The NC Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Coastal Management (DCM) is accepting applications for approximately $2.5 million in funding through Phases 3 and 4 of the N.C. Resilient Coastal Communities Program (RCCP) to help coastal communities design and implement projects that strengthen local resilience to coastal hazards. Applications are due Nov. 10, 2026, by 5 p.m.
DCM staff will host an applicant webinar Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026, from 2–3:30 p.m. to provide information about the grants, application process and requirements, and to answer questions from prospective applicants. Register for the applicant webinar here.
DCM is requesting applications from county and municipal governments, as well as federally and state-recognized tribes, within the 20 Coastal Area Management Act (CAMA) counties. Eligible applicants must have completed Phases 1 and 2 of the RCCP, or an equivalent process, and the proposed project must have been identified as a priority project for the community.
The RCCP was established to help North Carolina’s coastal communities address flooding, storms and other coastal hazards through a locally driven process. The program offers participating communities technical assistance and funding to identify vulnerabilities, develop resilience strategies and advance projects that address local priorities. Over the past five years, the RCCP has supported communities across the North Carolina coast, helping 60 communities complete resilience strategies and awarding 91 grants totaling $16.3 million. The investments help communities better understand their vulnerabilities, strengthen resilience and prepare for future coastal hazards.
The RCCP provides:
- Community Engagement and Risk and Vulnerability Assessment
- Planning, Project Selection and Prioritization
- Project Engineering and Design
- Implementation
Phase 3 grant funding supports the engineering, design and permitting of priority resilience projects that communities identify. Funding may also be considered for proposals to develop ordinances or policies that strengthen community resilience. Phase 4 grant funding supports the construction and implementation of projects that reduce risks to critical assets, people and property from coastal hazards such as flooding, sea-level rise and storm surge. Projects should incorporate natural or nature-based solutions where appropriate, including wetland and stream restoration, flood mitigation, living shoreline stabilization and stormwater management.
The RCCP receives funding from state and federal sources. For more information about the Resilient Coastal Communities program please visit the DCM website.