On July 13, 2026, the Alliance for the Great Lakes announced the new Community Partnerships Grant Program – Southern Lake Michigan to support the goals of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. The new program will award a total of $1,125,000 in 2026 for projects that will reduce pollution, control invasive species, and restore lands and waters for communities within the Southern Lake Michigan Watershed. Letters of intent are due by September 4, 2026.
“This program is a pivotal initiative that aligns local priorities in northeastern Illinois and northwestern Indiana with the overarching goals of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative,” said EPA Great Lakes National Program Director Teresa Seidel. “By providing grant funding directly into the hands of communities, we are empowering them to tackle critical environmental challenges and ensure their projects not only succeed but also have lasting impacts on the health and vitality of the Great Lakes region.”
To learn more and submit your letter of intent, read the full Request for Applications: Community Partnerships Grant Program Request for Applications