Overview

Albemarle-Pamlico National Estuary Partnership (APNEP) offers funding for Engagement & Stewardship projects on a regular basis. We accept project proposals for environmental projects that increase community stewardship, volunteerism, and environmental literacy within the Albemarle-Pamlico region. Based on availability of funding in a given year, generally $40,000-$80,000 in funds may be awarded to multiple projects. 

Eligible Applicants

  • State, Tribal, and local governments (including Councils of Government and Planning District Commissions) 
  • Interstate and intrastate agencies
  • Public and private nonprofit organizations and institutions
  • Public and independent K-12 schools, and higher education institutions

APNEP accepts proposals only for projects or initiatives that take place within or primarily impact areas within the APNEP management boundary in North Carolina and Virginia, and which assist in implementing at least one of the APNEP Engagement and Stewardship Team’s four Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP) Actions. The CCMP is a long-term plan that contains specific targeted actions to address a wide range of environmental issues in the Albemarle-Pamlico region, including education, engagement, and stewardship needs. More details are available in the Request for Proposals document below. 

APNEP's Priority Areas for Funding include: Resilience, Water Quality, Wetlands, and Submerged Aquatic Vegetation

How to Apply

APNEP’s abridged Engagement and Stewardship  Request for Proposals and Scope of Work application are available below. All applications must be submitted to apnep@deq.nc.gov in electronic format as a PDF document by the announced deadline. 

For the 2024 funding year, applications were accepted between December 15, 2023 and February 15, 2024 and assessed on a rolling basis based on criteria developed by APNEP’s Engagement and Stewardship Action Team. Applicants will receive a funding decision from APNEP staff within 4 weeks after the deadline. Assistance with project proposals is available; please contact APNEP staff at apnep@deq.nc.gov for more details. 

Application Tips

View our 2021 Application Tips Video for application recommendations and important things to remember. 

Documents