The Great Lakes Protection Fund is excited to announce our 2026 Request for Preproposals (RFP): A Call for People, Ideas, and Projects! We’re looking for projects that will launch new building blocks for the future of our region’s water use, improving our waters, communities, and economies. The Fund is seeking to invest $4M in new project activity in 2026. 

Here are three areas where the Fund believes project teams could make a transformative difference by designing and deploying new solutions that protect water resources:

• Demonstrating alternative uses for less productive agricultural land.
• Creating new operating models for high-water-use industries.
• Increasing regional capacity to address emerging contaminants.

Check out our RFP Guidance Document for more information about what we’re looking for and instructions on how to apply. Be sure to include our cover sheet in your application. The deadline for applications is March 18, 2026 at 5:00 pm CT.

You can also review Illustrative Projects and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) resources for additional information.