NOAA Great Lakes Restoration Funding Opportunity Announced

NOAA is seeking proposals from non-federal partners for Great Lakes Restoration Initiative funding to help continue our work restoring Great Lakes coastal ecosystems. Up to $5 million in awards will be provided through new multi-year regional partnerships in 2019. 

Due to the partial government shutdown, the original proposal deadline has been extended to February 12, 2019. 

The selected projects will support our efforts to clean up and restore Great Lakes Areas of Concern, places where pollution has impacted ecosystems and the public’s ability to use natural resources. New to the competition this year, we’re expanding our regional partnerships to support activities that restore native Great Lakes fisheries species habitat outside of Areas of Concern.

Piles of lumber mill waste which contaminated Muskegon Lake in Michigan, now being cleaned up and repurposed.

The Great Lakes are one of our most important natural resources—they are the largest freshwater system on earth — however, they face many threats, including habitat degradation, oil spills and other pollution, overfishing, and invasive species.

These international treasures are home to over 3,500 species of plants and animals, and are an important economic resource, supporting industry, transportation, commercial and recreational fishing, and tourism.

With our partners, continued work restoring the Great Lakes will benefit communities and the economy relying on healthy ecosystems. We’re supporting their valuable fisheries and important habitats, and improving water quality by restoring coastal wetland function, providing recreational opportunities for the public's use and enjoyment, and increasing community resilience from erosion and flooding.

A rocky shoreline recently restored with natural features to stabilize the banks of the Buffalo River.

Since 2010, NOAA has supported more than 60 projects through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. These projects have restored more than 7,500 acres of habitat and opened almost 500 miles of stream for fish to access their habitat.

NOAA will not accept proposals with a federal funding request of less than $1,000,000 or more than $40 million over a three year project period. For more information, visit the 2019 Great Lakes Restoration Initiative funding opportunity.