Massachusetts Oyster Project Requests Applications to New Small Grants Program
Massachusetts Oyster Project Clean Waters Grant 2023
Apply by Aug 15, 2023
About
Oysters provide a number of valuable environmental services from improving water quality to increasing coastal resilience. Oyster restoration and propagation is on the rise in Massachusetts. This is reflected in the recent Massachusetts Shellfish Initiative Strategic Plan and through the efforts of local organizations to utilize oysters for a number of services including nitrogen reduction and habitat restoration. Many of these efforts are being led by municipalities and local watershed associations who best understand the resources and specific needs of their community.
The Massachusetts Oyster Project (MOP) created the Clean Waters Grant program to support local community projects that align with our mission to restore oysters and oyster habitat in Massachusetts. Mass Oyster will award up to $5,000 to facilitate the development and implementation of new projects that lead to oyster restoration in Massachusetts.
The Clean Waters Grant aims to:
Increase the amount of oysters and oyster habitat restored in Massachusetts
Support local community and municipal projects
Generate support for using oysters to provide environmental services
Eligibility
Applicants must be a 501(c)3 organization, a governmental, municipal or tribal entity, or organizations affiliated with a college or university; other entities, including clubs and local community organizations, will be considered if they can demonstrate that they have the capacity to manage the grant and successfully complete their project.
Projects must be located in Massachusetts.
Applicants must demonstrate how the project will directly lead to oyster restoration.
Applicants must demonstrate the capacity to complete the proposed project, including experience in successfully conducting similar or otherwise related work in the past.
Examples of Eligible Projects
Advance the use of oysters to meet nitrogen reduction goals- including studies, pilot projects, monitoring, etc.
Advance the use of oysters in shoreline stabilization or habitat restoration.
Examples of Ineligible Projects
Endowment
Land acquisition
General operating and maintenance support
Project locations that are outside of Massachusetts
In addition, grant funds should be used to help facilitate the development or implementation of a new project that will directly lead to oyster restoration, not for ongoing maintenance or operational support of an existing project.
Evaluation Criteria
Proposals will be evaluated on:
The extent to which project goals and outcomes align with and advance MOP’s mission.
The ability for the proposed project to lead to oyster restoration.
Feasibility of project completion 1-2 years after award date.
Award Process, Requirements, and Deliverables
Selected proposals will be awarded up to $5,000 to fulfill their projects.
Requirements and Deliverables:
Projects should be completed within two years after the award date.
A progress report is due one year after the award date and at the completion of the project.
A final report that includes a project summary and outcomes, lessons learned, and budget report is due at the completion of the project.
Acknowledgement of Massachusetts Oyster Project support in project-related outreach, press releases, or publications.
Project photos that we may share through our promotional channels.
Application Instructions
To submit a project proposal, please compile the following into a document and send to Liv Woods, Executive Director, at liv.woods@massoyster.org by August 15, 2023:
Name, Affiliation.
A description of project goals and intended outcomes (not to exceed one page).
A proposed budget and budget justification.
A high-level project schedule.
Information about other funding sources for the project (if applicable).
Collaboration opportunities with other organizations (if applicable).
Volunteer or educational opportunities.
Contact
Questions can be directed to Liv Woods, Executive Director, at liv.woods@massoyster.org.