The State Department of Environmental Conservation launched a new $2.5 million Harmful Algal Bloom Research Grant Program designed to support research projects focused on preventing, monitoring, and better understanding HABs.
State officials said DEC’s existing HAB program already includes monitoring, research, public reporting, data collection, education, and outreach efforts. The new grant program is intended to build on those efforts by supporting innovative research and management strategies.
According to DEC, funded projects could range from small laboratory or field studies to larger regional and multi-disciplinary research efforts. The projects are expected to advance goals outlined in the state’s HAB Roadmap and HAB Research Guide while helping strengthen future ecosystem-based management efforts.
The grant program will focus on four main research areas:
- Prevention and mitigation
- Causes of harmful algal blooms
- Monitoring and modeling
- Communication, engagement, and outreach
Eligible applicants include municipalities, soil and water conservation districts, federally or state-recognized tribes, academic institutions, and nonprofit organizations.
Applications must be submitted through the Statewide Financial System Grants Management website. Potential applicants are instructed to search “HAB 2026” in the Event ID field within the SFS Vendor Portal.
The deadline to submit proposals is Sept. 15 at 3 p.m. Eastern time.
