Since 2010, the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) has made progress protecting and restoring the world’s largest surface freshwater system. Continuing these efforts, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently issued a request for applications soliciting proposals for GLRI grants to fund new projects. Applications are due Sept. 28.

This year, up to $13.9 million is available for grants to state, tribal, interstate, and local governments, including institutions of higher learning and other nonprofit organizations. The specific goals for this funding are to reduce runoff in urban and agricultural watersheds and to target invasive species.

New GLRI projects will follow the more than 2500 projects funded since the start of GLRI in 2010. These projects have helped to improve water quality, clean up contaminated shorelines, protect and restore native habitat and species, and prevent and control invasive species in the Great Lakes. This work is summarized in a new Report to Congress and the President released July 28.