Great Lakes Restoration Community Grant Program 2026 Request for Applications (RFA)

Letters of Intent (LOIs) are Due: Friday, January 15th by 5pm CST/ 6pm EST

Release Date: November 9th, 2026 

Application materials can be found to on the top left under “Quick Links”

If you have previously applied for any Restore America’s Estuaries (RAE) funding opportunities through Euna Grants, please use your existing account to complete this application rather than creating a new account.

LOIs will be accepted by online submission only. Apply using the GLRCGP RFA Page: Great Lakes Restoration Community Grant Program. For all inquiries related to this RFA, including assistance for applicants unfamiliar with the grant process, please contact Jesús Sanchez at jsanchez@estuaries.org or schedule a meeting.  

Great Lakes Restoration Community Grant Program Team Information:

Jesús Sanchez – Program Director, jsanchez@estuaries.org – Calendly Link

Lisette Perez – Program Associate, lperez@estuaries.org – Calendly Link

 Virtual Information Sessions will be held on the following dates in 2026.

• Tuesday, November 17th – 12pm CST/ 1pm EST
  • Register Here: Meeting Registration – Zoom
• Thursday, December 3rd – 10am CST/ 11am EST
  • Register Here: Meeting Registration – Zoom

Our mission for the program is to promote community-centered environmental solutions throughout the Great Lakes Basin by providing support and facilitating the implementation of impactful projects. Many community-based organizations in this region may lack sufficient resources to apply, obtain, and oversee the implementation of federally funded grant projects. Through building capacity and technical assistance, RAE and the Community Grant Program’s partner, The Junction Coalition, will support federal funding for these organizations and communities. 

Cities, states, Tribes and nonprofit organizations representing Great Lakes communities can apply directly to this grant program. Furthering the efforts of GLRI, these grants will fund a range of environmental protection and restoration projects directly impacting communities in the Great Lakes Basin.  This investment will encourage significant environmental, economic, health, and recreational benefits for Great Lakes communities. 

RAE’s basin-wide Community Grant Program aligns with the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) and supports the goals of GLRI Action Plan IV by addressing the following focus areas:  

• Invasive Species 

• Nonpoint Source Pollution  

• Habitat and Species