The Coastal Partnership Initiative (CPI) is a grant program managed by the Florida Coastal Management Program (FCMP) in collaboration with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The program aims to promote the protection, enhancement, and effective management of Florida’s coastal resources. Federal funds are made available competitively to Florida’s 35 coastal counties and municipalities required to include a coastal element in their comprehensive plans. Public colleges, universities, regional planning councils, national estuary programs, and nonprofit organizations are also eligible, provided a local government agrees to act as a signatory partner. The program focuses on projects that align with four priority areas: Resilient Communities, Coastal Resource Stewardship, Access to Coastal Resources, and Working Waterfronts.

The CPI’s primary objectives are to assist communities in addressing climate change, disaster preparedness, and natural hazard management through projects like vulnerability assessments and energy strategies. Coastal Resource Stewardship promotes the public’s engagement with and care for fragile ecosystems through activities such as dune restoration and environmental awareness initiatives. Access to Coastal Resources focuses on enhancing public access to coastal and marine environments while safeguarding overused areas through measures like trail development and exotic species removal. Lastly, Working Waterfronts supports the revitalization of waterfront districts, including small-scale construction, shoreline restoration, and district planning.

CPI grants range from $10,000 to $60,000 for construction-related projects and $10,000 to $30,000 for planning, design, and coordination. Funding requires a 1:1 match from recipients, which may include in-kind contributions like volunteer time or material costs. Federal funds cannot be used as matching funds, and no more than 50% of the match can come from third-party sources. Applications are accepted annually, with the FY 2025–26 application window open from September 1, 2024, to October 31, 2024. Projects must be completed within 12 months of the funding cycle, which typically runs from July 1 to June 30.

Eligible applicants include Florida’s coastal counties, municipalities, public colleges and universities, regional planning councils, national estuary programs, and nonprofit groups. Nonprofits, however, are not eligible for grants involving construction, habitat restoration, invasive plant removal, or land acquisition. Each applicant may submit only one proposal per funding cycle. To apply, applicants must submit a signed and completed title page, location map, work plan, budget, and, if applicable, a completed 306A questionnaire for construction or restoration projects. Preliminary consultations with relevant agencies are required for construction projects, and applications without proper documentation or that fail to meet submission deadlines will be disqualified.

Proposals are evaluated by a technical committee based on criteria such as project clarity, feasibility, alignment with CPI priorities, and cost-effectiveness. Strong proposals clearly articulate project objectives, timelines, deliverables, and benefits to coastal resource management. Applications should also include a detailed budget narrative showing how funds will be allocated. Projects must demonstrate a clear need, be technically sound, and align with at least one of the CPI’s four priority areas. Noncompliance with submission requirements or regulatory consultations, among other factors, may lead to disqualification.

For more information, applicants can contact Tiffany Herrin at the Florida Department of Environmental Protection via phone at 850-245-2953 or email at Tiffany.Herrin@FloridaDEP.gov. Detailed information about previously funded projects is also available through Grant Abstracts and the program’s Interactive Story Map.