F26AS00104 State ANS Management Plan 2026

The State Aquatic Nuisance Species Management Plan Grant Program is administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service within the Department of the Interior. This program operates under the authority of the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990, which established a coordinated federal framework to address the growing threat of invasive aquatic species. The funding opportunity is designed to support state-led implementation of approved Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) Management Plans, which are formally reviewed and approved by the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force. These plans are the result of extensive, multi-stage collaboration between federal and state agencies and serve as the foundation for all funded activities. The primary purpose of this grant program is to provide financial assistance to states, territories, and certain interstate organizations to implement their approved ANS management plans. These plans include strategies and actions aimed at preventing the introduction and spread of invasive aquatic species, mitigating their environmental and economic impacts, and supporting national coordination efforts. Activities funded under this program may include prevention efforts, monitoring, early detection, rapid response planning, and public outreach initiatives. While not mandatory, applicants are encouraged to incorporate early detection and rapid response frameworks aligned with national guidance. Funding is distributed across eligible applicants with the intent of maintaining relative parity among participating states. While estimated award ranges are provided, actual funding amounts depend on the number of approved applicants and requested budgets. The program includes a required cost share of 25 percent of total project costs, and administrative expenses are capped at 5 percent of the total award. Applicants may use allowable indirect costs to meet part or all of the match requirement, provided these costs comply with federal regulations. Eligibility for this funding opportunity is strictly limited to state governments, territories, and certain interstate entities that have an ANS Management Plan approved by the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force. Only entities representing one of the currently approved plans may apply, and these are typically state-level environmental or natural resource agencies. Applicants must have prior coordination with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Aquatic Invasive Species Program and must meet all cost-sharing and administrative requirements. The application process consists of two stages. First, applicants must submit a pre-proposal outside of the GrantSolutions system. This pre-proposal includes a program narrative, budget summary, prioritization of activities, and a timeline for implementation. Following approval of the pre-proposal, applicants are invited to submit a full application through GrantSolutions, including detailed forms such as SF-424, budget documentation, and a comprehensive project narrative. Applications must clearly demonstrate alignment with the approved ANS plan and provide sufficient detail for compliance and budget review. Key deadlines structure the application process. Pre-proposals are due in late July, followed by full application submission in mid-October, even though the official closing date extends into December. This staggered timeline allows for iterative review and revision. Awards are anticipated to begin at the start of the following calendar year, with a project period extending approximately two years. Recipients are required to adhere to federal reporting requirements, including financial and performance reporting, and must demonstrate effective and compliant use of funds throughout the award period. Program evaluation does not rely on traditional merit review criteria, as the core program plans have already undergone rigorous approval processes. Instead, applications are reviewed for completeness, eligibility, budget accuracy, and alignment with program goals. Additional review ensures no duplication of effort and compliance with federal policies. Applicants are encouraged to maintain communication with designated regional coordinators throughout the process to ensure alignment and successful submission.

Ensure alignment with approved ANS plan; clearly justify budget; meet 25 percent cost share; limit administrative costs to 5 percent; provide detailed activity descriptions