Gulf Hypoxia Program (GHP) Priority Watershed Implementation Grants

Gulf Hypoxia Program (GHP) Priority Watershed Implementation Grants are available to individuals, small businesses, others, government organizations, education organizations, nonprofit organizations, for-profit organizations, etc., to implement edge-of-field control projects to prevent, eliminate, or reduce nitrate loads to Illinois’ surface waters that serve as public water supply sources. 

Illinois EPA has $788,000 in funding for the GHP Priority Watershed Implementation Grants Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).  There is no maximum or minimum grant award amount. 

Best Management Practices (BMPs) that are eligible for this funding include the following edge-of-field agricultural practices:

• Denitrifying Bioreactor (CP 605)
• Saturated Buffer; and (CP 604)
• Constructed Wetlands (CP 656)

Applicants must apply for a grant through the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act (GATA) Portal at https://grants.illinois.gov/portal/. The GHP Priority Watershed Implementation Grants Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) was posted on June 6, 2025.

Beginning July 1, 2025, applications will be accepted on a rolling basis; those received by the 15th of each month will be reviewed and scored. Applications meeting all eligibility criteria will be reviewed based on the date the application was submitted. Grants will be awarded until all funds are expended or until January 1, 2027, whichever comes first.

Illinois EPA receives the GHP funds from U.S. EPA and administers the program within Illinois. The GHP may provide up to 80 percent of the approved Project costs. The remainder, 20 percent, is the responsibility of the Grantee and constitutes the match. The program period is two years unless otherwise approved. This is a reimbursement program.

Through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s GHP, Hypoxia Task Force member states, including Illinois, will have additional resources to make significant progress toward reducing nutrient loads. These efforts will improve water quality in the Gulf and throughout the Mississippi River/Atchafalaya River Basin and track the results. Through improved water quality, communities across the basin will benefit from safer drinking water, protected fisheries, and a more stable economy. Partnerships will provide farmers and urban communities with a more resilient landscape and improved local water quality as they have the support they need to implement watershed plans and expand business plans to include conservation systems.

If you have any questions regarding the program or application, contact:  

Illinois Environmental Protection Agency
Bureau of Water
Watershed Management Section
217-782-3362
epa.bowgrants@illinois.gov