Bikes Belong, a national organization that promotes more bicycling, is accepting applications until May 24 for Community Partnership Grants, which are designed to foster and support partnerships between local governments, nonprofit organizations, and local businesses working to improve the environment for bicycling.

Grants of up to $10,000 will be awarded to fund the construction or expansion of bicycle facilities such as bike lanes trails, and paths. The grants committee also will consider advocacy projects that promote bicycling as a safe and accessible mode of transportation.

To be eligible for a grant, a partnership must include collaboration between at least one city/county government office or department; one nonprofit organization with a mission specific to bicycling, trails, or recreation; and one local business.

Luke Forrest is a Project Coordinator for the Michigan Municipal League. Contact him via email or Twitter. 

The Michigan Coastal Zone Management Program provides grant funds to our coastal communities and partners to assist in the development of vibrant and resilient coastal communities through the protection and restoration of our sensitive coastal resources and biologically diverse ecosystems.  This RFP seeks projects that further the MCZMP objectives of protecting and restoring healthy coastal ecosystems, including fish and wildlife habitat; creating and enhancing public access to the Great Lakes and coastal resources; preserving historic maritime structures; revitalizing urban waterfronts; minimizing the loss of life and property in areas vulnerable to coastal hazards including erosion, floods, and rip currents; conducting research related to the potential impacts of climate change on Great Lakes coastal wetlands; conducting wind energy planning to limit impacts to wildlife, fisheries, and coastal and offshore habitats; and increasing recreational opportunities along Michigan's Great Lakes coast.

Grants are available in amounts up to $100,000 and require a 1:1 local match. Applications are due March 29. Find the full RFP and other information here.

Luke Forrest is Project Coordinator with the Center for 21st Century Communities. Contact him via email or Twitter.

Funding is available through the Michigan Community Pollution Prevention (P2) Grant Program for the development of ongoing household drug collection programs. These programs should include strategies and projects that promote environmental stewardship and awareness through the collection and incineration of unused household medications. The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) will provide matching grants to non-profit organizations, local and tribal governments, local health departments, municipalities, and regional planning agencies to fund drug collection programs.

Evidence of pharmaceutical waste has been detected in groundwater and drinking water in the Great Lakes region. The technologies and equipment required to remove these compounds from drinking and waste water are expensive and are currently not widely deployed by communities. Successful drug collection programs will prevent pharmaceutical waste from being released into and accumulating in the environment and reduce the incidence of abuse of prescription drugs. The purpose of these grants is to increase public access to free, convenient, safe and environmentally optimal drug collection programs, and to foster the development of successful models and approaches that can be implemented in other areas of the state.

A total of $250,000 in funding is available. A match requirement of at least 25 percent has been established by law. Applications are due March 30. More details available at the MDEQ website.

Luke Forrest is Project Coordinator for the Green Communities Challenge. Contact him by email or follow him on Twitter.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency expects to award between $1.8 to $3.8 million in funding for projects across the country to help restore urban waters by improving water quality and supporting community revitalization. EPA will host webinars about this opportunity December 14 and January 5.

The funding is part of EPA’s Urban Waters program, which supports communities in their efforts to access, improve, and benefit from their urban waters and the surrounding land.  Healthy and accessible urban waters can help grow local businesses and enhance educational, recreational and employment opportunities in nearby communities. The goal of the Urban Waters Small Grants program is to fund studies, training, and demonstration projects that will advance the restoration of urban waters by improving water quality through activities that also support community revitalization and other local priorities such as public health, social and economic opportunities, general livability and environmental justice for residents.

Examples of projects eligible for funding include: education and training, water quality monitoring, watershed plans and innovative water quality projects. Information about Urban Waters Small Grants including the Request for Proposal (RFP) and registration links for the webinars is available at http://www.epa.gov/urbanwaters/funding. EPA expects to award the grants in Summer 2012. Deadline for submitting proposals:  January 23, 2012.