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.

FY 22/23 Clean Water Legacy Partners Grant Pilot Program Request For Proposals (RFP)

The FY 22/23 Clean Water Legacy Partners Grant Pilot Program RFP is now open. The Clean Water Legacy Partners Grant Pilot Program provides funds “for developing and implementing a water legacy grant program to expand partnerships for clean water.”

Applications must be submitted through eLINK, BWSR’s grants management system. Please read the RFP and policy documents below thoroughly to ensure eligibility, and that all application requirements are met.  Applicants may contact cwfquestions@state.mn.us for additional questions or assistance in submitting an application.

Questions must be submitted by 4:30 pm on February 10, 2023. Responses will be posted on BWSR’s Question and Answer webpage and updated weekly throughout the RFP. The final update will be posted on February 13, 2023.

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 by February 8, 2023.

Application deadline: Applications must be submitted in eLINK no later than 4:30 pm on Wednesday, February 15, 2023. Late applications, or applications not submitted via eLINK, will not be considered.

Habitat Enhancement Landscape Pilot (HELP) Program

The Habitat Enhancement Landscape Pilot (HELP) program is focused on restoring and enhancing strategically located, diverse native habitat across Minnesota on conservation lands and natural areas to benefit populations of pollinators and beneficial insects. $273,740 is available through this Request for Proposal. Applicants can apply for grants of $20,000 to $60,000 which can include projects on multiple properties.

How to apply: Applications must be submitted through eLINK, BWSR’s grants management system.

Application deadline: February 23, 2023

References:

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.