The New York State (NYS) Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC or Department) is pleased to announce the 2026 round of the Climate Smart Communities Grant (CSCG) Program.
Donor Name: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
State: New York
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 06/22/2026
Size of the Grant: More than $1 million
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
At least $18 million is available for the 2026 round CSCG program via this request for applications (RFA). Funding for this grant opportunity is provided by the Environmental Protection Fund and the Clean Water, Clear Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act and administered pursuant to Environmental Conservation Law Article 54, Title 15 and 6 NYCRR Part 492, Climate Smart Community Projects.
The CSCG program covers up to 80% of the eligible cost of completing these projects including, but not limited to, personnel costs, contractual services, equipment purchase/rental, supplies and materials, and land acquisition, directly related to implementation of the project. See the Eligible and Ineligible Project Expenses section on page 21 for additional details regarding eligible expenses.
Funding Information
- Certification Project Category
- Total available – up to $1,000,000
- Minimum grant award – $10,000
- Maximum grant award – $200,000
- Implementation Category
- Funding available – At least $17 million
- Minimum grant award – $35,000
- Maximum grant award – $2,000,000
Eligible Projects
Environmental Conservation Law (ECL) § 54-1507 provides that adaptation and mitigation “[p]rojects must demonstrate an ability to identify, mitigate, and/or adapt to climate change vulnerability and risk or demonstrate potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions outside the power sector.” Projects that do not meet this requirement are not eligible for grant funding under this program.
Eligibility Criteria
- Cities, towns, villages, counties, Indian Nations, local public authorities, and local public benefit corporations of the State of New York Certain political subdivisions such as school districts, boards of cooperative educational services, fire districts, , libraries and similar organizations are not eligible to apply, however, may apply in partnership with an eligible lead municipality.
- Municipalities need not be registered or certified as a Climate Smart Community to apply for a grant.
- Applicant municipalities must be registered in the New York Statewide Financial System Grants Management System to be eligible.
For more information, visit NYSDEC.
