OIA Brown Treesnake Program 2026

The Office of Insular Affairs (OIA), within the U.S. Department of the Interior, administers the Brown Treesnake Control Program to address the ecological and economic threats posed by the invasive brown treesnake population in Guam. This funding opportunity seeks to support coordinated efforts among federal, territorial, and regional partners to prevent further spread of the species and mitigate its impacts. The program aligns with federal priorities related to environmental protection, infrastructure resilience, and regional stability, particularly in U.S. Pacific territories and affiliated regions. The primary purpose of this grant program is to fund projects that prevent the migration of the brown treesnake from Guam to other U.S. jurisdictions, suppress and control its population on Guam, and support long-term eradication capabilities. The program also aims to reduce risks associated with power outages caused by snake interference and restore native ecosystems affected by the invasive species. Priority areas include interdiction at transportation hubs, rapid response capabilities in high-risk regions, and development of advanced suppression technologies such as drones or artificial intelligence tools. Funding under this program supports a wide range of activities, including operational interdiction at ports, rapid response team training, ecological restoration efforts, and research and development of new tools for snake control. Infrastructure-related components are subject to Buy America requirements where applicable. Costs must comply with federal cost principles outlined in 2 CFR 200, and all funded activities must align with applicable executive orders and departmental directives. There is no cost-sharing requirement for applicants. Eligibility for this funding opportunity is restricted to members and active participants of the Brown Treesnake Technical Working Group. This includes representatives from the governments of Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and relevant federal agencies. Applicants must comply with federal registration requirements, including obtaining a Unique Entity Identifier and maintaining an active SAM.gov registration. Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov, and applicants are encouraged to begin registration processes early due to potential delays. The application process requires submission of standard federal forms such as SF-424 and associated budget forms, along with a detailed project narrative not exceeding 10 pages. The narrative must address project goals, methodology, expected outcomes, performance metrics, and alignment with program priorities. Additional required components include a project abstract, budget narrative, audit documentation or financial capacity responses, and various compliance statements. Optional materials such as letters of support may enhance competitiveness. Applications are evaluated through a multi-step review process including eligibility screening, merit review, and risk assessment. Scoring criteria prioritize high-impact interdiction and suppression projects, clarity and completeness of the project narrative, and the strength of the proposed budget. Final award decisions consider factors such as geographic distribution, funding availability, and alignment with administrative priorities. The anticipated decision deadline is September 30, 2026, with project performance expected to begin October 1, 2026 and extend through September 30, 2029. The application deadline for this funding opportunity is June 8, 2026 at 5:00 PM Eastern Time. Applications must be submitted electronically via Grants.gov unless prior approval for alternative submission is granted. Questions regarding the program may be directed to Hailey McCoy at Hailey_McCoy@ios.doi.gov.

Align project with interdiction and suppression priorities; provide clear measurable performance metrics; ensure budget justification is detailed and compliant; include strong narrative and optional letters of support for scoring advantage