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2025 Proposal & Funding Process - Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund

2025 Proposal & Funding Process

2025 Project Recommendations

As of July 31, 2024, the Legislative‐Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) has selected 125 projects totaling $103,326,000 to recommend to the 2025 Minnesota Legislature for funding from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF). In response to LCCMR’s 2025 Request for Proposal (RFP), 214 proposals requesting a total of approximately $183 million were received and considered through a competitive, multi‐stage evaluation. The following recommendations range from funding the full proposal and dollar amount requested to partial funding for specific proposal elements.

2025 ENRTF Recommendations Summary and Process

2025 Proposals Selected for Presentations

For the FY 2025 and FY 2026 biennium (July 1, 2024 ‐ June 30, 2026), approximately $100 million is available each year for funding from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund. As of March 27, 2024, the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) received 214 proposals requesting a total of $183,149,000 million. This RFP process is for funding beginning July 1, 2025.

LCCMR reviews and evaluates all proposals against their 10 adopted evaluation criteria. On June 10, members selected 126 proposals totaling approximately $125 million to invite for presentation before the LCCMR on June 20-21 and June 26-28 in order to receive further consideration. On July 31, the LCCMR will meet to make final selection and funding allocation decisions. In late 2024, the commission will meet to approve appropriation bill language for these projects that will be presented to the 2025 Minnesota Legislature as the official LCCMR recommendations for spending from the ENRTF.

Proposals Selected for Presentations Summary and Process

2025 Proposals Received

As of March 27, 2024, the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) received 214 proposals requesting a total of $183,149,000. The amount available for appropriation from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF) is approximately $90 million. This RFP process is for FY 2026 funds that become available beginning July 1, 2025.

LCCMR reviews and evaluates all proposals against their 10 adopted evaluation criteria. On June 10, members will select a subset of high-ranking proposals to invite for presentation before the LCCMR on June 20-21 & 26-28 in order to receive further consideration. On July 31, the LCCMR will meet to make final selection and funding allocation decisions. In late 2024, the commission will meet to approve appropriation bill language for these projects that will be presented to the 2025 Minnesota Legislature as the official LCCMR recommendations for spending from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund.

Proposals Received Summary and Process

2025 Request for Proposal (RFP)

The 2025 Request for Proposal is closed as of March 27, 2024 at 4:30 PM. Applicants will receive a confirmation email from the online system upon submission. LCCMR staff will also send an email to all applicants before April 5, 2024 to confirm receipt.

The LCCMR's 2025 Request for Proposal (RFP) for funding from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund was issued on January 3, 2024. Approximately $90 million is available from the lottery-generated fund through this RFP for projects beginning July 1, 2025.

2025 RFP LCCMR Proposal and Grant Management System

We will update this page if any changes are made to our proposal or process. Subscribe to our email list to have updates about any changes delivered to your inbox.

Frequently Asked Questions

Jump to: Q1,   Q2,   Q3,   Q4,   Q5,   Q6,   Q7,   Q8, or   Q9

  1. Who should create the proposal in the LCCMR Proposal and Grant Management System?
    While online collaboration is possible, it is critical that the person who will submit the proposal is the person who initially creates the proposal in the LCCMR Proposal and Grant Management System.

  2. Can I work with other people on my proposal?
    Yes. Once you have started your proposal within the LCCMR Proposal and Grant Management System, you can collaborate with others on your proposal by clicking the “Select Action” box and choosing the “Delegate Access” function. Collaborators must register within the system first. Collaborators may edit the proposal but do not have the ability to submit the proposal. Therefore, please make sure whomever starts the proposal is the project manager and is authorized to submit the proposal. We do not recommend that more than one user edit the proposal at the same time.

  3. How does the proposal submission system work? How will I know what to do?
    The LCCMR Proposal and Grant Management System contains instructions, drop-down menus, and help bubbles that will guide you through the submission process and answer many of your questions. Please take some time to review all the information on the proposal screens. We strongly encourage proposers get registered in the system as soon as possible.

  4. Can you provide a quick overview of proposal contents before I register for an account?
    For your planning purposes only, we are providing PDFs of sample proposals that indicate the information you will be asked to submit. Please do not use these forms for your submission. In many cases, answers must be selected from an online drop-down menu. We will only accept proposals that have been entered into the system.

  5. Can I fill out a Word document and Excel file like in previous years? Can I fill out the PDF provided on your website?
    The LCCMR will only be accepting proposals submitted through the Proposal and Grant Management System. In many cases, answers must be selected from an online drop-down menu. No proposals formatted as PDFs, Word, or Excel files will be accepted. The PDF on the website is for reference purposes only. If you need assistance, please contact staff immediately.

  6. NEW - Have the proposal requirements changed this year?
    Yes, there are several new and revised requirements:
    • Non-state entities, including federal agencies, must use this board resolution or authorization letter template for securing resolutions or letters authorizing proposal submission.
    • University of Minnesota proposals no longer need to fill out the fiscal agent section; instead, an authorization letter from SPA must be provided. SPA can use its own form and does not need to use the LCCMR template provided.
    • If you have an external fiscal agent for your project, you must use this fiscal agent resolution or authorization letter template for securing a commitment from the fiscal agent’s governing board.
    • A pre-award financial capacity assessment is required for all non-profit organizations, for-profit business entities, and political subdivisions. Additional financial documentation is required as part of the proposal (see page 6 of the 2025 RFP)
    • If you are seeking funds for pre-design, design, construction, or renovation of a building, trail, campground, or other long- lived (10 years or more) fixed asset costing $10,000 or more, including largescale stream or wetland restorations, or land acquisition for the purpose of capital construction (“capital construction project”):
      • You must read and understand the ENRTF Capital Construction Project Requirements (updated 1/17/24) regarding match and other requirements.
      • A 25% non-ENRTF match is required. The match does not need to be secure at the time of proposal submission, however a plan to secure full funding must be demonstrated in your proposal.
      • You may need to consult with the B3 Program prior to proposal submission as part of required compliance with state sustainable building and energy guidelines.
      • You must complete this questionnaire (updated 1/17/24) and budget addendum before starting your proposal. The completed forms must be uploaded on the attachment page prior to proposal submission.
      • Non-state entities will need to include in their board resolution or authorization letter a commitment to fund operations and maintenance for the completed project, the language for which is included in the above template.

  7. Who can I contact with questions?
    If you have questions about the various fields within the LCCMR Proposal and Grant Management System, please first consult the “read me” help bubbles and any drop-down options for fields within the system. If you continue to need assistance or have other questions, please email LCCMR staff with details about your inquiry.

  8. Can I print my proposal?
    You can print out your draft proposal at any time from the LCCMR Proposal and Grant Management System. While viewing the proposal, click on the “Select Action” box and choose “Generate Report (Word Doc)”. You can also print the final version that you submit by following the same steps.

  9. Can I meet with LCCMR staff to discuss my proposal?
    All timeslots for proposal review by LCCMR staff have been filled. LCCMR staff are no longer scheduling meetings to review draft proposals prior to submission.

2025 Proposal and Appropriation Timeline

The expected proposal and funding process timeline for the 2025 RFP is detailed below. Check the LCCMR meeting schedule for the most up-to-date information on important process dates.

DATE RANGE ACTIVITY or EVENT
December 7, 2023 Funding priorities determined and 2025 RFP adopted.
January 3, 2024 2025 RFP issued.
March 27, 2024 Final submission deadline for proposals responding to 2025 RFP.
Early May 2024 All submitted proposals distributed to LCCMR members for review, evaluation, and ranking.
June 10, 2024 A subset of high-ranking proposals selected for further consideration and invited to give presentations before the LCCMR.
June 20-21, 2024
June 26-28, 2024
Selected proposals present before the LCCMR.
July 31, 2024
Subset of proposals selected for recommendation to the Legislature for funding.
August - November 2024 Projects recommended for funding begin submitting work plans for LCCMR staff review, and research projects recommended for funding undergo peer review.
December 4, 2024 Funding recommendations are adopted by the LCCMR in legislative bill format, as they will be presented to the Legislature.
January - May 2025

LCCMR recommendations presented to the Legislature for consideration via introduction as an appropriations bill.

Bill is considered and acted upon by the Minnesota House and Senate.

Upon passage, the bill goes before the governor to be signed into law.

June 2025 LCCMR approves work plans for projects funded.
July 2025 Minnesota DNR sends grant agreements to non-state agencies receiving ENRTF funds.
July 1, 2025 Money from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund becomes available for expenditure, and projects with an approved work plan may begin.