Tampa Bay Environmental Restoration Fund
Forecasted
Tampa Bay Environmental Restoration Fund supports government, nonprofit, and educational projects in restoration, water quality, applied research, and education to protect Tampa Bay and its watershed.
Funder: Tampa Bay Estuary Program
Due Dates (Anticipated): March 2027 (Full application)
Funding Amounts: Typically $25,000–$250,000 per project for up to three years
Summary: Supports habitat restoration, water quality improvement, applied research, and education benefiting Tampa Bay and its watershed.
Key Information: A minimum 1:1 cash or in-kind match is required, and entirely research-focused proposals are ineligible.
Description
The Tampa Bay Environmental Restoration Fund (TBERF) is a competitive grant program administered by the Tampa Bay Estuary Program and supported by public and private contributors. It funds cost-effective projects that protect, restore, or enhance natural resources within Tampa Bay and its watershed. Supported work includes on-the-ground restoration and conceptual planning, water quality improvements, applied research and monitoring with clear resource-management applications, and evidence-based community social marketing campaigns.
Projects must provide direct, measurable watershed benefits and address issues identified in the Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan for Tampa Bay or the Habitat Master Plan. Projects benefiting underserved or overburdened communities are encouraged. Past awards have supported oyster reefs, living shorelines, wetland restoration, seagrass research, harmful algal bloom studies, and stormwater improvements.
