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

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is soliciting applications for aquatic invasive species interjurisdictional grants to the Great Lakes states and tribes with a deadline of December 31, 2026. Only Great Lakes states and tribes or their designees are eligible applicants; designated entities may apply on behalf of state and tribal natural resource agencies. No cost sharing is required, though non-federal cost share is considered favorably in merit review.

The program anticipates awarding approximately six grants totaling $923,809, with individual awards ranging from $20,000 to $923,809. Projects must occur within the Great Lakes Basin or nearby areas contributing substantially to aquatic invasive species prevention or control, with proposed work focusing on pathway intervention, detection activities, and active prevention. Two project categories are eligible: Sustaining Projects that continue previously funded interjurisdictional work deemed a priority for regional management, and New Projects with potential to improve regional management and prevention. Invasive carp work requires prior vetting through the Invasive Carp Regional Coordinating Committee's action plan process.

The application process uses two-stage submission. Pre-proposals must be submitted via email to fws3_fisheries_grants@fws.gov within 90 days of NOFO posting; selected applicants then submit full proposals through GrantSolutions by December 31, 2026. The project narrative is limited to 25 pages and must address project justification, specific measurable goals and objectives, detailed activities with costs, quarterly timetable, environmental compliance, monitoring and evaluation plan, key personnel qualifications, and project location details.

Merit review weights state and tribal support as the primary ranking factor, with additional evaluation of potential to address aquatic invasive species vectors, detection and rapid response capabilities, containment and control efforts, long-term sustainability, project planning quality, success assessment mechanisms, team qualifications, expenditure rates on similar prior awards, and project timeline feasibility. Awards are anticipated to be made by December 31, 2026, with a project performance period of October 1, 2026, to September 30, 2028. Recipients must submit semi-annual Federal Financial Reports (SF-425), Program Performance Reports, and Great Lakes Restoration Initiative-specific reporting by April 30 and October 30. The funding is provided under Assistance Listing 15.662, Great Lakes Restoration.