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 2021 Clean Water Fund Competitive Grants Request for Proposal
The Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) is now seeking applications for its Clean Water Fund (CWF) Competitive Grants program. The application period opens June 29th, 2020 and closes August 17th, 2020. Funding is available for local projects to improve and protect water quality in lakes, rivers and drinking water sources throughout Minnesota. Local government units (counties, watershed districts, watershed management organizations, soil & water conservation districts, and seven-county metro cities) or local government joint power boards are eligible to apply for funding.
How to Apply: Applications must be completed and submitted via eLINK.
Application deadline: Applications must be submitted in eLINK no later than 4:30 pm on Monday, August 17th.
Projects and Practices:
- Groundwater Information using the WHAF Tool Guidance (pdf)
- Drinking Water Protection fact sheet (pdf)
- Livestock Waste Management Supplemental questions (xlsx)
Multipurpose Drainage Management:
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 Tabor Hoek at 507-537-7260 or tabor.hoek@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 Tabor Hoek at tabor.hoek@state.mn.us.
Application deadline: Applications due the last day of each month as funding is available.