- What it funds
- Lower Eastern Shore climate adaptation paid for by a federal EPA Climate Pollution Reduction Grant, including living shorelines that protect tidal marsh (design, design-build and construction) along with forestry, wetland and coastal resilience planning work. About $17 million of the $42.5 million initiative is for living shorelines.
- Who can apply
- The 2026 living shoreline request for proposals was open to local jurisdictions, nonprofits and colleges and universities, for projects in the Chesapeake Bay portions of Dorchester, Wicomico and Somerset counties.
- Match
- No match was required; awards are 100% federal funds paid monthly on a reimbursable basis.
- Award
- Minimum request $1 million for design, permitting and construction (lower amounts allowed for design-only with DNR permission); seven grants totaling more than $4.5 million were announced June 22, 2026.
How Maryland applicants apply
Watch DNR's Roots for Resilience open solicitations page for new rounds; questions go to dnr.rootsresilience@maryland.gov.
The program on dnr.maryland.govDates
No dates are listed ahead. The living shoreline request for proposals closed April 6, 2026, and DNR's forestry partner solicitation is also closed. DNR says more opportunities will be posted on its open solicitations page; none was open on October 29, 2026.
What has changed
- June 22, 2026DNR announced seven living shoreline grants totaling more than $4.5 million in Dorchester and Somerset counties: one construction-ready project and six in design. (news.maryland.gov)
- May 13, 2026DNR publicly launched Roots for Resilience, backed by $42.5 million in federal grant funding. (news.maryland.gov)
- April 6, 2026Living shoreline proposals were due. (dnr.maryland.gov)
- January 5, 2026DNR announced the living shoreline request for proposals (about $17 million). (dnr.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/climateresilience/Pages/rootsforresilience.aspx
- dnr.maryland.gov/climateresilience/Pages/Roots-for-Resilience-Open-Solicitations.aspx
- dnr.maryland.gov/climateresilience/Documents/Roots-for-Resilience_Living-Shoreline-RFP_18Dec25.pdf
- news.maryland.gov/dnr/2026/05/13/maryland-department-of-natural-resources-launches-roots-for-resilience-initiative-to-strengthen-climate-adaptation-on-the-eastern-shore
- news.maryland.gov/dnr/2026/06/22/roots-for-resilience-initiative-grants-4-5-million-for-living-shoreline-projects-protecting-bay-communities-and-habitats
Frequently Asked Questions
As of October 29, 2026: Closed. The living shoreline request for proposals closed April 6, 2026, and DNR's forestry partner solicitation is also closed. DNR says more opportunities will be posted on its open solicitations page; none was open on October 29, 2026.
Lower Eastern Shore climate adaptation paid for by a federal EPA Climate Pollution Reduction Grant, including living shorelines that protect tidal marsh (design, design-build and construction) along with forestry, wetland and coastal resilience planning work. About $17 million of the $42.5 million initiative is for living shorelines.
The 2026 living shoreline request for proposals was open to local jurisdictions, nonprofits and colleges and universities, for projects in the Chesapeake Bay portions of Dorchester, Wicomico and Somerset counties.
No match was required; awards are 100% federal funds paid monthly on a reimbursable basis.
Watch DNR's Roots for Resilience open solicitations page for new rounds; questions go to dnr.rootsresilience@maryland.gov.
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