Water Protection Grants
Doing more now for Florida’s environment
Less than 48 hours after being sworn in, Governor Ron DeSantis issued an executive order outlining his bold vision to protect water and natural resources, which are the foundation of Florida's communities, economy and way of life. The executive order directs strategic action with a focus on accountability, transparency and collaboration and includes a proposed $2.5 billion investment over four years.
The department launched a new Environmental Grant Project Proposal Portal to provide eligible entities the opportunity to submit proposals for each fiscal year’s water related grant programs. This site is another way that DEP is continuing to encourage improved water quality through funding opportunities for stakeholders across the state, and improve efficiency by presenting the information in one centralized location.
Awards for projects selected during Fiscal Year (FY) 2020-2021 are posted, as available, under the grant programs below. Project proposals for FY 2021-2022 will be welcomed through this site upon legislative appropriation. The department is currently updating the grants portal based on valuable feedback received from last year’s users.
ANY INFORMATION SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT WILL BECOME A PUBLIC RECORD, SUBJECT TO DISCLOSURE IN ACCORDANCE WITH CHAPTER 119, FLORIDA STATUTES, AND ARTICLE 1, §24 OF THE FLORIDA CONSTITUTION. PLEASE NOTE THAT SUBMITTAL OF A PROJECT PROPOSAL DOES NOT CREATE AN AGREEMENT, NOR DOES IT GUARANTEE FUNDING.
Grant Programs
Water Quality Grants
This grant program provides up to a 50% matching grant to local governmental entities for wastewater and stormwater improvements, including septic conversion and remediation.
Rivers and Springs Coast Grants
This grant program provides matching grants to local governmental entities for projects that improve the water quality in the St. Johns, Suwannee and Apalachicola Rivers and the Springs Coast of Florida.
Coral Reef Protection and Restoration Grants
This grant program provides grants to local governmental entities and non-state organizations for projects that protect and restore Florida's Coral Reef.
Innovative Technologies Grants
This grant program provides grants to local governmental entities for projects that: evaluate and implement innovate technologies and short-term solutions to combat algal blooms and nutrient enrichment, restore and preserve Florida waterbodies and implement certain water quality treatment technologies.
Nonpoint Source Grants
This grant program provides matching grants to assist local governmental entities with projects to reduce nonpoint source pollution from land use activities.
Coastal Partnership Initiative
This grant program provides funding to Florida's 35 coastal counties and municipalities within their boundaries that are required to include a coastal element in their comprehensive plan. Florida's public colleges, universities, regional planning councils, national estuary programs and nonprofit groups may also apply provided that an eligible local government entity agrees to participate as a partner and signs the application.
Florida Resilient Coastline Initiative
This grant program provides matching grants to assist local governmental entities with storm resiliency, sea level rise planning, coastal resilience projects and coral reef health.
Alternative Water Supply Grants
This grant program helps communities plan for and implement conservation, reuse and other alternative water supply (AWS) and water resource development projects.
Springs Grants
This grant program provides matching grants to assist local governmental entities with projects for land acquisition to protect springs and for capital projects that protect the quality and quantity of water that flow from springs.
Indian River Lagoon Water Quality Improvement Grants
This grant program is coordinated by the St. Johns River Water Management District to assist local governmental entities with projects that improve the water quality in the Indian River Lagoon.