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.
Water Quality and Storage Grants
This competitive grant program provides financial assistance to model, design, and construct projects and practices that will control water volume and rates to protect infrastructure, improve water quality and related public benefits, and mitigate climate change impacts. Eligible applicants are local units of government and tribal governments. Funding for this application period is $3,000,000, with up to $500,000 available for modeling and conceptual design applications. Please read the RFP and policy documents to understand changes to this program from previous years.
How to Apply: Applications must be submitted through eLINK, BWSR’s grants management system.
Application deadline: April 11, 2024 at 4:30pm. Late applications, or applications not submitted via eLINK, will not be considered.
Resources:
Multipurpose Drainage Management RFP
- December 1, 2023
- March 1, 2024
- June 3, 2024
One Watershed, One Plan Planning Grants
BWSR is 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 13, 2024 at 4:30 pm
Resources:
- 2024 One Watershed, One Plan Planning Grant Request for Proposals
- One Watershed, One Plan Planning Grant Policy
Pollinator Pathways Grants
The Pollinator Pathways grant program promote native plantings that establish key corridors (or pathways) for at-risk pollinators such as (but not limited to) the Monarch Butterfly and Rusty Patched Bumble Bee, Minnesota’s State Bee. This will be achieved by establishing and educating Minnesotans about pollinator conservation and promoting overall interest in ecological landscaping.
How to apply: Applications must be submitted through eLINK, BWSR’s grants management system.
Application deadline: June 20th, 2024, at 4:30pm. Late applications, or applications not submitted via eLINK, will not be considered.
Resources:
- Creating and Submitting a Funding Request in eLINK guidance video
Habitat Enhancement Landscape Program
The Habitat Enhancement Landscape Program (HELP) is focused on restoring and enhancing strategically located, diverse native habitat across Minnesota on conservation lands and natural areas to benefit populations of bees, butterflies, dragonflies, birds, and other wildlife. The program also provides co-benefits of carbon sequestration, soil health, water quality improvements, and increased landscape and climate resiliency.
How to apply: Applications must be submitted through eLINK, BWSR’s grants management system.
Application deadline: June 27, 2024, at 4:30pm. Late applications, or applications not submitted via eLINK, will not be considered.
Resources:
- Creating and Submitting a Funding Request in eLINK guidance video
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 Don Bajumpaa, PRAP Coordinator, at don.bajumpaa@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 Don Bajumpaa at don.bajumpaa@state.mn.us
Application deadline: Applications submitted on an ongoing basis as funding is available.
Resources:
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.
Resources:
- FY22 Wellhead Protection Partner Grants Program (Pilot) RFP (updated 09/21/21)