Exploring and Enhancing Outdoor and Heritage Tourism in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed

Q: When is the deadline for Exploring and Enhancing Outdoor and Heritage Tourism in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed?

The deadline is November 4, 2026.

Q: Who is eligible for Exploring and Enhancing Outdoor and Heritage Tourism in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed?

Eligible applicants: Private colleges & universities; For-profit businesses; Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status; Tribal organizations; Tribal governments; School districts; City & township governments; State governments. Required: Active SAM.gov registration (UEI). Not funded: Foreign entities; For projects conducted outside the United States.

National Park Service

Foundation

Funding Amount

$10K – $50K

Deadline

November 4, 2026

39 days left

Number of Awards

Grant Type

foundation

Can we apply?

Check your organization against each line. Taken from the listing; confirm with the funder's guidelines.

Eligible organizations

Private colleges & universities
For-profit businesses
Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status
Tribal organizations
Tribal governments
School districts
City & township governments
State governments

Required status

Active SAM.gov registration (UEI)

Other requirements

A full map can be found here.
Chesapeake Gateways Network Requirement: The applicant must be a non-federal Chesapeake Gateways Network member (Place, Experience, Community, or Programmatic Partner).
To become a Chesapeake Gateways Network member, prospective applicants need to submit a self-nomination through the Chesapeake Gateways Network portal: Join the Chesapeake Gateways Network - Chesapeake Bay Watershed (U.S.
National Park Service).

Not eligible / not funded

Not eligible: PLEASE NOTE: Projects that take place outside the watershed are not eligible for consideration.
Not eligible: Foreign entities
Not eligible: For projects conducted outside the United States
Not eligible: The NPS cannot award funds to entities or their key project personnel identified in the SAM.gov Exclusions database as ineligible, prohibited/restricted, or otherwise excluded from receiving Federal contracts, certain subcontracts, and certain Federal assistance and benefits, as their…

Overview

Goal: Encourage outdoor recreation and natural, historical, and cultural tourism that expands access to and awareness of the Chesapeake Bay watershed and fosters economic development of communities.ObjectivesNPS Chesapeake Gateways is offering this competitive grant opportunity to strengthen a community's ability to offer or enhance outdoor recreation and natural, historical, and cultural tourism that connects visitors and residents to the Chesapeake Bay watershed as detailed in the Chesapeake Bay Initiative Act of 1998.Through this grant opportunity, NPS Chesapeake Gateways will:Enhance outdoor recreation and natural, historical, and cultural tourism in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.Support projects that link outdoor and heritage tourism to economic impact.Celebrate gateway communities that welcome and invite locals and visitors to explore authentic Chesapeake Gateways Places and stories through outdoor recreation and natural, historical, and cultural experiences.Grant ThemeChesapeake Gateways is a network of places that provide opportunities to explore outdoor recreation and authentic natural, historical, and cultural experiences of the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Included in this network are diverse recreational, natural, cultural, historical, and recreational sites, trails, museums, parks, wildlife 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 Bay watershed.

Full eligibility text

PLEASE NOTE: Projects that take place outside the watershed are not eligible for consideration. A link to all the counties in the watershed can be found in Appendix A. A full map can be found here.Chesapeake Gateways Network Requirement: The applicant must be a non-federal Chesapeake Gateways Network member (Place, Experience, Community, or Programmatic Partner). To become a Chesapeake Gateways Network member, prospective applicants need to submit a self-nomination through the Chesapeake Gateways Network portal: Join the Chesapeake Gateways Network - Chesapeake Bay Watershed (U.S. National Park Service). Foreign Entities or Projects: This program does not provide funding to foreign entities or for projects conducted outside the United States.Excluded Parties:NPS conducts a review of the SAM.gov Exclusions database for all applicant entities and their key project personnel prior to award. The NPS cannot award funds to entities or their key project personnel identified in the SAM.gov Exclusions database as ineligible, prohibited/restricted, or otherwise excluded from receiving Federal contracts, certain subcontracts, and certain Federal assistance and benefits, as their ineligibility condition applies to this Federal program.

Focus Areas & Funding Uses

Fields of Work