The U.S. Department of the Treasury administers the RESTORE Act program through its Office of Gulf Coast Restoration, created to manage funds arising from the penalties paid in connection with the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The RESTORE Act, formally known as the Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability, Tourist Opportunities, and Revived Economies of the Gulf Coast States Act of 2012, established the Gulf Coast Restoration Trust Fund to direct these resources toward economic and ecological recovery in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. The program is designed to fund a wide variety of projects that improve environmental resilience, economic revitalization, and infrastructure in the Gulf Coast region.
This specific funding opportunity announcement applies to the Direct Component of the RESTORE Act and is limited to construction and real property acquisition activities. It covers environmental restoration projects as well as construction efforts that require permits from state or federal agencies. Eligible activities under this opportunity include restoration and protection of Gulf Coast ecosystems, mitigation of damage to fish and wildlife, implementation of federally approved conservation management plans, workforce development, improvements to state parks in coastal areas, port and other infrastructure projects, coastal flood protection, and tourism or seafood promotion in the Gulf region. These projects must occur in the designated Gulf Coast region as defined by statute.
Funds are allocated from each state’s portion of the Trust Fund and must follow Treasury’s implementing regulations at 31 CFR 34.201. The award ceiling for individual projects is $120,153,261, with no specified minimum floor. Matching or cost-sharing is not required, though projects that leverage other federal or non-federal funding sources are allowed. Treasury emphasizes that eligible entities must adhere to federal and state procurement rules, including competitive bidding and auditing requirements, and must demonstrate that restoration or protection projects are based on best available science.
Eligible applicants include state and county governments within the Gulf Coast region. This restriction ensures that Trust Fund resources directly benefit the five Gulf states most affected by the Deepwater Horizon spill. Applicants must certify that their projects are consistent with RESTORE Act priorities and submit a multiyear implementation plan that includes milestones, projected timelines, and measurable success indicators. Projects must also be developed with meaningful public input and participation from stakeholders across sectors, including individuals, businesses, and nonprofit organizations.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until funds are expended from each applicant’s Trust Fund allocation. While the official closing date for this announcement is October 31, 2026, Treasury notes that the announcement may be further extended or reissued as needed. This rolling application process gives applicants flexibility to submit proposals aligned with local priorities and readiness of projects. The program is expected to continue as long as resources remain in the Trust Fund.
Applicants submit proposals through Treasury’s RESTORE Grant Management System (RGMS). For technical support with the submission portal, inquiries should be directed to RGMShelpdesk@treasury.gov. For questions related to the funding opportunity itself, applicants may contact the Office of Gulf Coast Restoration at restoreact@do.treas.gov. Treasury provides oversight and auditing to ensure compliance with statutory requirements, with the Inspector General’s office retaining authority to review expenditures. The program reflects a long-term federal commitment to ensuring the Gulf Coast’s ecological recovery and economic vitality.
