Peter Turcik
The National Park Service Chesapeake Gateways Program (NPS Chesapeake Gateways) offers competitive grant opportunities to advance the Chesapeake Bay Initiative Act of 1998 within the full 41-million-acre Chesapeake Bay watershed! The information below is intended to help potential grantees prepare and submit their proposal for grant funding through this effort.
2027 Chesapeake Gateways Grants Opportunity is Open.
Grant Opportunity Details
Chesapeake Gateways is a network of places and their partners, providing opportunities to enjoy, learn about and help conserve the Chesapeake Bay and its watershed. Included in the network are diverse natural, cultural, historical, and recreational sites, trails, museums, parks, refuges, and interpretive and orientation facilities. These places serve as entry points and the key guide for experiencing the Chesapeake watershed.
Goal: Develop Chesapeake Gateways Communities as Strategic Focal Points
Chesapeake Gateways communities aspire to connect people, places and stories across all of our great watershed in a whole-community approach. Chesapeake Gateways communities are where a combination of geography, location, transportation systems, economic uses and services concentrate people in the watershed.
These communities enhance public education of and access to the Chesapeake by:
Goal: Develop Chesapeake Gateways Communities as Strategic Focal Points
Chesapeake Gateways communities aspire to connect people, places and stories across all of our great watershed in a whole-community approach. Chesapeake Gateways communities are where a combination of geography, location, transportation systems, economic uses and services concentrate people in the watershed.
These communities enhance public education of and access to the Chesapeake by:
- Elevating their visitor experience efforts, connecting to sites, water and land trails, and other local programmatic assets.
- Providing an outstanding welcoming orientation for locals and visitors, encouraging exploration, and offering a host of inclusive opportunities for people to experience a range of authentic Chesapeake resources and stories.
- Embracing a commitment to linking nature, culture, history, and recreation-based tourism with economic initiatives for local resiliency and community sustainability, especially tied with sectors closely linked with Chesapeake heritage.
The grant has two categories:
a) Linking Tourism and Economic Development Grants Proposals submitted should demonstrate that the projects reflect a community need; link local recreation, culture, history, and/or nature tourism to economic impact of the community; and involve a collaboration among community partners. Projects should link nature-based and cultural tourism with economic initiatives for local resilience and community sustainability, especially tied with sectors closely linked with Chesapeake heritage, such as historical or cultural crafts and trades, working lands, or maritime activities.
Award Range: $25,000 to $50,000
b) Event Support Grants Proposals should demonstrate how the event or festival celebrates the rich cultural, historical, natural, or recreational legacy and ongoing story of Chesapeake Gateways communities. Public events and festivals should encourage exploration and enjoyment of the wealth of cultural, historical, natural, and recreational experiences available in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The events encourage new and enhanced opportunities to connect with underrepresented communities through inclusive and welcoming events, festivals, places, and programming.
Award Range: $10,000-$25,000
a) Linking Tourism and Economic Development Grants Proposals submitted should demonstrate that the projects reflect a community need; link local recreation, culture, history, and/or nature tourism to economic impact of the community; and involve a collaboration among community partners. Projects should link nature-based and cultural tourism with economic initiatives for local resilience and community sustainability, especially tied with sectors closely linked with Chesapeake heritage, such as historical or cultural crafts and trades, working lands, or maritime activities.
Award Range: $25,000 to $50,000
b) Event Support Grants Proposals should demonstrate how the event or festival celebrates the rich cultural, historical, natural, or recreational legacy and ongoing story of Chesapeake Gateways communities. Public events and festivals should encourage exploration and enjoyment of the wealth of cultural, historical, natural, and recreational experiences available in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The events encourage new and enhanced opportunities to connect with underrepresented communities through inclusive and welcoming events, festivals, places, and programming.
Award Range: $10,000-$25,000
Estimated Total Funding: approximately $1,000,000. The amount of funding available per award will be determined once final fiscal year (FY) 2027 appropriations have been made.
Expected Award Amount:
Network Places and Experiences PROJECTS with an anticipated range of $25,000-$50,000.
Network Places and Experiences COMMUNITY EVENTS with an anticipated range of $10,000-$25,000.
Anticipated Award Date: Summer of 2027
Anticipated Term of the Agreement: Agreement terms for periods of performance for funded projects may range between one to two years, depending on the complexity and negotiated project statement of work. Grants are not effective until a fully executed notice of award has been provided by the NPS Financial Assistance Awarding Officer.
Expected Award Amount:
Network Places and Experiences PROJECTS with an anticipated range of $25,000-$50,000.
Network Places and Experiences COMMUNITY EVENTS with an anticipated range of $10,000-$25,000.
Anticipated Award Date: Summer of 2027
Anticipated Term of the Agreement: Agreement terms for periods of performance for funded projects may range between one to two years, depending on the complexity and negotiated project statement of work. Grants are not effective until a fully executed notice of award has been provided by the NPS Financial Assistance Awarding Officer.
Applicants must be part of the Chesapeake Gateways Netweork in order to apply. Only projects and programs conducted within the watershed will be considered.
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
PLEASE NOTE: Applicants must be part of the Chesapeake Gateways Network and only projects that take place in the watershed will be considered. Projects that take place outside the watershed will not be considered.
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
PLEASE NOTE: Applicants must be part of the Chesapeake Gateways Network and only projects that take place in the watershed will be considered. Projects that take place outside the watershed will not be considered.
NPS Chesapeake Gateways seeks to make this effort as accessible as possible to all eligible applicants. There are no cost share or match requirements for these grants as authorized under Section 502(a) of The Chesapeake Bay Initiative Act of 1998.
You must complete the mandatory standard forms and any applicable optional forms, in accordance with the instructions provided, as required by the Notice on www.grants.gov. Do not include any proprietary or personally identifiable information.
Mandatory Requirements:
Mandatory Requirements:
- Standard Form 424 (SF 424)
- Standard Form 424A or C (SF 424A/C)
- Project Abstract Summary
- Detailed Budget Table and Narrative
- Standard Form 424B or D (SF 424B/D)
- Project Narrative (see drop down below for specifics)
The proposal is a narrative description that should specifically address each of the review criteria. (See Merit Review Criteria) 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, references. (Project team resumes, Forms SF-424, SF-424A, and the statement of indirect charges (NICRA) are not counted as part of the page limit.) Additionally, only information that is pertinent to the proposal should be included. Hyperlinks to external information will not be considered.
Project Overview
Strategic Intent
Organization/Applicant Overview
Proposed Partners.
Submitted projects are meant to reflect community needs and support through a collaboration of different partners, especially Chesapeake Gateways Places or Experiences.
Partner Letters of Support. (Not Required.)
Letters of support from proposed partners are not required. However, your project narrative should confirm that you have received concurrence from your proposed partner(s) that they are aware of their role and are supportive of the application.
Optional Resumes (Do not count towards 8-page limit.)
Proposals may include resumes of key project contacts (no more than 3 pages per resume). Resumes must be submitted with the Grants.gov application to be considered.
Project Overview
1. Purpose, Goal(s), Objective(s), and Grant Category.
2. Deliverable(s) - specific product(s) or project outcome(s)
3. Project Location within the watershed (Please note: projects outside the watershed will not be considered.)
4. Identify the Chesapeake Gateways Place that will serve as a project partner.
5. Key Tasks and Milestones
2. Deliverable(s) - specific product(s) or project outcome(s)
3. Project Location within the watershed (Please note: projects outside the watershed will not be considered.)
4. Identify the Chesapeake Gateways Place that will serve as a project partner.
5. Key Tasks and Milestones
Strategic Intent
1. Connection to Chesapeake Bay Initiative Act - All projects must provide a public purpose as framed by the Chesapeake Bay Initiative Act. How well do projects identify, conserve, restore, and or interpret natural, recreational, historical, and or cultural resources within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed; identify and utilize the collective resources as Chesapeake Bay Gateways sites for enhancing public education of and access to the Chesapeake Bay; link the Chesapeake Bay Gateways sites with trails, tour roads, scenic byways, and other connections; and/or develop and establish Chesapeake Bay Watertrails comprising water routes and connections to Chesapeake Bay Gateways sites and other land resources within the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
2. Connection to Chesapeake Economic Impact—How well does the application link the project deliverables to economic impact? What is the project’s economic development goals and objectives and how will the applicant attain those goals and objectives? Is the visitor experience that will be provided by the project clear? Do proposals facilitate an integrated approach to interpreting the themes (see Appendix B) and stories of the Chesapeake Bay watershed? Does the project help visitors explore, enjoy and better connect with these places and their diverse themes in the context of the Bay and its watershed?
3. Investments in Community Collaborations—How well does the proposed project collaborate with partners, especially other Chesapeake Gateways Places and Experiences, across the community to address tourism and economic impact? Is this the first time the community has done such a project or partnered with the noted partners? Is the commitment and support of the partner(s) mentioned in the project narrative (letters of support are not required)?
2. Connection to Chesapeake Economic Impact—How well does the application link the project deliverables to economic impact? What is the project’s economic development goals and objectives and how will the applicant attain those goals and objectives? Is the visitor experience that will be provided by the project clear? Do proposals facilitate an integrated approach to interpreting the themes (see Appendix B) and stories of the Chesapeake Bay watershed? Does the project help visitors explore, enjoy and better connect with these places and their diverse themes in the context of the Bay and its watershed?
3. Investments in Community Collaborations—How well does the proposed project collaborate with partners, especially other Chesapeake Gateways Places and Experiences, across the community to address tourism and economic impact? Is this the first time the community has done such a project or partnered with the noted partners? Is the commitment and support of the partner(s) mentioned in the project narrative (letters of support are not required)?
Organization/Applicant Overview
1. Organization mission alignment—How does the project fit into the proposing organization’s mission and does the organization have the capacity to fulfill the project?
2. Project Team’s skills and experience, including staff, volunteers, partners and consultants—Name, title, and responsibilities. Optional resumes may be submitted. Resumes do not count toward the 8-page limit.
2. Project Team’s skills and experience, including staff, volunteers, partners and consultants—Name, title, and responsibilities. Optional resumes may be submitted. Resumes do not count toward the 8-page limit.
Proposed Partners.
Submitted projects are meant to reflect community needs and support through a collaboration of different partners, especially Chesapeake Gateways Places or Experiences.
Partner Letters of Support. (Not Required.)
Letters of support from proposed partners are not required. However, your project narrative should confirm that you have received concurrence from your proposed partner(s) that they are aware of their role and are supportive of the application.
Optional Resumes (Do not count towards 8-page limit.)
Proposals may include resumes of key project contacts (no more than 3 pages per resume). Resumes must be submitted with the Grants.gov application to be considered.
We will be hosting office hours the month leading up to the deadline to answer your questions about the application process. Click the date on the links below to be brought into a Microsoft Teams meeting:
September 9, 2-3pm
October 7, 3-4pm
October 14, 3-4pm
October 21, 3-4pm
October 27-October 29, 3-4pm
Novemeber 3-November 4, 3-4pm
September 9, 2-3pm
October 7, 3-4pm
October 14, 3-4pm
October 21, 3-4pm
October 27-October 29, 3-4pm
Novemeber 3-November 4, 3-4pm
The final deadline is 11:59 ET, Wednesday, November 4, 2026. Applicants are held responsible for their proposals being submitted to the National Park Service through Grants.gov before the deadline closes. Late applications will not be accepted.
Don't delay. Start your application now.
Applicant Toolkit
Applicant Checklist
A helpful tool for Chesapeake Gateways Grants applicants as their prepare their official application.
Review Criteria
All proposals will be screened by NPS staff for relevance, accuracy, completeness, and compliance with the instructions included in the Notice of Funding Opportunity. Proposals will then be evaluated by a review panel representing technical experts with backgrounds in one or more of the strategic themes. Through these grants, NPS Chesapeake Gateways seeks to advance innovation in equity, inclusion, accessibility and engagement by Chesapeake Gateway partners and communities.
Chesapeake Gateways financial support is made under authority by the Chesapeake Bay Initiative Act of 1998. The language of the Act specifically states that projects must: identify, conserve, restore, and or interpret natural, recreational, historical, and or cultural resources within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed; identify and utilize the collective resources as Chesapeake Bay Gateways sites for enhancing public education of and access to the Chesapeake Bay; link the Chesapeake Bay Gateways sites with trails, tour roads, scenic byways, and other connections as determined by the Secretary; and/or develop and establish Chesapeake Bay Watertrails comprising water routes and connections to Chesapeake Bay Gateways sites and other land resources within the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
Reviewers will evaluate how successfully projects connect to the Chesapeake Bay Initiative Act and one or more of the interpretive themes (see Appendix B). How well do projects identify, conserve, restore, and interpret natural, recreational, historical, and cultural resources within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed? And/or how well do projects identify and utilize the collective resources as Chesapeake Bay Gateways sites for enhancing public education of and access to the Chesapeake Bay? And/or how well do projects link the Chesapeake Bay Gateways sites with trails, tour roads, scenic byways, and other connections? And/or how well do projects develop and establish Chesapeake Bay Watertrails comprising water routes and connections to Chesapeake Bay Gateways sites and other land resources within the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
Reviewers will evaluate how successfully projects connect to the Chesapeake Bay Initiative Act and one or more of the interpretive themes (see Appendix B). How well do projects identify, conserve, restore, and interpret natural, recreational, historical, and cultural resources within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed? And/or how well do projects identify and utilize the collective resources as Chesapeake Bay Gateways sites for enhancing public education of and access to the Chesapeake Bay? And/or how well do projects link the Chesapeake Bay Gateways sites with trails, tour roads, scenic byways, and other connections? And/or how well do projects develop and establish Chesapeake Bay Watertrails comprising water routes and connections to Chesapeake Bay Gateways sites and other land resources within the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
Chesapeake Gateways supports strategies for linking natural, historical, recreational, and cultural-based activities and experiences in the watershed with economic initiatives for local economic development, especially tied with sectors closely linked with Chesapeake heritage, such as heritage tourism, agriculture, and maritime activities.
Reviewers will evaluate how successfully projects connect local activities and experiences to economic development. Did the application link the project deliverables to economic impact? What is the project’s economic development goals and objectives and how will the applicant attain those goals and objectives? Is the visitor experience that will be provided by the project clear? Do proposals facilitate an integrated approach to interpreting the themes and stories of the Chesapeake Bay watershed? Does the project help visitors explore, enjoy and better connect with these places and their diverse themes in the context of the Bay and its watershed?
Reviewers will evaluate how successfully projects connect local activities and experiences to economic development. Did the application link the project deliverables to economic impact? What is the project’s economic development goals and objectives and how will the applicant attain those goals and objectives? Is the visitor experience that will be provided by the project clear? Do proposals facilitate an integrated approach to interpreting the themes and stories of the Chesapeake Bay watershed? Does the project help visitors explore, enjoy and better connect with these places and their diverse themes in the context of the Bay and its watershed?
Submitted projects are meant to reflect community needs and support through a collaboration of different partners, especially Chesapeake Gateways Places or Experiences. Community collaborations will be essential to reflect community needs, including in the project planning and implementation.
Community collaborations take many forms. Reviewers will evaluate how well the proposed project collaborates with partners, especially Chesapeake Gateways Places and Experiences, across the community to address tourism and economic impact. Is this the first time the community has collaborated on such a project or partnered with the noted partners? Is the commitment and support of the partner(s) mentioned in the project narrative (letters of support are not required)?
Community collaborations take many forms. Reviewers will evaluate how well the proposed project collaborates with partners, especially Chesapeake Gateways Places and Experiences, across the community to address tourism and economic impact. Is this the first time the community has collaborated on such a project or partnered with the noted partners? Is the commitment and support of the partner(s) mentioned in the project narrative (letters of support are not required)?
Chesapeake Gateways projects need to have well defined objectives, activities, costs, deliverables, and expected outcomes. A well-crafted budget and project narrative of your scope of work must clearly convey to reviewers your intent and your plan for accomplishing your objectives. Success of each project also depends on the capacity of each proposing organization and the team of volunteers, staff, partners and/or consultants assembled to plan and implement the project. Uncertainty about your fiscal and operational approach will undermine your proposal.
Reviewers will evaluate how effectively the budget and project narrative convey the intent of the project. Reviewers will also consider lower administrative/indirect costs as a competitive factor under this criterion. They will also evaluate whether each proposing organization has envisioned and assembled a team with the necessary skills to accomplish the project. Does the project team have the relevant subject matter expertise and experience? How well does the applicant demonstrate the ability to meet administrative and technical grant requirements?
Reviewers will evaluate how effectively the budget and project narrative convey the intent of the project. Reviewers will also consider lower administrative/indirect costs as a competitive factor under this criterion. They will also evaluate whether each proposing organization has envisioned and assembled a team with the necessary skills to accomplish the project. Does the project team have the relevant subject matter expertise and experience? How well does the applicant demonstrate the ability to meet administrative and technical grant requirements?
Selection
Merit review recommendations will be forwarded to the NPS Chesapeake Gateways Superintendent for review and consideration. The superintendent may also consider geographic distribution within the Chesapeake watershed, diversity of awardees, thematic distribution, and the amount of funds available to make final recommendations of the applications to be forwarded for funding. The final recommendations will be forwarded to the NPS Financial Assistance Selection Official for final selection.
Last updated: August 27, 2026