Lake Champlain Basin Program Seeks Pre-Proposals for Clean Water and Healthy Ecosystems Research

Grand Isle, VT – The Patrick Leahy Lake Champlain Basin Program (LCBP), in partnership with NEIWPCC, seeks pre-proposals for research projects that will address the complex challenges facing Lake Champlain and its watershed.  

Research initiatives should support Clean Water or Healthy Ecosystems goals outlined in LCBP’s management plan, Opportunities for Action. For this request, topics such as nutrients and contaminants, native species and their natural communities, invasive species, and extreme weather events have been identified as priority research areas. Please see the Request for Pre-proposals for full details on eligible topics and research priorities. 

“Strong science forms the basis for management decisions that improve water quality, restore ecosystems, and support community resilience across the Lake Champlain basin,” said Jim Brangan, Interim NEIWPCC Division Director of Lake Champlain Programs. “These research priorities reflect current challenges facing our watershed, as well as opportunities to protect its waters and wildlife into the future.” 

Funding requests can range between $25,000 and $400,000, with all awards subject to available funding.  

A subset of applicants will be asked to submit a more detailed full proposal for further consideration. Selected projects will be supported by funds awarded to NEIWPCC by the US Environmental Protection Agency on behalf of the Lake Champlain Basin Program, and in partnership with the Great Lakes Fishery Commission. Proposals must support work within the Lake Champlain watershed. 

Pre-proposals are due at 5:00 PM EST on November 13, 2026. An informational webinar will be offered on October 21 at 10:00 AM (register here). Awarded research projects are targeted to begin work in January 2028. 

More information, including grant guidelines and applications, is available on the Lake Champlain Basin Program’s website at lcbp.org/grants.    

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The Lake Champlain Basin Program coordinates and funds efforts that benefit the Lake Champlain Basin’s water quality, fisheries, wetlands, wildlife, recreation, and cultural resources. The program works in partnership with federal agencies, state and provincial agencies from New York, Vermont, and Québec, local communities, businesses, and citizen groups. NEIWPCC—a regional commission that helps the states of the Northeast preserve and advance water quality—serves as the primary program administrator of LCBP at the request of the Lake Champlain Steering Committee and administers the program’s personnel, finances, and contracts. NEIWPCC is a program partner of LCBP. For further information, contact the Lake Champlain Basin Program, 54 West Shore Road, Grand Isle, VT at (802) 372-3213 / (800) 468-5227 or visit https://www.lcbp.org/.