BWSR offers a variety of competitive and noncompetitive grant programs to its local government partners. These funds may be appropriated through the Clean Water Fund, Lessard Sams Outdoor Heritage Council, the general fund, or direct appropriations.

When funding opportunities are available through BWSR, opportunities to submit competitive or noncompetitive funding requests will be listed on this page.

2023 Planning Grants - One Watershed, One Plan

BWSR is now accepting proposals from partnerships of eligible governments for grants to support development of comprehensive watershed management plan through the One Watershed, One Plan program. These grants provide partial support for plan development; a significant amount of time and effort, which is not covered by the grant, will be required by local government staff and officials to complete the plan. Partnerships pursuing a planning grant must demonstrate readiness and a commitment to work together and an understanding of the scope of work required for a successful planning effort. Applicants are strongly encouraged to work with their BWSR board conservationist as they consider participation in One Watershed, One Plan. 

How to Apply: Proposals must be submitted to BWSR.Grants@state.mn.us.

Application Deadline: June 19, 2023 at 4:30 pm

2023 One Watershed, One Plan Planning Grant RFP

 

FY23 Water Quality and Storage Pilot Program

The Water Quality and Storage Program will provide financial assistance to LGUs and Tribal Governments to control water rates and/or volumes to protect infrastructure, improve water quality and related public benefits, and mitigate climate change impacts.  Projects and practices funded under this program must show that they reduce flow rates and/or volumes at an applicant defined area of interest.  Given the current funding levels, this program is being established as a pilot that will fund design and construction of storage projects and practices.  Up to $1,000,000 is available for this program in FY23 and priority will be given to applicants in the Minnesota River Basin or Lower Mississippi River Basin. Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact their Board Conservationist, and/or Rita Weaver at rita.weaver@state.mn.us for additional information on this program and for assistance in submitting an application.

How to Apply: Proposals must be submitted via eLINK.  Applicants without a current eLINK user account must submit a request to establish an eLINK account no later than Thursday, May 4, 2023 at 4:30 pm.

Application deadline: Applications must be submitted no later than Thursday, May 4, 2023 at 4:30 pm. Late applications, or applications not submitted via eLINK, will not be considered.

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Performance Review and Assistance Program Grant

The Performance Review and Assistance Program (PRAP) provides grants to local governments who seek to improve efficiency and effectiveness in delivering and executing planned organizational goals and objectives. Local government units do not need to be the subject of a previous PRAP performance review to apply for these funds, but with limited funding, priority is given to recommended activities or strategies from previous reviews. Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact their Board Conservationist, and/or Jennifer Mocol-Johnson at 507-344-2820 or jennifer.mocol-johnson@state.mn.us for additional information on this program and for assistance in submitting an application.

How to Apply: Proposals must be submitted electronically to Jennifer Mocol-Johnson at jennifer.mocol-johnson@state.mn.us

Application deadline: Applications submitted on an ongoing basis as funding is available.

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Wellhead Protection Partner Grants Program (Pilot)

The MN BWSR will be conducting a second round of grant funding for the Wellhead Protection Partner Grants Program (Pilot). This second round will hope to build upon projects currently underway to assist local government units in addressing their sensitive wellhead areas through land protection options such as fee title acquisition or long-term easements.   Only High or Very High vulnerable Wellhead Protection Areas as mapped in an approved Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Wellhead Protection Plan are eligible to apply.  This grant program is offered in conjunction with ongoing BWSR protection programs such as CREP and RIM where sensitive wellheads remain a high priority for enrollment. Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact Sharon Doucette at 651-539-2567 or Sharon.Doucette@state.mn.us for additional information on this program and for assistance in submitting an application.

How to Apply: Proposals must be submitted electronically to Sharon Doucette at Sharon.Doucette@state.mn.us.

Application deadline: Applications due the last day of each month as funding is available.

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