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Reuse, Reduce, Reimagine, Materials Management Grants Program

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. Updated features of the 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
  • 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.
  • 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 recipients will have up to 24 months to complete their projects.

Funding priority

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. The 2026 grant cycle will have up to $2 million available to disburse across eligible projects.

The 2026 annual 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 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.

Read through the dropdown menu below for an overview of the 2026 grant cycle and important application information.

​Why reduce exposure to toxins in building materials?

Many substances used in construction and renovation—especially those in the Six Classes—are linked to serious health issues like birth defects, learning disabilities, and cancer. Adhesives, paints, and sealants can release harmful fumes that contribute to respiratory illness in both workers and building occupants. 

Choosing less toxic materials helps protect vulnerable populations, including children, the elderly, and people with chronic health conditions. 

Supporting safer alternatives encourages manufacturers and vendors to shift toward more sustainable materials. 


Six chemical classes
  1. PFAS – Often called “forever chemicals;" used for water, stain, and grease resistance. They build up in the body and environment and are linked to health issues like cancer and immune problems.
  2. Antimicrobials – Added to materials to kill germs or prevent mold. Some types may affect hormones or contribute to antibiotic resistance.
  3. Flame Retardants – Used to slow the spread of fire in furniture and electronics. Many are toxic and can impact brain development and hormone systems.
  4. Bisphenols & Phthalates – Found in plastics and vinyl to make them harder or more flexible. These chemicals can disrupt hormones and are especially risky during early development.
  5. Solvents – Used in products like paints and adhesives to dissolve other substances. Breathing them in can harm the brain, liver, or lungs.
  6. Heavy Metals (e.g., Lead, Mercury, Cadmium) – Naturally occurring but highly toxic at low levels. Exposure can damage the brain, kidneys, and other organs, especially in children.

Learn more about the six classes of harmful chemicals on the Green Science Policy Institute website.

Haz clic aquí para aprender mas sobre las substancias toxicas en los materiales de construcción.​

​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 choose safer materials
  • Starting programs to carefully take apart old buildings and avoid spreading lead or asbestos
  • Teaching contractors about safer material choices
  • Testing a new, safer building product (like hemp insulation instead of toxic foam)
  • Changing design or purchasing rules to prefer safer materials
  • Developing school lessons about safer chemistry in building materials
  • Researching how to remove or replace a specific toxic chemical
Prioritized​ grant fund for federally-recognized Tribes 

To support the leadership and environmental stewardship of Oregon's nine federally recognized Tribal Nations, DEQ is prioritizing​ up to $500,000 of the total $2 million grant fund specifically for Tribal governments, Tribal enterprises, and businesses owned by Tribal governments.

These prioritized 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

Please expect regular grant updates to be shared via this web page and our newsletter. If you're not currently registered for our newsletter, sign up for updates on GovDelivery.

​

​​​​​​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:

  • Environmental cleanup: cleaning up old, polluted sites (e.g., brownfields)

  • Hazardous waste management: dealing with chemical waste

  • Required activities: projects already required by law (for example, mandatory deconstruction required by Portland's Deconstruction Ordinance)

  • Projects focused on other types of materials: such as clothing or packaging—this grant is only for building materials.

  • 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 Sessions

DEQ is hosting information sessions for those interested in applying for the 2026 Built Environment grant cycle. Sessions will cover funding areas, project eligibility, application guidance, and timelines. Attendees will have time for Q&A and can connect with DEQ staff to discuss project ideas. 

All sessions are via Zoom (registration required) and will be recorded and posted to the DEQ website within one week. For accessibility needs or translation services, contact RRRGrants@deq.oregon.gov at least five days in advance. 

Tuesday, March 10, 2026 – 1 p.m. - 2 p.m.   

Saturday, March 21, 2026 – 9 a.m. - 10 a.m. 

Wednesday, March 25, 2026 – 6 p.m. - 7 p.m.  

Monday, March 31, 2026 – 3 p.m. - 4 p.m.  

Office Hours  

DEQ will be hosting open office hours the week before the pre-application is due. This is an opportunity for interested applicants to drop-in and ask questions related to their project or application. There will be no formal presentation. These office hours will not be recorded, but questions will be collected and shared on the DEQ website. As a reminder, the pre-application is due on April 30, 2026.  

Webinars​

DEQ hosted webinars in November 2025 that covered the 2026 funding area, Built for Well-Being: Reducing Exposure to Toxic Substances in Building Materials. If you missed the sessions, you can view a recording and resources:​

Sign-up for our newsletter to stay informed about upcoming opportunities.

​If you would like to request materials translated into a different language, please contact RRRGrants@deq.oregon.gov​

Cantonese

German
Mandarin
Russian
Spanish
Vietnamese


​​​​​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 the MIRROR grants?
A: No. Being awarded an RRR grant does not impact eligibility for MIRROR 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  

Q: Can an organization provide a letter of support for one application and apply separately for their own grant?  
A: Yes.   ​

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 bi​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: 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.

Q: Are there restrictions on prioritizing specific populations?
A: No. This grant does not have restrictions on prioritizing specific populations. However, to support the leadership and environmental stewardship of Oregon's nine federally recognized Tribal Nations, DEQ is prioritizing up to $500,000 of the total $2 million grant fund specifically for Tribal governments, Tribal enterprises, and businesses owned by Tribal governments. 

Q: Are there any historical patterns of how many projects will be funded?
A: ​In the previous grant cycle, we were able to fund at least one successful applicant from each eligible entity (e.g., local governments, tribes, small businesses). 


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


Contact

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

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