Application Notes:

Applications must be received by 5:00 p.m. ET on April 29, 2025.

Applications must be submitted online at www.glc.org.

Applications must include:

• Web application form
• Application template
• Signed insurance certification
• Budget form
• Regional map depicting the general area of work within the Great Lakes Basin
• Local map depicting specific areas of work or potential work
• Commitment letters articulating the terms of any applicable match toward the project
• Site photos that document or explain the problem addressed within the proposal (optional; 3 photos max)
• Supporting documents (as applicable):
  • Negotiated indirect cost rate agreement (NICRA)
  • Most recent financial audit

All applications must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number. Applicants may obtain a UEI number via SAM (System for Award Management) by accessing www.ecivis.com/sam.

An optional webinar will be held for this program as follows:

March 13, 2025
2:00 p.m. ET
Registration: events.teams.microsoft.com

Applications will be evaluated according to the following criteria:

• Project description and importance to a relevant watershed plan (10 points)
• Implementation strategy (10 points)
• Practice siting and communication efforts (10 points)
• Schedule of activities (10 points)
• Budget narrative (10 points)
• Administrative capacity and past performance (10 points)
• Additional points for attributes, as listed on page 12 of the NOFA file (1 point per attribute)

Refer to the NOFA file and Application folder for additional application information.

Match Notes:

Applicants must provide at least 25 percent of the requested award amount via nonfederal cash and/or in-kind contributions. Matching contributions in excess of the required minimum are welcome, but will have no effect on scoring during the application evaluation process.

Matching contributions may include:

• Land acquisition, including the purchase of easements, provided that the contribution occurs after the project start date
• Technical and/or administrative assistance provided by the applicant, other entities, or persons not paid for with the award or with federal funds
• All or a portion of the applicant's indirect costs not otherwise paid for with the award or with federal funds
• Use of local and state agency vehicles or equipment other than those of the applicant
• Cost-share agreements from landowners
• Unpaid members of local task forces, watershed councils, work groups, and citizen groups calculated at the prevailing national minimum wage unless justification is provided for a higher rate; skilled labor may be charged at a higher rate with additional, detailed justification

Matching contributions may not include:

• Activities that would otherwise be deemed ineligible for funding through this program
• Costs accumulated prior to the official start date of the project contract or earned after completion of the project contract

Funding Notes:

Approximately $1,692,000 is anticipated to be available to support awards of up to $300,000 through this program.

Funds will be provided on a reimbursement basis. There will be one upfront payment of 10 percent of the total award amount at the start of the project, which will occur after the funding agency receives the signed contractual agreement from the award recipient. Additional upfront funding may be available with justification.

Award decisions are expected to be made in July 2025.

Projects should begin no later than October 1, 2025, with potential for earlier start dates if circumstances warrant. All work must be completed within a four-year period, inclusive of the time required to obtain all permits and approvals. Applicants should account for possible permitting delays when planning the project time frame.

It is recommended that applicants include funding within their project budget to support travel to and participation at a one- or two-day conference for award recipients in the late summer or early fall of 2026 or 2028. These conferences are slated to occur every two years at locations of interest within the Great Lakes Basin.

Applicants may propose to use up to 20 percent of the total award amount for technical assistance funding; however, adequate justification must be provided.

For stream/shoreline projects, projects intended to solely protect property or infrastructure without corresponding water quality benefits or projects which include hardening of streambanks and shorelines are not good candidates under this program.

For agricultural projects, funds may not be used for the maintenance of existing stormwater detention or retention features.

Funds may not be used for:

• Projects or costs required under local, state, or federal regulation
• Water quality monitoring, research, and data analysis activities
• Purchases of equipment such as vehicles and/or field implements
• In-lake treatment for nutrient reduction or removal
• Technical assistance with the sole purpose of implementing Farm Bill cost-share programs
• Land acquisition, including the purchase of easements

For FY 2024, more than $1.4 million was distributed via six awards ranging from $80,000 to $300,000 through this program. For FY 2023, more than $1.5 million was distributed via eight awards ranging from $61,142 to $300,000. For FY 2022, more than $1.2 million was distributed via eight awards ranging from $45,000 to $200,000. Refer to the Award file for details.