Opportunity Overview
The South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) Champions of the Environment Grant — 2026-27 supports K-12 school projects that improve environmental quality while educating students and the broader community.
Funding and Deadline
Schools may receive up to $2,500 to implement an eligible project. Applications are accepted August 1 through September 15, 2026. The current SCDES program page does not publish an exact closing time or time zone, so Atlas does not infer one. Mid-October applicant notifications and November grant checks are listed in the program timeline.
Eligibility
Eligible applicants are South Carolina K-12 public, private, and charter schools carrying out qualifying environmental projects. Priority is given to schools that have not received Champions of the Environment funding within the past five years.
Eligible Project Areas
Projects must address environmental issues such as cleaner air or water, healthier soil, improved wildlife habitat, water or energy efficiency, resource conservation, or another tangible environmental benefit. Projects must include student involvement, community outreach, a detailed budget, a maintenance or sustainability plan, and a realistic path to successful completion.
SCDES states that grant funds may support supplies for programs such as SC Adopt-a-Stream and PurpleAir. Examples of durable classroom resources include binoculars, microscopes, and books.
Restrictions
Solid-waste-reduction projects such as recycling, composting, share tables, cafeteria waste audits, and related field trips are not eligible under this grant and should instead be directed to the SCDES Recycling Education Grant program. Salaries and wages, promotional items including T-shirts, food, and prizes are prohibited uses.
Application and Contact
Applications are submitted through the official online application during the open period. Incomplete or late applications are not considered. The Champions of the Environment coordinator is Amy Ley at Amy.Ley@des.sc.gov, 803-898-4183.
Atlas Analysis
Atlas Opportunity Score: 45/100. This is a legitimate statewide K-12 education grant with simple eligibility and an active near-term cycle, but the small award size and environmental-only purpose materially limit healthcare relevance.
N9+ Fit Score: 0/100. The Nonagon N9+ remote physical examination platform does not have a legitimate fit with the stated environmental education purpose and should not be introduced.
QC Healthcare Fit: 0/100. No healthcare staffing, clinical services, remote examination, telehealth, or healthcare-vendor scope is present.
Direct-vendor disposition: Dr. Miltie, LLC is not the intended applicant and no direct vendor response is appropriate. Treat this as a school-led educational grant.
Next Action
Eligible South Carolina schools with a qualifying environmental education project should confirm that the proposed activities fall within the eligible environmental categories, build the required student-involvement, outreach, sustainability and budget elements, and submit the online application before the published deadline.
Official source: South Carolina Department of Environmental Services — Champions of the Environment.