The Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce (FMBCoC) Water Foundation Board announced the opening of the Spring 2026 ROSE grant funding opportunity. The ROSE program is now accepting grant applications until April 10. The applications must outline activities on and around Estero Island related to Research, Outreach, Stewardship, and Education (ROSE) of our local waters. This competitive grant is awarded twice, each year, to applicants who best demonstrate that their proposed project(s) will benefit the citizens and visitors of Fort Myers Beach by increasing scientific knowledge of our local water’s health, better informing the public of water quality health and best practices, and developing/implementing education/outreach activities to promote water quality in the region.
Proposals submitted should describe a research project or activity that supports local water quality health. The proposal should include information on the project narrative detailing the proposed work and how monies will be spent. Requests may come from individuals or collaborative teams. A maximum of $5,000 will be awarded for each selected project (larger grant requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis). Once approved, projects can be implemented immediately and may continue for a period of up to twelve months from the date of the award.
Details for the submittal can be obtained by emailing: info@fmbchamber.com. For technical content questions and proposal preparation, contact Dr. Mike Parsons (mparsons@fgcu.edu; 239.590.7526). All submitted proposals will be reviewed by the Ft. Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce Water Foundation, Board of Directors.
An award notice will be sent to the project investigator(s) if the project is funded. Notices will also be sent to investigators whose proposals were not successful. Approved proposals for the Spring 2026 round of funding may be implemented in the summer, and continue for a period of up to twelve months from the date of the award.
Upon conclusion of the project, a brief report will be submitted that describes the work accomplished, including how it contributes to the goal of enhancing water stewardship activities in and around Estero Island and Estero Bay. The Final Project Report will be due no later than 60 days after the project end date and will be submitted electronically to info@fmbchamber.com . In addition, the awardee will be required to give a seminar presentation to the Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, the Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce Water Foundation Board of Directors and the community about the work conducted.
For more information, contact the Fort Myers Beach Chamber Water Foundation at 239.454.7500 or visit FMB Chamber Water Foundation, Inc.