New Funding Opportunities for Education, Housing, Community Planning, and Infrastructure

     As municipalities begin implementing FY2027 priorities, many communities are shifting from planning to action by identifying funding sources that can help advance infrastructure improvements, expand educational opportunities, strengthen community resilience, and address housing and economic development needs. With application windows opening throughout the summer, now is an ideal time to evaluate project readiness, establish partnerships, and prepare competitive grant applications.

     This week’s Grant Watch Wednesday features several newly announced or currently active funding opportunities that support workforce development, open space preservation, coastal resilience, rural infrastructure, public planning, and housing initiatives. Whether your community is pursuing long-term capital investments or laying the groundwork for future projects, these programs offer valuable resources to help move local priorities forward.

Federal Opportunities

HUD Pathways to Removing Obstacles to Housing

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has opened the FY2026 Pathways to Removing Obstacles to Housing grant program.

This competitive program supports state and local governments, metropolitan planning organizations, and multijurisdictional entities working to remove barriers to housing production and preservation.

Funding may support:

• Housing policy reform
• Zoning and land use modernization
• Planning and implementation activities
• Affordable housing production strategies
• Rural and Opportunity Zone housing initiatives
• Preservation of existing housing

Program Funding:
$50 million

Award Range:
$5 million – $10 million

Application Deadline:
August 3, 2026 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time

For More Information:
https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/356567

State & Local Funding Opportunities

Massachusetts Innovation Career Pathways and Early College Grants

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has posted new FY2027 grant opportunities supporting Innovation Career Pathways and Early College programming.

These grants are designed to help school districts and education partners expand student access to career-connected learning, postsecondary preparation, and workforce-aligned programming.

Eligible activities may include:

• Career pathway program development
• Early college partnerships
• Student support services
• Curriculum and program planning
• Workforce and higher education collaboration

Application Deadline:
July 17, 2026

For More Information:
https://www.doe.mass.edu/grants/current.html

Connecticut Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition Grant Program

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is accepting applications for the Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition Grant Program.

This program provides funding to municipalities, nonprofit land conservation organizations, and water companies to acquire land for open space, conservation, watershed protection, and public recreation purposes.

Eligible projects may include:

• Open space acquisition
• Watershed land protection
• Conservation land purchases
• Passive recreation areas
• Natural resource protection

Application Deadline:
November 6, 2026

Appraisal Review Deadline:
December 4, 2026

For More Information:
https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Open-Space/Open-Space-and-Watershed-Land-Acquisition-Grant-Program

Maine Coastal Planning Grants for Resilience and Hazard Mitigation

The Maine Office of Community Affairs has announced approximately $450,000 in coastal planning grant funding through the Maine Coastal Program and Municipal Planning Assistance Program.

Funding is available through two grant opportunities:

• Shore and Harbor Planning Grant
• Coastal Community Grant

These grants support planning projects that help coastal communities prepare for current and future hazards, storms, and climate-related impacts.

Eligible activities may include:

• Coastal resilience planning
• Hazard mitigation planning
• Critical infrastructure planning
• Shore and harbor planning
• Regional resilience initiatives
• Community vulnerability planning

Florida Rural Infrastructure Fund

FloridaCommerce has opened the FY2026-2027 Rural Infrastructure Fund application cycle, with $27 million available to support infrastructure and economic development projects in rural communities.

The program helps rural communities plan, prepare, and finance infrastructure projects that encourage job creation, capital investment, and economic diversification.

Eligible activities may include:

• Site preparation
• Roadway improvements
• Utility infrastructure
• Water and wastewater improvements
• Broadband-related infrastructure
• Economic development infrastructure
• Planning and preparation for future capital projects

Application Deadline:
July 13, 2026 at 5:00 PM Eastern Time

For More Information:
https://floridajobs.org/rural/office-of-rural-initiatives/rural-infrastructure-fund

New Mexico Local Government Planning Fund

The New Mexico Local Government Planning Fund provides funding to help local governments prepare planning documents needed for public infrastructure projects.

This program can help communities complete the upfront planning work required to move infrastructure priorities toward design, financing, and construction.

Eligible planning documents may support:

• Water infrastructure
• Wastewater infrastructure
• Public facilities
• Roads and transportation improvements
• Capital improvement planning
• Other public infrastructure projects

Applications are accepted monthly and reviewed at New Mexico Finance Authority Board meetings.

For More Information:
https://www.edd.newmexico.gov/grants/local-government-planning-fund/

Looking Ahead

     Successful grant applications are built on thoughtful planning, strong partnerships, and well-defined community priorities. As additional FY2027 funding opportunities continue to be announced throughout the summer, municipalities should continue refining project scopes, updating capital improvement plans, and identifying initiatives that align with available funding sources.

     Capital Strategic Solutions will continue monitoring new state and federal grant opportunities and highlighting timely funding announcements through Grant Watch Wednesday. If your community is considering a project but is unsure what funding opportunities may be available, early planning and grant strategy development can significantly improve competitiveness and position your project for future success.

Let Capital Strategic Solutions assist with your grant writing, research, and compliance needs.