Community Resilience and Flood Risk Reduction Grants

The New York State Department of State (DOS), through the Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act of 2022, is offering the Community Resilience and Flood Risk Reduction Grants program under RFA #26-OPDBA-8. This funding opportunity is administered by the DOS Office of Planning, Development & Community Infrastructure and aims to support projects that enhance community resilience and mitigate flood risks. Two primary categories of projects are eligible: Coastal Rehabilitation and Resilience Projects, and Inland Flooding and Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP) Implementation Projects. These initiatives are designed to align with state and federal resilience frameworks such as the Coastal Zone Management Act and the New York State Coastal Management Program. The grants target municipal governments, eligible New York State agencies, authorities, soil and water conservation districts, and not-for-profit organizations (for Coastal Rehabilitation only). Inland Flooding and LWRP Implementation Projects are restricted to villages, towns, and cities along coasts or designated inland waterways, as well as counties acting with municipal consent. For Coastal Rehabilitation, projects must fall within the state's coastal area or contributing watersheds; for Inland Flooding, the project must support goals from a complete or substantially complete LWRP or relevant component like a DOS-funded Watershed Management Plan. Applicants may request implementation funding for a broad set of eligible activities that include climate resiliency infrastructure, stormwater management, habitat and shoreline restoration, culvert resizing, wetland and beach restoration, flood-resilient parks, and other natural and nature-based features. Projects should aim to improve accessibility, environmental quality, and long-term sustainability. Final designs and construction documents are mandatory for construction-only projects, while design/construction projects must include feasibility studies or preliminary designs developed or updated within the past 10 years. All project phases funded through this program must be capable of completion within five years of contract execution. The minimum funding request is $300,000 for Coastal Rehabilitation and $150,000 for Inland Flooding projects. State assistance can cover up to 90% of total eligible project costs, with the remaining 10% required as a local match. Ineligible costs include indirect administrative overhead, pre-design feasibility studies, fundraising, and general operating costs. Eligible costs are reimbursed based on direct project expenses supported by documentation. Projects utilizing volunteer services, donated professional services, land acquisition, or municipal equipment as match must comply with specific valuation and documentation rules set forth in the RFA. Applications must be submitted through the New York State Consolidated Funding Application portal by 4:00 PM on June 26, 2026. There are two rounds of question submission, with final responses posted publicly on April 30 and June 4, 2026. All applicants must provide documentation for site control, permit status, and readiness to proceed. Award decisions will be based on eligibility screening and a 100-point evaluation scale that considers project scope, regional significance, environmental benefits, inclusion of disadvantaged communities, and cost-effectiveness. A minimum score of 60 is required for funding consideration. Grantees will be held to strict reporting, procurement, and record-keeping requirements, including adherence to MWBE and SDVOB utilization goals, submission of regular progress updates, and installation of public signage acknowledging state support. Contract terms are limited to five years with no guarantee of extension, and early contract execution is expected to maintain award eligibility. Projects must also comply with applicable state and federal laws, including environmental regulations and permitting obligations. Applicants should be prepared for close oversight and financial audit and must ensure full compliance with all program requirements to retain funding.

Clearly show site control and 10% match; align with LWRP/WMP goals; emphasize DAC impact.