[Chesapeake Bay Foundation](https://www.cbf.org)

November 7, 2025 (Full Proposal) | September 18, 2025 (Information Session)

Up to $100,000 (project design - BMPs); up to $150,000 (stream/wetland/living shoreline design); up to $75,000 (planning/program development).

Supports early-phase watershed restoration project design, planning, and permitting to improve water quality in MD, WV, and select PA watersheds.

--- ## Description The Watershed Assistance Grant Program is a partnership led by the Chesapeake Bay Trust, in collaboration with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Maryland Department of the Environment, and West Virginia’s Department of Environmental Protection. The program funds the earliest phases of watershed restoration projects—such as project design, permitting, planning, and programmatic development—with the goal of improving water quality across Maryland, the West Virginia portion of the Chesapeake Bay watershed, and select Pennsylvania watersheds (specifically, the Octoraro Creek and Conowingo Creek watersheds in Chester and Lancaster Counties). Grants are intended to help local governments, nonprofits, and allied organizations develop deliverables like restoration project designs, watershed action plans, and strategies that can be leveraged for future implementation funding, and to support broader local and state water quality planning efforts. --- ## Due Dates - Full Proposal Deadline: **November 7, 2025, at 4:00 PM EST** - Information Session: **September 18, 2025, at 6:00 PM EST** ([Register here](https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/B0lUSh6UQDW5PldkT1s-4g)) --- ## Funding Amount - **Project Design (Best Management Practices, BMPs):** Up to $100,000 per request - Examples: Bioretention cells, large-scale rain gardens, stormwater management practices, LID, GI, water quality BMPs, ESD, submerged gravel wetlands, agricultural BMPs - **Stream Restoration, Wetland/Marsh Creation, Living Shorelines Design:** Up to $150,000 per request - **Watershed Planning & Program Development:** Up to $75,000 per request Matching funds are encouraged but not required. --- ## Eligibility Eligible applicants include: - Municipal, county, and regional agencies - Nonprofit organizations - Faith-based organizations - Community and homeowners associations (HOAs) - Soil/water conservation districts & resource conservation and development councils - Forestry boards - Public and independent higher educational institutions *If your organization type is not listed, contact the Trust to verify eligibility before applying.* **Eligible locations:** - All communities in Maryland - West Virginia portion of the Chesapeake Bay watershed - Pennsylvania portions of the Octoraro and Conowingo Creek watersheds (Chester and Lancaster Counties) --- ## Application Process 1. **Review Program Materials:** - [Program Page & RFP](https://cbtrust.org/grants/watershed-assistance/) - [Request for Proposals (PDF)](https://cbtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/Watershed-Assistance-Grant-Program-RFP_FY26_FINAL_8.5.26.pdf) 2. **Prepare Narrative:** - [Track 1 Narrative Questions](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1niik59LdEcMf2Cu4SIEvSc4Y6dO_-PyBV5yzY6mvp8Q/edit?usp=sharing) - [Track 2 Narrative Questions](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1QxCkm-yVucfild5_4bhV6m2jKqCXSYNoKxM93-VlJEk/edit?usp=sharing) 3. **Submit Application:** - [Start a New Application](https://bbgm-apply.yourcausegrants.com/apply/programs/039e1792-cbbf-4d06-a41a-584a78b049a1) - [Manage Existing Applications](https://apply.yourcausegrants.com/apply/applications) 4. **Optional:** Attend the information session (see Due Dates above). --- ## Additional Information - **Match:** Not required, but encouraged. - **Technical Assistance:** Maryland applicants can request help from Watershed Restoration Specialists via [this form](https://bit.ly/WACTechnicalAssistanceRequest). - **Program is part of the Watershed Assistance Collaborative:** [Learn more](https://dnr.maryland.gov/ccs/Pages/healthy_waters/wac.aspx) - **Previously awarded projects:** [View interactive map](https://cbtrust.org/impact-of-our-work/) --- ## External Links - [Program Overview & Application Materials](https://cbtrust.org/grants/watershed-assistance/) - [Request for Proposals (PDF)](https://cbtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/Watershed-Assistance-Grant-Program-RFP_FY26_FINAL_8.5.26.pdf) - [Start a New Application](https://bbgm-apply.yourcausegrants.com/apply/programs/039e1792-cbbf-4d06-a41a-584a78b049a1) - [Manage Existing Applications](https://apply.yourcausegrants.com/apply/applications) - [Register for Information Session (Sept 18, 2025)](https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/B0lUSh6UQDW5PldkT1s-4g) - [Watershed Assistance Collaborative](https://dnr.maryland.gov/ccs/Pages/healthy_waters/wac.aspx) - [Technical Assistance Request Form](https://bit.ly/WACTechnicalAssistanceRequest) - [Previously Awarded Projects Map](https://cbtrust.org/impact-of-our-work/) --- ## Contact Information | Name | Email | Phone | Role/Notes | |---------------------|------------------------------------|---------------------|---------------------------| | Megan Diehl | mdiehl@cbtrust.org | 410-974-2941 x139 | Senior Program Officer | | Chesapeake Bay Trust| [Contact Form](https://www.cbf.org/about-cbf/contact-us.html) | 888-728-3229 | General inquiries |

Watershed Assistance Grant Program

Sign in to see full grant listing