OEPA: Ohio Environmental Education Fund Mini Grant

The Ohio Environmental Education Fund Mini Grant, administered by the Ohio EPA, supports environmental education projects for students and the public. With approximately $700,000 available annually, funding priorities include promoting environmental careers, ecological restoration, air quality improvement, and addressing harmful chemicals. Grants range from $500 to $5,000, aiming to enhance awareness and understanding of critical environmental issues in Ohio.

Funding priorities for the 2026 state fiscal year include:

• Encouraging Ohio students to explore environmental-related careers;
• Encouraging habitat and ecological restoration efforts;
• Reducing emissions to improve air quality, including through energy conservation and alternative energy sources;
• Encourage planning and emergency preparedness for extreme environmental events (environmental releases, extreme weather, etc.);
• Using innovative practices to improve water quality, reduce nutrient loading, and prevent harmful algal blooms;
• Reducing lead exposure in drinking water;
• Reducing exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as “forever chemicals”; and

Connections between the environment and human health, including but not limited to, air quality and respiratory conditions, tick prevalence and Lyme disease, scrap tires, and mosquitoes
Funding
Mini grants from $500 to $5,000.