Department of Conservation and Recreation
Conserve. Protect. Enjoy.
Department of Conservation and Recreation
The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) seeks qualified applicants to provide exemplary “meaningful watershed educational experiences” (MWEE) within Virginia’s Chesapeake Bay watershed. Applications received in response to this request will be considered for funding for project work beginning July 1, 2025. These funds are intended to be utilized during the 2025-2026 school year. The anticipated state funding available is $250,000. There is no minimum funding request required. The maximum request allowed is $45,000.
As one of the signatories to the Chesapeake Bay 2014 Agreement (as amended), Virginia is committed to increasing “students age-appropriate understanding of the watershed through participation in teacher-supported, meaningful watershed educational experiences and rigorous, inquiry-based instruction, with a target of at least one meaningful watershed educational experience in elementary, middle and high school depending on available resources.” Eligible applicants include, but are not limited to, school divisions, non-profit organizations, higher education institutions, state agencies, and soil and water conservation districts. Partnerships between school divisions or organizations (e.g., a non-profit and a school division) are permitted.
Explore the opportunities below.
The VCA recognizes the essential role of arts learning and education in the intellectual and creative growth of Virginians of all ages. The VCA supports all arts disciplines by distributing grant awards to artists; arts organizations; educational institutions; nonprofits; educators; and local and tribal governments. Grant programs utilize Teaching Artists who conduct and enhance educational programs and activities through residencies/workshops, art lectures, demonstrations, after-school programs, summer camps and community projects.
Arts in Practice grants are intended for short-term residencies and workshops (20 hours or less). Eligible Virginia schools, nonprofit organizations and units of local and tribal government can apply to bring in teaching artists for educational programming twice a year. This is a noncompetitive rolling grant that is reviewed in-agency until funding is exhausted. This grant requires a 15% match from the sponsor organization. Deadline: April 15 or until funding is exhausted. Learn more.
Education Impact is intended for longer-term residencies and workshops. Eligible Virginia Schools, nonprofit organizations and units of local and tribal government can apply to bring in teaching artists for educational programming. Applications for Education Impact are reviewed by statewide Advisory Panels in the Spring and then approved by the Commission board in June. If approved, awards are made in mid-August. This grant requires a 1:1 cash match from the sponsor organization. Deadline: April 1. Learn more.
Virginia Touring Grants increase opportunities for Virginians to experience inspiring, high-quality arts events. This grant program supports touring by Virginia performing artists and ensembles within the state. The touring activities are restricted to those listed in the Commission’s annual Touring Artist Roster. Any nonprofit organization meeting the Basic Eligibility criteria can apply to receive a touring assistance grant to support these activities. Learn more.
Senior Grants Officer | catherine.welborn@vca.virginia.gov
Artist Engagement Coordinator | lorraine.crilley@vca.virginia.gov
vca.virginia.gov
U.S Environmental Protection Agency, Region 3, Office of Environmental Education
[Region 3 includes: Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia]
EPA is seeking applications to support locally-focused environmental education projects that promote environmental stewardship and help develop knowledgeable and responsible students, teachers, and community members. This grant program provides financial support for projects that design, demonstrate, and/or disseminate environmental education practices, methods, or techniques that increase public awareness and knowledge about local environmental issues and provides participants in its programs the skills necessary to make informed decisions and to take responsible actions toward the environment.
Total amount of funding available is approximately $360,000. It is anticipated that 3-5 awards will be made, with each grant funded for no less than $50,000 and no more than $100,000. Applications should plan for projects to start no earlier than July 1, 2024. Project periods should be proposed for one or two years or any time period between one and two years.
Eligible entities include:
Applicants must be located in the United States or in U.S. territories. Eligibility requirements apply to both “prime” recipients and all sub recipients. Further information on this grant program’s eligibility requirements can be found on the FAQ webpage. Applicants can also email EEGrants@epa.gov with eligibility (prime and sub recipient) related questions prior to the application deadline. Learn more about this funding opportunity.
Annually the EPA has awarded competitive grant funding under the Clean School Bus (CSB) grants program. The program solicits applications nationwide for a grant competition to fund the replacement of existing school buses with clean and zero-emission school buses. This grant typically opens in spring and closes in fall with awards being given in February or March of the following year. A Clean School Bus Rebate Program is also offered. Learn more.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) launched the $500 million Renew America’s Schools Program to promote the implementation of clean energy improvements at K-12 public schools across the country. This first-of-its-kind investment, funded by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), aims to help school communities make energy upgrades that will lower utilities costs, improve indoor air quality, and foster healthier learning environments. The Renew America’s Schools grant is the program’s flagship funding opportunity. This competitive award focuses on funding infrastructure upgrades at K–12 public school facilities, prioritizing high-need school communities. Learn more.
The purpose of this program is to increase the capacity of States to support high-need local educational agencies (LEAs) and schools in leveraging other available Federal, State, and local resources to improve school facilities and environments through public school infrastructure improvements to ensure that their public school facilities are safe, healthy, sustainable, and equitable learning environments for all students. Learn more.
School District Programming
Funding will support projects to help school districts deliver meaningful watershed educational experiences to students, provide professional development to teachers and educators, and or build capacity in school districts toward increasing environmental literacy. Applicants may address a special interest area: climate change. We anticipate up to $900,000 in total funding, supporting roughly nine to 14 new projects.
Statewide K-12 Environmental Literacy Capacity Building
This funding will support state-wide efforts to build capacity to deliver environmental education. It will provide up to $500,000 for four to six projects.
Applications are due by February 16, 2024. Join us for informational webinars for potential applicants about program priorities and the application process on December 12, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. and December 18, 2023, at 3:00 p.m. To sign up for these webinars and to learn more, visit the NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office website. Questions should be directed to Elise Trelegan (elise.trelegan@noaa.gov).
