Grant Opportunities

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National Estuaries Program Watershed Grant Program

Application deadline: Ongoing Registration

The Restore America's Estuaries Watersheds Grant Program is a nationally competitive grants program designed to support projects that address urgent, emerging, and challenging issues threatening the well-being of estuaries within the 28 NEP location boundary areas.

205(j) Water Quality Management Planning Grant

Application deadline: September 17, 2026

Pursuant to Section 205(j)/604(b) of the Clean Water Act, the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Division of Water Resources (DWR) is currently seeking proposals for water quality planning projects using federal fiscal year 2026 grant funds.

FY2027 Atlantic Coastal Fish Habitat Partnership Funding Cycle

Application deadline: September 25, 2026

Restore and conserve habitat necessary to support coastal, estuarine-dependent, and diadromous fish species along the U.S. Atlantic Coast. ACFHP anticipates supporting 2-3 projects ranging from $35,000 – $100,000 in FY2027. The RFP closes Friday, September 25, 2026.

WRRI Faculty Research Grants – USGS 104(b)

Application deadline: October 12, 2026

Faculty and university research affiliates at accredited NC colleges and universities may be awarded up to $60,000/year ($60,000 for 1-year projects; $120,000 maximum for 2-year projects) for research, engagement, and information transfer projects that address real-world water resource issues across North Carolina.

Community Collaborative Research Grant

Application deadline: October 26, 2026

WRRI, NC Sea Grant, and KIETS are now accepting proposals for the Community Collaborative Research Grant (CCRG) program for projects to start in May 2027. Funding is available for one-year projects and awards will range between $5,000-$25,000. Read more!

Long-Term Water Supply Study for High Growth Basins (2026)

Application deadline: December 31, 2026

This funding opportunity will support a collaborative, multiple investigator study on high growth river basins, including Cape Fear, Catawba, and Neuse. The performance period is January 1, 2027 – April 30, 2029.

Environmental Assessment Funding Grant (MARC Grant)

Application deadline: March 31, 2027

EPA awarded the DEQ Brownfields Redevelopment Section a $2 million MARC grant to complete site assessments in three historically disadvantaged areas of the state. It will work with our partner communities and contractors to complete these tasks and encourage productive reuse within disadvantaged communities.

Youth Sports Grant (FY 2027)

Application deadline: May 31, 2027

Travel Funding: Up to $5,000 in travel funding for nonprofessional youth sports teams to compete in North Carolina, or out-of-state, sporting events. Host Funding: Up to $25,000 to attract State, regional, area, and national sporting events, tournaments, and programs for nonprofessional youth sporting participants.

Go Outside "GO" Grant (FY 2027) - Off Campus Field Trips

Application deadline: May 31, 2027

Up to $5,000 for field trips with outdoor activities and learning components.

Project EXPLORE

Application deadline: September 30, 2027

The North Carolina Arboretum is currently accepting applications for the 2026-2027 year for Project EXPLORE: a teacher mini-grant program to promote community science in schools! This program is open to ALL North Carolina K-12 teachers who are interested in getting their students outside doing hands-on scientific data collection and reporting. It offers a mini-grant, materials, support from a local environmental educator, and curriculum-based programming correlated to the NC state standards.

Trailblazers Outdoor Club Program (FY 2027)

Application deadline: June 30, 2028

New Trailblazers Club Applications & Registration for existing Club Advisors.