- What it funds
- Design and permitting of nature-based projects that reduce flooding and erosion for communities and public lands, such as living shorelines, marsh, wetland, floodplain, dune and beach restoration, beneficial use of dredged material, and green stormwater practices like rain gardens and bioswales. Construction is not funded in the FY2028 cycle.
- Who can apply
- Local governments and nonprofit organizations (nonprofits should confirm eligibility with DNR and need a local government support letter). Projects can be anywhere in Maryland; projects on private land must show a community-wide benefit and have a landowner agreement.
- Match
- No match is required; offering up to 1:1 match or cost savings is listed as a mark of a competitive project.
- Award
- Up to $100,000 for design; design and permitting projects typically cost $30,000–$100,000, and permit fees are not eligible.
How Maryland applicants apply
Apply in the Grants Gateway portal with a signed transmittal letter, budget table, photos of current flooding or erosion, a communication and engagement strategy and, where relevant, landowner agreements and the sea level rise Appendix A worksheet. Contact Nicole Carlozo, nicole.carlozo@maryland.gov, 410-260-8726, to discuss ideas or arrange a site visit.
The program on dnr.maryland.govDates
What has changed
- October 1, 2026Chapter 76 of 2026 took effect. (mgaleg.maryland.gov)
- July 15, 2026The FY2028 solicitation kept the design-and-permitting-only limit and the $100,000 design maximum. (dnr.maryland.gov)
- June 15, 2026DNR announced $690,000 for nine FY2027 flood reduction and restoration projects funded by the initiative and NOAA, pending federal approval. (news.maryland.gov)
- April 14, 2026Governor approved Chapter 76 of 2026 (HB 254), creating a Resilience Through Restoration Capital Grant Fund for state agencies, local governments and nonprofits to plan, design, build and adaptively manage nature-based projects; the fund may not receive general fund money in fiscal 2027. (mgaleg.maryland.gov)
- July 15, 2025The FY2027 solicitation limited the program to design and permitting; construction became ineligible because of funding limits. (dnr.maryland.gov)
- July 11, 2025DNR announced more than $1.275 million for six FY2026 projects and said this was the last year of state funding available through the initiative. (news.maryland.gov)
Sources
Checked against the funder’s own pages on October 29, 2026. Rules and dates change; confirm with the funder before you apply.
- dnr.maryland.gov/ccs/Pages/Resilience-through-Restoration.aspx
- dnr.maryland.gov/ccs/Pages/funding/grantsgateway.aspx
- dnr.maryland.gov/ccs/Documents/FY2028-Grants-Gateway-Solicitation.pdf
- dnr.maryland.gov/ccs/Documents/FY2027-Grants-Gateway-Solicitation.pdf
- news.maryland.gov/dnr/2025/07/11/climate-resilience-projects-throughout-maryland-funded-with-1-275-million
- news.maryland.gov/dnr/2026/02/11/resilience-through-restoration-initiative-protects-maryland-communities-and-coastlines
- news.maryland.gov/dnr/2026/06/15/flood-reduction-and-restoration-projects-throughout-maryland-funded-with-690000
- mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/Hb0254
- mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/fnotes/bil_0004/hb0254.pdf
Frequently Asked Questions
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