Exploring and Enhancing Outdoor and Heritage Tourism in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed
National Park Service
Award ceiling
—Award floor
—Posted
Aug 27, 2026Closes
Nov 4, 2026Location eligibility
No specific state restriction found in this listing — check the full opportunity for details.Categories: Community Development
Eligible applicants: City or township governments, Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, State governments, Independent school districts, Small businesses, For profit organizations other than small businesses, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Special district governments, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, County governments, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
Description
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.