International Programs & Trade, Invasive Species Program Funding Opportunity
Closed Posted
- Opportunity number
- USDA-FS-IPT-INVASIVE-SPECIES-2026
- Agency
-
Forest Service
Department of Agriculture
- Applications due
- Award size
- Up to $250,000
Opportunity facts
- Assistance listings
- Funding instrument
- Grant
- Categories
-
- Environment
- Natural Resources
- Eligible applicants
-
- County Governments
- City/Township Governments
- For Profit Organizations
- Higher Education Inst. (Public)
- 501(c)(3) Nonprofits
- Other
- Small Businesses
- State Governments
- Higher Education Inst. (Private)
- Tribal Governments (Federally Recognized)
- Tribal Organizations (Not Federally Recognized)
- Points of contact
-
- Beth Lebow elizabeth.lebow@usda.gov (202) 660-8797
Opportunity details come from Grants.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The U.S. Forest Service International Programs & Trade Invasive Species Program is soliciting applications for grants funding invasive species prevention projects, with applications due September 30, 2026 at 11:59 PM EDT. All applicants must provide a mandatory 20% non-federal cost share using eligible sources documented through third-party support letters.
Eligible applicants include county and city/township governments, for-profit organizations and small businesses, public and private higher education institutions, 501(c)(3) nonprofits, state and tribal governments (federally and non-federally recognized), other entity types, and foreign non-governmental organizations legally registered in countries not sanctioned by the U.S. State Department. Applicants must maintain active SAM.gov registration and submit one application per organization through Grants.gov.
Total program funding is up to $500,000 distributed across up to three awards at $250,000 maximum per award. The project narrative is limited to five pages single-spaced at 11-point font and must address project title, background, goals and objectives, description, outcomes and impacts, timeline (typically two to three years, not exceeding five years), and team qualifications. Budget submissions require itemized federal and match funding in Excel format with formulas included.
Projects must bridge existing invasive species scientific knowledge to produce actionable improvements in regulatory frameworks, policies, and concrete actions that decrease new arrivals and establishment of invasive pests affecting American agriculture. Evaluation criteria allocate 20 points to project goals and objectives, 30 points to project description, 35 points to outcomes and impacts, and 15 points to staff and partner qualifications, totaling 100 points maximum. Applications undergo responsiveness review, scoring by a Forest Service and external expert panel, and risk review per 2 CFR 200.206. Anticipated awards are November 2026. The program contact is Assistant Director Beth Lebow at elizabeth.lebow@usda.gov. CFDA 10.684.
Synopsis
Through this NOFO, IPT's Invasive Species program aims to support projects that advance tangible improvements in invasive species prevention by utilizing existing research knowledge on invasive species risks and pathways to produce actionable outcomes that protect American agriculture from invasive species. For example, past and current research has built important pre-invasion knowledge of problematic pests, such as through horizon scanning and monitoring ex-patria sentinel trees. We invite proposals that build upon and directly link this type of invasive species scientific knowledge to make improvements in regulatory frameworks, policies, and actions that will decrease new arrivals and establishment of invasive pests. Projects should bridge the gap between current research knowledge and concrete actions that will improve how the U.S. prevents the introduction and establishment of new invasive species.
Eligibility
International Organizations: Foreign non-governmental organizations. (Note: International applicants must generally be legally registered and from countries not sanctioned by the U.S. State Department).
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