EPA Opens $13.6M for Wildfire Smoke Preparedness Grants

The Environmental Protection Agency has opened a $13.58 million funding opportunity for the Wildfire Smoke Preparedness in Community Buildings Grant Program, with individual awards ranging from $350,000 to $2.5 million. Applications are due April 15, 2026.

The EPA anticipates making approximately 11 awards under this announcement, funding projects over a three-year performance period. The program targets the growing public health crisis of wildfire smoke infiltration in community spaces — a concern that has intensified as wildfire seasons lengthen across the western United States and increasingly affect eastern communities.

Eligible Projects and Activities

The program funds a broad range of smoke readiness activities: upgrading and repairing HVAC systems, weatherization improvements, deploying portable air cleaners, establishing cleaner air shelters, and installing indoor and outdoor air quality monitoring systems. Planning, community outreach, and training initiatives also qualify.

States, federally recognized Tribes, public pre-schools, local educational agencies, and nonprofit organizations are all eligible to apply. Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov under Funding Opportunity Number EPA-OAR-ORIA-25-03.

Why This Cycle Matters More Than Previous Rounds

This funding arrives as federal climate resilience spending faces broader political headwinds. The FY2026 appropriations package preserved the EPA's $8.82 billion budget and maintained state-level air quality programs, but future funding for climate adaptation work remains uncertain. Organizations that secure awards in this cycle lock in three years of support regardless of shifting budget priorities.

The program also aligns with a growing body of research linking wildfire smoke exposure to cardiovascular disease, respiratory illness, and cognitive decline — particularly in children and elderly populations. Communities that can demonstrate health equity dimensions in their proposals may find a competitive advantage.

Key Deadlines and Next Steps

Questions about the application process can be submitted to WildfireSmokeGrants@epa.gov through April 8, 2026. All applicants must hold active SAM.gov and Grants.gov registrations before submitting.

Grant seekers can find additional federal environmental funding opportunities at grantedai.com. For detailed application strategies and eligibility analysis, see the Granted blog's in-depth coverage.