Innovative Solutions for Improving Water Quality and Strengthening Local Economies in the Gulf of America Watershed

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 4, through its Gulf of America Division (GAD), has announced a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the "Innovative Solutions for Improving Water Quality and Strengthening Local Economies in the Gulf of America Watershed" grant program. GAD is a part of the EPA’s Great Water Body program, established to protect and restore the health and resilience of the Gulf of America in alignment with economic vitality. This funding opportunity supports demonstration projects aimed at nutrient reduction and harmful algal bloom (HAB) mitigation, including Sargassum Inundation Events, with a strong emphasis on incorporating innovative technologies. The program aligns with the Biden Administration’s “Powering the Great American Comeback” initiative and is grounded in the statutory authority of the Clean Water Act Section 104(b)(3). It aims to enhance water quality, restore habitats, and improve the Gulf's ability to withstand storm events. Eligible demonstration projects must occur within the Gulf of America watershed, limited to areas within the contiguous United States. Proposed projects must focus on at least one of three areas: water quality, habitat restoration, or HAB mitigation. Additionally, applicants are encouraged to utilize technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, or drone footage to enhance project monitoring, cost-effectiveness, and economic benefits. A total of $6,000,000 in funding is available under this NOFO, with anticipated individual award amounts ranging between $500,000 and $1,000,000. The EPA expects to make 6 to 12 awards with project periods ranging from three to five years. Although cost sharing is not required, applications must include detailed budgets and narratives, with all federal funds documented clearly. Proposals that fail to comply with the eligibility and application structure—including exceeding the $1,000,000 cap or lacking required environmental results—will be deemed ineligible. Only state and local governments, federally recognized Indian tribes, institutions of higher education, and nonprofit organizations (excluding 501(c)(4) organizations that engage in lobbying) are eligible to apply. For-profit entities, individuals, and federal agencies are not eligible. Applications must adhere to strict formatting rules including a maximum 12-page narrative limit (excluding certain appendices), single submission per applicant, and inclusion of a representative location and hydrologic unit code within the Gulf of America watershed. Projects that involve solely gray infrastructure, routine maintenance, or federal land improvement as a primary activity are not eligible. The application window opened on July 22, 2025. All applications must be submitted via Grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. ET on September 19, 2025. The final date for the EPA to respond to applicant questions is September 5, 2025. Selected applicants will be notified in December 2025, and final awards are anticipated by August 2026. Questions may be submitted to GAD-NOFO@epa.gov and will be compiled into a publicly posted FAQ. EPA encourages early registration with SAM.gov and Grants.gov due to processing time. Proposals will be evaluated based on project design, use of innovative technology, economic benefit analysis, environmental results, past performance, and budget. The EPA may partially fund applications or fund discrete components of a proposal. Review panels comprised of federal staff and experts will recommend applications based on merit and may consider balance across geography, applicant type, and funding priorities. All awarded projects must adhere to reporting and quality assurance guidelines as defined by the EPA’s grant administration policies.

Use drones for documentation, reference baseline data, follow strict formatting guidelines.