DER's Partnerships Program

DER has established the Partnerships Program to support Regional Restoration Partnerships (Partnerships) that work to restore degraded aquatic ecosystems and increase climate change resiliency. The Partnerships Program launched with a competitive selection process in 2021. DER solicited applications from Massachusetts-registered 501(c)(3) organizations and Massachusetts Regional Planning Agencies to develop, lead, and support Partnerships that build lasting capacity among regional and local partners to initiate, fund, and manage aquatic restoration activities.  

Selected applicants (Lead Organizations) commit to building the capacity of their Partnership members to plan and carry out ecological restoration actions over a three-year Partnership term (with the option to extend up to five years total). Selected Lead Organizations are eligible to receive grants to support staffing costs to coordinate the Partnership and to fund implementation work that advances Partnership priorities. DER also provides direct and/or contracted technical assistance to support Partnerships as they plan and carry out restoration activities. Lead Organizations are expected to actively contribute to improving the Partnerships Program by providing structured input and recommendations that will inform the Program's future structure and administration.  

See below for more information about this program.

The Partnerships Program Request for Responses (RFR) is now closed and DER is not currently accepting applications. A new Request for Responses to select new Partnerships is anticipated in 2024.

• Explore Frequently Asked Questions about the Partnerships Program and applying to be a Regional Restoration Partnership
• For additional information on ecological restoration, take a look at the Society for Ecological Restoration International Primer on Ecological Restoration