Grants & RFPs
The Bay Program and its partners offer multiple grant opportunities to help fund restoration projects of all sizes across the Chesapeake watershed.
Open Requests for Proposals
Chesapeake Watershed Investments for Landscape Defense (WILD) Grants 2024 Request for Proposals
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), is soliciting proposals through the Chesapeake Bay Stewardship Fund (CBSF) to conserve, protect and restore vital fish and wildlife habitat of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributary rivers and streams.
In 2024, NFWF estimates awarding up to $8.5 million in Chesapeake WILD Grants, contingent on available funding, for projects that enhance conservation, stewardship and enhancements of fish and wildlife habitats and related conservation values in the Bay watershed. Major funding is provided by FWS, along with important contributions by Altria Group, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service, and the U.S. Forest Service.
Closing Date: April 10, 2024
View RFPSmall Watershed Grants
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), in partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the federal-state Chesapeake Bay Program (CBP) partnership, is soliciting proposals through the Chesapeake Bay Stewardship Fund to protect and restore water quality and habitats of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributary rivers and streams.
Through the Small Watershed Grants (SWG) Program, delivered in partnership with EPA and the CBP partnership, NFWF is soliciting proposals for projects within the Chesapeake Bay watershed that promote voluntary, community-based efforts to protect and restore the diverse and vital habitats of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributary rivers and streams.
NFWF will award funding through two distinct funding opportunities. All SWG Program proposals must directly align with one or more of the SWG PROGRAM PRIORITIES outlined further in this Request for Proposals.
Closing Date: April 3, 2024
View RFPAdditional Opportunities
- The Chesapeake Bay Stewardship Fund is a partnership between the Bay Program and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to strategically invest in conservation actions to restore the Bay. Grant opportunities include Innovative Nutrient and Sediment Reduction grants and Small Watershed grants.
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Bay Watershed Education and Training grants support Chesapeake watershed environmental education programs and professional development for teachers on Bay-related environmental topics. NOAA also provides funding to restore habitat for coastal and anadromous fisheries.
- The Chesapeake Bay Trust offers individual grant programs to support Chesapeake restoration and protection activities in Maryland.
- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency provides a variety of grant programs and funding opportunities, as well as regional grants.
Learn How to Find and Apply to EPA Grants
On March 26, 2024, the Environmental Protection Agency is hosting a webinar to help grant applicants learn how to find and successfully apply for competitive EPA grants. EPA will also provide an overview of the competition process from application through evaluation and selection.