LCBP Seeks Pre-Proposals for Clean Water and Healthy Ecosystems Research
Grand Isle, VT – The Lake Champlain Basin Program (LCBP), in partnership with NEIWPCC, is pleased to announce a request for pre-proposals for research projects that will improve understanding of water and ecosystem resources in the Lake Champlain Basin and guide effective management. Proposed projects should be planned to begin in early 2025. The total request for each project may range from $25,000 to $300,000. A subset of successful applicants will be asked to submit a more detailed proposal for further consideration. All awards are subject to available funding.
Research pre-proposals should support the Clean Water or Healthy Ecosystems goals outlined in Opportunities for Action, the Lake Champlain Basin Program’s management plan. For this request, the LCBP is particularly interested in funding projects that address any of the following research tracks:
Track 1: General Opportunities for Action
- Research projects that address any research-oriented strategies and tasks outlined in Opportunities for Action and do not fall within the aims of other tracks listed below.
Track 2: Nutrients
- Research to estimate discharge and calculate nutrient loads from direct drainages to the Northeast Arm of Lake Champlain, and other direct drainage Lake Champlain basins that are under-characterized by the Lake Champlain Long-term Monitoring Program.
- Research focused on wetlands located outside of floodplain areas to determine phosphorus retention and develop a tool to estimate conservation and/or restoration benefits.
Track 3: Public access
- Research to identify geographic areas, methods, and/or programs that would expand public access and remove barriers to enjoyment of Lake Champlain, its tributaries, and water recreation opportunities with a focus on communities with disadvantages.
Track 4: Flood resilience
- Research to evaluate and recommend updates to design and siting standards to maximize the flood resilience and longevity of clean water project benefits.
- Research to quantify the flood resilience co-benefits of clean water projects.
Track 5: Cyanobacteria
- Research to develop protocols for monitoring benthic cyanobacteria species and determining the risk of cyanotoxins from benthic cyanobacteria blooms.
Track 6: Biodiversity and native species conservation
- Research to support the conservation and/or restoration of native species and their habitats.
Projects will be supported with Federal Fiscal Year 2023 funds awarded to NEIWPCC by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Clean Water Act Section 120 base funding and the Great Lakes Fishery Commission in support of the Lake Champlain Basin Program. Applicants must submit pre-proposals no later than 12pm (noon) EST on November 10, 2023.
The Lake Champlain Basin Program is now using Foundant, a web-based grant management software platform, to accept responses to requests for proposals, to manage the proposal review and award decision process, and to manage awarded projects to conclusion with award recipients. New applicants must create an account to log in to the Foundant system. Please visit the Foundant Applicant Tutorial webpage for assistance in creating your individual account, or contact Kerry Crowningshield, LCBP Office Manager, at kcrowningshield@lcbp.org or call 802-372-3213.
LCBP will be offering an informational webinar with a question-and-answer session for interested applicants to learn about the research tracks and the new Foundant application program. It will be held on October 10, 2023, from 3-4pm via Zoom. A link will be provided on our website and in Foundant in the coming week.
More information, including deadlines, grant guidelines, and applications, are available on the Lake Champlain Basin Program’s website at lcbp.org/grants.
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The Lake Champlain Basin Program coordinates and funds efforts that benefit the Lake Champlain Basin’s water quality, fisheries, wetlands, wildlife, recreation, and cultural resources. The program works in partnership with federal agencies, state and provincial agencies from New York, Vermont, and Québec, local communities, businesses, and citizen groups. NEIWPCC—a regional commission that helps the states of the Northeast preserve and advance water quality—serves as the primary program administrator of LCBP at the request of the Lake Champlain Steering Committee and administers the program’s personnel and finances. LCBP is a program partner of NEIWPCC. For further information, contact the Lake Champlain Basin Program, 54 West Shore Road, Grand Isle, VT at (802) 372-3213 / (800) 468-5227 or visit www.lcbp.org.
