Get Ready For the Brownfield Funding Cycle!

September 23, 2025

Brownfields Grant Funding: Your 2025 Opportunity Overview

Summary from the September 23, 2025 Downtown Colorado, Inc. webinar. Click HERE for a copy of the slide deck.

The window is closing on enhanced brownfields funding. This year represents the final opportunity to access Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funding for EPA brownfields grants, which has dramatically increased available dollars and eliminated cost-share requirements. After this cycle, community assessment grants drop from $500,000 to $300,000, standard cleanup grants shrink from up to $4 million back to $500,000 maximum, and cost-share requirements return.

EPA expects to award approximately 165 grants nationally across four categories: community-wide assessment (70 grants), coalition assessment (39 grants), cleanup (36 grants), and multi-purpose (20 grants). Communities have been successfully using these funds for site investigations, cleanup planning, remediation, and revitalization efforts that support economic development and public health goals.

What’s New + Timeline

Key Changes for 2025:

  • Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) delayed until October 2025 (previously September)
  • Roughly 60-day application window likely ending in December
  • Revised guidelines expected with “back to basics” approach
  • Environmental Justice screening likely removed from requirements
  • Last year of enhanced IIJA funding – amounts will likely decrease significantly next year

Key Considerations

Before applying, assess your readiness:

  • Organizational capacity: Can you manage federal procurement and EPA’s ASAP payment system? Do you have the capacity to administer the grant?
  • Timeline fit: Award notifications come in spring/summer, funding starts October 2026
  • Site eligibility: Contact EPA Region 8 early to confirm eligibility for grant funds if you are applying for a cleanup grant and you’re not sure you’re eligible
  • Cleanup grant requirements: Must own site, complete characterization, and post Analysis of Brownfield Alternatives (ABCA) for public comment at least 2 weeks prior to submitting your application

Administrative essentials:

  • Active Grants.gov account and UEI identifier
  • SAM registration with current Authorized Organization Representative
  • Allow extra time for these federal requirements

Application Strategy

The four required sections:

  1. Project Area Description and Plans for Revitalization – Brief but compelling case for funding need
  2. Community Need and Community Engagement – Data-driven evidence of impact on residents
  3. Task Descriptions, Cost Estimates, and Measuring Progress – Technical work plan and budget details
  4. Programmatic Capability and Past Performance – Demonstrated ability to manage grants

Success tips:

  • Create a central narrative connecting brownfields to community challenges
  • Define clear geographic boundaries and target areas
  • Allocate space based on point values (sections worth more points may need more detail)
  • Review successful past applications on KSU TAB website
  • Connect your community story directly to proposed activities and budget

Colorado State Resources

CDPHE Programs:

  • Targeted brownfields assessments and cleanup planning
  • State cleanup grants (summer and fall cycles)
  • Asbestos pilot program (summer 2026)
  • Revolving loan fund with flexible terms
  • Transferable brownfields tax credits (75+ cents on dollar)

Note: State assessment programs currently backlogged – contact early or budget for private consultants.

Essential Contacts & Resources

Key Support:

Grant Writing Resources:

  • Office Hours Sept 23 3-5p: https://ksu.zoom.us/j/91736710514 (3-5pm, no registration) and October 9 1-3p
  • Detailed Strategy Webinar: https://www.ksutab.org/event/us-epa-brownfields-grant-writing-strategies-0
  • KSU TAB EZ: bit.ly/ksutabez
  • KSU Brownfield Inventory Tool (BiT): bit.ly/KSUBiTool

Next Steps:

  1. Contact Kathleen Knox about state support letters (cleanup grants require these)
  2. Review previous successful applications on KSU TAB website
  3. Begin Grants.gov registration process immediately
  4. Schedule site eligibility discussion with EPA Region 8 (if necessary)