National Estuary Program Watersheds Grant Program
Forecasted
National Estuary Program Watersheds Grant Program supports public, nonprofit, academic, and NEP entities in restoring habitats and reducing pollution to improve conditions across 28 estuary program areas.
Funder: Restore America's Estuaries
Due Dates (Anticipated): November 2026 (Letters of Intent) | January 2027 (Invited full proposals)
Funding Amounts: $200,000–$500,000 per award in the 2025 round; next-round funding undetermined
Summary: Supports projects addressing urgent estuary threats and delivering measurable improvements within the 28 National Estuary Program areas.
Key Information: Fieldwork and ecosystem improvements must occur entirely within eligible NEP boundaries and address local conservation-plan priorities.
Description
Restore America's Estuaries (RAE) administers this nationally competitive program in coordination with and financial support from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. It supports projects addressing urgent, emerging, and challenging threats to water quality, habitats, and living resources within the 28 National Estuary Program (NEP) areas. The program encourages tangible environmental improvements, innovative approaches, sustainable local capacity, and partnerships.
The 2025 solicitation focused on habitat loss affecting fisheries and water quality, and impacts of nonpoint source pollution, excess nutrients, and warmer water temperatures. Eligible approaches include habitat restoration, nature-based solutions, nutrient abatement, planning and permitting, capacity building, and changes to management frameworks or ordinances. Planning projects must demonstrate how their anticipated long-term outcomes will improve estuarine conditions. Assessment must inform actionable improvements rather than constitute research or routine monitoring alone.
