Chesapeake Bay Small Watershed Grants 2026 Request for Proposals

RFP GUIDANCE

NFWF is committed to operating in full compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and Executive Orders. We continuously monitor legal and regulatory developments to ensure our policies, procedures, and operations align with current federal directives. We encourage all applicants to do the same.

The ability and extent to which NFWF is able to make awards is contingent upon receipt of funds from federal agencies and/or other funding partners. Final funding decisions will be made based on the applications received and the level and timing of funding received by NFWF.

TIMELINE

Dates of activities are subject to change. Please check the Program page of the NFWF website for the most current dates and information (http://www.nfwf.org/chesapeake).

Applicant Webinar (Register Here)       Monday, February 2, 2026, 1:00 PM ET
FieldDoc Webinar (Register Here)         Wednesday, February 4, 2026, 11:00 AM ET
Proposal Due Date                 Thursday, April 2, 12:00 PM ET
Proposal Review Period             April – August 2026
Awards Announced                 September 2026 (anticipated)

NFWF will host an applicant webinar detailing this Request for Proposals at 1:00 PM on Monday, February 2, 2026. Interested applicants must register in order to participate. A recording of the webinar will be made available on the program page by Thursday, February 5, 2026.

While NFWF does not require consultation prior to application, we strongly encourage interested applicants to schedule a proposal lab with NFWF staff or contact its contracted field liaisons to discuss their proposed project to gather constructive feedback in developing a competitive proposal and to obtain guidance on the most appropriate program and funding opportunity for project consideration.

Interested applicants may schedule virtual Small Watershed Grants Proposal Lab project consultations with NFWF staff here and are also encouraged to review the CBSF Quick Reference Guide and Applicant Toolbox for further guidance on proposal development.

OVERVIEW

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), in partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the federal-state Chesapeake Bay Program (CBP) partnership, is soliciting proposals through the Chesapeake Bay Stewardship Fund to protect and restore water quality and habitats of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributary rivers and streams.

Through the Small Watershed Grants (SWG) program, delivered in partnership with EPA and the CBP partnership, NFWF is soliciting proposals for projects within the Chesapeake Bay watershed that promote voluntary, community-based efforts to protect and restore the diverse and vital habitats of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributary rivers and streams. NFWF will award funding through two distinct funding opportunities.

SWG Implementation (SWG-I) grants of $150,000-750,000 will be awarded for projects that result in direct, on-the-ground actions to protect and restore water quality, species, and habitats in the Bay watershed. NFWF expects all SWG-I proposals to have any necessary preliminary designs completed for proposed activities by the time of application.
SWG Planning and Technical Assistance (SWG-PTA) grants up to $150,000 will be awarded for projects that enhance local capacity to advance future on-the-ground actions, consistent with SWG Program priorities, through community-based assessment, planning, design, and other technical assistance-oriented activities.

All SWG Program proposals must directly align with one or more of the SWG PROGRAM PRIORITIES outlined further in this Request for Proposals.

FUNDING AVAILABILITY AND MATCH

NFWF will award grants through the SWG program in 2026 with primary funding provided by EPA. Other important contributions are provided by Altria Group, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and the U.S. Forest Service. For both the SWG-I and SWG-PTA funding opportunities, non-federal matching funds are encouraged but not required. To qualify, match must be expended during the proposed period of performance.

	Funding Opportunity
	SWG Implementation	SWG-PTA
Project Award Range	$150,000 – 750,000	Up to $150,000
Match Requirement	Encouraged, but not required	Encouraged, but not required

All proposed projects must begin on or after September 1, 2026, to facilitate necessary grant contracting, quality assurance, and environmental compliance activities. SWG Implementation grants should be completed within two years of award, and SWG Planning and Technical Assistance grants should be completed within 18 months of award.

GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS

All projects must occur wholly within the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Heightened consideration may be provided to projects located within priority sub watersheds or habitat units based on the unique opportunities to maximize multiple goals and outcomes for water quality, species and habitats, and communities.

PROGRAM PRIORITIES

In December 2025, the Chesapeake Executive Council approved a revised Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement that renews the collective commitments of CBP partners to advance restoration, conservation and protection of the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem and its watershed through 2040. The SWG program is a critical element of EPA and CBP’s overall financial support to advance those commitments.

Through the 2026 SWG program, NFWF is soliciting proposals that provide measurable contributions towards the goals and outcomes of the revised Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement and NFWF’s Chesapeake Bay Business Plan and will place priority emphasis on projects that meaningfully and materially contribute to multiple program priorities as outlined below.

The SWG program will support projects that address one or more of the program priorities described below through either (1) direct on-the-ground implementation of conservation or restoration actions (SWG-I grants) or (2) assessment, planning, design, and other technical assistance activities (SWG-PTA grants). SWG-I grants may also include reasonable technical assistance-oriented activities necessary to support proposed on-the-ground implementation, as well as appropriate monitoring and ongoing maintenance activities, provided that the primary focus of the proposal is advancing on-the-ground implementation outcomes.

In all cases, NFWF will prioritize proposals from applicants that effectively incorporate community stewardship into proposed project activities by directly and meaningfully engaging affected local communities in the identification, prioritization, selection, and implementation of proposed actions. Examples of direct and meaningful engagement include:

Co-creating project with community members
Empowering community members with knowledge and decision-making authority
Ensuring the project team includes community members and facilitates collaborative management with the community
Undertaking specific, active engagement strategies such as workshops, classroom activities, field trips, and volunteer opportunities
Addressing a specific and localized harm such as pollution, flooding, or fires
Creating jobs in the target community or facilitating job training and certification

NFWF also explicitly encourages applications from or incorporating community-based organizations as key project partners in order to ensure that a broad spectrum of community interests is represented and reflected in proposed activities. Furthermore, NFWF encourages the use of grant funding to enhance the internal capacity of applicants and their partners to engage with, mentor, and support community partners.

PRIORITY 1. Managing Agricultural and Urban Runoff

Managing Upland Agricultural Runoff through Farm-Scale Conservation Systems and Solutions: Includes efforts to reduce water quality impacts and increase resilience of agricultural production systems while simultaneously delivering potential management benefits for the region’s farms by implementing agricultural conservation practices that result in direct nutrient and sediment load reduction benefits.

Generally, applicants should seek first to utilize existing federal, state, and local agricultural cost-share and incentive programs to finance implementation of agricultural conservation practices, with NFWF funding used to strategically fill gaps in existing funding programs. Where NFWF funding is sought to cover costs for practice implementation, describe why other public programs are insufficient or otherwise inappropriate for financing proposed practice implementation.

NFWF has dedicated funding from NRCS to support projects on private, working lands that provide technical assistance to interested farmers and ranchers to develop management plans, design and implement conservation practices, and participate in Farm Bill programs, especially the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) and Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). Emphasis should be placed on promoting, designing, and implementing conservation practices that also deliver improved water quality outcomes, and on reducing the Farm Bill practice contracting and implementation backlogs.

Applicants proposing projects focused on the agricultural sector are encouraged to confer with the relevant NRCS State Conservationist and their staff in the state in which your project is located to ensure alignment with NRCS goals and priorities. A list of NRCS state contacts can be found here.

Managing Upland Urban Runoff through Green Stormwater Infrastructure Improvements (GSI): Includes efforts to reduce stormwater runoff on developed lands by implementing GSI practices that capture, store, filter, and treat stormwater runoff through systems and practices that mimic natural hydrologic processes.
Accelerating Innovation in Watershed Management: Includes in-field application of new technologies and management approaches that reduce costs, reduce nutrient and sediment loading and increase pollutant removal efficiencies, and more effectively control emerging nutrient and sediment pollutant sources.

PRIORITY 2. Improving Water Quality and Stream Health Through Riparian Restoration and Conservation

Restoring Riparian and Freshwater Habitats through Forested Buffers, Livestock Exclusion, and Stream and Floodplain Restoration: Includes efforts to mitigate local stream impairments and improve stream health through establishment of riparian forested buffers (to an expected minimum width of 35 feet), livestock exclusion fencing (including stream crossings and off-stream watering systems where appropriate), and approaches to stream and floodplain restoration.

Proposed stream and floodplain restoration efforts must be consistent with qualifying conditions for nutrient and sediment load reductions under the Chesapeake Bay TMDL and associated design and crediting protocols established by the CBP partnership (see Recommendations of the Expert Panel to Define Removal Rates for Individual Stream Restoration Projects and the Chesapeake Stormwater Network’s Unified Guide for Crediting Stream and Floodplain Restoration Projects in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed to determine project eligibility). Beyond estimated load reductions, the most competitive projects must be effectively presented as part of a larger watershed restoration effort aimed at addressing the full range of stressors to stream health (especially upstream of the proposed restoration site), enhance stream function, and optimize co-benefits for ecosystems and affected communities.

Because stream and floodplain restoration projects are capital-intensive and highly site-specific and require interventions with potential for significant impacts on existing natural resources, these proposals will accordingly undergo enhanced scrutiny in the proposal review and evaluation process. As a result, applicants considering applying for stream and floodplain restoration projects are strongly encouraged to contact an appropriate NFWF field liaison to schedule a pre-application site visit prior to submitting your application (see APPLICATION ASSISTANCE below for field liaison contact information).

Applicants for stream restoration and floodplain reconnection projects must complete and upload an accompanying “Stream and Floodplain Restoration Narrative Supplement” in addition to the required full proposal narrative. This supplemental narrative should provide additional technical information and not duplicate or reiterate the main proposal narrative.

Conserving High-Quality Riparian Corridors: Includes long-term protection and preservation of riparian and floodplain ecosystems by strategically leveraging federal, state, and local land conservation programs through assistance with transaction and due diligence costs, bonus payments for high-value riparian conservation easements and land acquisitions, and incorporation of riparian protection into existing agricultural land preservation programs.

PRIORITY 3. Enhancing and Protecting Freshwater Habitat for Brook Trout

Increasing Brook Trout Habitat Integrity and Population Viability: In conjunction with efforts to manage polluted runoff and restore and conserve riparian and upland forest habitat, includes improving connectivity within and between stronghold eastern brook trout population patches through dam removal, repair and replacement of culverts and other fish passage improvements to increase populations and occupied habitat, and monitoring of species and population response. In-stream habitat enhancements may also be appropriate where instream habitat quality, cover, and structure can be identified as limiting factors to viable local populations in stronghold and persistent patches.
Conserving Upland and Riparian Forests in Brook Trout Strongholds: Includes long-term protection and preservation of upland and riparian forest ecosystems in identified brook trout strongholds by strategically leveraging federal, state, and local land conservation programs through assistance with transaction and due diligence costs, bonus payments for conservation easements and land acquisitions for high-quality upland and riparian forest, and incorporation of forestland protection into existing rural land preservation programs.

PRIORITY 4. Enhancing and Protecting Tidal and Estuarine Habitat

Restoring and Conserving Wetland and Tidal Marsh Habitat for American Black Duck: Includes restoration of degraded tidal and non-tidal wetland habitats and strategic conservation of existing high-quality wintering and nesting habitats for American black duck. To address threats to habitat from sea level rise, NFWF will further support strategies that seek to create corridors for future marsh migration through strategic land protection, restoration, and management.
Managing Shoreline Erosion and Marsh Loss: Includes implementation of nature-based or hybrid living shoreline restoration practices, particularly those adjacent to or proximate to priority oyster reef restoration sites, that help reduce nutrient and sediment loading to tidal waters, establish and expand emergent or submerged aquatic vegetation, and/or help to protect adjacent marsh systems documented as important habitat for American black duck and other important waterfowl species.
Restoring Large-Scale Oyster Reefs: Includes assisting efforts to restore and protect large-scale oyster reefs in tributaries strategically identified by Maryland, Virginia and federal partners by leveraging funding from federal and state agencies to support oyster larvae and spat production, development of sustainable reef substrate supplies, and reef construction efforts in established oyster reef restoration tributaries.
Restoring River Herring Habitat Connectivity: Includes efforts to increase connectivity and access to spawning habitat along priority migratory corridors for alewife and blueback herring through dam removal, repair and replacement of culverts, and other fish passage improvements. NFWF will prioritize cost-effective connectivity enhancements that provide access to the greatest amount of quality habitat at the lowest cost.

PRIORITY 5. Enhancing Nature-Based Resilience for Human Communities

Protecting and Enhancing Natural and Nature-Based Solutions to Improve Community Resilience: Includes efforts to protect and enhance natural and nature-based solutions to help protect coastal and inland communities from the impacts of storms, floods, and other natural hazards and enable them to recover more quickly.

PRIORITY 6. Building Capacity for Landscape-Scale Watershed and Habitat Planning, Design, and Implementation

Regional-Scale Partnership Development: Includes activities that scale up restoration outcomes through enhanced partnership and coordination across organizations at broader regional and landscape scales.
Improving Delivery of Outreach and Technical Assistance: Includes support for conservation districts, nonprofits, local and state governments, and private sector partners to provide technical assistance necessary to achieve NFWF’s habitat restoration, conservation, and management goals through field positions, development of targeted outreach strategies such as community-based social marketing, and enhanced coordination and partnership among technical assistance providers to improve efficiency and reduce administrative bottlenecks.
Assessing Local Watershed and Habitat Restoration Needs and Opportunities: Includes watershed and habitat assessments, watershed implementation planning, and other planning and prioritization efforts to maximize conservation impact. Examples include small watershed restoration plans, property or farm-level conservation and stormwater management plans, stormwater retrofit assessments, patch-level population and habitat assessments for Eastern brook trout, culvert and barrier assessments in priority rivers for river herring, and wetlands restoration and protection assessments to maximize black duck population outcomes.
Designing and Permitting Watershed and Habitat Improvements: Includes strategic assistance to local partners for costs associated with design and permitting for high-impact restoration and management actions. NFWF has specific interest in design approaches that integrate multiple species and/or habitat objectives and therefore provide meaningful contributions to multiple programmatic goals and outcomes. NFWF expects all SWG-I proposals to have any necessary preliminary designs completed for proposed activities by the time of application. Projects requiring support to develop preliminary designs are encouraged to apply for funding through the SWG-PTA funding opportunity.
Leveraging Social Science to Advance Behavior Change: Includes efforts to utilize applied social science research to understand and apply frameworks to influence behaviors of individual landowners, homeowners, watershed residents, businesses, and institutions in support of watershed restoration and protection outcomes, as well as integration of best practices in social science program evaluation to measure success of engagement and behavior change programs.

PROJECT METRICS

To better gauge progress on individual grants and to ensure greater consistency of project data provided by multiple grants, the Chesapeake Bay Stewardship Fund has a list of metrics in Easygrants for proposal applicants to choose from for future reporting. We ask that applicants select only the most relevant metrics from the list for their project (all possible program metrics are shown in the table in APPENDIX A). If you do not believe an applicable metric has been provided, please contact Oleksandr Faryga at oleksandr.faryga@nfwf.org or 202-595-2453 to discuss acceptable alternatives.

ELIGIBILITY

EVALUATION CRITERIA

All proposals will be screened for relevance, accuracy, completeness, and compliance with NFWF and funding source policies. Proposals will then be evaluated based on the extent to which they meet the following criteria:

Evaluation Criterion #1 – Conservation Outcomes

Implementation: Project will clearly and demonstrably result in meaningful on-the-ground implementation of conservation and/or restoration actions that contribute to one or more of the identified program priorities. Where possible and appropriate, the proposed project simultaneously contributes measurable and meaningful implementation actions supporting multiple priority outcomes.
PTA: Project will result in the delivery of planning and technical assistance products and services that meaningfully advance potential conservation or restoration implementation efforts that would contribute to one of more program priorities. In considering who benefits from requested services, there is a demonstrated need for services and a clear commitment to utilize services to support future implementation efforts.
Project supports new and existing partnerships working to advance conservation and restoration actions in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
Project incorporates plans and approaches to implement, verify and sustain conservation and restoration actions and outcomes beyond the timeframe of the grant.

Evaluation Criterion #2 – Partnership and Community Impact

The applicant organization partners and engages collaboratively with local community members, leaders, community-based organizations, and other relevant stakeholders to develop and implement the proposed project. This ensures long-term sustainability and success of the project, integration into local programs and policies, and community acceptance of proposed restoration actions.
Partners or communities are enlisted to broaden the sustained impact from the project.
Proposal describes the community characteristics of the project area, identifies any communities impacted, and describes outreach and community engagement activities and how those will be monitored and measured.
Proposal uses data to support descriptions and submit letters of support from community partners and/or collaborators demonstrating their commitment to the project and engagement in project activities as proposed.

Evaluation Criterion #3 – Budget / Cost-Effectiveness

Costs are allowable, reasonable and budgeted in accordance with NFWF’s Budget Instructions cost categories. Federally-funded projects must be in compliance with OMB Uniform Guidance as applicable.
Matching contributions consist of cash, contributed goods and services, volunteer hours, and/or property raised and spent for the project during the period of performance. Larger match ratios and matching fund contributions from a range of partners are encouraged and will be more competitive during application review.
Cost-effectiveness analysis identifies the economically most efficient way to meet project objectives. Project includes a cost-effective budget that balances performance risk and efficient use of funds. Cost-effectiveness evaluation includes, but is not limited to, an assessment of effective direct/indirect costs across all categories in the proposed budget according to the type, size and duration of project and project objectives. Project budgets will be compared to similar projects to ensure proposed costs across all budget categories are reasonable for the activities being performed and the outcomes proposed.
Budget clearly indicates the degree of partnership in conducting the proposed work, including funding for project partners, stakeholders, and community members, as appropriate.
The federal government has determined that a de minimis 15% indirect rate is an acceptable minimum for organizations without a negotiated indirect cost rate agreement (NICRA), as such NFWF reserves the right to scrutinize ALL proposals with indirect rates above 15% for cost-effectiveness.

Evaluation Criterion #4 – Technical

Project is technically sound and feasible, and the proposal sets forth a clear, logical, and achievable work plan, milestones, and timeline. All proposed projects must begin on or after September 1, 2026 to facilitate necessary grant contracting and quality assurance activities.
Project engages appropriate technical experts throughout project planning, design and implementation to ensure activities are technically sound and feasible.
Project spatial data submitted to NFWF’s online mapping tool accurately represent the location(s) of conservation activity(ies) at the time of proposal submission. Successful projects will be required to submit improved spatial data for each conservation activity within the period of performance as necessary.
Proposal demonstrates an understanding of necessary permitting and environmental compliance requirements and the ability to obtain necessary approvals consistent with the proposed work plan and timeline.
Applicant organization has demonstrated an ability to manage and implement similar projects on time and within budget.
Implementation: Proposal demonstrates, at minimum, that initial conceptual designs for proposed restoration activities have been completed by the time of application. Projects able to demonstrate further progress in design and permitting may receive priority consideration.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

Ineligible Uses of Grant Funds

Equipment: Applicants are encouraged to rent equipment where possible and cost-effective or use matching funds to make those purchases. NFWF acknowledges, however, that some projects may only be completed using NFWF funds to procure equipment. If this applies to your project, please contact the program staff listed in this RFP to discuss options.
Federal funds and matching contributions may not be used to procure or obtain equipment, services, or systems (including entering into or renewing a contract) that uses telecommunications equipment or services produced by Huawei Technologies Company or ZTE Corporation (or any subsidiary or affiliate of such entities) as a substantial or essential component, or as critical technology of any system. Refer to Public Law 115-232, section 889 for additional information.
NFWF funds and matching contributions may not be used to support political advocacy, fundraising, lobbying, litigation, terrorist activities or Foreign Corrupt Practices Act violations.
NFWF funds may not be used to support ongoing efforts to comply with legal requirements, including permit conditions, mitigation and settlement agreements. However, grant funds may be used to support projects that enhance or improve upon existing baseline compliance efforts.

NRCS Funding and Coordination – In order to qualify for potential NRCS funding under this solicitation, applicants should provide technical assistance to interested farmers, ranchers, and private forestland owners to develop management plans, design and implement conservation practices, share their experiences and lessons learned, and participate in Farm Bill programs, especially the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). A particular emphasis should be placed on promoting, designing, and implementing conservation practices that improve soil health, support grazing system resiliency, restore wetlands, develop perennial wildlife habitat, improve nutrient management, and enhance forest health.

For pre-proposals focused on the agricultural sector, applicants are encouraged to ensure the project aligns with NRCS goals, priorities, and capacity needs by conferring with the NRCS State Conservationist and their staff in the state in which your project is located. A list of NRCS contacts can be found here.

Environmental Services – NFWF funds projects in pursuit of its mission to sustain, restore and enhance the nation's fish, wildlife, plants and habitats for current and future generations. NFWF recognizes that some benefits from projects may be of value with regards to credits on an environmental services market (such as a carbon credit market). NFWF does not participate in, facilitate, or manage an environmental services market nor does NFWF assert any claim on such credits.

Intellectual Property – Intellectual property created using NFWF awards may be copyrighted or otherwise legally protected by award recipients. NFWF may reserve the right to use, publish, and copy materials created under awards, including posting such material on NFWF’s website and featuring it in publications. NFWF may use project metrics and spatial data from awards to estimate community benefits that result and to report these results to funding partners. These may include but are not limited to: habitat and species response, species connectivity, water quality, water quantity, risk of detrimental events (e.g., wildfire, floods), and carbon accounting (e.g., sequestration, avoided emissions).

Procurement – If the applicant chooses to specifically identify proposed Contractor(s) for Services, an award by NFWF to the applicant does not constitute NFWF’s express written authorization for the applicant to procure such specific services noncompetitively. When procuring goods and services, NFWF recipients must follow documented procurement procedures which reflect applicable laws and regulations.

Publicity and Acknowledgement of Support – Award recipients will be required to grant NFWF the right and authority to publicize the project and NFWF’s financial support for the grant in press releases, publications and other public communications. Recipients may also be asked by NFWF to provide high-resolution (minimum 300 dpi) photographs depicting the project.

Receiving Award Funds – Award payments are primarily reimbursable. Projects may request funds for reimbursement at any time after completing a signed agreement with NFWF. A request of advance funds must be due to an imminent need of expenditure and must detail how the funds will be used and provide justification and a timeline for expected disbursement of these funds.

Compliance Requirements – Projects selected may be subject to requirements under the National Environmental Policy Act, Endangered Species Act (state and federal), and National Historic Preservation Act. Documentation of compliance with these regulations must be approved prior to initiating activities that disturb or alter habitat or other features of the project site(s). Applicants should budget time and resources to obtain the needed approvals. As may be applicable, successful applicants may be required to comply with additional Federal, state, or local requirements and obtain all necessary permits and clearances.

Quality Assurance – If a project involves monitoring, data collection or data use, grantees will be asked to prepare and submit quality assurance documentation. This includes any data collection activities described in the proposal as provided by match and partner activities. Examples of data collection or use which requires a Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP):

New data collection.
Existing data use (a new use for data collected for a different purpose, whether by the same or different groups).
Data collection and analysis associated with development or design of plans and projects.
Water or other environmental monitoring.
Model development or use etc.
Citizen or community based scientific data collection, monitoring etc.

Applicants should budget time and resources to complete this task. No data collection or use may begin until a QAPP is approved and on file. Reimbursement for project activities, including non-data collection activities, may be delayed until quality assurance compliance requirements are complete. Plan to submit the draft QAPP to NFWF within three months of award. The timeline for receiving review feedback and comments and subsequent submittal for EPA approval is dependent upon the quality of the draft QAPP submission and may involve several iterations. General assistance will be available to grantees to help with scoping and review of draft QAPPs. For more information, follow the link to EPA QA and CBSF Quality Assurance Project Plan Guidance. Please contact Oleksandr Faryga (oleksandr.faryga@nfwf.org) if you have any questions about whether your project would require a QAPP. Applicants interested in details of NFWF’s quality assurance approach can visit our “Tools for Current Grantees” webpage.

Permits – Successful applicants will be required to provide sufficient documentation that the project expects to receive or has received all necessary permits and clearances to comply with any Federal, state or local requirements. Where projects involve work in the waters of the United States, NFWF strongly encourages applicants to conduct a permit pre-application meeting with the Army Corps of Engineers prior to submitting their proposal. In some cases, if a permit pre-application meeting has not been completed, NFWF may require successful applicants to complete such a meeting prior to grant award.

Practice Specifications – Unless otherwise noted, all water quality improvement practices implemented must conform to established and recognized standards and practice specifications (e.g., NRCS practice standards, state stormwater manuals and retrofit guidance, approved CBP BMP Expert Panel reports). Applicants must note where proposed practices will deviate from established standards and provide reasonable justification for why an alternative is necessary.

Monitoring – NFWF may implement independent monitoring efforts in the future to measure the environmental outcomes from projects funded under this solicitation. Award recipients may be asked to facilitate granting of access to project sites for NFWF or its designees for future environmental monitoring purposes.

HOW TO APPLY

All application materials must be submitted online through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Easygrants system.

Go to easygrants.nfwf.org to register in our Easygrants online system. New users to the system will be prompted to register before starting the application (if you already are a registered user, use your existing login). Enter your applicant information. Please disable the pop-up blocker on your internet browser prior to beginning the application process.
Once on your homepage, click the “Apply for Funding” button and select this RFP’s “Funding Opportunity” from the list of options.
Follow the instructions in Easygrants to complete your application. Once an application has been started, it may be saved and returned to at a later time for completion and submission.

APPLICATION ASSISTANCE

A Tip Sheet and quick reference guide is available for review while you are working through your application. These documents can be downloaded at http://www.nfwf.org/chesapeake. Additional information to support the application process can be accessed on the NFWF website’s Applicant Information page.

For more information or questions about this RFP, please contact Jake Reilly (jake.reilly@nfwf.org) or Oleksandr Faryga (oleksandr.faryga@nfwf.org).

For issues or assistance with our online Easygrants system, please contact:
Easygrants Helpdesk
•    Email: Easygrants@nfwf.org
•    Voicemail: 202-595-2497
•    Hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm ET, Monday-Friday.
•    Include: your name, proposal ID #, e-mail address, phone number, program you are applying to, and a description of the issue.

NFWF also offers on-demand, field-based project and partnership development support through field liaisons providing broad geographic coverage across the Bay region for agricultural conservation, urban stormwater management, wetland and watershed science, and habitat experience and expertise relevant to Bay restoration goals. Applicants may also contact these field liaisons using the information below to discuss potential projects:

Liaison Contact	Email	Phone	Primary Focus
Kristen Saacke Blunk	kristen@headwaters-llc.org	(814) 360-9766	Watershed-, stream-, and wetland restoration and protection, land protection
Sarah Clark	sarah@icl.org	(240) 472-1772	Collaboration and partnership development
Kristen Hughes Evans	kristen@susches.org	(804) 554-3403	Agriculture, collaborative project development
David Hirschman	dave@hirschmanwater.com	(434) 409-0993	Stormwater, green infrastructure, stream corridor restoration
Katie Ombalski	katie@woodswaters.com	(814) 574-7281	Watershed restoration, agriculture, forest and aquatic habitat restoration, land conservation
Mariah Davis	davisstrategies1@gmail.com	(757) 291-8785	Community Engagement, Urban and Suburban Stormwater, Urban and Suburban Agriculture
Bryan Hofmann	bryan.hofmann@riverfriends.org	(540) 693-0443	Green Infrastructure, Forestry, Living Shorelines, Stream Restoration, Education, Collaborative project development