Estuary Management Small Grants Program
Now Accepting Applications for Round 2!
(Due March 2, 2026)
Background
The Seabrook-Hamptons Estuary Alliance (SHEA) is excited to invite applicants to submit proposals for projects that advance the goals and actions identified in the Hampton-Seabrook Estuary Management Plan (EMP) Action Plan. This EMP Small Grants Program was established with Congressionally-designated funds in 2024, with budget oversight from NOAA’s Office of Coastal Management, and is being administered by SHEA. This program aims to provide guidance, support, and funding to the surrounding Hampton-Seabrook Estuary (HSE) communities and other local and regional partners to investigate, scope, and implement planning and outreach efforts that address emerging issues or challenges related to maintaining and improving the health of the HSE.
Who Can Apply
Eligible applicants include any entity that conducts work and serves the HSE watershed communities surrounding the HSE (Hampton, Seabrook, Hampton Falls) and its watershed (Exeter, Kensington, North Hampton, Salisbury (MA), and Stratham). Please see HSE Watershed Map below for full list. Types of entities that are eligible to apply may include, but are not limited to, municipalities, nonprofits, academic institutions, state departments, and others.
If you are unsure if you are eligible to apply, please reach out to Colette Tweeddale (ctweeddale@shea4nh.org).
HSE Watershed Map
Types of Projects
Projects must meet the following requirements to be considered eligible for funding:
- Advance one or more of the five goals of the Estuary Management Plan. (See Round 2 RFP, Section 6 for updates on priority actions)
- Require no demolition, construction, or ground disturbance of any kind.
- Contain an outreach component: either as a central component throughout the project OR as a final component to communicate project results to community members AND has 20% of the total project budget dedicated to implementation of outreach.
Project Budget & Duration
Budget: Project budgets should generally be between $5,000- $25,000 and do not require any external or matched funds to be considered for EMP grant funding. We anticipate up to 4 rounds of funding from 2025-2028, with $93,000 total in awards to be distributed.
Duration: All projects across all funding rounds must conclude no later than January 2028.
Important Dates for Round 2
January 12, 2026: Request for Proposal (RFP) & Application Package released for Round 2 of Funding
February 9, 2026: SHEA hosts informational grant webinar & provides applicant support - Register Here.
March 2, 2026: Application Submission Deadline: emailed to ctweeddale@shea4nh.org by 4pm EST.
March 3 - 16, 2026: Proposal Review and Selection
March 17, 2026: Notification of Funding Decisions to Applicants
Mar. 17 - May 12: NOAA Budget Review Period
May 12, 2026: Contracts Executed and Projects Kick-off
January 1, 2028: All Projects Completed
EMP Small Grants Informational Webinar – Round 2
This webinar will provide an overview of the EMP Small Grants Program and application process ...
Overview of Submission Requirements
Applicants must submit the following to Colette Tweeddale, Hampton-Seabrook Estuary (HSE) Coordinator, via email (ctweeddale@shea4nh.org) by 4pm on March 2, 2026. Please include “EMP Grant Program Application” in the subject line. Faxed or mailed applications will not be accepted.
The following is the information required for submission, which you will provide via the fillable application package documents & attachments (download by clicking links in next section):
- Applicant Information: Organization name, address, contact person name and title and contact email and phone. If a 501(c)3, provide IRS ID #.
- Application Narrative: Project title, project description (background, methodology, audience, etc), timeline, and project location(s).
- Proposed Budget: Requested funds broken down by line item, and matching funds if any (matching funds are not required).
- Letter(s) of Commitment: A letter of support is required from each organization participating as a named partner with the primary applicant in the proposed project activities.
- Signature Form
Application Materials
Grant Application