Answers to Submitted Questions
Questions with answers for the 2026 grant program will be posted weekly starting October 14, 2025.
General
Q: Can applicants allocate NYCHIPS money as matching funds for Tourism and Infrastructure grants?
A: Yes, NYCHPS is an appropriate use of match as long as the project is related and the funds are already secured. Please note: NYSCC CFA grants cannot be used as a match.
Q: Are the grants able to fund a staff member's work on the project if we don't use staff time as a match?
A: For Event grants, staff time is an ineligible use of award funds. For Infrastructure grants, project-related staff time (up to 10% of the grant request) may be included in the grant award. Please note that staff time may only be used as match funding if the applicant is not requesting staff time as part of the grant award.
Q: Do the grant requests have to come from a village, or can applications be from individuals? Does it help to have a grant writer compose the request?
A: Funding is open to counties, municipalities, units of local government, not-for-profit organizations, and federally recognized Native American tribes located within the National Heritage Corridor boundaries. Ineligible applicants include private individuals and for-profit businesses. Applicants do not have to be a grant writer to apply. Additional eligibility information can be found in our program guidelines.
Tourism Infrastructure & Amenities
Q: We are considering applying for this grant for the installation of wayfinding signage on Canal Corps property. Would this work count as an "infrastructure project"?
A: Yes, wayfinding signage meets the program requirements. Please note, requests for wayfinding signage on NYS Canal Corporation property must follow NYS Canal Corporation Signage Guidelines and receive written approval(s) by the Grantor during the design stage.
Q: If the property is located on Canal Corp land, do we need to reach out to the Real Property Department for approval prior to applying?
A: Those applying for projects on Canal Corporation property must reach out to Canal Corporation's Real Property Department to ensure the site is eligible for such a project. Correspondence should be submitted as part of the application. You can find more information on their website: Property Permits and Application Information | NYS Canals
Q: Our Fireman's Field is along the Canalway trail and offers many things to residents and tourists alike, but there is much that it lacks. Can the village apply for more than one grant and have one for our park and one for the Fireman's Field, or could the Fire District apply for the grant themselves?
A: Yes, the village may apply for more than one grant, provided the project is located within the Canal Corridor. Funding is available to counties, municipalities, units of local government, not-for-profit organizations, and federally recognized Native American tribes. If the Fire District falls under one of these categories, then it is eligible to apply.
Q: When a Village applies for the NYS Canal System tourism infrastructure and events grant, and they need a support letter from a state official, what address and to whom do we write the letter of support?
A: Letters of support can be addressed to either 1) Bob Radliff, Executive Director, Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor, 1 Delaware Ave, Cohoes, NY 12047, or 2) Brian Statton, Director, NYS Canal Corporation, 30 South Pearl Street, 5th Floor, Albany, NY 12207.
Q: We have an educated estimate for what a consultant might need to get the work done. Is an estimate sufficient for the budget?
A: Yes, an estimate is sufficient to supply as a budget when applying. Please keep in mind that for Infrastructure grants, the awarded amount must be matched by the awardee in equal amounts before reimbursement is approved and issued.
Events
Q: Do applications have to be submitted for completely new events, or can we apply to do what we did last year? Our event last year (Sept. 2025) was very successful, and we're looking to build on that success and make it even bigger.
A: Yes, you may apply for the same event multiple years in a row. It's advisable in your application to demonstrate how you plan to attract new audiences to the event this year.
Q: Are organizations allowed to apply for multiple event grants?
A: Yes, organizations are permitted to apply for multiple event grants.
Q: Can one of the events we apply for be on two non-consecutive days? We are hoping to host two events in the same series over the summer and were hoping they could be included together under the same grant.
A: Yes, events can take place over multiple, non-consecutive days.