NY Technical Assistance Grants (TAGs)

NY Technical Assistance Grants (TAGs)

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC)
Amount: Up to US $50,000
Last Updated: February 23, 2026

Summary

The NY Technical Assistance Grants (TAGs) program offers funding up to $50,000 to eligible community groups for independent technical assistance related to environmental remediation activities. TAGs help communities understand contamination issues and the remediation process at significant threat sites, as designated by the State Superfund Program and the Brownfield Cleanup Program. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation encourages applications from non-profit organizations looking to enhance public awareness and involvement in environmental decision-making.

Overview

NOTE: Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis by the Department. TAGs are authorized pursuant to Environmental Conservation Law, Article 27, Title 13 (State Superfund Program) and Title 14 (Brownfield Cleanup Program (BCP)). TAGs are citizen participation tools that are available to eligible community groups to increase public awareness and understanding of remedial activities taking place in their communities. The purpose of a TAG is to obtain independent technical assistance in interpreting environmental and health information generated and/or evaluated under the State Superfund Program or BCP about an eligible site. An eligible site is one that the State has determined poses a significant threat to public health and the environment. Specifically, technical assistance is provided to help the TAG recipient and the community at large understand the nature and extent of contamination at the eligible site, and the development and implementation of a remedy for the remediation of the eligible site. TAG funding is limited to $50,000 per eligible site. TAG funding is provided in the form of a State Assistance Contract (SAC). The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (Department) encourages community groups which are interested in becoming more involved in the decision-making process and that need assistance in understanding the technical aspects associated with the remediation of an eligible site to submit an application for a TAG.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. A community group must meet all the following criteria to be eligible:Be a non-responsible-party community group or non-responsible-party community group in partnership with another non-responsible-party community group;Be a not-for-profit corporation having 501(c)(3) status under the Internal Revenue Code;Be a group whose members' health, economic well-being or enjoyment of the environment may be affected by a release or threatened release of contamination at the eligible site; andBe a group whose membership represents the interests of the community affected by the eligible site.Sites that are eligible for a TAG include:Class 2 sites on the New York State Registry of Inactive Hazardous Waste Disposal Sites (State Superfund Program significant threat sites), orSites being remediated under the State's Brownfield Cleanup Program (BCP) that the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has determined pose a significant threat to public health and/or the environment.Eligible ActivitiesActivities eligible for TAG funding are those that will result in the TAG recipient obtaining independent technical assistance in interpreting and understanding environmental and health information generated and/or evaluated under the State Superfund Program or BCP about the nature and extent of contamination at the eligible site, the proposed and selected remedy and its implementation. A portion of TAG funds also may be used to disseminate information to the community about the environmental and health information and remedial activities. The scope of work and the related budget should reflect an appropriate balance of technical assistance and outreach. Only costs incurred after the date of the TAG application approval letter are eligible.Technical assistance provided by qualified environmental professionals (see description of qualified environmental professionals in Section 4.3 below). Examples of activities would include, but are not limited to, the following:Review of all site-related technical documents and information available to the public under the State Superfund Program or BCP (e.g., work plans, remedy selection documents, design documents, health assessments);The preparation of public comments on behalf of the TAG recipient about site-related technical documents, including proposed site remedies;The interpretation and presentation of site-related environmental information to the TAG recipient and the community at large.The dissemination to the community of environmental information about the nature of the hazard of contaminants at the site and remedial activities associated with the site that have been and/or will be performed under the State Superfund Program or BCP.

Ineligibility

Ineligible Parties - The following are examples of parties that are ineligible: A municipality; A responsible party;A community group that receives services and/or financial assistance from a responsible party or represents a responsible party;A community group that is sustained, controlled by or affiliated with any person or company responsible for the contamination of the eligible site; orA national or statewide group, including local chapters, unless such group can demonstrate that it meets the eligibility criteria under Section 2.1.Sites that are ineligible for a TAG include:Sites eligible for TAGs under the federal Superfund Program (e.g. National Priorities List sites); orSites that do not meet the site eligibility criteria listed under Section 3.1.