The Lake Champlain Sea Grant (LCSG) program has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for research projects that support the Lake Champlain Basin. Researchers are invited to submit applications addressing focus areas including healthy coastal ecosystems, resilient communities, environmental literacy and workforce development, and sustainable fisheries and aquaculture. Approximately $900,000 in funding is available, with researchers eligible to apply for up to $100,000 for one-year projects or $200,000 for two-year projects. All proposals must include a 50% non-federal matching contribution.

This year’s RFP encourages proposals focused on climate change adaptation, flood resilience, water quality improvement, and habitat protection. Projects that integrate diverse knowledge systems, including Indigenous and local knowledge, and that consider environmental justice and economic resilience are highly encouraged. Additionally, LCSG prioritizes proposals with clear societal impacts and those that address the needs of underrepresented communities in the Lake Champlain Basin.

“Lake Champlain Sea Grant strives to fund research that makes a difference for the people and ecosystems of the basin,” said Anne Jefferson, LCSG Director. The program emphasizes fostering partnerships, addressing knowledge gaps, and engaging end users early in the research process. Researchers are encouraged to include outreach and engagement activities in their project budgets.

Eligible applicants include institutions of higher education, government agencies, nonprofits, and businesses conducting research in Vermont and New York’s Lake Champlain Basin. Letters of Intent are due by February 14, 2025, and full proposals by May 23, 2025. To assist applicants, LCSG will host a virtual Q&A session with the Director and Research Coordinator on Friday, December 6, 2024, from 1–2 PM. Interested participants must register in advance.

In parallel, the Vermont Water Resources and Lake Studies Center (VWRLSC) has announced a separate funding opportunity for water resource-related projects in Vermont. This program will fund one-year projects up to $50,000, focusing on issues related to water resources and is open exclusively to researchers from Vermont colleges and universities.

For further information or questions about either RFP, researchers can contact Gretchen Nareff. Both opportunities represent significant chances for researchers to contribute to the sustainability and resilience of Vermont’s waterways and the broader Lake Champlain Basin.