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 to restore water quality and habitats of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributary rivers and streams. NFWF estimates awarding a total of up to $12 million in grants through the Chesapeake Bay Innovative Nutrient and Sediment Reduction (NSR) Grants and Small Watershed Grants (SWG) programs in 2018, contingent on the availability of funding. Major funding for the Stewardship Fund comes from the EPA. Other important contributions are provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and U.S. Forest Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Altria Group.
Two separate Request for Proposals detailing NFWF’s funding priorities and other key considerations are attached. Applicants familiar with NFWF’s Chesapeake Bay grants programs should note the following major changes:
- INSR Grants: A shift in programmatic emphases towards support for regional approaches to water quality improvement and a new pre-proposal application stage.
- SWG Grants: A refined focus on outcomes, activities, and strategies outlined in NFWF’s updated Chesapeake Bay Business Plan (pending) and a new “Planning and Technical Assistance” grant funding opportunity.
INSR pre-proposals and SWG full proposals are due by midnight, Tuesday, September 4th and must be submitted through NFWF’s online application at www.nfwf.org/easygrants. Additional informational webinars will be provided to provide an overview of each funding opportunity. Interested applicant are encouraged to register for these informational webinars using links provided in the attached RFPs.
For additional information or to discuss project ideas, please contact Jake Reilly (jake.reilly@nfwf.org) or Claire Flynn (claire.flynn@nfwf.org) via e-mail or by phone at (202) 857 0166.
Thank you!
