Great Lakes Environmental Justice Grant Program

Restore America’s Estuaries is proud to manage EPA’s Great Lakes Environmental Justice Grant Program (GLEJGP). The Great Lakes span over 750 miles providing water, transportation, power, and recreation to more than 30 million people in the United States and Canada. As part of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI), the Great Lakes Environmental Justice Grant Program is part of the largest investment in two decades, receiving $1 billion in funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

Our mission for the program is to ensure environmental justice in communities throughout the Great Lakes Basin. 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, GLEJGP will address these barriers supporting access to federal funding for these organizations and communities.

Cities, states, Tribes and nonprofit organizations representing under-resourced communities can apply directly to the Great Lakes Environmental Justice Grant Program. Furthering the efforts of GLRI, these grants will fund a range of environmental protection and restoration projects directly impacting underserved communities in the Great Lakes Basin.  This investment will encourage significant environmental, economic, health, and recreational benefits for Great Lakes communities.

GLEJGP Funding Priorities Overview
The Great Lakes Environmental Justice Grant Program (GLEJGP) aligns with the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) and the 2025-2029 Action Plan. This plan focuses on five key areas:

• Toxic Substances and Areas of Concern
• Invasive Species
• Nonpoint Source Pollution Impacts on Nearshore Health
• Habitat and Species
• Foundations for Future Actions

Other funding considerations include:

• Project sustainability after completion
• Alignment with other strategic plans (e.g., LAMPs, Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement)
• Technical merit and project feasibility

Eligible projects and activities will be community-driven, addressing the challenges and risks faced by Great Lakes communities affected by environmental justice issues.

Program Director – Jesús F. Sánchez (he/him/él)