The South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) has opened the 2025-2026 grant application period for its Champions of the Environment program, which supports classroom projects that build environmental awareness among students. Public and private K-12 schools are eligible to apply for grants of $2,500 for youth environmental education projects that develop awareness, promote behavior change, and improve and protect South Carolina’s water, air, land, and coast.
Previous grant-funded activities include schoolyard wildlife habitat creation and restoration, water quality monitoring and conservation, school gardens, and sustainable energy initiatives. Schools are encouraged to partner with other organizations, including other SCDES programs, to leverage additional funding and resources.
