Geographic Programs – Great Lakes Restoration Initiative

The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) was launched in 2010 as a nonregulatory program to accelerate efforts to protect and restore the largest system of fresh surface water in the world by providing additional resources to help achieve the most critical long-term goals for this important ecosystem. The EPA leads an interagency group of 16 federal agencies to implement the GLRI. Since 2010, the GLRI has funded more than 8,000 projects that have been implemented by federal agencies, states, tribes, local governments, universities, and other nonfederal entities. The EPA and the other federal agencies will continue to use GLRI funds to strategically target the biggest threats to the Great Lakes ecosystem and associated human health issues in partnership with states, Tribes and other nonfederal stakeholders. Funded activities will advance protection and restoration of the Great Lakes ecosystem in support of (i) the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative as described in the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Action Plan IV, Fiscal Year 2025-Fiscal Year 2029 located at https://glri.us; and/or (ii) the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement; and will align with the five pillars detailed in EPA’s Powering the Great American Comeback and the FY2026-2030 EPA Strategic Plan when it is released.

Funding Priorities - Fiscal Year 2026: The EPA will continue to use GLRI resources to strategically target the biggest threats to the Great Lakes ecosystem and associated human health issues identified in the GLRI Action Plan IV. The GLRI will continue to prioritize the clean-up of Areas of Concern, reduction of phosphorus loads to prevent harmful algal blooms, and invasive species prevention. These priorities will also be supported by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) funding.

For certain competitive funding opportunities under this assistance listing, the Agency may limit eligibility to compete to a number or subset of eligible applicants consistent with the Agency’s Assistance Agreement Competition Policy.

For competitive awards, EPA will review and evaluate applications submissions in accordance with the terms, conditions, and criteria stated in the NOFO. Competitions will be conducted in accordance with EPA policies/regulations for competing assistance agreements. For non-competitive awards made under this assistance listing, EPA will conduct an administrative evaluation to determine the adequacy of the application in relation to grant regulations and to technical and program evaluation to determine the merit and relevance of the project. The Agency will then advise the applicant if funding is being considered. A final work plan will then be negotiated with the applicant.

Approximately 180 days from the receipt of applications, through selection and notification, development and approval of work plans, to the awarding of funds.