The Peru Gazette

$2.5 Million in New Research Grants Now Available To Protect Water Quality and Public Health 

Albany, May 9, 2026 – Governor Kathy Hochul today announced investments to implement watershed improvements and build new partnerships targeting Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) that have surpassed $400 million over her tenure, including a new $2.5 million research grant program now available. The funding milestone complements a comprehensive approach to addressing one of the most challenging water quality issues facing communities across the state, leading to the creation of the State’s new HAB Roadmap to inform short- and long-term HAB management efforts throughout New York, and the new research funding opportunity.   

“New York State is making sustained and meaningful commitments to reduce HABs and their harmful impacts on watershed communities and natural resources,” Governor Hochul said. “By supporting the best and brightest minds in this new research effort, we are supporting collaborations that will be instrumental to protecting drinking water, habitat, recreation and local economies.”   

Since 2021, New York awarded more than $424 million in grants that support reducing the frequency of HABs by targeting phosphorus and nitrogen pollution, and dedicated more than $6.7 million to research and development, pilot projects and advanced HAB monitoring. Funding to help address HABs is primarily awarded through the Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) successful Water Quality Improvement Project program, with more than $82 million awarded for HABs-related projects in the most recent round alone. DEC’s next WQIP grant opportunity is expected to open for Round 22 later this month through the Consolidated Funding Application.