The Alabama Department of Environmental Management’s (ADEM’s) Operator Certification (OpCert) Program is offering funding assistance to Groundwater Festival Programs. Applications are accepted continuously.
To apply for the grant, please fill out the Groundwater Festival Grant Application.
For Groundwater Festival Calendars and information on Individual County Festivals go to https://alabamasoilandwater.gov/waterfestival/.
October 1- Grant Opportunity Opens - Applicants submit details via form for Fall and Spring Festivals
May 1 - Grant Opportunity Closes - No more applications for this academic year
June 30 - Supporting documentation due to ADEM
July 1 - ADEM starts processing grant applications
September 30 - All funding disbursed to grantees
Funds are available as small grants of up to $2,500 to eligible entities to subsidize the expenses incurred in implementing one Groundwater Festival per academic year for elementary and middle school students.
These expenses include educational materials and T-shirts. Educational materials may include such items as supplies for building aquifers, wetlands, watersheds, filtration systems, and for demonstrating the water cycle.
Nonprofit organizations are not eligible for this grant.
Applicant must be registered in STAARS.
Applicants will complete the form linked above between October 1 and May 1 of the academic year in which the Groundwater Festival will be held.
Applicants will be notified of the award via email and postal mail to the address given in the Application Form.
Applicants will be required to sign and return, via postal mail, an original (“wet ink”) notification of grant award.
Please submit to ADEM a paid Invoice (or Invoices) for eligible expenses by June 30, for payment by September 30.
Invoices may be submitted via email to the address below.
Payment is made as reimbursement via STAARS.
The organization, authorized representative, and Tax ID given in the Application Form must be consistent with information in STAARS.
All payments will be disbursed by September 30.
If you have any questions about ADEM’s grants to Alabama Groundwater Festivals, contact ADEM’s Operator Certification Program at:
(334) 271-7796
(334) 271-7796 fax
waterfestival@adem.alabama.gov