Frequently Asked Questions
The following questions have been collected from potential grantees regarding eligibility for Chesapeake Gateways Grants. Learn more about grant opportunities by visiting the Chesapeake Gateways Grants page.
This grant opportunity includes a broad list of eligible entities. All of the following eligible applicants must be a network member.
Eligible Applicants
00 – State governments
01 – County governments
02 – City or township governments
04 – Special district governments
05 – Independent school districts
06 – Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
07 – Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
08 – Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities
11 – Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)
12 – Nonprofits having a 501 (c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
13 – Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
20 – Private institutions of higher education
22 – For profit organization other than small businesses
23 – Small businesses
Eligible Applicants
00 – State governments
01 – County governments
02 – City or township governments
04 – Special district governments
05 – Independent school districts
06 – Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
07 – Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
08 – Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities
11 – Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)
12 – Nonprofits having a 501 (c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
13 – Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
20 – Private institutions of higher education
22 – For profit organization other than small businesses
23 – Small businesses
Nonprofit applicants of any type should provide documentation on how you are legally organized and can confirm your nonprofit IRS tax status.
The 7 Network Regions listed in the updated Network Framework are New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, West Virginia, Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia.
You are eligible if you are located in one of the following counties in the watershed.
Not necessarily. The project needs to be in the part of the county located in the watershed.
Yes. How well it competes would depend on how the trail renovation would lead to positive economic impact.
Chesapeake Gateways is a system of places providing opportunities to enjoy, learn about and help conserve the Chesapeake Bay and its watershed. Included in the visitor experience network are diverse natural, cultural, historical, and recreational sites, trails, museums, parks, refuges, interpretive and orientation facilities, and associated programs. These places, and Chesapeake Gateways as a whole, serve as entry points and the key guide for experiencing the Chesapeake watershed.
Membership is granted to places or partners that meet the defining characteristics listed in the updated Network Framework. Membership entitles Chesapeake Gateways laces certain benefits enumerated through a general agreement.
Any organization may complete the Chesapeake Gateways Places Self-Nomination to be considered for inclusion in the Chesapeake Gateways visitor experience network. However, the organization submitting the Questionnaire must be the managing organization for the place. One Questionnaire should be completed for each place proposed to join the visitor experience network.
Membership is granted to places or partners that meet the defining characteristics listed in the updated Network Framework. Membership entitles Chesapeake Gateways laces certain benefits enumerated through a general agreement.
Any organization may complete the Chesapeake Gateways Places Self-Nomination to be considered for inclusion in the Chesapeake Gateways visitor experience network. However, the organization submitting the Questionnaire must be the managing organization for the place. One Questionnaire should be completed for each place proposed to join the visitor experience network.
National parks and national park programs are not eligible to apply. Federal agencies of any type are not eligible to apply. However, partners of federal agencies, including national park partners, are eligible but the proposal must be submitted by the partner, occur within the watershed, and must not be for the direct benefit of the Federal agency.
Yes, provided the program or project is open to the public or provides a public benefit. The project cannot be for the sole purpose of helping the NPS park.
NPS Friends Group and philanthropic partners are eligible so long as they are currently either a registered or working on their Chesapeake Gateways network designation, yet the project cannot be for the primary benefit of the corresponding park. There must be a public purpose to the project.
Yes, private sector entities are eligible to apply as long as the project conveys a public benefit so long as they are currently either a registered or working on their Chesapeake Gateways network designation.
Yes, a “for profit organization” means for a profit business. For profit businesses are separated into two categories:
- 22 – For profit organizations, other than small businesses
- 23 – Small businesses
Subrecipients that are program partners are allowed. Subrecipients will need to be identified in the grant proposal (with corresponding SAM.gov registration), like a partner organization that will share in the program design and implementation. The other type of subrecipient would be a contactor you might be recruiting to conduct specific, fee-based work. Contractors do not need to be identified nor be network members, but you do need to reference in the narrative that the contractor will be competitively selected.
Foreign entities are NOT eligible to apply, even if they are operating in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. A US-based subsidiary is eligible provided they incorporated in the United States and register with SAM.gov to get a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), but any staff would need to be employed by the US subsidiary. No grant funds can be disbursed to a foreign entity for project work or staffing.
No. There is no requirement or benefit to being officially recognized as a minority-owned, women-owned, or 8a business as part of the merit review and selection process.
Yes, colleges and universities are eligible to apply so long as they are currently either a registered or working on their Chesapeake Gateways network designation.
Yes, federally and state recognized Tribes are eligible to apply so long as they are currently either a registered or working on their Chesapeake Gateways network designation. Tribes that are not federally or state recognized but have non-profit status can apply as non-profit entities.
Projects must include a collaboration of partners to be competitive but there needs to be one lead organization submitting the application on behalf of the collaboration and be a network member. If any partners will be receiving disbursement of any project funds, they must be registered in SAM.gov in addition to also being a network member.
Any eligible entity may submit a grant application. Status of a current or past master cooperative agreement is not a consideration in the application process.
Yes, once accepted through the updated process released in January 2024, Chesapeake Gateways Places will have to renew their general agreements every five years unless another timeframe is specified.
Yes. Each year's grant offering is stand alone.
Yes, please fill out a self-nomination form.
Yes, that would meet the requirement to have a collaboration or partnership with a Chesapeake Gateways place.
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 frequently asked questions regarding Chesapeake Gateways Grants.
Last updated: August 27, 2026