Gulf Hypoxia Program (GHP) Priority Watershed Implementation Grants
The Gulf Hypoxia Program Priority Watershed Implementation Grants fund Illinois watershed projects that use best management practices to reduce nitrate pollution and combat hypoxia, administered by the Illinois EPA.
Funder: Illinois Environmental Protection Agency
Due Dates: November 19, 2025 (Full application deadline, Round 2) | November 1, 2026 (Projected full application deadline)
Funding Amounts: ~$337,000 available per round; no minimum/maximum award; up to 80% of project costs covered; 2-year project period.
Summary: Supports projects in priority Illinois watersheds to reduce nitrate pollution and protect water supplies, aiming to combat nutrient-driven hypoxia.
Key Information: Only projects in specified priority watersheds and using approved BMPs are eligible.
Description
The Gulf Hypoxia Program (GHP) Priority Watershed Implementation Grants, administered by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA), fund projects that implement edge-of-field controls to prevent, eliminate, or reduce nitrate loads in Illinois surface waters—especially those serving as public water supply sources. The program's primary goal is to decrease nutrient loading that contributes to hypoxia in downstream waters, such as the Gulf of Mexico, while safeguarding local drinking water resources. Projects must be located in designated priority watersheds and utilize specific, approved best management practices (BMPs).
