Provider
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), via PA Department of Environmental Protection
Application Deadline
October 19, 2026, at 3:59 PM
Summary
The Coastal Zone Management Grant Program provides funding to implement its policies and focus areas in the Delaware Estuary and Lake Erie Coastal Zones, including hazards, wetlands, public access, intergovernmental coordination, ocean resources, and nonpoint source pollution. Typical projects funded through grant awards range from studies, planning, design, and research to land acquisition and minor construction projects. Activities must take place within the Coastal Zone boundaries of Pennsylvania. To apply for a Coastal Zone grant, applicants must be eligible as a government, partnership or non-profit for your entity type on the application. All other entity types will not be accepted.
Eligible Applicants: (Submissions by ineligible organizations will not be considered)
- Local Governments, Counties and Municipalities,
- Area-wide agencies - county and regional planning agencies,
- Incorporated non-profits,
- Educational Institutions - School Districts, Intermediate Units, Universities and Colleges,
- Incorporated Conservation and Educational Organizations,
- State Agencies,
- Conservation Districts, Port Authorities and Public Authorities.
Projects must be located within the Coastal Zone boundaries. Matching funds are required on a one-to-one basis. Matching funds must be non-federal. See Coastal Zone Grant Application Instruction Guide for more information.
Common Eligible Projects
Coastal zone grants may be applied to a wide variety of studies, plans, designs, research, acquisition and construction projects pertaining to one or more of the established CRMP policies, which guide the competitive selection process.
Examples of some typical project proposals are as follows:
- Efforts to educate the public regarding issues of environmental protection, nonpoint source pollution, protection of coastal resources or efforts to promote such action to the public.
- Preparation or revision of local comprehensive plans, zoning ordinances, sub-division regulations and special ordinances containing provisions in support of CRMP policies.
- Plans, studies or other projects to improve port facilities and infrastructure, planned future use of coastal ports or providing public access for recreational use of docks, piers and wharves.
- Improving resource management and environmental protection programs at the state or local level, including disseminating information or providing technical assistance to coastal communities and the public.
- Plans, studies or projects that enhance economic development within the coastal zone, including activities to help economically revitalize under-used coastal and/or port facilities.
- Studies for interpretation and enhancement of coastal features and habitats and restoration and preservation of historic coastal sites and structures.
- Land acquisition of coastal properties, including real estate appraisals, to improve or provide for public recreational access or open-space preservation.
- Preparation of designs, engineering plans and specifications for coastal recreational sites owned or legally controlled by a government applicant.
- Low-cost (defined by NOAA as no more than a total project cost of $400,000) construction projects for recreational access facilities or for rehabilitating significant historic buildings and structures located within the designated coastal zones.
More Information
https://www.pa.gov/services/dep/grants/apply-for-a-coastal-zone-grant
