Apply for Hudson River Estuary Program Grant Funding!

An exciting announcement from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has surfaced, revealing brand-new funding available through two types of Requests for Applications (RFAs), whose total comes to $1 million. This act is part of the goals outlined in the DEC’s very own Hudson River Estuary 2021-2025 Action Agenda, which calls for funding that goes into the enhancement and protection of the Hudson River Estuary and its watershed in the New York region. This program at time of writing has offered over 650 grants that have totaled a value above $30.5 million.

Local Stewardship Planning Funding

The first portion of this new grant funding values at a total of $700,000 and is allocated to Local Stewardship Planning. Applicants for this category can receive a minimum of $10,500 and a maximum of $75,000. This funding has been made available to assist communities and organizations on a local level that strive to create climate vulnerability and adaptation plans; planning for estuary/watershed access improvements such as boating, swimming, and accessibility; planning for the conservation of natural resources; and watershed-based stewardship planning, education, and restoration.

River Education Funding

Additionally, another $300,000 in grant funding has been made available for applicants interested in River Education. This RFA outlines that those applying may receive a minimum of $20,000 and a maximum of $100,000. The DEC also adds that applicants should be interested in using the grant funding towards local facilities that educate people about the Hudson River, resources or education plans about the Hudson River, educator professional and curriculum development, or environmental science research programs.

Additional Information

Two informational webinars were held by the DEC about each of these grant funding categories on June 11 and June 12, and the recordings of each can be viewed on the DEC’s Grants Program and Funding Opportunities for the Hudson River page. There are additional informational PDFs and application information located on this webpage that contain further information about these RFAs. It is also integral to note that these applications must be received in the SFS Grants Management System by 3 p.m. on August 7, 2025 to be eligible for review.

Are you interested in submitting an application for funding for local stewardship planning or river education? Walden’s grant writing team has successfully secured over $60 million for clients, and we can work with you on your responses to these RFAs. Contact us at 516-548-2974 to get started today.