2025 Request for Proposals
Closes at: May 2, 2025 at 4:30 PM EST

New York Sea Grant (NYSG), in partnership with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), is requesting proposals for projects that benefit both the environment and economy of New York’s Great Lakes basin. Funded projects should apply ecosystem-based management (EBM) principles to address local watershed challenges. This small grants program is made possible through the New York State Environmental Protection Fund and Article 14 of the Environmental Conservation Law.

NYSG is soliciting proposals for projects with a maximum total cost of $40,000. Eligible projects must support the goals of the Great Lakes Action Agenda (GLAA) and align with actions identified in locally supported community plans related to water quality, natural resources, or sustainable land use. Relevant plans may include, but are not limited to:

• Coastal Lakeshore Economy and Resiliency (CLEAR) Regional Plans
• Comprehensive Plans
• Harbor Management Plans
• Hazard Mitigation Plans
• Local Waterfront Revitalization Plans
• Natural Resource Management Plans
• Resilient NY flood mitigation studies
• Watershed Management Plans

It is anticipated that a total of $200,000 will be awarded to approximately 5 proposal requests.

How to Apply

1. Review the full Request for Proposals (RFP) – The RFP (PDF) provides complete details on eligibility, project requirements, and submission instructions. It is available in the Related Links box to the left.

2. Prepare your proposal – Follow the instructions outlined in the RFP. Use the required templates and forms, also available in the Related Links box to the left, including:

• Cover Sheet (docx)
• 90-4 Budget Form (xlsm)
• Subcontractor Commitment Form (pdf)

3. Submit your proposal – When ready, return to this page and click the Apply Now button.

Important: Proposals must be submitted through this portal before the deadline. Submissions via email or mail will not be accepted. Ensure your proposal meets all eligibility requirements, follows page limits, includes all nine required sections in the correct order, and is submitted as a single PDF file using the naming convention outlined in the RFP (see pages 3-5 for proposal format instructions). Proposal scoring criteria can be found within the RFP and further detailed in the Proposal Scoring Criteria document available in the Related Links box.