The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) is accepting FY2027 Watershed Council Support proposals for watershed-based administration, conservation, capacity-building, equipment, outreach, and educational work related to Michigan natural resources.
Funding
EGLE has $300,000 available through this RFP. There is no minimum request and the maximum request is $40,000. No local match is required. Projects are generally expected to run for 12 months beginning in spring 2027.
Deadline and submission
Complete proposal packages must be emailed to EGLE-NPSGrants@Michigan.gov by October 7, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. The controlling RFP does not state a time zone, so applicants should not infer one. Faxed and mailed proposals are not accepted.
Eligibility
Eligible applicants include watershed councils and watershed alliances established under Michigan law, local units of government, Tribal entities, colleges, universities, and 501(c)(3) organizations working to improve water quality. Applicants must be in good standing with EGLE programs, not be federally debarred, meet the RFP integrity requirements, and be registered as a vendor in Michigan SIGMA.
Eligible work
Eligible activities include organizational administration and support, conservation and educational activities related to Michigan natural resources, capacity building and staff training, equipment and supplies supporting water-quality efforts, proposal development, watershed-planning work, and environmental education and outreach materials. Projects involving monitoring or physical best-management practices have additional EGLE quality-assurance, design, permit, and review requirements.
Application package
Applicants must use the current FY2027 RFP materials, including the signed Watershed Council Cover Page EQP9385 and Budget Form EQP9290, along with the required project description, work plan, timetable, and applicable maps, graphics, photographs, and monitoring information. The RFP specifically instructs applicants not to use prior-year or other-program forms.
Atlas fit
This is a legitimate education and community-capacity opportunity for Michigan organizations whose proposed work centers on environmental education, watershed stewardship, water quality, or related public learning. It is not a healthcare or clinical-technology grant, so the internal N9+ Fit Score is 0/100. Dr. Miltie, LLC is not an eligible prime applicant because for-profit entities are not listed as eligible applicants, although ineligible entities may in some cases participate as project partners or subcontractors to eligible grantees.