Tribal Great Lakes Restoration Initiative

The BIA Tribal GLRI Program offers financial support to Great Lakes Tribes, enabling them to carry out a wide range of projects aimed at protecting, enhancing, and restoring the Great Lakes ecosystem. Through this program, Tribes receive resources to

The Tribal Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) has helped strengthen the ability of Tribal Nations to take part in shared decision making about Great Lakes resources. This support ensures that Tribes have the tools, funding, and opportunities needed to participate meaningfully when governments work together to manage and protect the basin. GLRI investments have also expanded community education and awareness, helping Tribal Nations share cultural teachings, subsistence practices, and traditional knowledge with Tribal youth and neighboring communities. The program provides dedicated funding for Tribal Nations to carry out their own priorities for restoring and protecting the Great Lakes. Tribes can implement projects that safeguard important species, strengthen Tribal lifeways, and uphold treaty reserved rights. The program supports a true government to government relationship, giving Tribes the flexibility to design and lead projects that best serve their communities and their lands. The program supports both Tribal capacity and on the ground restoration work. It funds the staff, training, and resources needed for long-term Tribal environmental programs, while also supporting projects that restore habitats, improve water quality, and protect species that are central to Tribal culture. This approach ensures that Tribal Nations are equipped not only to respond to today's environmental challenges but also to maintain their stewardship roles for future generations. The program continues to advance Tribal led stewardship, protect important resources, and support the health of the Great Lakes for generations to come.

Federally-recognized Indian Tribes and Native American Organizations authorized by Indian tribal governments

Federally-recognized Indian Tribes and Native American Organizations authorized by Indian tribal governments

This funding opportunity under the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative will be used to address tribal priorities for the Great Lakes Basin ecosystem and fall into five major focus areas: • Toxic substances and Areas of Concern, including pollution prevention and cleanup of polluted areas in the Great Lakes • Invasive species, including efforts to institute "zero tolerance policy" towards new invasions • Nonpoint source pollution impacts on nearshore health, including a targeted geographic focus on high priority watersheds and reducing polluted runoff from urban and agricultural sources • Habitat and fish and wildlife species protection, restoration, and enhancement, including removing barriers to fish passage and targeted protection and restoration of native and endangered species and their habitats in the Great Lakes • Foundations for future restoration actions, incorporating climate resiliency, education, and adaptive management to enhance accountability and provide science-based decision making to assess the overall health of the Great Lakes ecosystem and target significant remaining problems

Awards are made on an annual basis and the funds remain available until expended by the grantee. The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative places restrictions on the time permitted to spend the funds awarded.

Pre-application coordination is program specific. Technical assistance is available from the program to aid applicants in fulfilling pre-application requirements. Coordinate with GLRI Biologist or the Midwest Regional Fish and Wildlife Biologist.

Program criteria are specified in the announcements for the individual program request for proposals.

Program requirements are specified in the announcement of the request for proposals. Applications are to be submitted to the BIA GLRI biologist at the Great Lakes Agency office. Contact the Great Lakes Agency office or the BIA Midwest Regional Office, as appropriate.

Financial assistance is in the form of non-recurring awards appropriated for projects on a year-by-year basis. They are not intended to provide perennial support for tribal programs.