Ann Arbor, Michigan — The Great Lakes Commission (GLC) today issued a request for proposals (RFP) for projects that will help improve Great Lakes water quality by reducing nutrient loads from agricultural watersheds and eroding shorelines and streams. Indigenous Nations, nonfederal units of government, and incorporated nonprofit organizations are invited to apply for grants for up to $300,000 through the 2026 Great Lakes Sediment and Nutrient Reduction Program (GLSNRP) grant program.

For 35 years, grants provided by GLSNRP have helped local partners keep nutrients and sediment from entering the Great Lakes. Since 2017, practices implemented with GLSNRP funding have prevented nearly 100,000 pounds of phosphorus from entering the Great Lakes. 2026 applicants are invited to submit proposals for activities associated with one of the following project types: agricultural nonpoint or stream/shoreline. Grants awarded through GLSNRP may support work over a period of up to four years.

A webinar for potential applicants will be held on March 11 at 2 p.m. Eastern. Applications are due by 5 p.m. Eastern on April 27 and will be reviewed by a task force of representatives from the eight Great Lakes states, as well as partners at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA). Final decisions on funded projects are anticipated in summer, with work to begin no later than October 1.

This year, the program will support a complementary request for proposals for projects which utilize the Agricultural Conservation Planning Framework (ACPF) to create targeted outreach plans for agricultural conservation practice siting. Eligible Indigenous Nations, nonfederal units of government, and incorporated nonprofit organizations are invited to apply for small grants of up to $10,000. Selected projects will begin work no later than October 1, for a duration of up to one year.

A webinar for applicants interested in the ACPF small grant opportunity will be held on March 18 at 2 p.m. Eastern. These proposals are also due by 5 p.m. Eastern on April 27 and will also be considered by the GLSNRP Task Force.

The GLC has managed GLSNRP with funding support through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative since 2010. Funded projects support progress toward the achievement of GLRI Action Plan IV objectives and goals. This program reflects a longstanding partnership between NRCS, U.S. EPA, and the Great Lakes states. GLSNRP funding is subject to the continued availability of U.S. federal government grants.

Please visit www.nutrientreduction.org for more information or contact Connor Roessler at [email protected].