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. These awards are available to nonprofit organizations, colleges, universities, and non-federal/non-state government agencies. Local grants are awarded for up to $50,000, depending on the category.

The LCBP also awards “Enhanced BMP” grants. These grants are similar to Local Implementation Grants, except that for-profit entities are eligible to apply. 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 Champlain Valley National Heritage Partnership 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

Enhanced Best Management Practices

The Lake Champlain Basin Program (LCBP) in conjunction with the NEIWPCC is pleased to announce a Request for Proposals (RFP) for projects to develop and install large best management practices for pollution reduction in the US-portion of the Lake Champlain Basin, and for projects to provide planning and prioritization for future on-the-ground water quality improvement projects.

Eligible projects for installation of best management practices might include innovative tasks for shoreline stabilization, green infrastructure project implementation, stormwater management projects, combined sewer overflow (CSO) reduction, or the purchase of equipment to be shared among organizations. Eligible projects for planning and prioritization of interventions might include innovative green infrastructure planning at a municipal level, CSO reduction strategies, or watershed scale assessments and prioritizations.

Up to $500,000 is available for supporting the two categories of projects within this RFP. Projects for installation of best management practices (Category A projects) should be scoped for $50,000 to $125,000; projects for planning and prioritization (Category B projects) should be scoped to a maximum budget up to $50,000.

This work is applicable to the Clean Water and Healthy Ecosystem goals of LCBP’s long-term management plan Opportunities for Action: An Evolving Plan for the Future of the Lake Champlain Basin.This grant opportunity is supported by funds awarded to NEIWPCC by the US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) and Great Lakes Fishery Commission (GLFC).

Applicants must submit proposals in electronic format. Please see the RFP and the attached proposal format information for complete details.

DEADLINE NOTICE:

Electronic versions of proposals must be RECEIVED by the Lake Champlain Basin Program office no later than:

October 13th, 2020

Late or incomplete proposals will not be considered.

View the full Request for Proposals 

Pollution Prevention & Habitat Conservation and AIS Spread Prevention Grants

The Lake Champlain Basin Program, in cooperation with NEIWPCC, is pleased to announce the 2020 Local Implementation Grant programs, including the following groups of grants:

• Pollution Prevention & Wildlife Habitat Conservation Grants (up to $20,000 per award),
• Aquatic Invasive Species Spread Prevention Grants (up to $15,000 per award),

Grant Applications due October 27, 2020*

* The LCBP anticipates releasing RFPs for Education and Outreach Grants and Organizational Support Grants under a separate announcement in October 2020.

The LCBP anticipates awarding more than 25 grants, reflecting approximately $400,000 to support local community involvement in the implementation of the comprehensive management plan Opportunities for Action: An Evolving Plan for the Future of the Lake Champlain Basin. Funds to support these awards are anticipated from the Great Lakes Fishery Commission and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency through agreements with NEIWPCC.

Download the Grant Cover Letter from the Director
Download the Grant Guidelines
Download the Grant Application

Program Grants

Technical Project Pre-proposals

The Lake Champlain Basin Program (LCBP), in partnership with NEIWPCC is pleased to announce a Request for Pre-Proposals for services to further the mission of the LCBP and address the tasks outlined in our guiding document, Opportunities for Action. The total request for each project may range from $20,000 to $300,000.

LCBP seeks pre-proposals for projects that address any strategies and tasks outlined in Opportunities for Action. LCBP is particularly interested in funding projects that address the following priorities (priorities are not listed in order of importance):

1. Development of a comprehensive, binational phosphorus mass balance model for the Missisquoi Bay watershed, including all phosphorus inputs and outputs.
2. Conservation and restoration research or implementation projects that support:
   a. native species and their habitat,
   b. water quality, and/or
   c. flood resilience.
3. Development of Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) tools that fill defined needs for partners implementing PES or Payment for Performance systems in the Lake Champlain Basin, and that support the LCBP mission.
4. Stream geomorphic assessments, stormwater master plans, and/or inland lake watershed action plans in under-assessed areas of the Lake Champlain Basin, with priority given to subwatersheds that currently have significant gaps in assessment.
5. Research on contaminants such as plastics, heavy metals, pharmaceuticals, personal care products, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances; or work to replicate previous assessments for mercury concentrations in Lake Champlain fish tissue.
6. Environmental Sensitivity Index mapping to prepare for a potential oil or chemical spill.

PRE-PROPOSAL DEADLINE NOTICE: Only electronic pre-proposals will be accepted and must be received by Kathy Jarvis (grants@lcbp.org) at the Lake Champlain Basin Program by November 6, 2020

Late or incomplete pre-proposals will not be considered.

Download the Technical Project Request for Pre-proposals

Other Grants

WATERSHED ASSOCIATION PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT MINI-GRANTS

These mini-grants provide professional development funds for the staff and volunteers of qualified watershed organizations in the Lake Champlain Basin, to cover expenses such as travel, meals, registration and accommodations at meetings, conferences, workshops and other venues designed to enhance the organizations’ capacity to operate. Qualifying Organizations: Watershed types of organization within the Lake Champlain Basin may apply for Watershed Association Professional Development Mini-grants. Up to $500/year is available per organization subject to availability of funds. Please read the attached instructions for more details about qualifying.

• Watershed Association Professional Development Mini-Grants: Instructions, Application & Reimbursement Form

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