Lake Champlain Basin Program Seeks Proposals for Aquatic Invasive Species Spread Prevention and Management Projects
Grand Isle, VT – The Patrick Leahy Lake Champlain Basin Program (LCBP), in partnership with NEIWPCC, seeks proposals for projects that prevent the spread or manage the impacts of aquatic invasive species (AIS) in the Lake Champlain Basin.
This funding opportunity is intended to prevent establishment of new AIS populations and to address existing populations through management efforts that contain or reduce their size.
Activities supported through this funding might include the following:
- Assessment or mapping of AIS populations
- AIS removal efforts
- Infrastructure investments that support AIS removal work
- Boat launch steward programming metrics
- Public-facing education and outreach
- Creation of a project maintenance plan
“Aquatic invasive species are one of the major challenges facing Lake Champlain’s ecosystem, recreation, and economy,” said Dr. Eric Howe, NEIWPCC Program Director of the Lake Champlain Basin Program. “Through this funding opportunity, both new and ongoing projects will build on many years of efforts to prevent and manage the impact of aquatic invasive species.”
Approximately $450,000 in funding is available to support awarded projects. Grants of up to $25,000 will be awarded in the AIS Spread Prevention and Management grant category. Grants of up to $200,000 will be awarded in the Infrastructure Grants for AIS Spread Prevention and Management grant category. Eligible organizations may submit one proposal per grant category.
The awarded projects will advance the goals of the long-term Lake Champlain management plan Opportunities for Action (plan.lcbp.org). This grant opportunity is supported by funds awarded to NEIWPCC by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on behalf of the Lake Champlain Basin Program, and in partnership with the Great Lakes Fishery Commission.
Proposals are due at 5:00 PM EST on November 14, 2025. An informational webinar will be offered on October 14, 2025 at 12:00PM (register for the Zoom webinar at this link). Awarded projects are targeted to begin work in May 2026 and must be completed by March 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/.
