Provider
PA Department of Environmental Protection
Application Deadline
November 13, 2026
Summary
Each year, Pennsylvania invests in its schools, colleges and universities, county conservation districts, nonprofit organizations, and businesses to improve environmental literacy among youth and adults.
Administered through DEP, the Environmental Education Grants Program provides funds to support a wide range of environmental education projects including meaningful, hands-on programs for students, teacher training workshops, and community conservation projects for adults. Funds are provided on a reimbursement basis. All projects must occur in Pennsylvania and engage Pennsylvania audiences. Multiple applications may be submitted from the same organization. Each application will be viewed as an independent proposal and evaluated.
Program award tracks are structurally designed to encourage capacity and sustainability growth and development. Three award tracks are available for projects:
- Seed Grant (up to $5,000) may be awarded for local (school, county, partnering municipality, or other defined area) environmental education projects.
- Grow Grant ($5,001 - $30,000) may be awarded for implementation of large-scale environmental education projects, such as school district-wide projects, multiple community or county collaborations, countywide, regional, or statewide projects.
- Impact Grant ($30,001 - $65,000) may be awarded as a first-time project or for previously awarded DEP EE Grants project(s) for capacity and sustainability development. These projects must engage a broad-scale audience at county, regional, and state levels.
Common Eligible Projects
DEP’s Environmental Education Grants Program welcomes applications for the development of innovative formal and non-formal environmental education projects that:
- Address grant program priorities;
- Provide opportunities to expand the public’s understanding of Pennsylvania’s environmental issues; and
- Develop skills required to make informed decisions and take responsible action on behalf of the environment.
2027 Environmental Education Grants Program Funding Priorities:
Land Use
- Land use project will expand audience understanding of environmental contamination, remediation, and brownfield re-development to make informed decisions that protect human health, leverage relationships with local governments and businesses, and effectively engage the community in acting.
Air Quality
- Air quality projects will expand audience understanding of air pollution, the Air Quality Index (AQI), and potential threats to human health to identify when and what actions should be taken in the event of unhealthy air quality.
Water
- Water quality projects will expand audience understanding of watersheds to identify and address non-point source and point source water pollution. Projects may emphasize subjects such as stormwater management, soil and water conservation, groundwater, agricultural nutrient management, abandoned mine drainage/reclamation, private water wells, road treatment, water quality monitoring, riparian buffers, and cold-water habitats.
Climate Change
- Climate change projects will expand audience understanding of the human behavior/climate change relationship, identify and adopt practical solutions to develop resiliency against extreme weather, pests, disease, agricultural disruptions, groundwater changes, and other climate change influenced threats to human and environmental health.
Environmental Justice
- Programs should be designed to meaningfully engage people of all demographics who live, work, recreate, and/or attend school within Environmental Justice areas. Strong proposals will demonstrate established and developing relationships with trusted local organizations or leaders and an understanding of local needs and include community input and support in project design and implementation.
More Information
https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dep/residents/environmental-education/environmental-education-grants
