Innovative Technologies

The Innovative Technologies Grant Program is available to local governmental entities for projects that evaluate and implement innovative technologies and short-term solutions to combat algal blooms and nutrient enrichment, restore and preserve Florida waterbodies, and implement certain water quality treatment technologies.

Eligible projects will prevent, mitigate or clean-up harmful algal blooms, with an emphasis projects that prevent blooms through nutrient reductions. Projects that improve the ability to predict and monitor harmful algal blooms are also considered for funding.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Who can apply for an innovative technology grant?

    Local governmental entities and nonprofit organizations are eligible to apply for an innovative technology grant.

    Governmental entity means a political subdivision or agency of the state such as a county, municipality, school district, nonprofit public university or college, special district, public authority, metropolitan or consolidated government, separate legal entity or administrative entity.

    Although a private for-profit entity cannot apply for this grant directly, some private companies have partnered with eligible government entities to implement their technologies. In this case, the grant must be awarded to the eligible entity, not to the private company.

     

    For further questions, please email us. 

  • What projects are considered?

    The following types of projects are considered for funding:

    • Projects that can prevent, mitigate or clean up harmful algal blooms.
    • Projects that can prevent blooms through nutrient reductions are key.
    • Projects that can predict, forecast or model harmful algal blooms.

     

    For further questions, please email us. 

  • What are some of the key funding considerations?
    • New technology or new application of known technology.
    • Technology has been shown to achieve the proposed benefits without environmental harm.
    • Technology is scalable.
    • Technology has water quality benefits.
    • Technology is ready to construct.
    • Technology is to be applied in an area with a water quality restoration plan (e.g., basin management action plan or reasonable assurance plan).
    • Projects that can be completed within 18 months.

     

    For further questions, please email us. 

  • What types of innovative technology projects have been selected?

    Projects previously selected for implementation can be categorized into three types:

    1. Nutrient reduction projects, which reduce the supply of nutrients, nitrogen and phosphorus and can help decrease the intensity and duration of blue-green algal blooms.
    2. Algae reduction and removal projects focused on addressing algae in waterways, including algicides, nanobubble technologies, soundwaves and mechanical harvesting.
    3. Algae detection and prevention designed to identify means by which we may better predict formation of algal blooms.

     

    For further questions, please email us. 

  • Where are projects located?

    Projects are located in areas with:

    • A diverse portfolio.
    • A history of harmful algal blooms.
    • An adopted basin management action plan.
    • Heightened concern of future blooms.
    • Greatest benefit to improve water quality or prevent future blooms.

    These areas include the Caloosahatchee River, Indian River Lagoon, Lake Jessup, Lake Minneola, Lake Munson, Lake Okeechobee, Lake St. Charles, Miromar Lakes and St. Lucie River and Estuary.

     

    For further questions, please email us.