Freshwater algae control grant program

Toxic algae blooms can make people, pets, and livestock sick. We offer a funding program to address problem blooms. The Freshwater Algae Program (FAP) has an annual funding cycle for projects to manage toxic algae blooms (cyanobacteria).

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Funding cycle

Amount of funding available: $100,000 to $200,000
Grant award limit: The maximum grant amount for freshwater algae program grants is $50,000.
Amount of matching funds required: Ecology no longer requires grant recipients to provide matching funds for these grants.

Applications are not being accepted at this time.

Applications for state fiscal year 2028 must be submitted before 5 p.m. sharp on Dec. 17, 2026.

Applications open: Oct. 15, 2026, 8 a.m.

Applications close: Dec. 17, 2026, 5 p.m.

Use the application prep tool to organize and prepare application responses.

Funding cycle timeline

Date	Activity
Oct. 15, 2026	Application opens
Dec. 17, 2026	Application closes
Dec. 17 – Feb. 28, 2027	Application screening and evaluation
Late Feb. – early March 2027	Draft offer list released
July 1, 2027	Final offer list released
July – Dec. 2027	Negotiations and agreement development

Funding is available for the following entities:

Counties and cities
Special purpose districts
State agencies
Tribes

Eligible activities include, but are not limited to:

Lake Cyanobacteria Management Plan development
Cyanobacteria control and management
Cyanobacteria research or pilot projects
Cyanobacteria monitoring programs
Nutrient reduction activities
Education and outreach

Priority is given to lakes that have had harmful freshwater algae blooms in the past three years.

More information about this funding program

State fiscal year 2028 funding guidelines

State fiscal year 2028 scoring criteria updates:

The application scoring criteria was updated to improve clarity and consistency for both grant applicants and evaluators to award high-priority freshwater algae projects.

Criteria Categories	Total Points
1 Scope of Work	30
2 Task Costs and Budget	25
3 Project Planning and Schedule	25
4 Project Team and Local Support	20
5 Water Quality and Public Health Improvements	100
Total	200

Past grant recipients

Contact information

Joseph Teresi
Freshwater Algae & Aquatic Invasive Plant Grants Manager
joseph.teresi@ecy.wa.gov

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