2025 South Florida Program

Background
The EPA’s South Florida Program aims to enhance the protection and restoration of Florida’s Coral Reef, the Everglades, and associated aquatic habitats. The program supports projects across 16 counties in South Florida, focusing on applied science frameworks that generate tangible results and advance future interventions. The mission aligns with federal water quality and wetlands programs to support economically valuable fisheries and recreational activities in the unique South Florida ecosystem.

Grant Details
The grant supports demonstration projects that include scientifically rigorous studies, surveys, research, investigations, or pre- and post-monitoring data collection to evaluate project outcomes. Projects must address immediate water quality concerns and contribute to evidence-based knowledge for improving decision-making related to water quality and aquatic habitat restoration. Eligible projects may focus on:

1. Aquatic Habitat Restoration in South Florida (up to $1,000,000 per project) - Innovative approaches for restoring coral reefs, seagrasses, mangroves, etc.

2. Stormwater Pollution/Hypoxia/Muck/Invasive Species Reduction Projects (up to $1,000,000 per project) - Activities to mitigate stormwater pollution impacts.

3. Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) (up to $500,000 per project) - Control efforts for preventing or reducing HABs.

4. Water Quality and Aquatic Habitat Monitoring and Modeling (up to $500,000 per project) - Investigating connectivity between waters and aquatic habitats.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible applicants include state agencies, local governments, tribes and intertribal consortia; public/private universities; laboratories; research organizations; and nonprofit institutions. Applications must include activities relevant to the program area and address at least one priority area without exceeding funding capacity.

Period of Performance
The anticipated period of performance for awarded projects is between 2 to 7 years.

Grant Value
The total funding available for this opportunity is $8,500,000 with an expected range of individual awards from $400,000 to $1,000,000 depending on various factors including agency priorities.

Place of Performance
Projects must be conducted within the 16 counties of South Florida that overlap with the South Florida Water Management District.