The Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet, Division of Waste Management is accepting applications for the 2027 Litter Abatement Grant Program. The current state announcement sets the application deadline at November 2, 2026 at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time.
Funding: Awards are formula-based rather than based on a universal per-applicant ceiling. Kentucky states that allocations consider road miles, total population and rural population. The current 2027 materials do not publish a fixed maximum award per applicant. In December 2025, the Cabinet awarded $5.24 million through the prior Litter Abatement cycle, but that prior-year total is not treated as the 2027 funding pool.
Eligibility: Kentucky counties and qualifying incorporated cities may apply. The current state announcement says counties must be compliant with their five-year solid waste management plans. Incorporated cities must provide municipal solid waste collection service. 401 KAR 49:080 further provides that qualifying cities may provide that service directly, through a county contract, or through a contract with a registered solid waste collector.
Allowable costs: Under 401 KAR 49:080, litter-abatement direct expenses include staff time, supplies, contract costs, equipment-operation expenses, actual disposal costs, and litter-prevention education and cleanup activities along public roadways. Purchase of a motor vehicle, or a vehicle lease containing a purchase option, is excluded from direct expenses.
Application package and submission: The current program page lists the 2027 City Litter Abatement Grant Cover Letter, DEP 7118 City Litter Abatement Agreement, DWM 4900 City Litter Abatement Closeout Reporting Form, 2027 County Litter Abatement Grant Cover Letter, DEP 7117 County Litter Abatement Agreement, current FAQs, FEMA rates and Trash for Cash guidelines. The August 5, 2026 state announcement requires completed applications, signed original agreements and all required support to be submitted electronically to Lisa.Evans@ky.gov by the deadline.
Current-cycle match and restrictions verified: The official 2027 city and county cover letters both state that there is no match requirement. The current packets also state that equipment purchases are not allowable and that fuel or equipment-repair costs are not separately allowable because those costs are incorporated in the FEMA hourly rate. City applicants must provide a copy of the city solid waste ordinance or solid waste contract with DEP 7118; counties use DEP 7117.
Atlas analysis: Atlas Opportunity Score 74/100. This is a current Kentucky-administered local-government environmental and public-health opportunity with a verified deadline and current application forms. N9+ Fit is 0/100 and QC Healthcare Fit is 0/100 because the verified program scope does not establish a defensible clinical-device, telehealth or healthcare-vendor pathway.
Official sources: Kentucky EEC Litter Abatement program page; Kentucky DEP August 5, 2026 application announcement; 401 KAR 49:080.