The Chesapeake and Coastal Service supports communities to address adaptation in three phases: Understand, Plan, and Implement. Each phase reflects a step towards a resilient community that addresses the challenges of today and tomorrow.

The Resiliency through Restoration Initiative  supports on-the-ground implementation of restoration projects to help protect communities from erosion, flooding, and other climate change impacts. The goal of this program is to reduce Maryland’s vulnerabilities and enhance resiliency of local communities, economies, and natural resources.

​Nature-based restoration techniques can enhance the ability of communities to respond to or recover from storms, flooding and other climate hazards by buffering people and infrastructure. Wetlands, dunes, living shorelines and other green stormwater practices can help communities adapt to changing conditions when used alongside other strategies.

The Resiliency through Restoration Initiative enhances community resilience through the following restoration ​​resources and services:

• State and county-level shoreline restoration targeting through the Coastal Resiliency Assessment
• Financial assistance through the Grants Gateway (Outcome 3) to fund design and construction of coastal and stormwater restoration projects in communities and on public lands. Funding is provided by the State of Maryland and the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration.
• Technical assistance and guidance for evaluation, design and maintenance of shoreline restoration projects.
• Monitoring and adaptive management of shoreline projects, including development of monitoring protocols and community science trainings.
• Community outreach to discuss and share nature-based resilience strategies.
• Education opportunities for students to participate in shoreline restoration projects and learn about resiliency benefits.

Applying through Grants Gateway

How To apply

Applicants can apply for funds through the Grants Gateway Outcome 3, which supports habitat restoration projects to address erosion and flooding in communities and on public lands. Information from the latest solicitation is below:

Important Notice for Outcome 3 Applicants
For the CY2026/FY2027 grant cycle, Outcome 3 is only open to design and permitting proposals. Construction projects are not eligible for funding at this time due to current funding limitations. If additional construction funding becomes available, a separate solicitation may be announced at a later date. Applicants with construction-ready projects are encouraged to contact the Outcome Contact to discuss future opportunities and project readiness.

When is this proposal due?
December 12, 2025

When is funding available?
July 1, 2026 - October 1, 2026 depending on fund source and state/federal approvals.

How much funding is available?
Design/permit projects typically cost between $30,000 and $100,000. Permit fees are not eligible. Construction projects are not eligible for CY2026/FY2027 due to funding limitations.

Who is eligible to apply?
Local governments and non-profit organizations can submit proposals under this outcome. Please reach out to the outcome contact for more information on non-profit eligibility.

Where can my project be located?
Projects can be located throughout Maryland. Public and private lands are eligible, but projects on private lands must demonstrate a community-wide benefit.

What kind of projects are supported by Outcome 3?
This outcome supports design/permitting of restoration projects. Design/permit projects are typically completed within 24 months. Projects may include shoreline restoration, beneficial use of dredged material, tidal marsh restoration, dune restoration, rain gardens, bioswales, and other green stormwater and restoration practices that provide community and ecosystem benefits.

Examples of projects may include:

• Design a suite of restoration projects that address coastal and non-coastal flooding in a BIPOC or marginalized community.
• Design a stormwater practice (i.e. bioretention facility, rain garden, stream restoration, regenerative stormwater conveyance system) that will address rain-induced flooding.
• Design a coastal habitat restoration project that enhances natural features (i.e. wetlands, dunes, forests, floodplains, oyster reefs) while protecting roads, critical infrastructure, or habitat from future sea level rise.
• Design a living shoreline or wetland enhancement project that uses local dredged material while protecting public lands that buffer coastal economies.

Who should I contact with application/project questions or ideas?
To discuss project ideas or arrange a site visit, please contact Nicole Carlozo at nicole.carlozo@maryland.gov. Applicants considering project proposals that include beneficial use of dredged material are encouraged to contact Maggie Cavey at maggie.cavey1@maryland.gov to discuss opportunities that may enhance the competitiveness of their proposal.

How is my proposal reviewed and selected for an award?

Eligible projects will:

1. Enhance habitat through coastal restoration or nature-based practices. Projects may support design and engineering of restoration practices.
2. Address climate change impacts. Projects will reduce community flood risk and/or erosion impacts.
3. Provide community-wide benefits. Projects will benefit a majority of community members and protect community infrastructure and/or assets.
4. Incorporate climate change data. Projects will address short term (1-10 years) and long term (10+ years) impacts based on the life expectancy of the proposed project. For coastal flooding/erosion projects, consider marsh migration and the 2023 Sea Level Rise Projections for Maryland using the Guidance for Using Maryland’s 2023 Sea Level Rise Projections. For stormwater projects, consider trends in the Northeast chapter of the Fourth National Climate Assessment, and/or Projected Intensity-Duration-Frequency (IDF) Curve Data Tool for the Chesapeake Bay Watershed and Virginia.

Competitive projects will:

• Demonstrate readiness and ability to proceed (i.e. work can begin within 6 months).
• Support BIPOC and marginalized communities through resilience, water quality, habitat, public access, health, job creation, recreation, or cultural benefits.
• Document critical or community infrastructure (i.e. # roads, buildings, parks) benefiting from the project.
• Partner with a local government and/or implement recommendations identified in local plans or assessments (i.e. hazard mitigation plan, nuisance flood plan,green infrastructure plan).
• Restore public lands, allow public access, and serve as a demonstration site.
• Demonstrate community support and engagement opportunities.
• Support technical innovations, such as beneficial use of dredged material for habitat restoration, shoreline stabilization, beach nourishment, or elevation enhancement of wetlands.
• Provide conceptual-level or greater designs.
• Provide up to 1:1 matching funds or include cost savings measures. Leveraging funds through the Shoreline Erosion Loan Program is highly encouraged, where applicable.
• Shoreline projects will be screened through Maryland’s Coastal Resiliency Assessment.

What are the required attachments?

• A Transmittal Letter on official letterhead that is signed by an executive who is authorized to request funding on behalf of the applicant organization.
• For Projects on Private Lands: Landowner agreement(s) and, if applicable, HOA/Community Land Authorization(s). Templates available on Grants Gateway site.
• For Projects in Areas to Be Impacted by Sea Level Rise: Appendix A in the Guidance for Using Maryland’s 2023 Sea Level Rise Projections report to select a RSLR estimate.
• For Non-profit Applicants: Letter of support from a local government representative (i.e. county or town council, town administrator, county planning office, county executive) that addresses how the project supports local efforts to address climate change; and, landowner agreement(s) as necessary.
• Current designs (if applicable)
• Communication and Engagement Strategy. Template available on Grants Gateway site.
  
• Photographs of current site conditions and impacts from high tide or rain-induced flooding.
• Complete Budget Table. Template available on Grants Gateway website.

Contact information:

Nicole Carlozo
Chesapeake & Coastal Service
Maryland Department of Natural Resources
Tawes State Office Building E-2
580 Taylor Avenue
Annapolis, Maryland 21401
Phone 410-260-8726​
E-Mail: nicole.carlozo@maryland.gov