State Agency

The Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development’s (DECD) Office of Brownfield Remediation and Development (OBRD) announced multiple funding availability notices under Round 24:

1. Brownfield Municipal Grant Program – Remediation & Limited-Assessment (up to $6M)
2. Brownfield Municipal Grant Program – Assessment-Only (up to $200K)
3. Targeted Brownfield Development Loan Program (up to $6M)
4. Brownfield Area-wide Revitalization Grant Program (up to $200K)

The total funding amount available for all Round 22 notices is $25 million.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grant program makes federal funds available to states, U.S. territories, federally recognized tribal governments, and local governments for hazard mitigation activities. It does so by recognizing the need to upgrade and modernize the nation’s infrastructure against the growing risks to communities and the need for natural hazard risk mitigation activities that promote resilience with respect to natural hazards. $1B total is available.

Congressionally Directed Spending requests, also known as Community Project Funding or Earmarks, are funding requests for high-impact, Connecticut-based projects that can be completed with assistance from the federal government. In Connecticut, applications go through the offices of Senator Blumenthal and Senator Murphy. The project must meet the eligibility requirements for at least one of the accounts listed.

Use the PERSISTS criteria included in this guide and worksheet to help identify, prioritize, and implement high-impact projects. These criteria serve as a guide for LIS communities to move projects from idea to implementation – they will help you identify & prioritize sustainable and resilient projects that advance the goals of the Long Island Sound Partnership Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan. The guiding questions in the sections below are intended to help you think through each of the eight criteria. Not all of the guiding questions below will be applicable to every project type. The questions and criteria are not listed in order of importance or priority. Each guiding question will not be applicable to every project type, so it is recommended that you consider all the criteria equally and as appropriate for your project.

The National Coastal Resilience Fund (NCRF) is a national focused on reducing risks to coastal communities. The NCRF is now soliciting pre-proposals for coastal resilience projects that restore, increase, and strengthen natural infrastructure such as coastal marshes and wetlands, dune and beach systems, oyster and coral reefs, rivers and floodplains, coastal forest, and barrier islands that mitigate the impacts of storms and other coastal hazards to communities.

The Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) Office of Brownfield Remediation and Development (OBRD) announced multiple funding availability notices of the Brownfields Program. The following programs are included:

1. Brownfield Municipal Grant Program – Remediation & Limited-Assessment (up to $6M)
2. Brownfield Municipal Grant Program – Assessment-Only (up to $200K)
3. Targeted Brownfield Development Loan Program (up to $6M)
4. Brownfield Area-wide Revitalization Grant Program (up to $200K)

The total funding available across all Round 23 programs is $25 million.

This opportunity allows Connecticut communities to submit water resource project priorities for consideration in the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) 2026. WRDA is a federal process led by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that authorizes studies and projects related to flood risk management, coastal and shoreline protection, dredging and navigation, and ecosystem restoration. Authorization through WRDA is an important first step toward potential federal funding, though it does not guarantee that funding will be awarded. Projects typically require a non-federal cost share and must fall within the mission of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. General information is available here: Water Resources Development Acts: Primer and Action in the 119th Congress | Congress.gov | Library of Congress. See the Solicitation Letter at the link for Connecticut-specific guidance.

The U.S. DOT’s BUILD grant program provides grants for surface transportation infrastructure projects with significant local or regional impact. The eligibility requirements of BUILD allow project sponsors, including state and local governments, counties, Tribal governments, transit agencies, and port authorities, to pursue multi-modal and multi-jurisdictional projects that are more difficult to fund through other grant programs. Projects can be for planning or construction and are evaluated by their ability to address: safety; environmental sustainability; quality of life; mobility and community connectivity; economic competitiveness and opportunity including tourism; state of good repair; partnership and collaboration; and innovation.

The BUILD program was previously known as the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) and Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) discretionary grants.  

UConn CLEAR is offering a series of engaging webinars this winter, including an in-depth session on Connecticut’s ongoing Lidar and orthoimagery project. This presentation will explore the statewide effort that began in 2022 and continues through 2026. Speakers from Dewberry will explain the data products created from the 2023 acquisition and highlight how these datasets are being used in planning, mapping, environmental analysis, and other geospatial applications. The session is designed to help participants understand the importance of high quality elevation and imagery data in supporting statewide decision making.

The webinar will also discuss potential uses for these datasets in the coming years and provide a preview of the planned 2026 acquisition and delivery. Participants will gain insight into how Lidar and orthoimagery support climate resilience work, infrastructure planning, land use analysis, and broader environmental assessments. This session is open to anyone interested in geospatial data, statewide imagery, or Connecticut’s evolving GIS resources, and registration is available through UConn CLEAR.

This UConn CLEAR webinar provides an updated overview of Connecticut’s ongoing statewide Lidar and orthoimagery project. Dewberry’s technical team will introduce the data products generated from the 2023 acquisition and explain how these datasets are being used across environmental planning, land management, infrastructure mapping, and community decision-making. The session is designed to help participants understand the value of high resolution elevation and imagery data and how these resources support public agencies, researchers, and local communities.

The webinar will also look ahead to the 2026 phase of the project, offering insight into expected updates, new deliverables, and potential applications for longterm statewide planning. Attendees will gain a stronger understanding of how Lidar and orthoimagery fit into Connecticut’s geospatial data strategy and how these datasets can support climate resilience, hazard mapping, and improved environmental analysis. This session is open to anyone interested in GIS, remote sensing, or the state’s evolving geospatial data resources.

The EPA’s Multipurpose, Assessment, and Cleanup Grants provide funding for communities that need support to assess, plan, and remediate brownfield sites affected by hazardous substances and petroleum contamination. Through this program, municipalities, tribes, and nonprofit organizations can complete environmental investigations, develop cleanup strategies, begin remediation work, and strengthen their overall capacity to reduce environmental health risks. These grants help communities improve land use, address blight, and move toward safer and more sustainable redevelopment.

The program includes four types of funding that together support the full brownfield process. Multipurpose Grants allow a community to combine assessment, planning, and cleanup activities within one award. Assessment Grants cover site investigations, environmental reviews, and prioritization work. Cleanup Grants support remediation at specific sites, including soil and groundwater treatment. Revolving Loan Fund Grants provide funding that communities can lend or subgrant to support continued cleanup activities. EPA also offers extensive support resources that include recorded trainings, narrative guidance materials, checklists, and application tools to help applicants prepare strong proposals. Connecticut applicants are encouraged to reach out to UConn’s Technical Assistance to Brownfields Program for assistance.

The National Estuary Program (NEP) Watersheds Grant Program is a nationally competitive grants addressing the most pressing threats to estuarine health within the 28 NEP boundary areas. This program is offered through Restore America’s Estuaries, with funding from the U.S. EPA.

The Climate Smart Communities Initiative (CSCI) provides funding, expertise, training, and other resources to help communities advance climate resilience plans and projects, with a focus on frontline and climate-vulnerable communities. Funding supports activities such as risk and vulnerability assessments, community engagement, project prioritization, and early implementation actions.

Applicants must apply as a partnership that includes a community-based organization, a local, regional, or Tribal government entity, and an adaptation practitioner. Communities without an established practitioner may access the Registry of Adaptation Practitioners to identify partners.

An informational webinar will be held on November 13, 2025 at 2:00 PM ET. Program details are available at climatesmartcommunity.org

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is accepting applications for the next round of the DEEP Climate Resilience Fund (DCRF). DEEP is making available up to $44 million in state and federal funds to support planning, project advancement, and construction to help Connecticut’s communities build resilience to extreme weather. The current Notice of Funding Opportunity opens the next application period for Planning (resilience planning) and Advancement (project design) and introduces a Deployment (project implementation) category that includes an expanded matching funds program and a Request for Proposals for the construction of energy resilience infrastructure.

This year, Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP)’s Recreational Trails Program will make up to $1 million available for trail projects. All projects utilizing CT Recreational Trails Grant funds must be accessible to the public. Grant amounts vary and will depend upon the availability of currently uncommitted state funds.

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s (DEEP’s) Land and Water Resources Division requests proposals for the new CT DEEP Long Island Sound Ecosystems Grant, made possible by financial support provided by the Long Island Sound Partnership from the U.S. EPA. There are two primary goals of the program: 1) to promote large-scale habitat restoration and enhance restoration planning, while also helping coastal communities and ecosystems adapt to changing environmental conditions; and 2) to further promote the application of green stormwater infrastructure techniques to reduce nonpoint source pollution, improving water resource quality.

National Geographic Society is seeking to fund impactful projects driving science-based solutions to the growing threat of extreme weather events and natural hazards such as wildfires, hurricanes, tornados, droughts, floods, heatwaves and severe storms. Projects should aim to increase adaptability and resilience to these events and demonstrate tangible positive impacts on people and nature. Successful projects will demonstrate sufficient engagement with relevant stakeholders to ensure that project development and implementation are carried out for at-risk human communities and natural systems. Proposals for both new and ongoing projects will be considered. We encourage projects in regions most vulnerable to extreme weather events and natural hazards, as well as regions that currently have limited capacity for research and implementation.

Restore America’s Estuaries is excited to announce the third round of funding for the Long Island Sound Community Impact Fund. Up to $1,200,000 in competitive funding will be awarded to support projects in New York and Connecticut in 2026. The Long Island Sound Community Impact Fund (LISCIF) is a partnership among Restore America’s Estuaries, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the Long Island Sound Partnership. The purpose of LISCIF is to provide technical and financial assistance to communities for addressing environmental issues and to improve the quality and accessibility of the Long Island Sound.

The Connecticut Wetland In-Lieu Fee (ILF) Program has accrued sufficient funds that are now available for the preservation, restoration, and enhancement of wetland and watercourse resources and associated upland buffers in the State of Connecticut. The National Audubon Society, Inc., through its state office, Audubon Connecticut, is the “sponsor” of Connecticut’s ILF program. The program allows permittees to pay a fee in lieu of taking on mitigation themselves. Instead, local organizations like land trusts, and other environmental nonprofits, are given the opportunity to apply for and receive grant funding for the preservation, restoration, and enhancement of wetland and watercourse resources and associated upland buffers in the State of Connecticut.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law established the National Culvert Removal, Replacement, and Restoration Grant program (Culvert Aquatic Organism Passage Program) to provide funding for projects that would meaningfully improve or restore passage for anadromous fish (anadromous fish species are born in freshwater such as streams and rivers, spend most of their lives in the marine environment, and migrate back to freshwater to spawn).

The Trees for Communities Grant Program supports urban forestry projects that will increase tree cover or contribute to other urban forestry objectives such as improvement of forest health or utilization of urban wood in communities of need. Recent awardee projects can be found here: Urban and Community Forestry Grant Accomplishments.

NFWF is soliciting proposals for the Northeast Forests and Rivers Fund to restore and sustain healthy rivers, forests, and grasslands that provide habitat for diverse fish and wildlife populations.

This competitive grant program through the NYS Environmental Facilities Cooperation is designed to support flood-prone communities in implementing transformative green infrastructure projects that combat the effects of extreme weather. Eligible projects must utilize green infrastructure (GI) stormwater management practices (SMPs) and/or nature-based solutions to manage combined and/or sanitary sewer overflows and/or mitigate risks associated with extreme weather events.

EPA WaterTA aims to assist communities with applications for federal funding, quality infrastructure, and reliable water services in partnership with drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater utilities and local government. If your community is facing drinking water, wastewater, or stormwater challenges, you can submit a request for no-cost, direct assistance using the WaterTA Request Form. Please note that WaterTA is not a grant program, nor does it provide direct monetary assistance. 

Congressionally Directed Spending requests, also known as Community Project Funding or Earmarks, are funding requests for high-impact, Connecticut-based projects that can be completed with assistance from the federal government. The project must meet the eligibility requirements for at least one of the accounts listed.

The National Coastal Resilience Fund (NCRF) is a national program focused on reducing risks to coastal communities. The NCRF is now soliciting pre-proposals for projects that will create and/or restore natural systems in order to increase protection for communities from coastal hazards, such as storms, sea- and lake-level changes, inundation, and coastal erosion, while improving habitats for fish and wildlife species.

The Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development’s (DECD) Office of Brownfield Remediation and Development (OBRD) announced multiple funding availability notices under Round 22:

1. Brownfield Municipal Grant Program – Remediation & Limited-Assessment (up to $6M)
2. Brownfield Municipal Grant Program – Assessment-Only (up to $200K)
3. Targeted Brownfield Development Loan Program (up to $6M)
4. Brownfield Area-wide Revitalization Grant Program (up to $200K)

The total funding amount available for all Round 22 notices is $25 million.

The Safeguarding Tomorrow Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) program is authorized under Section 205 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to provide capitalization grants to states, eligible federally recognized tribes, territories and the District of Columbia to establish revolving loan funds that provide hazard mitigation assistance for local governments to reduce risks from natural hazards and disasters.

These low interest loans will allow jurisdictions to reduce vulnerability to natural disasters, foster greater community resilience and reduce disaster suffering.

$20 million in funding is available under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for projects that will advance the coastal habitat restoration and climate resilience priorities of tribes and underserved communities. Through this funding, NOAA will help support community-driven habitat restoration and build the capacity of tribes and underserved communities to more fully participate in restoration activities.

The Green Innovation Grant Program supports projects across New York State that utilize unique EPA-designated green stormwater infrastructure design and create cutting-edge green technologies. Competitive grants are awarded to projects that implement one or more of the following green practices: green stormwater infrastructure, energy efficiency, water efficiency and environmental innovation.

Through New York State’s Clean Energy, Clean Water & Green Jobs Bond Act, the Department of State (DOS) is making $20 million available for habitat restoration, climate resiliency and risk reduction, and stormwater management projects located within the New York State Coastal areas, areas draining into the New York State Coastal area, and/or areas within the Coastal Nonpoint Source boundary (see map). Projects must be identified or implement goals outlined in state, regional, or local management plans/programs/studies. The program prioritizes projects using natural solutions to enhance community resilience while also delivering environmental, economic and social benefits. Eligible applicants include Municipalities (counties, cities, towns, villages, Indian Nations or Tribes recognized by the state or United States), Not-for-Profits, Soil and Water Conservation Districts, and New York State Agencies and Authorities. Projects may include design and construction, or construction.

$45 million will be made available through the NYSDEC for the RWG Program. The program seeks to build on the success of the Resilient NY program and advance the State’s goal of strengthening water infrastructure and protecting New Yorkers from the impacts of extreme weather. The overall goal of the RWG program is to implement projects that build community resilience to extreme weather events, promote flood risk and ice jam reduction and/or restoration, enhance flood and climate resilience, implement natural and nature-based feature construction, or ecologically sustainable projects while supporting healthy riparian habitats. This funding is for the construction/implementation of projects, not projects exclusively for planning and/or design. The RWG program is open to local governments, Indian Nations, County Soil and Water Conservation Districts, State agencies, and not-for-profit corporations.

The Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) program was established in 2014 and is funded through the Land and Water Conservation Fund. ORLP is a nationally competitive, dollar-for-dollar matching grant program. It was created to aid disadvantaged, urban communities that lack access to close-by outdoor recreation. Funds can be used for the acquisition and/or development of, or substantial renovation of, public parks and other outdoor recreation spaces.

Entities interested in seeking funding under the ORLP program should contact their State’s Lead Agency (Department of Energy and Environmental Protection for Connecticut; Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation for New York) to get details about their state’s process for selecting and submitting projects to the NPS’ national competition.

The Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development’s (DECD) Office of Brownfield Remediation and Development (OBRD) announced multiple funding availability notices under Round 21:

1. Brownfield Municipal Grant Program – Remediation & Limited-Assessment (up to $4M)
2. Brownfield Municipal Grant Program – Assessment-Only (up to $200K)
3. Targeted Brownfield Development Loan Program (up to $4M)
4. Brownfield Area-wide Revitalization Grant Program (up to $200K)

The total funding amount available for all Round 21 notices is $25 million.

$15 million is available for municipalities, nonprofits, and State agencies through the Community Reforestation (CoRe) Grant program for tree planting projects that expand, restore and create forested natural areas that serve urban populations. This competitive reimbursement grant program contributes to New York State’s goal to plant 25 million trees by 2033, which will mitigate climate change impacts like extreme heat.

The NOAA Marine Debris Program will award up to $7 million through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to support the installation of proven marine debris interception technologies, throughout the coastal United States, Great Lakes, territories, and Freely Associated States. Projects will focus on the installation, monitoring, and maintenance of proven marine debris interception technologies that will capture marine debris at or close to known marine debris sources or pathways.

The NOAA Marine Debris Program will award up to $47 million through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to support the removal of large marine debris throughout the coastal United States, Great Lakes, territories, and Freely Associated States. These removal projects should focus on large marine debris, including abandoned and derelict vessels, derelict fishing gear, and other debris that is generally unable to be collected by hand.

EPA’s Creating Resilient Water Utilities (CRWU) initiative is offering no-cost climate change risk assessment technical assistance to drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater utilities, as well as other water sector stakeholders. Through this technical assistance process, CRWU will assist approximately 75 water sector utilities / communities in identifying long-term climate change adaptation strategies, as well as potential funding options to implement adaptive measures.

The Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development’s (DECD) Office of Brownfield Remediation and Development (OBRD) announced multiple funding availability notices under Round 20:

1. Municipal Grant Program – Remediation & Limited-Assessment (up to $4M)
2. Municipal Grant Program – Assessment-Only (up to $200K)
3. Targeted Brownfield Development Loan Program (up to $4M)

The total funding amount available for all Round 20 notices is $25 million.

The Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program, available through the Office of the Secretary of Transportation and US DOT, makes awards on a competitive basis for projects that reconnect communities by removing, retrofitting, or mitigating highways or other transportation facilities that create barriers to community connectivity, including to mobility, access, or economic development.

The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 provides EPA with $3 billion to fund zero-emission port equipment and infrastructure as well as climate and air quality planning at U.S. ports. This new funding program will build on EPA’s Ports Initiative that helps our nation’s ports, a critical part of our infrastructure and supply chain, address public health and environmental impacts on surrounding communities. EPA has announced two separate Notices of Funding Opportunities to disburse the allocated $3 billion – the Zero-Emission Technology Deployment Competition AND the Climate and Air Quality Planning Competition.

The Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) program was established in 2014 and is funded through the Land and Water Conservation Fund. ORLP is a nationally competitive, dollar-for-dollar matching grant program. It was created to aid disadvantaged, urban communities that lack access to close-by outdoor recreation. Funds can be used for the acquisition and/or development of, or substantial renovation of, public parks and other outdoor recreation spaces.

Projects may include any or all manner of outdoor recreation activities such as hiking, camping, unstructured play, picnicking, cycling, field and court sports, fishing, bird watching, swimming pools, paddling, and skating, as well as for outdoor recreation facilities and some supporting facilities and infrastructure like restrooms/bathhouses, or parking areas, when part of an overall recreation project.

The Virginia Institute of Marine Science, in partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Marine Debris Program, is soliciting proposals under their Nationwide Fishing Trap Removal, Assessment, and Prevention (TRAP) Program.

Using funding from the NOAA Marine Debris Program provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Virginia Institute of Marine Science will award up to $1,475,000 in grants to remove derelict fishing traps throughout coastal waterways of the United States while collecting data to prevent future gear loss.

Congressionally Directed Spending requests, also known as Community Project Funding or Earmarks, are funding requests for high-impact, Connecticut-based projects that can be completed with assistance from the federal government. The project must meet the eligibility requirements for at least one of the accounts listed.

The primary goal of the National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant (NCWCG) Program is the long‐term conservation of coastal wetland ecosystems. The program is designed to acquire, restore, and enhance wetlands in coastal areas through competitive matching grants to eligible State agencies.

The NCRF is a national program with the goal of enhancing protection for coastal communities from the impacts of storms, floods, and other natural coastal hazards and to improve habitats for fish and wildlife. This year, NFWF will award approximately $140 million in grants for the planning, design, and implementation of natural and nature-based solutions.

The Flood Mitigation Assistance grant program is a competitive program that provides funding to states, federally recognized Tribal governments, U.S. territories, and local governments. Since the National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1994 was signed into law, funds are used for projects that reduce or eliminate the risk of repetitive flood damage to buildings insured by the National Flood Insurance Program.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grant program will support states, local communities, tribes and territories as they undertake hazard mitigation projects, reducing the risks they face from disasters and natural hazards. The BRIC program’s guiding principles are to support communities through capability and capacity building, encourage and enable innovation; promote partnerships, enable large projects, maintain flexibility, and provide consistency.

New York Sea Grant and Connecticut Sea Grant are providing grant preparation and writing capacity to New York and Connecticut communities that are pursuing funding for sustainability and resilience-focused projects. This technical assistance program helps municipalities and community organizations develop successful grant proposals and develop capacity for navigating the funding landscape. 

The Nature Conservancy in New York is pleased to announce the sixth round of the Climate Resilience Grant Program (CRGP). The goal of the program is to support New York’s conservation community in protecting the lands and waters that contribute to New York’s resilience to climate change for the benefit of people and nature. Funding is available to land trusts and other conservation organizations, academic institutions, Tribal Nations, municipalities, and local agencies. Projects funded in the previous round can be found here.   

Clean Water Act Section 604(b) Water Quality Planning Grants fund regional comprehensive water quality management planning activities as described in Section 604(b) of the federal Clean Water Act. 604(b) funds are to be used for water quality management planning activities, such as determining the nature, extent and causes of point and nonpoint source water pollution problems, and developing plans to resolve these problems.

DEC typically issues a Request for Applications (RFA) every 3-5 years and awards funds to multi-year projects.

The Green Innovation Grant Program (GIGP) supports projects across New York State that utilize unique EPA-designated green stormwater infrastructure design and create cutting-edge green technologies. Competitive grants are awarded annually to projects that improve water quality and mitigate the effects of climate change through the implementation of one or more of the following green practices: Green Stormwater Infrastructure, Energy Efficiency, Water Efficiency and Environmental Innovation.

The NYS DEC’s Urban and Community Forestry (UCF) Program works with communities to manage their community forests and develop self-sustaining local community forestry programs. $12.9 million is available through Inflation Reduction Act Urban and Community Forestry Grants for urban forestry work in disadvantaged communities across New York State for the following two categories: 1) Community Forest Management Plan Implementation in Disadvantaged Communities ($10 million) and 2) Ash Tree Management in Disadvantaged Communities ($2.9 million)

The Healthy Communities Grant Program is EPA New England’s main competitive grant program to work directly with communities to reduce environmental risks to protect and improve human health and the quality of life. he Healthy Communities Grant Program will achieve this through identifying and funding projects that:
– Target resources to benefit communities at risk.
– Assess, understand, and reduce environmental and human health risks.
– Increase collaboration through partnerships and community-based projects.
– Build institutional and community capacity to understand and solve environmental and human health problems.
– Achieve measurable environmental and human health benefits.

The Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development’s (DECD) Office of Brownfield Remediation and Development (OBRD) announced funding availability under Round 18. The purpose of the Municipal Grant Program as per C.G.S Section 32-763, is to provide grants for brownfield remediation and redevelopment. OBRD has also simultaneously announced the availability of funding under the Targeted Brownfield Development Loan and the Assessment-only Grant Program.

NOAA’s Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) program is an environmental education program that promotes place-based experiential learning for K–12 students and related professional development for teachers.This funding opportunity focuses on projects combining long-term, classroom-integrated “Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences” and capacity building for K-12 Environmental Literacy at the state and local level.

This year, Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP)’s Recreational Trails Program will make $10 million available to improve Connecticut’s trail infrastructure, which has seen significant usage increases since the onset of the pandemic. This grant program aims to help support communities managing the trail usage increases that have endured as more residents and visitors become familiar with the more than 2,500 miles of multi-use trails and greenways that crisscross the state.

Under the Inflation Reduction Act, the Forest Service received a historic $1.5 billion to its Urban and Community Forestry program to support tree-planting, urban forest planning and management, and related activities, particularly in disadvantaged communities. In April 2023, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service announced a Notice of Funding Opportunity for competitive grants for proposals that provide equitable access to trees and nature, and the benefits they provide, especially in disadvantaged urban communities.

CIG On-Farm Trials projects feature collaboration between NRCS and partners to implement on-the-ground conservation activities and then evaluate their impact. Incentive payments are provided to producers to offset the risk of implementing innovative approaches.  The Soil Health Demonstration (SHD) Trial component of On-Farm Trials focuses exclusively on the implementation of conservation practices and systems that improve soil health.   A critical element of each On-Farm Trials project is the project evaluation. Partners must propose robust scientific approaches to their On-Farm Trials, resulting in data and analyses of the environmental, financial, and to the extent possible, social impacts of the trials.  

Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) is a competitive program that supports the development of new tools, approaches, practices, and technologies to further natural resource conservation on private lands. Through creative problem solving and innovation, CIG partners work to address our nation’s water quality, air quality, soil health and wildlife habitat challenges, all while improving agricultural operations.

The NOAA Marine Debris Program will award up to $24 million through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to support the removal of large marine debris throughout the coastal United States, Great Lakes, territories, and Freely Associated States. These removal projects should focus on large marine debris, including abandoned and derelict vessels, derelict fishing gear, and other debris that is generally unable to be collected by hand.

The U.S. Small Grants Program is a competitive, matching grants program that supports public-private partnerships carrying out projects in the United States that further the goals of the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA). These projects must involve long-term protection, restoration, and/or enhancement of wetlands and associated uplands habitats for the benefit of all wetlands-associated migratory birds.

The Marine Debris Foundation is focused on strengthening, enhancing, and improving domestic and international efforts that address the adverse impacts of marine debris on the economy, environment, and/or maritime safety. The Marine Debris Foundation awards annual grants to augment the efforts and impact of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Marine Debris Program.

The Saltonstall-Kennedy Program is a yearly grant competition that aims to promote U.S. fisheries by assisting the fishing community to address marketing and research needs. Approximately 40 projects worth $10 million are funded annually.

The Northeast Forests and Rivers Fund (formerly known as the New England Forests and Rivers Fund) provides grants to restore and sustain healthy rivers, forests, and grasslands that provide habitat for diverse fish and wildlife populations.

The NEP Coastal Watersheds Grant Program is a nationally competitive grants program designed to support projects that address urgent and challenging issues threatening the well-being of coastal and estuarine areas within determined estuaries of national significance.

Acres for America is the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s (NFWF) premier land conservation program and was established to provide urgently needed funding for projects that conserve important large-scale habitats for fish, wildlife, and plants through voluntary land acquisitions and perpetual conservation easements.

The Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CPRG) program will provide grants to states, local governments, tribes, and territories to develop and implement plans for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and other harmful air pollution. Section 60114 of the Inflation Reduction Act provides an investment of $5 billion to support efforts by states, municipalities, air pollution control agencies, tribes, and groups thereof to develop and implement strong, local greenhouse gas reduction strategies. This two-staged grant program (Phase 1: Plan & Phase 2: Implement) provides funding of $250 million for noncompetitive planning grants, and $4.6 billion for competitive implementation grants.

Intended to streamline grant funding opportunities for new conservation and restoration projects around the U.S., the America the Beautiful Challenge consolidates funding from multiple federal agencies and the private sector to enable applicants to conceive and develop large-scale projects that address shared funder priorities and span public and private lands.

NFWF will award up to $140 million in grants to create and restore natural systems in order to increase protection for communities from coastal hazards, such as storms, sea- and lake-level changes, inundation, and coastal erosion, while improving habitats for fish and wildlife species. NFWF prioritizes projects that are community led or incorporate direct community engagement and benefit underserved communities facing disproportionate harm from climate impacts.

WPDGs assist state, tribal, local government agencies and interstate/intertribal entities in building programs to protect, manage and restore wetlands. WPDGs provide applicants an opportunity to develop and refine comprehensive state/tribal/local government wetland programs.

The National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program annually provides grants of up to $1 million to coastal and Great Lakes states, as well as U.S. territories to protect, restore and enhance coastal wetland ecosystems and associated uplands. Eligible projects include the acquisition of real property interest in coastal lands or waters and the restoration, enhancement, or management of coastal wetlands ecosystems.

EPA Long Island Sound Study announced the second round of this program focused on the Long Island Sound watershed area within New York and Connecticut. The purpose of the Long Island Sound Community Impact Fund (LISCIF) is to provide technical and financial assistance to communities to address environmental issues and improve the quality and accessibility of the Long Island Sound. Technical assistance will be provided through LISCIF and is available to communities/organizations even if one does not submit a funding proposal.  

The U.S. Standard Grants Program is a competitive, matching grants program that supports public-private partnerships carrying out projects in the United States that further the goals of the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA). These projects must involve long-term protection, restoration, and/or enhancement of wetlands and associated uplands habitats for the benefit of all wetlands-associated migratory birds.

The Long Island Sound Futures Fund (LISFF) is seeking proposals to restore the health and living resources of Long Island Sound (Sound). The program is managed by National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) in collaboration with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Long Island Sound Partnership (LIS Partnership). Major funding is from EPA through the LIS Partnership.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grant program will support states, local communities, tribes and territories as they undertake hazard mitigation projects, reducing the risks they face from disasters and natural hazards. The BRIC program’s guiding principles are to support communities through capability and capacity building, encourage and enable innovation; promote partnerships, enable large projects, maintain flexibility, and provide consistency.

The Flood Mitigation Assistance grant program is a competitive program that provides funding to states, federally recognized Tribal governments, U.S. territories, and local governments. Since the National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1994 was signed into law, funds are used for projects that reduce or eliminate the risk of repetitive flood damage to buildings insured by the National Flood Insurance Program.

The Atlantic Coastal Fish Habitat Partnership (ACFHP) is requesting project applications to restore and conserve habitat necessary to support coastal, estuarine-dependent, and diadromous fish species along the U.S. Atlantic Coast. Federal funding available through the National Fish Habitat Partnership (NFHP) program will be used to support the top ranked proposals. To ensure available funding is being directed most effectively, projects should be geared toward meeting ACFHP’s conservation objectives described in its Conservation Strategic Plan.

The NOAA National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERRS) Habitat Protection and Restoration Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) Competition will fund designated Reserve agencies and universities to conduct land acquisition and habitat restoration projects that support the NERRS mission. NOAA will strengthen protection of key land and water areas, improve climate resilience, enhance long-term protection of Reserve areas for research and education, and support the habitat protection goals and priorities of the National Coastal Zone Management Act.

$45 million in funding is available for projects that will advance the coastal habitat restoration and climate resilience priorities of tribes and underserved communities under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act. Through this funding, NOAA will help support community-driven habitat restoration and build the capacity of tribes and underserved communities to more fully participate in restoration activities.

Sea Grant and the NOAA Climate Program Office, with support from the NOAA Office for Coastal Management, seek to establish programs aimed at placing people across the country into good jobs that advance climate resilience and assisting employers in developing a 21st century workforce that is climate literate, informed by climate resilience, and skilled at addressing consequent challenges. NOAA will assist communities in coastal and Great Lakes states and territories so they may form partnerships that train workers and place them into jobs that enhance climate resilience.

NOAA is seeking proposals for transformational projects that will restore coastal habitat and strengthen community resilience under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

This funding will prioritize habitat restoration actions that rebuild productive and sustainable fisheries, contribute to the recovery and conservation of threatened and endangered species, use natural infrastructure to reduce damage from flooding and storms, promote resilient ecosystems and communities, and yield socioeconomic benefits. This funding opportunity will invest in projects that have the greatest potential to provide holistic benefits, through habitat-based approaches that strengthen both ecosystem and community resilience.