Agency: Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission

Organizations eligible for funding include school districts, universities and colleges, community and civic groups, sporting and conservation organizations, and local recreation departments. Projects can span a variety of topics within fishing and boating in Pennsylvania, such as but not limited to introductory fishing skills, fishing skills targeting specific species (catfish, steelhead, muskellunge, etc.), fly fishing skills, kayak fishing, and paddlesports. Projects and organizations previously funded by this grant will be eligible for future funding only if the applicant can demonstrate how the additional funds will be used to innovate or expand the program.<br />Priority consideration will be given to applications that incorporate one or more of the following key areas supported by recent R3 research:<br />• Projects providing multiple, hands-on fishing and/or boating opportunities.<br />• Projects reaching underrepresented audiences in the fishing and boating population including girls, women, young adults age 18-25, participants of diverse demographic backgrounds, participants with disabilities, and other groups.<br />• Projects occurring in Environmental Justice Areas as outlined by Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).<br />• Projects occurring in locations that are accessible to the public or empower participants with an understanding of where to fish or boat in their communities.<br />• Implementing education efforts targeting outdoor recreationists, to encourage fishing or boating participation as part of other outdoor recreation or social activities.<br />• Projects that are free or have resonable and/or minimal fees incurred by participants. • Preference is given to appliications that do not rely heavily on staff time reimbursement.

Application Opens: September 15, 2025

Application Deadline: December 1, 2025