Applications are currently being accepted for active, existing DER-designated Partnerships. Applications are due August 12, 2025 by 4pm EST.
Apply for capacity-building assistance for established Regional Restoration Partnerships.
- This page, DER's Partnerships Program RFR, is offered by
- Division of Ecological Restoration
DER's Partnerships Program RFR
Contacts
Regional Restoration Partnerships Program
The Details
What you need
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.
The Division of Ecological Restoration (DER), Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game, seeks grant proposals to advance restoration work for active, existing DER-designated Partnerships (Partnerships) that work to restore degraded aquatic ecosystems and increase climate change resiliency through the FY2026 Regional Restoration Partnerships Program Capacity and Action Grant.
Selected applicants (Lead Partnership Sponsors) commit to building the capacity of their Partnership members to plan and carry out ecological restoration actions. Selected Lead Partnership Sponsors 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 technical assistance to support Partnerships as they plan and carry out restoration activities.
The Partnerships Program Request for Responses (RFR) for active, existing DER-designated Partnerships (Berkshire Clean Cold Connected Restoration Partnership, Buzzards Bay Restoration Partnership, and Merrimack Restoration Partnership) is now open and accepting responses from the existing designated Partnerships. See below for information on how to apply.
The Partnerships Program is not currently accepting applications for new Partnerships. A new Request for Responses to select new DER-designated Partnerships is anticipated in the future.
How to apply
The Partnerships Program Request for Responses (RFR) for active, existing DER-designated Partnerships (Berkshire Clean Cold Connected Restoration Partnership, Buzzards Bay Restoration Partnership, and Merrimack Restoration Partnership) is now open and accepting responses from the existing designated Partnerships. The RFR and associated materials are available via COMMBUYS. Applications must be submitted via the Application Submission Form, also linked below and at the top of this page. Applications must be submitted no later than August 12, 2025 at 4:00pm EST.
A Question & Answer period is currently open and provides the opportunity for applicants to ask written questions regarding this RFR. Written responses will be provided by DER and available on COMMBUYS and on this webpage. Applicant questions must be submitted through the Q&A Form, also linked below and at the top of this page. Questions must be submitted no later than August 4, 2025 at 4:00pm EST. Written answers are anticipated to be available by end of day August 7, 2025.
More info
- For additional information on ecological restoration, take a look at the Society for Ecological Restoration International Primer on Ecological Restoration