Aquatic Invasive Species Grants to Great Lakes States – Fiscal Year 2026 Great Lakes Restoration Initiative
🏛 Fish and Wildlife Service (DOI-FWS)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Oct 18, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for implementing aquatic invasive species management in the Great Lakes region. Only primary state natural resource agencies from Great Lakes states (or their designated representative) can apply. Each state is limited to one application. Activities must align with that state's approved Aquatic Invasive Species Management Plan.
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Program description
Using appropriations to the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) anticipates providing grants to support implementation of Great Lakes State Aquatic Invasive Species Management Plans (State AIS Plans). State AIS Plans have been transmitted by state governors and then approved by the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force. All state grants will be awarded based on a competitive process for which only Great Lakes states or their designee are eligible.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- Project narrative/proposal aligned with state AIS Plan
- Budget and budget narrative
- Evidence of state authorization (if designated entity applying)
- Demonstration of coordination with state natural resource agency
Program contact
- 👤 Fish and Wildlife Service
- 📧 nathan_evans@fws.gov
- 📞 22041-3803
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 15.662 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$17,348,237
-
$15,031,566
-
$14,174,757
-
$10,024,505
-
$9,074,913
-
$9,054,943
-
$8,937,294
-
$7,718,060
-
$7,405,665
-
$7,252,913
Top States by Funding
- IL 10 awards $42.4M
- MI 29 awards $15.6M
- DC 1 awards $14.2M
- OH 12 awards $11.6M
- WI 10 awards $6.9M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 15.662). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2019 | $27,000,000 | |
| 2020 | $25,000,000 | |
| 2021 | $26,000,000 | |
| 2022 | $25,000,000 | |
| 2023 | $35,148,701 | |
| 2024 | $35,400,000 | |
| 2025 est. | $35,000,000 | |
| 2026 est. | $35,000,000 |
FAQ
Who exactly can apply for this grant?
The primary state natural resource agency in each Great Lakes state. That agency may designate another entity to apply on their behalf. Only one application per Great Lakes state is permitted.
What are the award amounts?
Individual grants range from $100,000 to $600,000. The total program funding is approximately $3.7 million available across all Great Lakes states.
What types of projects are funded?
Projects that implement the state's approved Aquatic Invasive Species Management Plan. Plans must be transmitted by the state governor and approved by the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force.
Is cost sharing required?
No. This grant does not require matching funds or cost sharing from your organization.
What is the deadline?
The deadline is December 31, 2026. Applications are awarded through a competitive process.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Confirm your state's AIS Plan is already approved by the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force before applying. Unapproved plans will disqualify applications.
- Coordinate with your state's primary natural resource agency early. If designating another entity to apply, get formal authorization in writing.
- Align all proposed activities directly to specific goals and strategies in your state's approved AIS Plan. Reviewers will check this closely.
- Demonstrate past experience managing aquatic invasive species. Include outcome data from previous projects if available.
- Budget conservatively and justify each expense. Competition is fierce given limited total funding across many states.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications from states without approved AIS Plans will be rejected. Projects misaligned with the state's official AIS Plan lack competitiveness. Unclear or missing documentation of state authorization weakens applications.
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