Youth Environmental Education Grant Program
Youth Environmental Education Grant Program supports youth and educators through environmental investigations, outdoor learning spaces, and training to advance environmental literacy and watershed restoration.
This grant was recently updated
Applications are now open with a deadline of January 7, 2027, at 4:00 PM EST, replacing the closed cycle’s July 9, 2026 deadline at the same time. The funder also replaced the FY27 Round 1 RFP with Round 2 and added access to its new application portal.
Funder: Chesapeake Bay Trust
Due Dates: January 7, 2027, at 4:00 PM EST (Application)
Funding Amounts: Up to $10,000 for Tracks 1–2 or $5,000 for Tracks 3–4; projects completed within 12 months
Summary: Supports youth environmental investigations, outdoor learning spaces, and educator development connecting local environmental learning with action.
Key Information: Projects must take place in Maryland or Chesapeake Bay watershed portions of D.C., Delaware, Pennsylvania, Virginia, or West Virginia.
Description
The Chesapeake Bay Trust administers this program in partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to increase youth knowledge and involvement in protecting and restoring regional natural resources. It supports environmental education for youth, generally pre-K–12, alongside professional development for formal, non-formal, and community educators.
The program emphasizes the Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience (MWEE) model: investigating a local environmental issue through indoor and outdoor learning, developing solutions, and taking informed action in a school or community. Funding supports out-of-school investigations, outdoor classrooms and habitats, in-school MWEEs, and educator training. Its goals include expanding access to robust outdoor education, engaging communities in watershed restoration, strengthening educators’ confidence, and supporting environmental literacy goals.
