LCBP Requests for proposals

Since 1992, the LCBP has awarded more than 1,000 grants to local organizations to support a variety of pollution prevention, habitat restoration, and other projects that improve the quality of Lake Champlain. In that same time, the LCBP and its partner organizations also have funded numerous projects conducted by universities, consultants, research foundations, nonprofit organizations, and others. These projects include scientific research, best management demonstration projects, education and outreach efforts, and other initiatives that are key to implementing Opportunities for Action.

The LCBP currently funds most projects through two general grant categories: Local Implementation Grants and Program Grants.

Local Implementation Grants

Requests for Proposals for Local Implementation Grants are usually released in early fall, with a deadline in late fall and awards announced in early winter. Local grants are awarded in one of several categories: Pollution Prevention and Habitat Conservation, Aquatic Invasive Species Spread Prevention, Education and Outreach, and Organizational Support. The Champlain Valley National Heritage Partnership awards local grants through a Request for Pre-proposals process. CVNHP local grants are awarded in the following categories: Local Heritage, Interpretive Theme, Collections, and Internships. Grants for special programs are sometimes awarded as appropriate. Local grants are awarded for up to $50,000, depending on the category.

The LCBP also awards “Enhanced BMP” grants. Like Local Implementation Grants, these awards are available only to non-profit organizations. An RFP for these grants is usually released in late summer. These grants, which support larger-scale projects that reduce water pollution from stormwater runoff, are available in two categories: best management plan construction and project planning and prioritization. Enhanced BMP Grants are awarded for up to $125,000.

Program Grants

Each year, the LCBP funds a number of projects that improve knowledge of the Lake Champlain Basin and inform management of its natural and cultural resources. These projects help to achieve the goals of Opportunities for Action and provide critical information to other research and management partners who are working to improve the health of the lake. The bulk of scientific research and implementation projects, as well as Heritage Program grants, are now identified and funded through a pre-proposal process that begins in the fall. RFPs for additional projects, including education and outreach, are released periodically throughout the year.

The table below contains a tentative schedule of grant release and due dates.

LCBP/CVNHP RFPs

(details for each RFP can be found below)

Local Implementation Grants

Emergency Watershed Organizational Support

Lake Champlain Basin Program is offering an emergency response grant funding opportunity to local watershed partners within the Lake Champlain Basin to provide organizational support during the COVID-19 pandemic. The intent of this grant category is to provide relief to watershed organizations struggling to maintain daily operations during this pandemic. Grant funds have been made available with Great Lakes Fishery Commission resources dedicated to the Lake Champlain basin.

This is a one-time re-programming of unobligated existing funding for programs that had not yet been initiated, and the LCBP does not anticipate offering future grant opportunities of this nature. Existing agreements with NEIWPCC on behalf of LCBP will be honored as written. The grant program has been made available to support Lake Champlain-focused organizations facing significant financial challenges resulting from Stay Home orders and/or changes to or cancellation of spring work plan(s) as a result of the current COVID-19 pandemic; these funds are not anticipated to support organizations who have alternate means to obtain funding such as the CARES Act or Small Business Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan support. We appreciate careful consideration of your organization’s need for these funds as funding is extremely limited.

A description of this grant funding – including the purpose, eligibility information, and selection criteria – is provided in the Grant Guidelines.
View the Grant Guidelines

An electronic copy of applications MUST be received by
1:00 PM EST Friday, April 24, 2020
Proposal submissions should be made via email to grants@lcbp.org in MS Word or a Word-compatible format. Hardcopy or faxed submissions will not be accepted.
Download the application

Program Grants

Stream Wise Award Program

The Lake Champlain Basin Program (LCBP) seeks proposals for the development of a social marketing campaign to improve the health of streams and rivers that flow to Lake Champlain. Up to $50,000 is available to develop a Stream Wise Award Program that will encourage property owners and communities to take actions along river banks that will improve water quality and habitat.

Streambank erosion accounts for approximately 18% (365,000 pounds) of the phosphorus that enters Lake Champlain each year. Vegetation on streambanks helps reduce this erosion. A number of programs that promote and protect these vegetated buffers exist, but their messages and practices vary greatly. The goal of the Stream Wise Award Program is to create a coherent and consistent outreach campaign.

The successful applicant will deliver a number of outputs that achieve the goals of the program: a compilation of current programs, standards and regulations; new Stream Wise Award Program standards and criteria; list of recommended best management practices; fact sheets, slogan and graphics; and a Stream Wise communications plan.

The project will further the goals of the Lake Champlain Basin Program’s long-term management plan Opportunities for Action. Support is provided with funds awarded to the New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission on behalf of the Lake Champlain Basin Program by the Great Lakes Fishery Commission.

Electronic versions of proposals must be received by grants@lcbp.org no later than April 13, 2020. Successful applicants will be notified in June 2020 for project initiation by summer 2020.

Request for Proposal (MS Word)

Public Awareness Survey

The Lake Champlain Basin Program and NEIWPCC are pleased to announce a Request for Proposals (RFP) to conduct a survey to assess general knowledge, attitude, opinion, and motivation of the public regarding water quality in the Lake Champlain Basin. The successful applicant will propose a project that completes the outputs described in the attached RFP (link below) according to the required project timeline. Up to $120,000 is available to support this project, and it is anticipated that one successful project will be chosen.

DEADLINE NOTICE:
Electronic versions of proposals must be RECEIVED by grants@lcbp.org no later than: April 13, 2020*.
*Please note extended deadline

Late, incomplete, or non-electronic proposals will not be considered.
Successful applicants will be notified in April 2020. Although LCBP reserves the right to make no awards, we anticipate granting one award from this RFP.

Request for Proposal (MS Word)

View a list of recently closed RFPs, or search our publications database to read the technical reports that have resulted from past projects.