Hudson River Estuary Program Grants (River Education)
Eligibility
New York K-12 schools, school districts, nonprofits, and educational organizations may apply. Programs must focus on Hudson River science, estuary ecology, river conservation, or environmental stewardship connected to the Hudson River watershed. Schools and organizations located within the Hudson River watershed are prioritized.
Program Goals
The Hudson River Estuary Program, administered by the NYS DEC, funds river education and stewardship programs that connect New York students and communities to the Hudson River ecosystem. Grants support classroom curriculum, field programs, water quality monitoring, river cleanup activities, and community education tied to the Hudson River estuary. The program builds environmental literacy and stewardship of one of New York's most important waterways.
Read the GrantApplication and Distribution
Applications are submitted through the DEC grants system. The next cycle opens October 1, 2026. Applications require a program description, Hudson River connection, student engagement plan, evaluation goals, and budget. Monitor the DEC Hudson River Estuary Program page for current cycle announcements and application instructions.
Cycle Notes
Hudson River Estuary Program grants run in annual rounds by program category. The next cycle opens October 1, 2026. Visit dec.ny.gov for current announcements and to confirm the application window.
Grant Award Amount
River Education grants award up to $20,000 per project for curriculum, field programs, water science equipment, and materials tied to the approved Hudson River education program.
Allowable Purchases
Forward Education Products for This Grant
These kits align to the learning outcomes this program funds.
- CHARGE Climate Sensor Kit — water quality and environmental monitoring for Hudson River science programs
- micro:bit Starter Kit — field data collection for student-led Hudson River investigations
- Smart Hydroponics Kit — aquatic ecosystem and water systems science for river education programs
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for Hudson River Estuary Program grants in New York?
NY K-12 schools, nonprofits, and educational organizations may apply. Programs must focus on Hudson River science or stewardship in the Hudson watershed.
How much funding is available through Hudson River Estuary Program?
Grants award up to $20,000 per project.
Can Hudson River Estuary Program funds be used for STEM and coding tools?
Yes. Hudson River Estuary Program funds can support hands-on STEM materials, physical computing kits, and coding curriculum when they align to the program's stated goals. Document alignment to program objectives before purchasing.
How do New York schools apply for Hudson River Estuary Program grants?
Apply through the DEC grants system when the cycle opens October 1, 2026. Submit a program description, Hudson River connection, student engagement plan, and budget.
How can Forward Education help with Hudson River Estuary Program funding?
Forward Education provides curriculum alignment documents, official pricing letters for grant budgets, and letters of support for New York schools. Our STEM kits are purpose-built to meet the learning outcomes this program funds. Contact us before submitting your application.
Need Help Writing Your Grant Application?
Forward Education works with schools and districts to build strong funding proposals. We can help you connect our tools to your grant requirements.
- Curriculum alignment documents — New York standards mapped to our kits
- Program quotes and pricing — classroom sets, bundles, and multi-site pricing
- Letters of support — documentation for grant applications
- Project ideas and scope-and-sequence — ready-to-use program outlines
Explore more New York funding resources
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