Frequently Asked Questions
The following questions have been collected from potential grantees regarding application requirements for Chesapeake Gateways Grants. Learn more about grant opportunities by visiting the Chesapeake Gateways Grants page.
To get more details and a link to the grant application, visit the grants landing page: Chesapeake Gateways Network Grants - nps.gov.
Mandatory Requirements:
- Standard Form 424 (SF424)
- Standard Form 424A or C (SF424A/C)
- Project Abstract Summary
- Detailed Budget Table and Narrative
- Indirect Cost Agreement (NICRA), if not using the de minimis 15% indirect rate
- Standard Form 424B or D (SF 424B/D)
- Project Narrative (see section below for specifics)
The project narrative is an opportunity to describe and provide details on the proposal that specifically address at least one of the strategic themes (see Section A4 of the NOFO) and each of the review criteria (see Section E of the NOFO). The proposal text must be no longer than 8 pages, no smaller than font size 11, and have 1-inch margins. The 8-page limit includes all text, figures, and references. (Project team resumes, Forms SF-424, SF-424A, SF-424B, SF-LLL, and the statement of indirect charges are not counted as part of the 8-page limit). Only information that is pertinent to the proposal should be included in the narrative. Extra information will not be considered.Project Overview
See more complete details in Section D2. Content and Form of Application Submission of the Notice of Financial Opportunity (NOFO).
- Purpose, Goal(s), and Objective(s)
- Deliverable(s) - specific product(s) or project outcome(s)
- Project Location within the watershed (Please note: projects outside the watershed will not be considered.)
- Identify the Chesapeake Gateways Place that will serve as a project partner.
- Key Tasks and Milestones
- Connection to Chesapeake Bay Initiative Act
- Connection to Chesapeake Gateways Strategic Themes
- Connection to Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility and Engagement Objectives
- Innovation in Project Intent
- Organization mission alignment
- Project Team’s skills and experience, including staff, volunteers, partners and consultants.
See more complete details in Section D2. Content and Form of Application Submission of the Notice of Financial Opportunity (NOFO).
Yes, 15% is the required rate maximum if you don’t have a separate negotiated rate agreement (NICRA). However, applicants can include an indirect rate of less than 15%, or none at all.
No, but they would need to be in SAM before any funds could be disbursed to them.
Here is who would let you know if you need state-level review of your grant proposal: Intergovernmental Review (SPOC List) (whitehouse.gov). If there is no POC for your state, then no prior-approval is required. Otherwise, your state POC would have to let you know.
The detailed budget is submitted a part of the Budget Narrative. The Budget Narrative should include a budget table or spreadsheet with all the expenses listed to match the budget categories in the SF424A (personnel, materials, contractor, etc.) with accompanying descriptions of how the expenses were calculated and what they will cover. There is no standard format for the detailed budget but the application checklist offers a sample budget table and details on what to include in the expense descriptions. You can submit the budget details as part of the narrative, but it would count towards your 8-page limit on the narrative.
The Budget Narrative should include a budget table or spreadsheet with all the expenses listed to match the budget categories in the SF424A (personnel, materials, contractor, etc.) with accompanying descriptions of how the expenses were calculated and what they will cover. There is no standard format for the detailed budget but the application checklist offers a sample budget table and details on what to include in the expense descriptions. You can submit the budget details as part of the narrative, but it would count towards your 8-page limit on the narrative.
Reviewers will not be accessing external links or examples of prior work as part of the proposal review process. Only the content contained in the 8-page narrative and related forms requested through the application will be reviewed.
Financial Reports: Financial reports are submitted through Grant Solutions, the grant management tool used by all the grantees. At a minimum, all recipients must submit a final financial report due no later than 120 calendar days after the award period of performance end date or termination date. For awards with periods of performance longer than 12 months, recipients are required to submit interim financial reports on the frequency established in the Notice of Award. The only exception to the interim financial reporting requirement is if the recipient is required to use the SF 270/271 to request payment and requests payment at least once annually through the entire award period of performance. We will describe all financial reporting requirements in the Notice of Award.
Performance Reports: Performance reports must contain a comparison of actual accomplishments with the established goals and objectives of the award; a description of reasons why established goals were not met, if appropriate; and any other pertinent information relevant to the project results. Items may include:
See more complete details in Section F3. Reporting of the Notice of Financial Opportunity (NOFO).
Performance Reports: Performance reports must contain a comparison of actual accomplishments with the established goals and objectives of the award; a description of reasons why established goals were not met, if appropriate; and any other pertinent information relevant to the project results. Items may include:
- Photos/Videos
- Testimonials from participants
- Social media posts
- Press releases
- Project presentations
See more complete details in Section F3. Reporting of the Notice of Financial Opportunity (NOFO).
Yes, subrecipients (partners and collaborators) and contractors need to be registered in SAM, which is free to do. SAM.gov is where an entity acquires a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) prior to applying.For more, see the Grant Submission Workshop on the NPS Chesapeake YouTube page: https://youtu.be/MQdYCIEp_KY (starting at minute 22:08).
Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov to the National Park Service by the deadline posted on the Chesapeake Gateways Grants webpage. Applications submitted by other means or not received by the deadline will not be considered.
All applications must be submitted through Grants.gov by the deadline to be considered. We do not have the ability to accept paper applications or emailed applications. They will not be considered.
Yes, but you will likely find your organization in the SAM.gov system. Select your organization when you are asked to confirm your organization’s identity and follow the steps from there.
Per the NOFO, the applicant must be a member of the Chesapeake Gateways Network, either a place (site, trail, water trail, byway, heritage area, or community), an experience, or programmatic partner. Organizations actively pursuing self-nomination to join Chesapeake Gateways Network are considered eligible. Only non-federal Chesapeake Gateways Places are eligible to apply.
Only federal public lands are automatic. Please submit a self-nomination if you are a state or national heritage area run by a nonprofit.
No, you do not need to be listed on the National Registry to apply or self-nominate to join Gateways.
Through the Chesapeake Bay Gateways and Watertrails Network (Chesapeake Gateways), NPS Chesapeake Gateways administers a competitive grant opportunity to advance the Chesapeake Bay Initiative Act of 1998 within the full 41-million-acre Chesapeake Bay watershed.
See the categories to the right for additional commonly asked questions regarding Chesapeake Gateways Grants.
Last updated: August 27, 2026