Opportunity Information: Apply for EPA R9 SFBAY 26 01
The San Francisco Bay Restoration Grants opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number EPA R9 SFBAY 26 01) is a competitive, discretionary grant program run by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to advance measurable restoration outcomes for San Francisco Bay and its connected watersheds. The program has been administered by EPA since 2008 and is designed to fund on-the-ground projects that produce clear environmental results, especially in areas where water quality and ecosystem health have been degraded by long-standing pollution and land-use pressures.
At its core, the grant program supports work that improves water quality and strengthens ecosystem function across the Bay region. The opportunity specifically highlights several common project themes, including cleaning up contaminated shorelines, restoring wetlands, and implementing urban stormwater treatment systems. It also emphasizes addressing major water quality impacts tied to nutrients, stormwater runoff, urban pesticide use, and habitat loss. In practical terms, that means the program is looking for projects that can show real progress, such as reduced pollutant loads entering waterways, improved shoreline and wetland habitat condition, and restoration actions that bring back ecological processes like natural filtration, flood attenuation, and habitat connectivity.
This funding opportunity is categorized under the Environmental Protection Agency, with an environmental funding activity focus (CFDA/Assistance Listing 66.126). The funding instrument is a grant. The listing indicates that eligible applicants fall under the category of "Others," and the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) instructs applicants to review Section 2 for the specific eligibility rules and any limitations, since the detailed definition of who qualifies is controlled by the NOFO language rather than the short synopsis.
The application deadline is March 3, 2026. EPA expects to make around 20 awards under this solicitation, with an award ceiling of $5,000,000 per award. The opportunity was created on January 7, 2026. Overall, this program is positioned for organizations capable of planning and delivering restoration and water-quality improvement projects that align with EPA priorities for the Bay, demonstrate measurable outcomes, and directly address pollution sources and habitat challenges affecting the San Francisco Bay ecosystem.Apply for EPA R9 SFBAY 26 01
- The Environmental Protection Agency in the environment sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "San Francisco Bay Restoration Grants" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 66.126.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-01-07.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-03-03. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $5,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 20 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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San Francisco Bay Restoration Grants (EPA R9 SFBAY 26 01) - FAQs
What is the San Francisco Bay Restoration Grants opportunity?
The San Francisco Bay Restoration Grants opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number EPA R9 SFBAY 26 01) is a competitive, discretionary grant program administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). It funds on-the-ground projects intended to achieve measurable restoration outcomes for San Francisco Bay and its connected watersheds.
Which federal agency runs this grant program?
This grant opportunity is run by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Is this a competitive grant?
Yes. The opportunity is described as a competitive grant program.
Is this funding discretionary?
Yes. It is described as a discretionary grant program.
What is the primary purpose of this program?
The program is designed to advance measurable restoration outcomes by improving water quality and strengthening ecosystem function across San Francisco Bay and its connected watersheds, particularly in areas affected by long-standing pollution and land-use pressures.
What kinds of outcomes is EPA looking for?
The opportunity emphasizes measurable, clear environmental results. Examples of progress described include reduced pollutant loads entering waterways, improved shoreline and wetland habitat condition, and restoration actions that re-establish ecological processes such as natural filtration, flood attenuation, and habitat connectivity.
What project themes are specifically highlighted?
The opportunity highlights common project themes including cleaning up contaminated shorelines, restoring wetlands, and implementing urban stormwater treatment systems.
What water quality and ecosystem issues does the program emphasize?
The program emphasizes addressing major water quality impacts tied to nutrients, stormwater runoff, urban pesticide use, and habitat loss.
Does the program focus on San Francisco Bay only, or also surrounding areas?
The opportunity targets San Francisco Bay and its connected watersheds.
How long has EPA administered this program?
The program has been administered by EPA since 2008.
What is the Assistance Listing (CFDA) number for this opportunity?
The Assistance Listing (CFDA) associated with this opportunity is 66.126.
What type of funding instrument is used?
The funding instrument is a grant.
Who is eligible to apply?
The listing indicates eligible applicants fall under the category of "Others." The Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) instructs applicants to review Section 2 for the specific eligibility rules and any limitations, since eligibility is controlled by the NOFO language rather than the brief synopsis.
Where do I find the detailed eligibility rules and limitations?
Applicants are instructed to consult Section 2 of the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the detailed eligibility requirements and any restrictions.
When is the application deadline?
The application deadline is March 3, 2026.
How many awards does EPA expect to make?
EPA expects to make around 20 awards under this solicitation.
What is the maximum award amount?
The award ceiling is $5,000,000 per award.
When was this funding opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on January 7, 2026.
What does it mean that the program funds "on-the-ground" projects?
Based on the description provided, "on-the-ground" refers to implementation-focused restoration and water-quality improvement work that produces observable, measurable environmental results (for example, shoreline cleanup, wetland restoration, or stormwater treatment system implementation).
What kinds of pollution sources or pressures should projects address?
The opportunity points to long-standing pollution and land-use pressures, and specifically emphasizes impacts related to nutrients, stormwater runoff, urban pesticide use, and habitat loss.
What characteristics should a strong project have according to the description?
The program is positioned for applicants that can plan and deliver projects aligned with EPA priorities for the Bay, demonstrate measurable outcomes, and directly address pollution sources and habitat challenges affecting the San Francisco Bay ecosystem.
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