Grants Gateway

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources, through its Watershed and Climate Services unit, administers the Grants Gateway as a centralized funding and technical assistance platform designed to support environmental resilience and restoration efforts across the state. The program reflects Maryland’s broader commitment to addressing increasing environmental pressures such as sea level rise, flooding, and storm intensity, while balancing population growth, tourism, and economic development. By consolidating multiple funding opportunities into a single application system, the Grants Gateway simplifies access for eligible partners and ensures alignment with statewide environmental priorities, particularly those tied to Chesapeake Bay restoration and community resilience. The primary purpose of the Grants Gateway is to fund projects that improve environmental outcomes and strengthen community resilience. Eligible project types span multiple programmatic areas, including water quality improvement, restoration of local waterways, shoreline stabilization, flood planning, environmental education, and beneficial reuse initiatives. These efforts are structured across several funding programs, each targeting a specific outcome area but collectively aimed at fostering sustainable ecosystems, resilient infrastructure, and informed stewardship. While the Waterway Improvement Fund is no longer part of this solicitation, the remaining programs continue to support a wide range of environmental and community-based initiatives. Funding can be used for project-specific activities aligned with the goals of the selected funding program. Applicants are required to submit detailed project information, including site-specific details, task descriptions, and a structured budget using program-specific templates. Although matching funds are not required, applicants are encouraged to demonstrate leveraged or matching contributions to strengthen the competitiveness of their proposals. Budget justification is required through template-based documentation, and applicants must include a signed transmittal letter on official organizational letterhead confirming authorization to request funding. Eligibility is limited to organizations identified within each funding program, including government entities, academic institutions, and nonprofit organizations in good standing with the Maryland Secretary of State. Applicants must comply with nondiscrimination requirements and ensure that all funded activities are conducted in accordance with applicable laws and policies. Nonprofit applicants must be properly registered and compliant with state regulations. The program emphasizes inclusive participation while maintaining strict adherence to administrative and legal standards. Applications must be submitted electronically through the designated web-based grants management portal, with the exception of the Shoreline Erosion Loan Program, which uses a separate submission form. The application process consists of three structured phases: a common application section capturing general project information, a project details section focusing on technical and site-specific elements, and a budget section requiring detailed financial inputs. There is no separate narrative requirement beyond the structured form responses, though applicants must complete all required fields and upload supporting documentation, including budget templates and authorization letters. The application timeline for this funding cycle begins with the solicitation release on July 15, 2026. Beneficial Use applications are due by September 18, 2026, while all other applications must be submitted by December 11, 2026. Technical assistance and site visits are available upon request through November 15, 2026, and informational webinars are scheduled to guide applicants through the process. Following submission, applications undergo a technical review and evaluation period from January through May 2027, with award notifications expected between June and July 2027. Funded projects are anticipated to begin between July 1 and October 1, 2027. The Grants Gateway operates on a recurring annual cycle, with future solicitations expected to follow a similar timeline. The program also provides extensive applicant resources, including templates, guidance documents, and recorded webinars to support proposal development. Applicants are encouraged to engage with program contacts for clarification and to ensure alignment between their project goals and the appropriate funding program. This structured and transparent approach ensures that funding decisions are competitive, merit-based, and aligned with Maryland’s long-term environmental and community resilience objectives.

Select the most appropriate funding program and include leveraged funds to improve competitiveness