UPDATES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
DEP to Launch Water Restoration and Resilient Florida Grants Portal for Fiscal Year 2025-26
~ Grant proposals will be accepted July 7 through Sept. 1, 2025 ~
Since taking office in 2019, Governor Ron DeSantis has championed record investments in Florida’s environment, including grant programs that serve communities and protect the state’s natural systems. In his second term, the Governor set a goal to invest $3.5 billion in water restoration over four years. That goal has already been surpassed with $4.6 billion appropriated in just three years. This year’s funding includes $830 million for Everglades restoration and $460 million in water restoration grants. The Governor has also prioritized strengthening Florida’s resilience with more than $1.8 billion invested to date.
To support the implementation of these investments, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will open the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Grants Portal on July 7. The portal provides eligible entities with the opportunity to submit proposals that protect and restore Florida’s water resources and make our communities more resilient.
From July 7 through Sept. 1, 2025, DEP will accept proposals for both water restoration and resilience-focused grant programs. Eligible applicants are encouraged to apply for all programs for which they may be eligible.
Water Restoration Grant Opportunities:
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Indian River Lagoon and Biscayne Bay Water Quality Improvement Grants to help communities in these basins implement nutrient reductions through wastewater (including septic-to-sewer conversions), stormwater, agricultural and other water quality improvement projects.
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Alternative Water Supply Grants to help communities plan for and implement water conservation, reuse and other water supply and water resource development projects. Priority funding will be given to regional projects in the areas of greatest need and for projects that provide the greatest benefit.
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Springs Restoration Grants to protect and restore the quality and quantity of water that flows from springs. Eligible project types include agricultural best management practices, water conservation, hydrologic restoration, aquifer recharge, land acquisition for preservation, septic-to-sewer conversions, wastewater treatment upgrades and stormwater treatment.
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Innovative Technology for Harmful Algal Bloom Grants to evaluate and implement innovative technologies to combat harmful algal blooms and nutrient enrichment in freshwater systems.
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Nonpoint Source Management Grants to reduce or eliminate nonpoint source nutrient pollution in verified impaired waterbodies. Funding is available for shovel-ready stormwater treatment projects, nonpoint source pollution best management practices, nonpoint source public education programs and septic-to-sewer conversions on private property.
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Florida's Coral Reef Restoration and Recovery Initiative Grants to help establish, expand and maintain in-state coral propagation and grow-out facilities; develop and implement strategies and site-specific restoration plans, including curriculum for a trained workforce; implement innovative technology; and reinforce and expand restoration efforts across Florida’s Coral Reef.
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Florida Keys Area of Critical State Concern Grants to improve water quality to protect and restore natural resources in the Florida Keys Area of Critical State Concern or the City of Key West Area of Critical State Concern. Projects may include wastewater infrastructure, stormwater and canal restoration, land acquisitions and other projects that protect water resources in the Florida Keys.
Resilient Florida Grant Opportunities:
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Planning Grants to support resilience planning efforts, including vulnerability assessments. Water management districts are also eligible for grants to assist the Florida Flood Hub for Applied Science and Innovation address gaps in data.
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Implementation Grants to implement infrastructure projects to address risks identified in a local government vulnerability assessment or the Statewide Vulnerability Assessment.
DEP’s Grants Portal will open for submissions on July 7, 2025. Applicants can begin preparing now by reviewing eligibility information and past award recipients ProtectingFloridaTogether.gov/Grants.
Please note, any information submitted to DEP will become a public record, subject to disclosure in accordance with Chapter 119, Florida Statutes, and Article 1, § 24 of the Florida Constitution. Submittal of a project proposal does not create an agreement, nor does it guarantee funding. All awards are contingent upon legislative appropriations.
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