2026 Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Great Lakes Biology Monitoring Program: Zooplankton, Mysis, and Benthic Invertebrate Components
On this page:
- Overview
- Funding Opportunity Details
- Eligible Applicants
- Contact Information
- Documents
- Frequent Questions
Overview
This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is expected to result in the award of one cooperative agreement in support of the Great Lakes Biology Monitoring Program (GLBMP) pursuant to the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Action Plan IV. The GLBMP fulfills EPA's statutory obligation specified in Clean Water Act Section 118(c)(B) to establish a Great Lakes system-wide surveillance network to monitor the water quality of the Great Lakes.
Funding Opportunity Details
Great Lakes Restoration Initiative 2026 Notice of Funding Opportunity
Great Lakes Biology Monitoring Program: Zooplankton, Mysis, and Benthic Invertebrate Components
Funding Opportunity Number: EPA-R5-GL2026-ZMB
Under this competition, up to $8.1 million may be awarded for one cooperative agreement over an approximate 6-year period.
This NOFO solicits applications from eligible entities for a cooperative agreement to be awarded pursuant to the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Action Plan IV. The goals of the Great Lakes Biology Monitoring Program are to (1) report on Great Lakes water quality and ecosystem condition using assessments of the lower food web (phytoplankton, chlorophyll-a, zooplankton, Mysis, and benthic invertebrates) as indicators; (2) assess the impacts to the lower food web from invasive species including quagga mussels; and (3) inform fisheries and habitat management. EPA is requesting applications for a project to complete sample collection and analyses for the 2027-2031 field years in support of the zooplankton, Mysis, and benthic invertebrate components of the GLBMP.
Applications must specify a start date of January 1, 2027, and must specify an end date of no later than March 31, 2033, for the cooperative agreement. This incrementally funded award will be subject to the availability of funding, future appropriations, satisfactory performance of work, and other applicable considerations.
Please consult the full details on the funding opportunity for complete information.
Eligible:
Only these types of organizations may apply. Organization types are consistent with definitions at 2 CFR 200.1:
Not Eligible:
- Individuals
- Foreign organizations and governments
- Nonprofit organizations exempt from taxation under Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code that engage in lobbying
- “For-profit” organizations
Contact Information
Please direct any administrative, eligibility, and other general questions to glri-rfa@epa.gov and put “EPA-R5-GL2026-ZMB” in the subject of the email. Please provide your full name and explain the reason for your email.
EPA staff will respond to general inquiries, including administrative and eligibility-related questions, as well as technical inquiries about historical data on zooplankton taxonomy and historical data on benthic invertebrate taxonomy.