Geographic Programs - Great Lakes Restoration Initiative

Program objective

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.

As published in the SAM.gov Assistance Listing.

No open or forecasted opportunities are currently posted under this listing. Programs often post notices on an annual cycle — see recently closed opportunities below for timing.

Eligible applicants (program level)

• ✓Interstate Organization
• ✓Federally Recognized Indian/Native American/Alaska Native Tribal Government
• ✓U.S. State Government (including the District of Columbia)
• ✓Local
• ✓Other
• ✓Nonprofit Organization

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.

Intended beneficiaries: State, Local, Public nonprofit institution/organization, Federally Recognized Indian Tribal Governments, Private nonprofit institution/organization, Native American Organizations and Interstate.

Program-level eligibility from SAM.gov. Each funding notice sets its own requirements.

Frequently asked questions