Frequently Asked Questions
The following poject specific questions have been collected from potential grantees for Chesapeake Gateways Grants. Learn more about grant opportunities by visiting the Chesapeake Gateways Grants page.
Grants funds must be used to provide services or products that benefit some segment of public, versus the applying organization, or the federal government. For example, an organization may request funds to conserve and preserve artifacts for use in public programs, but not if the artifacts are being prepared solely for storage, without any access by the public.
Yes, as long as the project or event has a clear public purpose and is not for the direct benefit of the Park/Refuge or the Park/Refuge staff. In the grant capacity, the Park can serve as the location so long as the applicant ensures the project or event is public. As a partner, Park/Refuge staff can also assist in the project or event within their capacity and authority as long as the public is the intended audience. However, grant funds should not be used for physical Park/Refuge improvements or capital investments of Park/Refuge facilities. The Park/Refuge should utilize federal resources for such needs.
The grant budget can include staff costs for project execution of a defined project or outcome that leads to a public benefit. However, the grants are not designed to support annual organizational maintenance and operations not connected to a project or grant strategic theme.
If the trail construction will occur in the Chesapeake watershed, supports local economic development, and can be accomplished within the available funding and timeframe, then your proposal should be considered. What we can’t assess is how individual proposals will compete against other proposals submitted for consideration.
Unfortunately, we cannot support mini-grant programs at this time where organizations use the federal grant funds to regrant them out to subgrantees.
A list of sample projects is provided in section A4. Grant Categories of the Notice of Financial Opportunity (NOFO). However, this is not a complete or prescriptive list. If your project/program will occur in the Chesapeake watershed, supports local economic development, and can be accomplished within the available funding and timeframe, then your proposal should be considered.Please note: Grants may not be used for acquisition of property or services of direct benefit to the Federal government, including support of the day-to-day operations of a Federal agency.
Grant funds can be used to cover capital expenses, just not on federal property.
Projects do not need to have a specific conservation component. As long as they support local economic development, the proposal would be eligible for consideration.
You will need to demonstrate that the contractor was competitively selected. The procurement process you use must conform with 2 CFR 200. So, if the process you used is allowable under 2 CFR 200, then they are probably set. If it wasn't, then they probably cannot use them. The recipient needs to be in compliance with the procurement rules outlined in 2 CFR 200: eCFR :: 2 CFR Part 200 Subpart D - Procurement Standards.
Awards that provide capital funding do not have an easement requirement.
The grant can support tourism and public awareness programs or campaigns that support local or regional visitor experiences. They can be used as a tactic in visitor outreach, but cannot be the sole purpose of the project. The federal grant funds cannot be used solely to buy advertising.
From 2CFR200.241:
One tip is to not use the words “outreach” or “promotion” instead of “advertising.”
From 2CFR200.241:
The term advertising costs means the costs of advertising media and corollary administrative costs. Advertising media include magazines, newspapers, radio and television, direct mail, exhibits, electronic or computer transmittals, and the like.(b) The only allowable advertising costs are those which are solely for:(4) Program outreach and other specific purposes necessary to meet the requirements of the Federal award.
One tip is to not use the words “outreach” or “promotion” instead of “advertising.”
Unfortunately, we are not able to provide one-on-one advising on project ideas. If you are an eligible entity, your project/program will occur in the Chesapeake watershed, supports local economic development, and can be accomplished within the available funding and timeframe, then your proposal should be considered.
Unfortunately, we are not able to provide one-on-one advising on project ideas. If you are an eligible entity, your project/program will occur in the Chesapeake watershed, supports local economic development, and can be accomplished within the available funding and timeframe, then your proposal should be considered.
Charging a participation fee for participating in a grant-funded project is allowed. The expected program income will need to be detailed in the budget. Generally, income should be rolled into the project to further advance the project objectives.
Yes. Any required funding requirements will be defined in the award confirmation.
Yes, but you should make it clear to the review committee how the grants funds will be specifically used and the expected impact of the grant funded part of the project.
Personnel costs can be included for personnel directly involved with the project. But ongoing operational cost would not be appropriate.
All projects can add up to 15% of specific project funds as an indirect expense to cover operational expenses of the organization. The indirect is applied to the Modified Total Direct Cost (MTDC). The MTDC means all direct salaries and wages, applicable fringe benefits, materials and supplies, services, travel, and up to the first $25,000 of each subaward (regardless of the period of performance of the subawards under the award). MTDC excludes equipment, capital expenditures, charges for patient care, rental costs, tuition remission, scholarships and fellowships, participant support costs and the portion of each subaward in excess of $25,000. An indirect rate higher than 15% would require documentation of a negotiated indirect rate agreement (NICRA).
Projects with construction line item in the SF424A should use SF424C to provide more detail on the construction expenses. If you are using a contractor for the construction, you would add the expense in the contractor line item in the SF424A.
Stipends are generally allowed and can be included in your budget calculations. Projects can include support participants as direct costs in the budget for items such as stipends or subsistence allowances, travel allowances, and registration fees paid to or on behalf of participants or trainees (but not employees) in connection with conferences, or training projects.
The details of the participant support would be ironed out in the Budget Negotiation phase if the project is selected for funding. These costs would not be included in the Modified Total Direct Cost when calculating the indirect cost.
The details of the participant support would be ironed out in the Budget Negotiation phase if the project is selected for funding. These costs would not be included in the Modified Total Direct Cost when calculating the indirect cost.
Food and beverage costs are allowable in specific situations that are fundamental to the project. The case for allowing food or beverages is to allow the work to continue and keep people involved in the project during a meeting or event. Providing food as a recruiting tool/participation incentive is not allowed. You can include any allowable food costs in your supplies line item. The details of the food and beverages would be ironed out in the Budget Negotiation phase if the project is selected for funding.
Yes, as long as it is part of plan to impact local tourism and economic development.
Yes, as long as it is part of plan to impact local tourism and economic development.
Yes.
Yes
Yes
The event can be located at a Chesapeake Gateways Place, but it is not required. The events can be located within your community with a partnership connection to the local or thematic Chesapeake Gateways Place or Experience.
Yes, planning and design projects are allowed.
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