Delaware PFAS Awareness and Outreach Grant Program

The Delaware PFAS Awareness and Outreach Grant Program is a joint initiative administered by the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) and the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC), specifically their Division of Public Health and Division of Waste and Hazardous Substances. This grant program is funded by settlement agreements with E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, Corteva, Inc., The Chemours Company, and DuPont de Nemours, Inc. The program is designed to support initiatives that raise public awareness and engagement concerning PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) contamination throughout Delaware. PFAS are synthetic chemicals used widely since the 1940s and are now recognized as persistent environmental pollutants with known and suspected adverse health effects. Public knowledge on PFAS remains limited, making education and outreach an urgent priority. The program is not intended for infrastructure or technical remediation efforts like water treatment or sampling. Instead, its primary objective is to educate Delawareans on the presence and risks of PFAS and promote informed decision-making at the community level. Eligible projects must focus on PFAS-related education, environmental justice, and equity. Examples of fundable projects include community health initiatives in historically industrial or manufacturing areas and environmental research that supports contaminant detection and abatement technologies. Any research must be original and not duplicate ongoing state efforts. The initiative places a strong emphasis on serving disadvantaged communities, defined either by economic status (census tract poverty levels exceeding the statewide average) or by environmental justice indicators such as the DNREC EJ Index or DelDOT Equity Focus Areas. Eligible applicants include municipalities, local governments, community centers, civic groups, educational institutions, and other Delaware-based organizations. Projects must be based in Delaware, and applications from outside the state are not accepted. The application package must include a completed cover sheet and checklist, project information sheet, optional letters of support, and a detailed Scope of Work. The Scope of Work must describe the target audience, measurable benefits, project schedule and milestones, public participation methods, and organizational experience. Applicants must also disclose any previous funding received for similar efforts and potential collaboration with other state initiatives. Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. Eastern on Friday, March 27, 2026. Only electronic submissions are accepted via email to [email protected]. Awarded applicants will receive a Notice of Award and a draft grant agreement. Recipients may not begin project work until they have received a purchase order from the State of Delaware. A semi-annual reporting requirement is in place, with a final report due before the final invoice can be processed. To receive funds, awardees must provide a First State Financial Vendor ID, a valid Certificate of Insurance naming DHSS (without naming it as an additional insured), a current business license or tax-exempt letter, and their EIN and UEI identifiers. Awardees must also complete a Supplier Diversity Form, which is provided upon project approval. All projects must strictly address PFAS awareness, and funding is contingent upon availability and competitive ranking. Proposals that directly benefit disadvantaged communities receive priority consideration. For additional information, including FAQs, project guidelines, and application documents, applicants are directed to visit https://de.gov/pfas. The program also hosted a webinar featuring subject matter experts to guide applicants through the requirements and submission process. Any questions or requests for clarification should be directed to the program’s official email. Media inquiries may be sent to Sean Dooley or Michael Globetti, the listed contacts on the public announcement.