MDAR GRANT FY27- Round 2 Climate Smart for Agriculture Program (CSAP)

The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources ("MDAR" or the "Department") invites Massachusetts agricultural operations to submit proposals for reimbursement grant funds to implement targeted, installation-ready capital improvements that protect natural resources, improve environmental performance, increase resilience to changing climate conditions, and reduce agricultural energy use and associated greenhouse gas emissions.

The FY2027 Climate Smart Agriculture Programs (CSAP) – Round II - Environmental Resiliency Grant ("Program") supports practical, implementation-ready equipment and infrastructure projects that result in a clearly defined change in agricultural management or resource use and a measurable environmental or climate-resilience benefit. [...] All awarded projects must be fully completed and invoiced by **June 30, 2027**.

Applicants may submit one (1) application requesting up to **$50,000** per agricultural operation (as identified by a unique tax identification number).

Eligible projects must fall within one of the Program's targeted Project Areas. Projects may include multiple eligible pieces of equipment, materials, or infrastructure when the components work together to accomplish a single project purpose.

Project Areas

• Soil Health & Reduced Tillage
• Water Conservation & Irrigation Efficiency
• Water Collection, Storage & Reuse
• Nutrient Management
• Manure Management
• Livestock Management & Water Quality Protection
• Agricultural Energy Efficiency & Emissions Reduction
• Extreme Heat Protection

Eligible expenditures are limited to capital costs associated with the purchase, installation, replacement, or upgrade of durable equipment, systems, infrastructure, and materials that support the environmental, resource-conservation, climate-resilience, or energy-efficiency purposes of the Program. Eligible costs may include necessary delivery, installation, and setup costs directly associated with the proposed project.

Award recipients will be required to complete all capital improvements and associated project activities as outlined in their approved Scope of Services and Budget. Deliverables include the purchase, installation, and operational readiness of approved equipment or infrastructure and verification of completion through site inspection or documentation review by the Department.

All equipment and materials must be new, commercially available, and installed according to manufacturer specifications. Equipment must carry a manufacturer's warranty of at least one (1) year.

Applications must be submitted through the online application available at: www.mass.gov/how-to/climate-smart-agriculture-grant-programs-csap. Applications must be received by **4:00 PM, Tuesday, November 24th, 2026**. This RFR does not allow for the submission of hard copy or emails of the application.

Applicants are required to contribute a minimum **20% cash match**. In-kind services, donations, other services, or other grant funds are not eligible as matching funds.

**Required** supporting documents: *Budget* (Attachment B), at least one quote for each budgeted expenditure, and a lease agreement if the applicant does not own the property.

Each eligible response will be reviewed and receive a point score. Criteria: Project Need & Change – 25%; Environmental/Resilience Benefit – 35%; Measurable Outcomes – 20%; Readiness & Feasibility – 20%.

All awarded projects must be fully completed and invoiced by **June 30, 2027**. No extensions will be granted. Disbursement of funds under this RFR will be done on a reimbursement basis. Projects favorably reviewed in Step I may require a field visit prior to final award determinations being made.