OEPA: Academic Institution Grant

OEPA: Academic Institution Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Ohio Environmental Protection Agency
Amount: Up to US $300,000
Last Updated: October 20, 2025

Summary

The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency offers the Academic Institution Grant to support public and private K-12 schools, colleges, and universities in their recycling and education efforts. Funding is available for projects like recycling equipment, outreach programs, and civil engineering initiatives utilizing ground tire rubber. Applicants must meet matching fund requirements, with grant amounts ranging from $5,000 to $300,000, depending on the project category, and have specific timelines for project completion.

Overview

Academic Institution Grant Public and private K-12 schools, colleges and universities may receive funding for recycling efforts as well as outreach and education, recycling equipment and conference sponsorships. Funds are also available to complete beneficial use projects that incorporate the use of ground tire rubber. Funds used for Scrap Tire for Civil Engineering/Construction Projects require a 100% match, and most other project categories require a 25% match. Grantees have 24 months to complete a Scrap Tire for Civil Engineering/Construction project, and 12 months to complete all other project categories. Project Categories Project Category: Scrap Tire for Civil Engineering/Construction Projects Maximum Grant Request: $300,000Required Match: 100%Project Examples examples are illustrative and not all-inclusive:Projects using scrap tires for drainage, backfill in construction projects or paving initiatives in civil engineering projects. Construction of trails, walkways, or ramps utilizing scrap tire material or use of pavers made of scrap tire material (ground tire rubber). Grant period is 24 months.Project Category: Recycling EquipmentMaximum Grant Request: $200,000Required Match: 25%Project Examples examples are illustrative and not all-inclusive: Equipment for collecting and processing of recyclable material (cardboard, glass, metals, plastic, etc.), including bagging units, balers, containers, conveyors, grinding units, optical sorters, plastic extrusion systems, printing and production materials, pulping units, signage, trucks. Project Category: Drop-off EquipmentMaximum Grant Request: $200,000Required Match: 25%Project Examples examples are illustrative and not all-inclusive:New or expansion of existing drop-off recycling including equipment (trucks and machinery) and recycle containers.Project Category: Organic Material DiversionMaximum Grant Request: $200,000Required Match: 25%Project Examples examples are illustrative and not all-inclusive:Equipment for the collection, reuse, or recycling of organic material. Includes equipment for food rescue such as trucks, freezers, carts, wagons, and bins. Also includes equipment for composting such as bagging units, conveyors, drying units, in-vessel composting units, screening tools, and signage. Project Category: Special Venue Recycling  Maximum Grant Request: $75,000Required Match: 25%Project Examples examples are illustrative and not all-inclusive:Recycling equipment, materials, and supplies for special venues and events. Cardboard containers, clear stream containers, permanent containers (ex. recycling bins) signage, litter disposal.Project Category: Outreach and Education TrainingMaximum Grant Request: $75,000Required Match: 25%Project Examples examples are illustrative and not all-inclusive:Materials for outreach and education (printing, design, and/or production of recycling educational materials).Project Category: Litter Clean-up EventsMaximum Grant Request: $50,000Required Match: 25%Project Examples examples are illustrative and not all-inclusive:Equipment, materials, supplies for litter collection events on public property (bags, gloves, litter grabbers, safety vests, signage, disposal fees, printing/marketing, event truck, and dumpster rental).Project Category: Conference Sponsorships and AssistanceMaximum Grant Request: $5,000Required Match: 25%Project Examples examples are illustrative and not all-inclusive:Conference room rental, AV equipment, printing production, registration materials, name badges, agendas, conference registration software. A single application may include a combination of grant requests.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Eligible applicants include Ohio colleges and universities, and public and private K-12 schools.Allowable Costs:Equipment:Purchase of equipment. Purchase or rental of equipment, tools, and supplies for litter cleanups. Safety and awareness signage.Other (Goods and Services):Disposal fees for litter collection projects. Produce, print, and distribute advertising and awareness materials. Purchase litter clean-up awareness items such as t-shirts, reusable bags, magnets, etc. Purchase tools and supplies necessary to implement the project. Sponsorships. Site improvements for scrap tire civil engineering/construction projects.Personal Services Contract:Contracts covering the costs necessary for services of public or private contractors related to the project.

Ineligibility

Unallowable Costs:Non-Reimbursable Costs:Costs not identified under Allowable Costs. Employees’ salaries, benefits, or administrative costs. Financial services and grant writing fees. Food or entertainment expenses, including procurement of coolers, grills, etc. Bulk fuel for transportation or equipment. Land acquisition. Payment to individuals, crews, volunteers, or organizations to pick up litter. Website development and maintenance. Unmanned aerial vehicles (drones).Non-Reimbursable Activities:In-kind donations as part of match. Replacing operational funds with grant funding. Litter collection projects conducted on private property. Recycling of hazardous waste. Materials not generally found in the municipal solid waste stream.