Opportunity Information: Apply for EPA R5 GL2021 RRR
The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) 2021 Request for Applications for Nonpoint Source Runoff and Nutrient Reduction Projects - Riparian Restoration to Reduce Runoff is a competitive federal funding opportunity run by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). It is designed to support on-the-ground projects that reduce polluted runoff and nutrient loads entering Great Lakes waters by restoring and improving riparian areas, meaning the vegetated lands along rivers, streams, and other waterways. The funding is offered under GLRI Action Plan III and is positioned as EPA's primary competitive grant program for FY 2021 under GLRI Focus Area 3, which centers on addressing nonpoint source pollution and related nutrient impacts.
The opportunity is listed as discretionary funding, and EPA may award support either as a grant or as a cooperative agreement. In practical terms, both mechanisms provide financial assistance, but cooperative agreements typically involve more substantial federal involvement in project coordination or oversight during implementation. The program sits within the environmental assistance portfolio under CFDA (now often referred to as Assistance Listing) 66.469, a common identifier for EPA Great Lakes-related financial assistance.
Projects sought under this specific RFA are tied to riparian restoration as a strategy to reduce runoff. Riparian restoration commonly includes actions like re-establishing native vegetation buffers, stabilizing streambanks to reduce erosion, reconnecting floodplains, removing or controlling invasive species in riparian corridors, and improving the ecological function of streamside areas so they can better filter sediments, phosphorus, nitrogen, and other contaminants before they reach surface waters. The overarching goal is to reduce nonpoint source pollution, which is diffuse pollution carried by rainfall or snowmelt rather than discharged from a single pipe or facility.
The EPA anticipated making about 10 awards under this competition, with an award ceiling of $600,000 per project. This suggests a program structure intended to fund multiple mid-sized implementation efforts rather than a small number of very large projects. The announcement was created on June 15, 2021, and the original closing date for applications was August 20, 2021. Applicants were directed to consult the full announcement, particularly Section IV, for detailed submission instructions and requirements.
Eligibility is indicated broadly as "Others," with applicants expected to consult the additional eligibility language in the full RFA for clarification. In EPA funding announcements, this type of eligibility category often means that the competition may be open to a mix of entities such as state, tribal, and local governments; special purpose units of government; regional agencies; nonprofit organizations; educational institutions; and other qualified organizations, depending on the specific restrictions and definitions in the announcement. Because the RFA references a specific eligibility clarification section, the intent is that prospective applicants confirm their eligibility status and any partnership, geographic, or programmatic conditions before applying.
Overall, this GLRI funding opportunity is aimed at tangible watershed and stream-corridor improvements that measurably cut down runoff-driven pollution to Great Lakes tributaries and connected waters. The emphasis on riparian restoration reflects a well-established approach to nutrient and sediment reduction: healthy streamside buffers slow down overland flow, trap sediments, promote infiltration, and enhance biological uptake of nutrients, which together can reduce the amount of harmful pollutants that ultimately reach the Great Lakes system.Apply for EPA R5 GL2021 RRR
- The Environmental Protection Agency in the environment sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Great Lakes Restoration Initiative 2021 Request for Applications for Nonpoint Source Runoff and Nutrient Reduction Projects-Riparian Restoration to Reduce Runoff" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 66.469.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jun 15, 2021.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 20, 2021 Please see the announcement including Section IV for additional submission information. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $600,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) 2021 funding opportunity described here?
It is a competitive federal funding opportunity run by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI). The specific request is titled: "GLRI 2021 Request for Applications for Nonpoint Source Runoff and Nutrient Reduction Projects - Riparian Restoration to Reduce Runoff."
Which federal agency runs this program?
The program is administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
What problem is this funding opportunity intended to address?
The opportunity is designed to reduce polluted runoff and nutrient loads entering Great Lakes waters. It focuses on nonpoint source pollution, meaning pollution that is carried by rainfall or snowmelt rather than discharged from a single pipe or facility.
What types of projects are being requested under this RFA?
This RFA targets on-the-ground riparian restoration projects intended to reduce runoff. Riparian areas are the vegetated lands along rivers, streams, and other waterways, and restoring them helps reduce nutrients and sediments reaching surface waters.
What does "riparian restoration" mean in the context of this opportunity?
In this RFA, riparian restoration refers to actions that restore and improve streamside or riverside vegetated areas so they function better as natural filters. This can include rebuilding or enhancing vegetated buffers and improving the ecological function of stream-corridor lands.
What are examples of riparian restoration activities mentioned for this competition?
Examples described include re-establishing native vegetation buffers, stabilizing streambanks to reduce erosion, reconnecting floodplains, removing or controlling invasive species in riparian corridors, and improving streamside ecological function to help filter sediments and nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen.
How do riparian restoration projects reduce runoff and nutrient pollution?
Healthy streamside buffers can slow overland flow, trap sediments, promote infiltration, and enhance biological uptake of nutrients. Together, these processes can reduce the amount of pollutants that reach rivers, streams, tributaries, and ultimately the Great Lakes system.
What GLRI plan or focus area does this opportunity fall under?
The opportunity is offered under GLRI Action Plan III and is described as EPA's primary competitive grant program for FY 2021 under GLRI Focus Area 3, which centers on addressing nonpoint source pollution and related nutrient impacts.
Is this a competitive grant opportunity or a non-competitive allocation?
It is a competitive federal funding opportunity.
What type of funding is it (discretionary or mandatory)?
The opportunity is listed as discretionary funding.
What award mechanisms might EPA use for selected projects?
EPA may provide support through either a grant or a cooperative agreement.
What is the practical difference between a grant and a cooperative agreement as described here?
Both mechanisms provide financial assistance, but cooperative agreements typically involve more substantial federal involvement in project coordination or oversight during implementation.
What is the Assistance Listing (CFDA) number associated with this opportunity?
The program is associated with CFDA (Assistance Listing) 66.469, which is commonly used for EPA Great Lakes-related financial assistance.
How many awards did EPA anticipate making under this competition?
EPA anticipated making about 10 awards.
What is the maximum funding amount (award ceiling) per project?
The award ceiling is $600,000 per project.
What does the expected number of awards and award ceiling suggest about project size?
It suggests the program was structured to fund multiple mid-sized implementation efforts rather than a small number of very large projects.
When was the announcement created?
The announcement was created on June 15, 2021.
What was the original application closing date?
The original closing date for applications was August 20, 2021.
Where were applicants directed to look for detailed submission instructions and requirements?
Applicants were directed to consult the full announcement, particularly Section IV, for detailed submission instructions and requirements.
Who is eligible to apply based on the information provided?
Eligibility is indicated broadly as "Others," and applicants are expected to consult the additional eligibility language in the full RFA for clarification.
What might "Others" mean for eligibility in an EPA funding announcement?
In EPA announcements, "Others" often means the opportunity may be open to a mix of entity types such as state, tribal, and local governments; special purpose units of government; regional agencies; nonprofit organizations; educational institutions; and other qualified organizations, depending on the specific definitions and restrictions in the full announcement.
Does the information provided confirm exactly which entity types are eligible?
No. The information provided indicates that eligibility requires confirmation in the full RFA, including any restrictions, definitions, or conditions stated in the eligibility clarification section.
What geographic or environmental context is emphasized by this opportunity?
The focus is on reducing polluted runoff and nutrient loads entering Great Lakes waters, including Great Lakes tributaries and connected waters, through riparian restoration along rivers, streams, and other waterways.
What is the overall purpose of this RFA in plain terms?
The overall purpose is to fund tangible watershed and stream-corridor improvements that measurably reduce runoff-driven pollution (including sediments and nutrients) reaching the Great Lakes system.
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