Great Lakes Watershed Restoration Grant Program

The program represents a step toward addressing the habitat restoration goals developed through the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration, a wide-ranging, public-private cooperative effort to design and implement a strategy for the restoration, protection, and sustainable use of the Great Lakes.

To be eligible for consideration, projects must be located within U.S. portions of the Great Lakes watershed. (Canadian projects may also be eligible if the project has implications for the entire basin or directly affects trust species such as migratory birds.) In addition, where applicable, projects should be coordinated with local and regional watershed management plans that address the water quality and living resource needs in the Great Lakes. Finally, projects must also directly address at least one of the priority areas identified by the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration's Habitat/Species Strategy Team.

Eligible applicants are either nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, tribes, or state and local governments from the Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, or Wisconsin portions of the Great Lakes watershed. Individuals, federal government agencies, and private for-profit firms are eligible for grants only through the Fish Enhancement, Mitigation and Research Fund for Lake Ontario/St. Lawrence Basin.

The program offers approximately $950,000 in grant amounts of $35,000 to $100,000 to qualified grantees. A 1:1 match is required for this program. Matching funds must be non-federal and may be generated through contributions of funds, goods, or services (including in-kind contributions) from project partners.

For more information, including applicant eligibility, eligible projects, and submission requirements, visit the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.