Grants Program and Funding Opportunities for the Hudson River Estuary
The Hudson River Estuary Action Agenda is a conservation and restoration blueprint that guides the work of the Hudson River Estuary Program and its partners. The Action Agenda expresses a shared vision for the region, as defined by diverse groups of people who live and work along the river and in its valley. DEC provides funding through the Hudson River Estuary Program to implement Hudson River Estuary Action Agenda priorities. These opportunities are announced as Request for Applications (RFAs) through the Hudson River Estuary Grants Program or as Request for Proposals (RFPs) in partnership with NEIWPCC. The 2023 Hudson River Estuary Grants are now closed. Check back in March, 2024 for the announcement of the next round of grants.
Eligibility and Application Process
All New York State (NYS) grant applicants - both governmental and 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organizations - must be registered in the NYS Grants Management system (leaves DEC's website) to be eligible to apply for any NYS grant opportunity. Registration and prequalification information, forms, online guidance, documentation, and grant opportunites are available online at the New York Grants Management website (leaves DEC website).
Eligible applicants include Governmental Entities, Municipalities, and Quasi-Governmental Entities, including but not limited to Counties, Cities, Towns, Villages, or Indian nation or tribe recognized by the state or the United States with a reservation wholly or partly within the boundaries of New York State, or any combination thereof, Public Benefit Corporations, Public Authorities, Municipal Corporations, Soil and Water Conservation Districts, School Districts, and Community Colleges, and not-for-profit corporations with a 501(c)(3) designation.
Estuary Watershed Boundaries
Projects eligible for funding must be located within the Estuary Watershed Boundaries (PDF). To find out if a potential project is located within these boundaries, please type the location of the project into this Hudson River Estuary Grant Program boundaries Google Earth map.
Grants Program Reporting
Reporting is required on a quarterly basis for all Hudson River Estuary Program grants. Quarters are based on the New York State fiscal year, deadlines as follows: July 30 (for April 1 - June 30); October 30 (for July 1 - September 30); January 30 (for October 1 - December 31); April 30 (for January 1 - March 31). Quarterly reports consist of a technical narrative (progress report), and an invoice (financial report). Reports must be submitted electronically to Susan Pepe. Guidelines and associated forms are as follows:
| Grant Reporting Categories | Grant Reporting Forms |
|---|---|
| Quarterly Progress Report |
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| Quarterly Financial Report (see Financial Report Guidelines (PDF) |
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| Additional Financial Report Templates (use as needed, depending on the project) |
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| Final Report (see Final Report Guidelines (PDF) |
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The creation of this dock for the 72nd Street
free kayak program that serves more than
8,000 people every year was made possible
through an Estuary Program Grant
Grants Program History
Grants for Local Partners
Since 1999, DEC's Hudson River Estuary Program has offered grants to municipalities and non-profits located within its Estuary Watershed Boundaries (PDF). More than $19.4 million had been distributed to 495 applicants as of year's end, 2017. The funding for this program is primarily from New York State's Environmental Protection Fund (EPF).
The Estuary Grants were created to help fulfill those goals of the Hudson River Estuary Action Agenda that can be implemented most effectively by municipalities, not for profits, and other local partners.
