Funding Opportunity

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and its federal partners are developing Action Plan III, which will outline priorities and goals for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Action (GLRI) for fiscal years 2020-2024.

The first Action Plan Great Lakes Restoration Initiative identified goals, objectives, measurable ecological targets, and specific actions for five focus areas for work in the Great Lakes. The Action Plan was used by federal agencies in the development of the federal budget for Great Lakes restoration in fiscal years 2011-2014. As such, it served as guidance for collaborative restoration work with participants to advance restoration. The Action Plan also helped advance the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement with Canada.

The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality provides matching funds for public water supply systems to develop and implement a source water protection programs. 

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Wetland Program Development Grants (WPDGs) assist in the building of programs to protect, manage and restore wetlands. WPDGs provide eligible applicants an opportunity to conduct projects that promote the coordination and acceleration of research, investigations, experiments, training, demonstrations, surveys and studies relating to the causes, effects, extent, prevention, reduction and elimination of water pollution.

The Great Lakes Coastal Program provides funding and technical assistance to partners for conservation and restoration of priority coastal fish and wildlife habitats, including wetlands, shorelines, uplands, rivers, and streams. Projects should fit into one of the following categories:

Habitat Restoration: Projects that support on-the-ground protection, enhancement or restoration of wetland and upland habitat used by focal species. Education and outreach components of these projects may also be supported.

The mission of Sustain Our Great Lakes (SOGL) is to sustain, restore and protect fish, wildlife, and habitat in the Great Lakes basin by leveraging funding, building conservation capacity, and focusing partners and resources toward key ecological issues. Administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the program receives funding and other support from ArcelorMittal, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S.D.A. Forest Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and U.S.D.A. Natural Resources Conservation Service.

The State Wildlife Grant (SWG) Program provides federal grant funds to state fish and wildlife agencies for developing and implementing programs that benefit wildlife and their habitats, including species that are not hunted or fished. Grant funds may be used to address a variety of conservation needs--such as research, fish and wildlife surveys, species restoration, habitat management, and monitoring that are identified within a State's Wildlife Action Plan. These funds may also be used to update, revise, or modify a State's Plan.

The Saginaw Bay Watershed Initiative Network (WIN) is a community-based, voluntary initiative that connects people, resources, organizations, and programs. The group is working to improve the quality of life in the area by developing projects, supporting related organizations, and developing the region's identity as a sustainable community.

WIN accepts proposals for projects that advance its work within five focus areas:

The Regional Coastal Resilience Grants program supports regional approaches to activities that build resilience of coastal regions, communities, and economic sectors to the negative impacts from extreme weather events, climate hazards, and changing ocean conditions.

The Standard Grants Program is a competitive, matching grants program that supports public-private partnerships carrying out projects in Canada, the United States, and Mexico that further the goals of the North American Wetlands Conservation Act. These projects must involve long-term protection, restoration, and/or enhancement of wetlands and associated uplands habitats. In Mexico, projects may also include technical training, environmental education and outreach, organizational infrastructure development, and sustainable-use studies.

The Small Grants Program is a competitive, matching grants program that supports public-private partnerships carrying out projects in the United States that further the goals of the North American Wetlands Conservation Act. These projects must involve long-term protection, restoration, and/or enhancement of wetlands and associated uplands habitats for the benefit of all wetlands-associated migratory birds.

The Small Grants Program funds projects that are too small to be competitive for the Standard Grants Program.

The NERRS Science Collaborative is a network of network of 28 coastal reserves designated to protect and study estuarine systems around the country. The Science Collaborative fosters the development and application of research that addresses coastal management problems important to the reserves. The Science Collaborative administers annual requests for proposals to identify, fund, and foster science-based projects that address coastal management problems that important to the coastal reserves.

To date, the program has funded collaborative projects addressing the following:

Coastal wetlands are valued, in part, because they protect against flooding, help maintain water quality, and provide habitat for wildlife. Coastal environments are also important economically, generating billions of dollars annually through industries such as commercial fishing and tourism. The National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant (NCWCG) Program provides States with financial assistance to protect and restore these valuable resources. Projects can include:

The Minnesota DNR's Conservation Partners Legacy (CPL) Grant Program funds activities related to the enhancement, restoration, or protection of forests, wetlands, prairies, and habitat for fish, game, or wildlife in Minnesota. Funding for these grants is provided by the Outdoor Heritage Fund.

The Michigan Coastal Zone Management (CZM) Program provides grant funds to coastal communities and partners to assist in the development of vibrant and resilient coastal communities through the protection and restoration of sensitive coastal resources and biologically diverse ecosystems.

The Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant (IISG) funds research projects related to the use, development, and conservation of Lake Michigan coastal resources in Illinois and Indiana.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service funds projects to protect, restore, and enhance Great Lakes fish and wildlife habitat under the Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act.