Geographic Programs - San Francisco Bay Restoration Program
Active
- Assistance listing
- 66.126
- Grant awards
- 109 $236,025,356 in federal obligations
Program facts
- Also known as
- SF Bay Program
- Assistance types
-
- Project Grant
- Formula Grant
- Treasury accounts
-
- 68-0108-0-1-304
- 68-0108-0-1-000
- More information
Program details come from SAM.gov Assistance Listings. Updated . Grant award figures come from USAspending.gov.
About this program
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) through Region 9 is funding water quality improvements and wetlands restoration in San Francisco Bay and its nine-county watershed, with Assistance Listing 66.126. The most recent award was made on March 1, 2025, and a current competitive solicitation (EPA-R9-SFBAY-26-01) is open with a due date of March 3, 2026.
The program is actively disbursing grants. Since 2011, EPA Region 9 has made 109 total awards comprising $236 million in federal obligations; recipients have contributed an additional $161.6 million in non-federal matching funds, bringing total project value to $397.6 million. Award volume has accelerated notably: 2023 and 2024 each saw 24 awards, compared to 5 in 2021 and 2 in 2022. Four awards have been made in 2025 to date.
Funded projects restore impaired waters, reduce polluted runoff, and enhance aquatic habitat in the Bay and its tributaries across nine counties—Marin, Napa, Sonoma, Solano, Contra Costa, Alameda, Santa Clara, San Mateo, and San Francisco. Representative recent work includes nutrient management strategy implementation and bay regional monitoring ($12 million, San Francisco Estuary Institute, awarded October 2024); beneficial reuse of dredged sediment for wetland restoration ($12 million, California State Coastal Conservancy, awarded February 2025); invasive Spartina removal and native marsh plant installation ($2.5 million, awarded April 2024); trash capture device installation and stormwater treatment in underserved communities; and stream daylighting and riparian restoration. Horticultural projects also receive funding—for example, workforce development and community engagement in climate adaptation and estuary restoration.
The portfolio is overwhelmingly Project Grants: 108 of 109 awards (99 percent) are Project Grants, with a single Formula Grant. EPA Region 9 dominates funding, accounting for 82 awards and $213.8 million in federal dollars obligated (91 percent of total federal spending). The remaining EPA national organization contributes 26 awards and $22.2 million. Award sizes range widely; recent awards span from under $300 thousand to over $51 million. Incremental funding is standard: the program description states that "EPA incrementally funds grants and cooperative agreements" and approval of subsequent funding increments depends on satisfactory progress and continued relevance to EPA priorities.
The current open opportunity (EPA-R9-SFBAY-26-01, posted January 7, 2026, due March 3, 2026) accepts applications from a broad range of eligible entity types for competitive projects throughout the nine-county Bay Area. The previous Bipartisan Infrastructure Law opportunity (EPA-I-R9-SFBWQIF-24-25, posted October 25, 2024, due April 17, 2025) focused on climate resilience and underserved communities, required no local match, and offered awards ranging from approximately $200 thousand to $1 million. Application review takes approximately 180 days from receipt through selection, notification, work plan development, and award. Preapplication coordination is required; Environmental impact review is not required for this program. The program is subject to intergovernmental review under Executive Order 12372 where applicable.
Objective and description
- Objective
The goals of the SF Bay Restoration Program are to improve water quality and restore wetlands in the San Francisco Bay and its watersheds. Funded projects will reduce polluted run-off, restore impaired waters and enhance aquatic habitat. The SF Bay R
- Description
The goals of the SF Bay Restoration Program are to improve water quality and restore wetlands in the San Francisco Bay and its watersheds. Funded projects will reduce polluted run-off, restore impaired waters and enhance aquatic habitat. Achieving significant environmental results related to wetlands restoration and water quality improvements is an overall program priority.
Eligibility
- Applicant eligibility
State, local government agencies, districts, and councils; regional water pollution control agencies; State coastal zone management agencies; Federally and non-federally recognized tribes; public and private universities and colleges, public or private non-governmental, non-profit institutions are eligible to apply, unless restricted by the authorizing statutes. Non-profit organizations must have documentation of non-profit status from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service or their state of incorporation, except that non-profits organizations as defined in Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code that engage in lobbying as defined in Section 3 of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 or superseding legislation are ineligible. For certain competitive funding opportunities under this assistance listing, the Agency may limit eligibility to compete to a number or subset of eligible applicants consistent with the Agency's Assistance Agreement Competition Policy.
- Beneficiary eligibility
The outcomes from the SF Bay Restoration Program will ultimately benefit the urban resident and business populations of the nine county San Francisco Bay Area, as well as the State of California in general.
- Uses of assistance
Environment (water, air, solid waste, pesticides, radiation), Science and Technology Projects must demonstrate consistency with the San Francisco Bay Program Priorities and the San Francisco Estuary Partnership's Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP). Funded projects from eligible entities will improve water quality and restore aquatic habitat (i.e., wetlands) in San Francisco Bay and its watersheds. Assistance agreement awards under this program may involve or relate to geospatial information. Further information regarding geospatial information may be obtained by viewing the following website: Geospatial Resources at EPA (https://www.epa.gov/geospatial).This program makes Federal awards on a discretionary basis. A discretionary award means an award in which the Federal awarding agency, in keeping with specific statutory authority that enables the agency to exercise judgement ("discretion"), selects the recipient and/or the amount of Federal funding awarded through a competitive process or based on merit of proposals. A discretionary award may be selected on a non-competitive basis, as appropriate. For further information, please contact the Headquarters or regional office.
- Length and time phasing of assistance
Assistance agreements generally run for a four-year period with a maximum project period of seven years.
How to apply
- Preapplication coordination
Preapplication coordination is required. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review. EPA financial assistance programs and activities subject to intergovernmental review that are subject to review under State single point of contact procedures are identified at https://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-financial-assistance-programs-subject-executive-order-12372-and-section-204. Applicants for programs or activities subject to Intergovernmental Review that are not subject to State single point of contact review must provide directly affected State, areawide, regional, and local entities at least 60 days to review their application following notification by EPA that the application has been selected for funding as provided by 40 CFR 29.8(a) and (c). Regarding pre-application assistance with respect to competitive funding opportunities under this assistance listing, EPA will generally specify the nature of the pre-application assistance, if any, that will be available to applicants in the NOFO. For additional information, contact the individual(s) listed in the NOFO.
- Criteria for selecting proposals
The evaluation and selection criteria for competitive awards under this assistance listing will be described in the NOFO.
- Award procedure
The SF Bay Program has historically required the grants be awarded on a competitive basis. EPA will review and evaluate applications in accordance with the terms, conditions, and criteria stated in the competitive announcement. Competitions will be conducted in accordance with EPA policies/regulations for competing assistance agreements.
- Deadlines
For competitive awards, deadlines will be specified in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).
- Time to approval or disapproval
Approximately 180 days from receipt of application, through selection and notification, and development and approval of work plan, to award of funds.
- Renewals
None. Generally, EPA incrementally funds grants and cooperative agreements. Approval of subsequent funding increments is dependent on satisfactory project progress, continued relevance of the project to [EPA's] priorities, and availability of funds. Awardees may apply for no-cost time extensions with written justification during the lifetime of the grant.
- Appeals
Assistance agreement competition-related disputes will be resolved in accordance with the dispute resolution procedures published in 70 FR (Federal Register) 3629, 3630 (January 26, 2005). Copies of these procedures may also be found at: https://www.epa.gov/grants/grant-competition-dispute-resolution-procedures. Disputes relating to matters other than the competitive selection of recipients will be resolved under 2 CFR 1500 Subpart E, as applicable.
Grant opportunities
Show all 11
Grant awards
Latest 10 of 109 listed here. See the rest on GovTribe.
Top recipients by federal obligations
| Rank | Recipient | Federal obligations | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco Estuary Institute | $68,854,843 | 29% |
| 2 | Association Of Bay Area Governments | $31,138,151 | 13% |
| 3 | State Coastal Conservancy | $26,591,021 | 11% |
| 4 | City Of San Pablo | $9,544,634 | 4% |
| 5 | East Bay Regional Park District | $6,959,268 | 3% |
| 6 | Santa Clara Valley Water District | $6,800,000 | 3% |
| 7 | County Of Napa | $6,727,674 | 3% |
| 8 | City And County Of San Francisco | $4,968,558 | 2% |
| 9 | County Of Marin | $4,758,070 | 2% |
| 10 | County Of Contra Costa | $4,300,000 | 2% |
10 of 54 recipients listed here. See the rest on GovTribe.
Federal obligations by fiscal year
| Fiscal year | Federal obligations |
|---|---|
| FY2026 | $13,684,899 |
| FY2025 | $69,025,553 |
| FY2024 | $46,042,328 |
| FY2023 | $49,494,024 |
| FY2022 | $1,540,001 |
| FY2021 | $6,327,630 |
| FY2020 | $6,366,054 |
| FY2019 | $7,972,000 |
| FY2018 | $1,322,000 |
| FY2017 | $3,831,000 |
| FY2016 | $4,210,000 |
| FY2015 | $8,748,200 |
| FY2014 | $4,955,021 |
| FY2013 | $941,941 |
| FY2012 | $5,652,059 |
| FY2011 | $5,912,646 |
Show all 16
Quick answers
What is Assistance Listing 66.126?
Assistance Listing 66.126 is Geographic Programs - San Francisco Bay Restoration Program, a federal grant program run by Environmental Protection Agency.
What is the CFDA number for Geographic Programs - San Francisco Bay Restoration Program?
Its CFDA number is 66.126: Assistance Listing numbers were called CFDA numbers before 2018.
How much funding has Assistance Listing 66.126 awarded?
109 grant awards under 66.126 have obligated $236,025,356 in federal funds to 54 recipients.
Who receives the most funding from 66.126?
The recipients obligated the most under Geographic Programs - San Francisco Bay Restoration Program are San Francisco Estuary Institute ($68,854,843), Association Of Bay Area Governments ($31,138,151) and State Coastal Conservancy ($26,591,021).
How much did 66.126 obligate in fiscal year 2025?
Grants under 66.126 obligated $69,025,553 in federal funds in fiscal year 2025.
Are there open grant opportunities under 66.126?
No opportunity listed under 66.126 is open now. The latest, San Francisco Bay Restoration Grants, was posted on January 7, 2026.
On GovTribe
See this program's full record
- Every grant award and opportunity under it
- Funding by recipient, agency and assistance type
- Alerts for new opportunities
- Ask GovTribe AI about this program