F26AS00085 Aquatic Invasive Species Interjurisdictional Grants to the Great Lakes States and Tribes - Fiscal Year 2026 Great Lakes Restoration Initiative

The Aquatic Invasive Species Interjurisdictional Grants program is administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. This funding opportunity supports coordinated, multi-jurisdictional efforts to address aquatic invasive species across the Great Lakes Basin. The program is rooted in federal authority under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act and is designed to align with regional priorities identified by the Great Lakes Panel on Aquatic Nuisance Species. The initiative reflects a federal commitment to protecting ecological integrity, economic activity, and public resources tied to the Great Lakes. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to support action-oriented projects that prevent, detect, and manage aquatic invasive species. Projects must align with interstate Aquatic Invasive Species Management Plans and emphasize pathway intervention, early detection, and active prevention. Two categories of projects are eligible: sustaining projects, which continue previously funded efforts deemed regionally important, and new projects, which introduce innovative or previously unfunded approaches. Activities may occur within or near the Great Lakes Basin if they meaningfully contribute to preventing species transfer into the region. Funding is provided through grants or cooperative agreements, with substantial involvement from the federal agency expected in cooperative agreements. The total program funding is $923,809, with individual awards ranging from $20,000 up to the full program ceiling. There is no required cost sharing, although voluntary contributions may strengthen an application under review criteria. Allowable uses of funds include project implementation costs, monitoring, evaluation, and related administrative expenses that comply with federal cost principles. Eligibility is limited to Great Lakes state and tribal natural resource agencies, though these entities may designate another organization to apply on their behalf. This structure allows flexibility in project execution while maintaining accountability through state or tribal oversight. Projects must demonstrate regional collaboration and alignment with Great Lakes priorities, and invasive carp projects are only eligible if previously vetted through a separate regional coordination process. The application process involves a two-step submission. First, applicants must submit a pre-proposal via email, developed through collaboration within Great Lakes Panel committees. These pre-proposals are reviewed and ranked, after which selected applicants are invited to submit full proposals through GrantSolutions. Full applications require detailed project narratives, budgets, timelines, environmental compliance documentation, and evaluation plans. Required federal forms such as SF-424 and budget forms must also be included. Applications are evaluated through eligibility screening and a merit review process. The most significant evaluation factor is the level of support among Great Lakes states and tribes, followed by criteria assessing project impact, scientific rigor, sustainability, and implementation readiness. Projects are ranked and funded in descending order until funds are exhausted. If necessary, applicants may be asked to scale projects to fit available funding. The application deadline for full proposals is December 31, 2026, with pre-proposal deadlines occurring approximately 90 days after posting. Awards are anticipated to be made by the end of the calendar year, with project periods running from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2028. Applicants must maintain active registrations in SAM.gov and submit applications through GrantSolutions. Program inquiries can be directed to Nathan Evans via email or phone as listed in the funding announcement.

Emphasize strong multi-state and tribal support; align clearly with AIS pathway prevention priorities; provide measurable outcomes and detailed timelines; demonstrate scientific rigor and feasibility