F26AS00083 Aquatic Invasive Species Grants to Great Lakes States - Fiscal Year 2026 Great Lakes Restoration Initiative

The Aquatic Invasive Species Grants to Great Lakes States program is administered by the U.S. Department of the Interior through the Fish and Wildlife Service as part of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. This federal funding opportunity is designed to support state-led efforts to address aquatic invasive species within the Great Lakes Basin, a region of significant ecological and economic importance. The program builds on federally appropriated funds and coordinated interagency strategies to reduce the introduction, spread, and impact of invasive species that threaten native ecosystems, water infrastructure, and regional industries. The primary purpose of this grant program is to fund the implementation of approved State Aquatic Invasive Species Management Plans. These plans are developed by state environmental or natural resource agencies, submitted by state governors, and approved by the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force. The funded activities are expected to align with these plans and contribute meaningfully to prevention, early detection, rapid response, containment, and control of invasive species. Projects must either occur within the Great Lakes Basin or demonstrate a clear and substantial connection to preventing invasive species transfer into the basin. Funding may be used for a wide range of implementation activities including monitoring, outreach, inspection programs, enforcement, and ecological interventions. Special provisions apply to certain activities such as invasive carp work, which must already be vetted through a separate federal coordination process. Projects are funded through either grants or cooperative agreements, with cooperative agreements involving substantial federal participation. The anticipated total program funding is over three million dollars, with individual awards ranging from one hundred thousand to six hundred thousand dollars. No cost sharing or matching requirement is imposed. Eligibility for this opportunity is restricted to Great Lakes states, specifically through their primary state natural resource agencies. However, those agencies may designate another entity of any type to apply on their behalf. Only one application per state is expected. Applicants must complete required federal registrations, including SAM.gov and GrantSolutions, and adhere to federal compliance standards. The submission process is structured in two phases: an initial pre-proposal submitted via email, followed by a full proposal submitted through GrantSolutions upon invitation and funding determination. The application requires detailed documentation including a project narrative, budget narrative, environmental compliance information, and standard federal forms. The project narrative must include clear objectives, justification, methods, timelines, and evaluation plans. Proposals are evaluated based on criteria such as interagency collaboration, impact on invasive species pathways, scientific rigor, sustainability, and applicant qualifications. A merit review panel assesses submissions and ranks them to determine funding allocations, which may be adjusted based on available funds and project tiering. The application timeline begins with the posting of the funding opportunity, followed by a pre-proposal deadline set at 60 days after posting. Full proposals are due within 60 days of notification of funding levels. Awards are expected to be announced by the end of the calendar year, with an anticipated project period running from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2028. The program does not explicitly state recurrence but is part of an ongoing federal initiative. Applicants are encouraged to contact the program officer for clarification and support during the application process.

Focus on strong interagency collaboration, demonstrate measurable ecological impact, align clearly with State AIS Plans, and provide detailed timelines and evaluation metrics