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Frequently Asked Questions

Table of Contents

 

What is the Long Island Sound Community Impact Fund?

The Long Island Sound Community Impact Fund (LISCIF) is a partnership among Restore America’s Estuaries (RAE), the Long Island Sound Partnership, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  

The purpose of LISCIF is to provide financial and technical assistance to environmentally distressed communities and to improve the quality and accessibility of the Long Island Sound. Technical assistance will be provided through LISCIF and is available to communities/organizations even if one does not submit a proposal for funding. 

 

Who is eligible for the Long Island Sound Community Impact Fund?

Eligible Applicants include: Non-profit organizations, Tribes, state, county, local governments, and their subdivisions, and academic institutions. Non-federally or non-state-recognized Tribes are highly encouraged to apply.

 

Which geographic region is eligible for funding?

Projects must be within the Long Island Sound estuary within New York and Connecticut. An interactive version of the region can be found at: ArcGIS – Interactive LIS Map. 

 

If I am an applicant located outside of the Long Island Sound boundary map, would my project still be eligible? 

Even if your organization or group is located outside of the Long Island Sound boundary, if the project deliverables are located in the Long Island Sound watershed, it is eligible.

 

How much funding is available?

In 2027, RAE will award a total of $1,200,000 in federal funds. Typical awards per project will range from $5,000 to $100,000.

 

When will funding be awarded?

Awardees will be selected in May/June of 2027. Grants will be awarded starting July 2027 when projects start.

 

What are the funding priorities?

LISCIF’s funding priorities are aligned with the Long Island Sound Partnership’s Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP) themes and Actions.

For 2027, LISCIF’s main funding themes are:  

  • Clean Waters and Healthy Watersheds 
  • Thriving Habitats and Abundant Wildlife 
  • Sustainable and Resilient Communities 
  • Informed and Engaged Public 

Eligible projects and activities will be community-driven and address one of the funding priorities below.

Funding is available for:    

  • Projects that result in quantifiable pollutant prevention or reduction.    
  • Restoring habitat within the Important Coastal Habitat Types targeted by LIS Partnership.   
  • Projects that foster a diverse balance and abundant populations of fish, birds, and wildlife.     
  • Public engagement, knowledge, and stewardship.   
  • Projects that enhance community resilience and sustainability.    
  • Planning and design that set-the-stage for implementation of water quality projects, eligible habitat restoration projects and resilience projects.    
  • Community-based science projects.   
  • Data management and integration projects.
  • Other similar activities that the applicant proposes, and EPA approves, that are consistent with Section 119 of the Clean Water Act.

 

What technical assistance does LISCIF provide to the region?

LISCIF holds trainings, an Annual Learning Exchange, and workshops for the region. Past trainings include grant writing, creating a federal budget, and managing projects. The recordings and resources can be accessed on the LISCIF Trainings page: Trainings ~ Restore America’s Estuaries.

 

How can I apply for LISCIF?

The grant has a two-part application process: an open Letter of Intent (LoI) and, if invited, a Full Proposal.

The LoI must be submitted via the online portal found on the LISCIF27 RFA Page:  https://estuaries.org/liscif-2027/. LoIs are due by 4:00 p.m. EST on Friday, November 20, 2026.

Each LoI will be evaluated separately. If one applicant submits multiple LoIs, it is unlikely they will receive more than one award.

 

Where can I apply?

The Euna Application Portal will be linked to the LISCIF27 RFA Page: https://estuaries.org/liscif-2027/. Applications are only accepted through the application portal on the LISCIF website.

 

What expenses are allowable for a LISCIF budget proposal?

LISCIF funding can be used for project implementation costs, including salary, fringe, contractual support, equipment, supplies, travel, and indirect costs.  

All payments will be made on a reimbursement basis. If you have any questions regarding your budget proposal, please contact: the Program Director, Shahela Begum, at sbegum@estuaries.org, the Grant Administrator, Undria Polley, at upolley@estuaries.org, and/or the Program Associate, at kmarty@estuaries.org.

There is also an upcoming budget training on October 8, 2026, from 11:00 AM t0 12:00 PM. You can register here. The training’s purpose is to assist the applicant in creating a federal budget, answer any questions regarding federal restrictions and allowability, and become acquainted with the Euna portal for your LoI application.

 

What is a Working Capital Advance?

Federal grants are on a reimbursement basis. The Working Capital Advance advances awardee costs for the first two initial months into their project to minimize financial burdens in starting implementation.

 

What is the timeline for proposed projects?

Project timelines are up to two years. If the full two years for implementation is not needed, projects can be up to a year-long, eighteen months, or based on the applicant’s timeline for completion. The two years are available to provide enough time for permitting and land-use permissions.

 

Does my project require a QAPP?

Projects funded by the Long Island Sound Community Impact Fund (LISCIF) may require a Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) approved by EPA Regions 1 and 2 prior to starting activities in relation to the QAPP. This includes all projects that collect or utilize environmental data (including use of secondary data), water-quality models, or similar tools and information for decision-making. This also includes most construction projects. 

RAE will recommend a preferred provider of QAPPs to grantees that don’t have a provider. Draft QAPPs must be submitted 60 days prior to beginning work that triggers a need for a QAPP such as data collection, data use or to provide sufficient time for review. Grant recipients are responsible for development of an approved QAPP and must identify within the proposal the means by which they plan to complete the QAPP (for example, through contractual support or in-house). QAPPs, if required, must be approved within one year of grant award, and again, must be approved before any relevant work begins. RAE will assist grantees in coordinating QAPP submittals to EPA.  

Requirements for QAPPs can be found at:   

www.epa.gov/quality/region-1-quality-systems-documents

Applicants unfamiliar with the QAPP development and approval process may contact RAE for assistance in QAPP planning prior to proposal submittal. You may contact the Program Director, Shahela Begum, at sbegum@estuaries.org, the Grant Administrator, Undria Polley at upolley@estuaries.org, or the Program Associate, kmarty@estuaries.org.

 

Will there be another round of LISCIF funding?

Yes, the next round of funding will be available in the Fall of 2027 for grants to be administered in 2028.

 

How many rounds of LISCIF have there been? 

We have had three rounds of funding previously. Awards funded from prior rounds can be found here: 

 

What is a fiscal sponsor? Does LISCIF allow fiscal sponsors? 

A fiscal sponsor is a larger organization that manages the funds of a project on behalf of a smaller organization. LISCIF allows fiscal sponsors.

 

Can groups write each other in as partners?

Yes.

 

If I already received a previous round of funding, can I apply for funding again?

If reapplying, you must answer the questions in the RFA accordingly.

 

Who can I contact for additional assistance with my application or portal?

You may contact the Program Director, Shahela Begum, at sbegum@estuaries.org, the Grant Administrator, Undria Polley, at upolley@estuaries.org, and/or the Program Associate, Kellie Marty, at kmarty@estuaries.org.