Current State Economic & Infrastructure Development (SEID) Program Opportunity

Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC) – 2026 Catalyst Grant Program

Purpose

NBRC’s Catalyst Program funds projects that stimulate economic growth and improve rural economic vitality across eligible counties in Maine, New Hampshire, New York, and Vermont. Eligible uses include transportation and basic public infrastructure, broadband/telecommunications, business and workforce development, basic healthcare facilities, and resource conservation/tourism/outdoor recreation projects.

Eligible Applicants

State governments (ME, NH, NY, VT); local governments; secondary and career technical education centers; regional planning commissions and other political subdivisions; eligible 501(c) nonprofits; and federally recognized Tribes, for projects located in the NBRC service area.

Funding Details

• Maximum Funding (per project): Up to $100,000 – $3,000,000, depending on project type.
• Match Requirements: Up to 20% (distressed communities) or up to 50% (transitional communities).

Round 1 for the grant has closed. Round 2 is now open. 

Application Deadline: Pre-applications due by 5:00 p.m. on August 18, 2026. Full applications (by invitation only) due by 5:00 p.m. on October 16, 2026.

NYS Consolidated Funding Application

Coastal Lakeshore Economy and Resiliency (CLEAR) Implementation Design Grants

Purpose
The goal of this grant program is to advance Article 14 of the NYS Environmental Conservation Law and provide communities with funding to complete design, feasibility, or engineering equivalent work associated with the implementation of the following CLEAR recommendations:  

• Nature Based Shoreline Protection Measures: Create or enhance natural shorelines to restore beneficial ecosystem services.  

• Resilient Stormwater Systems: Upgrade or replace aging and failing systems to ensure they are resilient to a changing climate.  

• Implement Blue-Green Infrastructure: Where possible, replace traditional gray infrastructure (e.g. culverts and pipes) with blue infrastructure (e.g. water spaces) and green infrastructure (e.g. vegetated spaces). 

Eligible Applicants
Eligible applicants are:  

• Municipalities and Counties along the Lake Ontario shoreline located within Cayuga, Jefferson, Monroe, Niagara, Orleans, Oswego, St. Lawrence, and Wayne Counties.  
• Regional Planning Boards and Soil and Water Conservation Districts located within Cayuga, Jefferson, Monroe, Niagara, Orleans, Oswego, St. Lawrence, or Wayne County, on behalf of an eligible municipality or County. 

Funding Details

• Maximum Funding: The maximum grant funding will be $300,000 per award.  
• Match Requirements: State assistance awarded and paid to a grant recipient shall not exceed 90% of the total eligible costs set forth in the application and as approved by DOS. 
• Funding Priorities: Funding is available on a competitive basis to complete design, feasibility, or engineering equivalent work that helps make coastal Lake Ontario communities more resilient. Applicants must demonstrate that their project meets at least one of the CLEAR recommendations: 
  • Nature Based Shoreline Protection Measures: Create or enhance natural shorelines to restore beneficial ecosystem services.  
  • Resilient Stormwater Systems: Upgrade or replace aging and failing systems to ensure they are resilient to a changing climate.   
  • Implement Blue-Green Infrastructure: Where possible, replace traditional gray infrastructure (e.g. culverts and pipes) with blue infrastructure (e.g. water spaces) and green infrastructure (e.g. vegetated spaces).

Application Deadline: Applications close October 26, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. They must be submitted through the web-based Consolidated Funding Application as noted below.