Floodplains by design grant program

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Floodplains by Design is a grant program for reducing flood risk and restoring floodplain functions in Washington's major river corridors. This competitive grant program is a component of a public-private partnership led by Ecology and the Bonneville Environmental Foundation. 

Floodplains provide important habitat for salmon, rich soil for farms, and beautiful backdrops for residents and visitors to Washington. In the past, attempts were made to control rivers, thinking flooding could be stopped by walling off rivers with levees and laying a grid of commercial and residential development across them. Now, salmon runs are disappearing and more people live in the path of dangerous floodwaters.

Local and Tribal governments, along with nonprofit organizations, are using Floodplains by Design grants across Washington to complete multi-benefit projects that reduce flood hazards to communities and restore the natural functions of rivers and their floodplains. These projects bring together many different stakeholders in the floodplain to:

  • Improve flood protection for communities that live and work in floodplains.
  • Conserve and restore habitat for salmon and other important aquatic species.
  • Preserve farmland to keep agriculture viable for future generations.
  • Improve water quality.
  • Enhance outdoor recreation.

Funding cycle

  • Amount of funding available: Varies - determined by the Legislature
  • Grant award limit: Soft cap of $10 million
  • Amount of matching funds required: No match required as of the 2025-2027 funding cycle

Applications are not being accepted at this time.

Timeline for 2025-2027

Date Program Milestones and Expectations
Nov. 1, 2025 Pre-application period opens.
Nov. 5-6, 2025 Ecology hosts applicant webinars.
Jan. 23, 2026 Pre-application period closes.
Feb. 6, 2026 Pre-application review results announced. Approved applicants invited to give presentations.
March/April 2026 Applicants give project presentations to the Evaluation Team.
March 12, 2026 EAGL grant application period opens at 8 a.m.
May 13, 2026  EAGL grant application period closes at 5 p.m.
May 18, 2026-
July 2, 2026
Application evaluation period
Aug. 2026 Ecology finalizes ranked project list.
April/May 2027  Legislature makes the final funding decision.
June 2027  Ecology sends applicants notice of funding decisions and grant award offer letters.
July 1, 2027 Anticipated start date for funded grant agreements.
July/Aug. 2027 Ecology sends draft grant agreements to funded applicants to begin negotiating funded grant agreements.

Funding is available for the following entities:

  • Counties, cities, and towns
  • Special purpose districts, such as flood control districts
  • Federally-recognized Tribes
  • Conservation districts
  • Ports
  • Municipal or quasi-municipal corporations
  • Not-for-profit organizations that are recognized as tax exempt by the IRS

Project types:

  • Flood hazard reduction projects that also contain an ecosystem restoration aspect as outlined in the funding guidelines.

Examples of eligible projects:

  • reducing flood risk to homes and structures
  • restoring and reconnecting rivers and floodplains
  • acquiring and protecting land from future development
  • preserving agricultural lands
  • improving water quality

More information about this funding program

More grant information

Funding program guidelines

Funding source

The Floodplains by Design grant program is paid for by funds from the Climate Commitment Act. The Climate Commitment Act supports Washington’s climate action efforts by putting cap-and-invest dollars to work reducing climate pollution, creating jobs, and improving public health.