Oil Spill Response Equipment Grant
🏛 Department of Fish and Wildlife (California)
✓ Free, no account · Source: California Grants Portal · Last verified Nov 1, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for organizations working to restore and protect the San Diego River and its watershed in California. Eligible applicants typically include nonprofits, government agencies, and community organizations focused on habitat restoration, water quality, land conservation, and public access. Priority goes to projects aligned with the Conservancy's Strategic Plan and California state water and land conservation priorities. Geographic focus is limited to the San Diego River watershed and surrounding areas in San Diego County.
Not the right fit? Find grants for your organization in 5 questions →
Program description
The Local Oil Spill Response Equipment Grant Program is administered by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Office of Spill Prevention and Response. The objective of this grant program is to award grants to Native American tribal governments, counties, cities, and special districts in order to pre-position (pre-stage) response equipment to protect economic and environmental resources that are located within or immediately adjacent to waters of the state, as defined in California Government Code (of Section 8670.8). The California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Office of Spill Prevention and Response is seeking grant applications on a continous bases with available funding totaling $400,000. All eligible agencices are encouraged to apply. Grant requires a submission of an application available at: https://wildlife.ca.gov/OSPR/Local-Government-Outreach
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- Project proposal or narrative
- Budget and budget narrative
- Organizational documentation (nonprofit status or government agency confirmation)
- Letters of support from partners and community stakeholders
- Map or geographic description of project location
Program contact
- 📧 osprgrants@wildlife.ca.gov
- 📞 1-916-616-4515
Funding track record
Past applications & awards under this program (California Grants Portal) — how competitive it is.
By fiscal year
| Fiscal year | Applications | Awarded | Award rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-2023 | 11 | 11 | 100% |
| 2023-2024 | 6 | 5 | 83% |
| 2024-2025 | 6 | 5 | 83% |
| 2025-2026 | 10 | 10 | 100% |
Source: California Grants Portal
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
Nonprofits, government agencies, and community organizations working on San Diego River restoration are typically eligible. Check with the Conservancy to confirm your organization's status.
Is there a deadline?
The program operates on a rolling basis with no fixed deadline. Submit applications when your project is ready.
What types of projects are funded?
Projects supporting habitat restoration, water quality improvements, land conservation, and public river access are prioritized. All work must align with the Conservancy's Strategic Plan.
How competitive is this funding?
Competition is moderate to high given the $6 million total pool and significant need in the watershed. Strong projects with clear conservation outcomes are favored.
What is the typical funding range?
Specific award amounts vary by project scope and priorities. Contact the Conservancy directly for recent award ranges.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Review the Conservancy's Strategic Plan 2018-2023 before writing. Alignment is key to competitive scoring.
- Include a clear restoration or conservation outcome. Projects must demonstrate measurable environmental benefits.
- Build relationships with the Conservancy early. Contact program staff to discuss your project concept before full submission.
- Focus on collaboration. Multi-partner projects addressing watershed-wide issues score well.
- Document community support. Letters from affected residents and local agencies strengthen applications.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Proposals fail when they lack clear connection to Conservancy priorities or the Strategic Plan. Poor projects miss measurable outcomes or fail to explain long-term sustainability beyond the grant period. Weak applications underestimate the need for local community and government buy-in and partnership.
Similar grants
- ROLLING Prop 4 – Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) — San Diego River Conservancy (California)
- ROLLING Habitat Enhancement and Restoration — Wildlife Conservation Board (California)
- ROLLING Proposition 1 Lower Los Angeles River Grants — San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy (California)
- ROLLING Flood Partnership: Real-time Data Grant Program — Department of Water Resources (California)
- OPEN DARRP Restoration Implementation Grants (2026) — DOC NOAA - ERA Production