Start Up Grant

The Volunteer Stream Monitoring Program Startup Grant is a funding opportunity under the Michigan Clean Water Corps (MiCorps), administered through a partnership between the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), Michigan State University (MSU), and the Huron River Watershed Council (HRWC). The program aims to support the development of new volunteer-based monitoring initiatives focused on aquatic macroinvertebrate and stream habitat health across the state of Michigan. These startup grants are particularly intended for organizations that are new to MiCorps protocols and wish to build foundational capacity for future participation in MiCorps Implementation Grants. The primary goal of the Startup Grant is to provide initial funding and support to eligible nonprofit organizations, local governments, and federally recognized Tribes in Michigan. These groups can use the funds to familiarize themselves with MiCorps protocols, participate in official training events, conduct pilot monitoring activities, and build a base of volunteer participants. The grant fosters a “train-the-trainer” approach, where MiCorps staff trains organizational staff, who in turn engage and train community volunteers for stream monitoring practices. Eligible uses of the grant include attending MiCorps stream training sessions, participating in macroinvertebrate monitoring events hosted by other organizations, purchasing essential starter equipment, hosting pilot/mock events, and covering staff time and travel. These activities are intended to culminate in a deeper understanding of MiCorps’ requirements and standards. The maximum award per grantee is $5,000, and approximately $15,000 is available for Startup Grants out of the $75,000 total funding allocated for all VSMP aquatic macroinvertebrate grants for fiscal year 2026/2027. Funding is provided on a reimbursement basis, and there is no match requirement. Eligible applicants must be either a federally recognized Tribe, a local unit of Michigan government (such as a county, city, or township), or a nonprofit organization such as a 501(c)(3), watershed council, university, or regional planning agency. Entities that have failed to manage previous grants properly within the last 24 months or lack a recent successful financial audit are ineligible unless partnered with a compliant organization. For-profit organizations, state and federal agencies, and individual applicants are not eligible. River cleanup, restoration efforts, and projects led solely by school programs are also ineligible. Applications are due via email by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on March 6, 2026, and must include a compiled narrative PDF and a separate Excel budget spreadsheet. The narrative must cover project overview, watershed/site description, organization and partner info, volunteer recruitment plans, required tasks and timeline, resume or CV of key personnel, and a recent audit letter. Optional components include letters of support and early Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) work, though QAPP is not required at this stage. The grant period will run from June 2026 to June 2027. Proposals will be evaluated based on the clarity of project goals, alignment with required tasks, priority of the watershed, budget reasonableness, and potential for long-term program continuation. Awards are expected to be announced in May 2026, and recipients will be required to submit progress and final reports. Dr. Paul Steen of the Huron River Watershed Council serves as the program contact and project officer and may be consulted before application submission.

Clearly outline how volunteers will be trained and involved; Complete all required timeline tasks; Contact Dr. Steen for clarifications before submitting.