The State Water Resources Control Board voted unanimously on September 1 to adopt the 2027 Nonpoint Source Grant Program Guidelines, opening the path for significant funding to address water pollution across California. Resolution 2026-0032 authorizes board staff to solicit and recommend projects for funding, and further empowers the executive director or their designee to award grants and execute the necessary finance agreements that will bring these projects to fruition, according to the board’s meeting minutes.
This new program is specifically designed to fund initiatives focused on reducing nonpoint-source pollution, which includes various forms of runoff that ultimately find their way into the state's waterways. The California Grants Portal indicates a total funding amount of $3.5 million available for this fiscal 2027 opportunity. Individual awards are expected to range from $100,000 to $1 million. However, the State Water Board’s own solicitation materials specify separate award bands for planning and implementation projects, allowing for a broader scope of eligible proposals.
Eligible applicants for these grants include a range of public and private entities. The State Water Board’s grant program page lists qualifying nonprofit organizations, federally recognized tribes, public agencies, and public colleges as entities that can apply for funding. The program outlines several types of work that qualify for support, many of which directly impact local land use and water quality.
Examples of eligible work include the implementation of agricultural best-management practices, which are crucial for minimizing environmental impact from farming operations. Other projects include livestock fencing and off-stream watering systems designed to protect waterbodies from animal waste, improvements to forest roads to reduce erosion, and stream restoration efforts to enhance ecological health. Controls for dairy or equestrian manure and runoff are also highlighted as eligible activities, emphasizing the program's focus on diverse sources of pollution.
Completed proposals for the 2027 Nonpoint Source Grant Program are due by 5 p.m. on December 18, 2026. Submissions must be made through the Financial Assistance Application Submittal Tool, as directed by the State Water Board. Prospective applicants are advised and directed to coordinate with staff at their applicable Regional Water Board before submitting their proposals. This preliminary coordination is intended to ensure alignment with regional priorities and application requirements.
According to the solicitation page, projects generally must target a priority watershed or pollutant area and must be supported by a nine-element watershed-based plan. This requirement ensures that proposed projects are part of a comprehensive strategy for water quality improvement. Additionally, a 25% funding match is typically required from applicants, though this condition may be waived under certain circumstances.
While the grant opportunity is available statewide, the eligibility of proposals will ultimately be determined by the specific watershed, waterbody, and pollutant priorities of the applicable Regional Water Board. The adopted guidelines for the program include detailed regional preference tables. Applicants are strongly encouraged to review these tables, along with all other solicitation materials, thoroughly before preparing and submitting their applications to maximize their chances of qualifying. Awards for the program are expected to be announced in spring 2027.
