Funder: Fish and Wildlife Service
Due Dates: June 15, 2025 (Pre-proposals) | December 31, 2025 (Full proposals, by invitation)
Funding Amounts: Up to $800,000 per award; total program funding $3,799,000; project period up to 2 years
Summary: Supports Great Lakes states in implementing approved Aquatic Invasive Species Management Plans to prevent and control AIS in the Great Lakes Basin.
Key Information: Only one application per Great Lakes state (or designee); invasive carp work must be pre-approved through the ICRCC process.
Description
This opportunity provides funding to support the implementation of state-level Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Management Plans within the Great Lakes Basin. The program, funded through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) and administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), aims to prevent the introduction and spread of aquatic invasive species in the Great Lakes and surrounding lands. Eligible projects must align with approved state AIS plans and demonstrate substantial benefit to the Great Lakes Basin, including prevention, early detection, rapid response, and control activities.
Due Dates
- Pre-proposals: Due by June 15, 2025 (60 days after NOFO posting). Submit via email to fws3_fisheries_grants@fws.gov.
- Full proposals: Due within 60 days of email notification of approved funding level (typically by December 31, 2025). Submission is by invitation only, via GrantSolutions.
Funding Amount
- Award Ceiling: $800,000 per project
- Award Floor: $100,000 per project
- Estimated Total Program Funding: $3,799,000
- Expected Number of Awards: ~8
- Project Duration: Up to 2 years (anticipated start: October 1, 2025; end: September 30, 2027)
- Cost Sharing: Not required
Eligibility
- Eligible Applicants: Only the primary state natural resource agency in each Great Lakes state may apply, but may designate another entity (of any type) to apply on their behalf.
- Geographic Scope: Projects must be within the Great Lakes Basin or close enough to contribute substantially to AIS prevention/control in the Basin.
- Special Note: Invasive carp projects are only eligible if pre-approved and vetted through the Invasive Carp Regional Coordinating Committee (ICRCC) Action Plan process.
Application Process
Pre-proposal Stage
- Submit a pre-proposal (project narrative and budget narrative) by email.
- Pre-proposals are ranked; applicants are notified of approved funding levels.
Full Proposal Stage
- By invitation only, submit a full proposal via GrantSolutions within 60 days of notification.
- Required documents include:
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- SF-424A or SF-424C (Budget forms)
- Project Narrative (≤25 pages)
- Budget Narrative
- Project Abstract Summary
- Environmental compliance documentation (e.g., Section 7 Biological Evaluation)
- Other standard federal forms as applicable
Review Criteria
- Interagency/inter-organizational collaboration
- Potential to address AIS vectors, early detection, rapid response, containment, and control
- Long-term sustainability
- Scientific rationale and project design
- Assessment and monitoring plans
- Qualifications of personnel
- Timeliness of project implementation
Additional Information
- No cost sharing or matching is required.
- Indirect costs: De minimis rate (up to 15%) or negotiated rate may be used.
- Reporting: Semi-annual and final performance and financial reports are required.
- Environmental compliance: Applicants must provide sufficient detail for review under the Endangered Species Act, NEPA, and National Historic Preservation Act.
- Overlap/duplication: Applicants must disclose any overlap with other federal proposals or awards.
External Links
Contact Information
For general inquiries, see the FWS Contact Page.