Great Lakes Biology Monitoring Program: Zooplankton, Mysis, and Benthic Invertebrate Components

This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) solicits applications from eligible entities for grants to be awarded pursuant to the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) Action Plan IV. The GreatLakes Biology Monitoring Program (GLBMP) fulfills EPA's statutory obligation specified in Clean Water Act Section 118(c)(B) to establish a Great Lakes system-wide surveillance network to monitor the water quality of the Great Lakes. The goals of the GLBMP are to (1) report on Great Lakes water quality and ecosystem condition using assessments of the lower food web (phytoplankton, chlorophyll, zooplankton, Mysis and benthic invertebrates) as indicators; (2) assess the impacts to the lower food web from invasive species including quagga mussels; and (3) inform fisheries and habitat management. The Great Lakes National Program Office (GLNPO) is requesting applications for a project to complete sample collection and analyses in support of the zooplankton, Mysis, and benthic invertebrate components of the GLBMP. The targeted audience for this funding opportunity is eligible entities listed below capable of analyzing zooplankton, Mysis, and benthic invertebrate community abundance and composition. The intended beneficiaries of the GLBMP are all those who live, recreate, or work within the Great Lakes basin.