2027 Pennsylvania DEP Environmental Education Grants — Grow Track
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection is accepting applications for the 2027 Environmental Education Grants Program, Grow track. This is an applicant-facing competitive financial-assistance award, not a government procurement contract. The application round opened October 5, 2026 and closes November 13, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. The 2027 manual does not identify a time-zone abbreviation. The funded project period is July 1, 2027–June 30, 2028.
Individual award and purpose
The Grow track offers individual applicant grants of $5,001–$30,000 for larger school-district, multi-community, county, regional, or statewide environmental education initiatives. This is the amount for one applicant under this specific track; the overall 2027 Environmental Education Grants funding pool is forecast at approximately $420,000 by DEP’s October 6, 2026 announcement; this is a statewide program forecast, not an individual applicant award. Awards are competitive and the Department may award less than requested.
Eligibility
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) accepts 2027 Environmental Education Grant applications from Pennsylvania public school districts and public schools (including charter schools and intermediate units), incorporated private schools, incorporated conservation and education groups, colleges and universities, county conservation districts, incorporated nonprofits, and businesses registered to do business in Pennsylvania. Municipalities are not direct eligible applicants but may partner with an eligible applicant. All projects must take place in Pennsylvania and engage Pennsylvania audiences. Projects must address at least one DEP education priority: land use, air quality, water, or climate change, with attention to reaching environmental justice and underserved audiences. This track is distinct from the other 2027 Seed, Grow and Impact tracks.
Match and restrictions
This track requires at least a 20% cash and/or in-kind match of the grant request; one or more project partners are required, with documented matching commitments. Document partner roles and matching contributions through signed letters of commitment. Eligible project spending may include directly project-related educators and staff, educational resources, in-state travel, program-specific equipment, training materials, and project-specific expenses. People costs may not exceed 75% of grant funding; program-specific technology and software may not exceed 30% of requested grant funds. Ineligible costs include general administrative overhead, general office equipment, out-of-state travel, airfare, food or gifts from grant funds, fundraising, political lobbying, unrelated construction, real-estate acquisition, third-party cash awards, and expenses outside July 1, 2027–June 30, 2028.
Application and reimbursement requirements
Prepare a project narrative, full proposal (audience, environmental education activities and outcomes), milestone-based scope of work, itemized budget using the official template, and signed letter(s) substantiating match and partner commitments. Applications must be entered online using Pennsylvania’s Electronic Single Application for Assistance, with all official forms in their prescribed formats; incomplete or late applications are rejected. Funding is normally reimbursement based, with documented expenses, midterm evaluation, reports and final reimbursement. Applicants cannot claim expenditures before July 1, 2027.
Apply by November 13, 2026, 11:59 p.m. Review the official 2027 Environmental Education Grants page, controlling 25-page 2027 program manual, and the September 26, 2026 Pennsylvania Bulletin correction before applying. The full manual governs eligibility, match, expenses and grant award conditions.
Official 2027 manual, program site and Pennsylvania Bulletin reviewed October 24, 2026. Track-specific applicant award distinguished from total program funds.