Grants & RFPs

This RFA is seeking cost-effective applications from eligible applicants to provide the CBP’s non-federal partners with administrative and technical staff support to the CBP committees, GITs, and workgroups as they work to restore the Chesapeake Bay and meet the goals and commitments contained in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement. EPA seeks to support up to three recipients with:

1. The ability to create and implement a professional development program to build the capacity of environmental professionals (primarily those just entering the field) to work in a consensus-building committee structure such as the CBP partnership; and/or
2. Experience in enhancing multi-partner, consensus-based environmental decision-making in the Chesapeake Bay watershed through the synthesis and application of scientific understanding of the Chesapeake Bay and surrounding watershed ecosystems; and/or
3. The ability to develop a summer program that supports students interested in leadership positions in careers in environmental protection and restoration.

Consistent with the EPA’s environmental justice principles, consideration should be given to supporting students from underrepresented populations. A single organization with experience in all three areas may apply for all three activities but must submit a separate application for each Activity, with each application addressing a single Activity.

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), in partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the federal-state Chesapeake Bay Program partnership, is soliciting proposals through the Chesapeake Bay Stewardship Fund to restore water quality and habitats of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributary rivers and streams.

NFWF is specifically soliciting proposals under the Small Watershed Grants (SWG) program 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: SWG Implementation (SWG-I) grants of $75,000-$500,000 will be awarded for projects that result in direct, on-the-ground actions to protect and restore water quality, species, and habitats in the Bay watershed; SWG Planning and Technical Assistance (SWG-PTA) grants up to $75,000 will be awarded for projects that enhance local capacity to implement future on-the-ground actions through community-based assessment, planning, design, and other technical assistance-oriented activities.

NFWF estimates awarding $15 to $25 million in grants through the combined SWG program in 2022 contingent on the availability of funding. Major funding comes from the EPA Chesapeake Bay Program Office, with other important contributions by Altria Group, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), U.S. Forest Service, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Full Proposal Due Date: Thursday, April 21, 2022 by 11:59pm ET