About
This program provides financial assistance to governmental entities preparing quality RRGL grant applications for projects that that will conserve, manage, develop, or protect Montana’s renewable resources. Grants for the preparation of Capital Improvement Plans or other management tools are also eligible for funding.
The DNRC will be accepting RRG planning grant applications starting August 18th, 2025 at 8am. Please continue to check this page for updated program information and guidance for the next cycle.
NEW - Technical Assistance Grants
Do you need assistance applying for a Renewable Resource Planning Grant? DNRC is offering local governments Technical Assistance to apply for planning grants. Technical Assistance funds are designed to assist local governments that do not have an established relationship with a professional engineering firm, or have not been successful in applying for DNRC planning grants in the prior biennium.
The Technical Assistance Grant cycle is open, applications will be accepted until funds are expended
Learn More
Eligible Applicants:
- Cities, counties, or other political subdivisions
- Tribal governments in Montana
- Divisions of state government
Eligible Projects:
| Preliminary Engineering Reports (PER) and/or Technical Narratives | Other |
| Purpose: The purpose of these grants are to offset the cost to a governmental entity to hire a professional/technical consultant to produce or update a Preliminary Engineering Report meeting the requirements of the Uniform Application for Montana Public Facility Projects or a Technical Narrative meeting the Step 4. Requirements of the RRGL Program Application instructions and Forms for Governmental Entities. | Purpose: The purpose of these grants are to offset the cost to a governmental entity to hire a professional/technical services to produce a Capital Improvements Plan, Growth Plan, sample conditions, surveys, studies, or other management tool to lead to an RRGL application OR are necessary to systematically identify and prioritize long-term projects that provide environmental and renewable resource benefits. |
Examples of Eligible Projects:
- New Preliminary Engineering Reports meeting the requirements of the Uniform Application for Montana Public Facility Projects
- New Technical Narratives meeting the Step 4. Requirements of the RRGL Application Instructions and Forms for Governmental Entities
- Updates to existing PER’s and Technical Narratives
- Capital Improvement and Growth Plans
|
RRGL Planning Grant Funding |
|||||
|
Infrastructure PER |
Irrigation PER/Technical Narrative |
PER or Technical Narrative Update |
Resource Services (Plans or Studies) |
Watershed Restoration Plan |
Watershed Restoration Project Plan |
|
$40,000 |
$30,000 |
$20,000 |
$15,000 |
$40,000 |
$30,000 |
- This grant can be used only to pay for DNRC approved contracted services necessary to develop a renewable resource project.
- In-kind services are not eligible for grant funding.
- No match required.
How to Apply
Please see application guidance. Submit applications through the online grant management system: grants.dnrc.mt.gov
Please see application guidance. Submit applications through the online grant management system: grants.dnrc.mt.gov
All applications MUST be received though the online grant management system. Paper applications will not be accepted.
Application Materials:
Application Review and Award
DNRC solicits, evaluates, and ranks each application. Funds are awarded based on rank and available funding.
DNRC solicits, evaluates, and ranks each application. Funds are awarded based on rank and available funding.
Grantee Information
Start Up Information
- Uniform Budget Spreadsheet - Excel Spreadsheet Form
- Scope of Work - Guidance Document
- Planning Grant Scope of Work examples - Coming soon!
- Funding Commitments - Guidance Document
- Grant Management Plan
- *Conditions of Award as identified in your DNRC award letter
Grant Management
Reimbursements
- Reimbursement requests are accepted via Submittable with a “request form” which the recipient can initiate at any time under their submission (see Filling out Forms)
- Please note that the DNRC will reimburse the Planning Grant recipient a maximum of 50% of the total grant amount for incurred expenses once the grant receipt submits a draft planning document. DNRC will reimburse the balance of the grant funds upon receipt of an approved final planning document.
- See the DNRC Reimbursement Guidance Document but please note that some matters identified in this document may not apply to RRG Planning grants (i.e. progress reports)
Reporting
- DNRC does not require quarterly or more frequent progress reports for Planning Grants.
Amendments
- DNRC Grant Amendment Request Process - Guidance Document
Grant Administration
Additional Funding Opportunities
Additional Information
Grant Management Information available on the Training and Education Page
Previous Application Cycles
- RRGL Planning Grants 2025 Biennium (Current Biennium)
- 2025 Planning Grant Gallery
- RRGL Planning Grants 2023 Biennium
Planning Grant Reference Materials
Request for Proposal Template
- Preparation of Preliminary Engineering Report
- Additional Planning Grant Funding Opportunity
Contact Us
Katherine Certalic
RRG Planning Grant Program Managerkcertalic@mt.gov