSCRIBER SERVICES: Manage Subscriptions  |   Unsubscribe All  |   Help This email was sent to Hardi...@gmail.com using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)  700 NE Multnomah St., Suite #600, Portland, OR 97232 · 503-229-5696