OpenFederal grantOpen to for-profit businessesP27AS00032

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

National Park ServiceCloses Nov 4, 2026(22 days left)$10,000 – $50,000

Does this fit your business?

This National Park Service program funds outdoor recreation and heritage tourism projects in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, with awards of $10,000 to $50,000. You must already be (or become) a non-federal Chesapeake Gateways Network member, and your project must take place inside the watershed. If your business has no tourism, recreation, or heritage angle, or your project sits outside the watershed, do not bother applying.

Best for
Museums, historic sites, and cultural attractions in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, Chesapeake Gateways Network members running outdoor recreation or heritage tourism projects, Nonprofits and local governments linking tourism to community economic development, Small businesses offering tourism or recreation experiences within the watershed
Not for
Businesses with no tourism, recreation, or heritage angle, Projects located outside the Chesapeake Bay watershed, Organizations unwilling or unable to join the Chesapeake Gateways Network
Estimated fit by industry, best first
IndustryEstimated fit
Arts & CultureMatches your industry (cultural, museum)
83
Strong Match
Social Services & NonprofitMatches your industry (community)
75
Strong Match
Environment & ConservationCurrently accepting applications
71
Good Match
Finance & BankingMatches your industry (economic)
70
Good Match
Retail & E-CommerceMatches your industry (economic)
69
Good Match
Agriculture & FarmingLimit: Nothing in this notice points to agriculture & farming
54
Possible Match
Show all 15 industries
Estimated fit by industry, best first
IndustryEstimated fit
Construction & InfrastructureLimit: Nothing in this notice points to construction & infrastructure
54
Possible Match
Education & TrainingLimit: Nothing in this notice points to education & training
54
Possible Match
Energy & Clean TechLimit: Nothing in this notice points to energy & clean tech
54
Possible Match
Food & BeverageLimit: Nothing in this notice points to food & beverage
54
Possible Match
Healthcare & BiotechLimit: Nothing in this notice points to healthcare & biotech
54
Possible Match
Housing & Real EstateLimit: Nothing in this notice points to housing & real estate
54
Possible Match
ManufacturingLimit: Nothing in this notice points to manufacturing
54
Possible Match
Technology & SoftwareLimit: Nothing in this notice points to technology & software
54
Possible Match
Transportation & LogisticsLimit: Nothing in this notice points to transportation & logistics
54
Possible Match

These are our matcher’s estimates for a typical business in each industry. A real match depends on your size, your state and what you need the money for — check your own fit.

What this funds

Money can be used for
Planning, Technical assistance, Capital projects, Operating support
Who can apply
Small businesses, For-profit companies, Nonprofits, State and local governments, Tribal governments and organizations, Colleges and universities
Award range
$10,000 – $50,000

Questions about this grant

When is the application deadline?
November 4, 2026. The opportunity was posted August 27, 2026.
How much funding can an applicant receive?
Awards range from $10,000 to $50,000. The program has $1,000,000 total and expects roughly 26 awards.
Who can apply for this grant?
Non-federal Chesapeake Gateways Network members with projects inside the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Eligible entities include small businesses, nonprofits (with or without 501(c)(3) status), tribal governments and organizations, state, county, city, and township governments, special district governments, school districts, public housing authorities, and higher education institutions. For-profit organizations other than small businesses are also listed as eligible.
Can a sole proprietor or single-member LLC apply?
The facts do not say. Small businesses are eligible, but the notice does not define whether sole proprietors or single-member LLCs qualify as small businesses for this program.
Can a nonprofit apply?
Yes. Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status and nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education) are both listed as eligible.

Summary

NPS Chesapeake Gateways grants ($10k-$50k) fund projects that enhance outdoor recreation and natural, historical, and cultural tourism in the Chesapeake Bay watershed and link tourism to community economic development. Applicants must be non-federal Chesapeake Gateways Network members; projects must occur within the watershed.

About this grant

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.

Who can apply

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.

Topics and uses of funds

Topics

  • Tourism
  • Environment
  • Community development
  • Economic development
  • Arts

Program contact

National Park Servicemonica_marcus@ios.doi.gov202-697-2035

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