Ocean State Climate Adaptation and Resilience Fund Grants
Ocean State Climate Adaptation and Resilience Fund Grants support public land stewards with habitat restoration and waterfront access projects to protect Rhode Island from climate hazards.
Funder: Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management
Due Dates: December 11, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. (Application)
Funding Amounts: Approximately $1 million available; funds generally must be spent within 24 months of agreement execution
Summary: Supports public-land adaptation and resilience projects protecting coastal and riverine habitats and public waterfront access from climate hazards.
Key Information: Applicants must own or control qualifying public land and be able to cover costs before reimbursement.
Description
The Ocean State Climate Adaptation and Resilience (OSCAR) Fund supports projects on public lands that protect or enhance coastal or riverine ecological habitats in response to climate change. DEM and the Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) jointly solicit proposals, working with the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank (RIIB). The program addresses flooding, erosion, sea level rise, storm surge, and other hazards identified in Resilient Rhody 2025.
Eligible activities include floodplain restoration, bank regrading, revegetation, and infrastructure removal or relocation that provides habitat benefits. Projects may also acquire land needed to preserve public access or redesign, resize, and replace culverts and bridge spans at existing wetland crossings. Certain public-access protection projects and repairs to existing shoreline protection structures in public parks are also supported.
