Invasive Carp removal and monitoring in the Upper Mississippi River FY26
Can you apply?
This grant is for conducting fish and wildlife management activities that support conservation, restoration, and management goals of Fish and Wildlife Conservation Offices in the Upper Mississippi River region.
Eligible applicants typically include state fish and wildlife agencies, tribes, nonprofits, and conservation organizations with expertise in invasive species management and aquatic ecosystem restoration. Projects must align with regional conservation priorities and demonstrate capacity for scientific monitoring and removal operations.
Geographic focus is the Upper Mississippi River system, though the grant is administered through Illinois DNRES. Funded activities include invasive carp monitoring, removal operations, data collection, and habitat restoration supporting broader conservation objectives.
Program description
Conduct fish and wildlife management activities that align with the conservation, restoration, and management goals and priorities of the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Offices. USFWS Fish and Wildlife Management Assistance Federal Assistance Listing: 15.608. Administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources via the Illinois GATA Catalog of State Financial Assistance (CSFA 422-20-0108).
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- Application form (GATA/state submission format)
- Project narrative and conservation goals alignment
- Budget and budget justification
- Project timeline and work plan
- Monitoring and evaluation methods
- Team qualifications and resumes
- Letters of support or partnership agreements
Program contact
- 👤 Melissa Cooper Melissa.Cooper@illinois.gov
- 📧 Melissa.Cooper@illinois.gov
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 15.608 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$12,023,301
-
$10,000,000
-
$8,292,215
-
$8,000,000
-
$6,863,680
-
$4,852,445
-
$4,244,024
-
$4,238,994
-
$4,000,000
-
$3,970,758
Top States by Funding
- KY 6 awards $21.7M
- AK 14 awards $21.1M
- AL 6 awards $17.3M
- FL 4 awards $14.5M
- TN 5 awards $12.4M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
State wildlife agencies, tribes, conservation nonprofits, and research institutions can typically apply. Organizations must have expertise in aquatic invasive species management and wildlife conservation.
What types of activities does this grant fund?
Invasive carp removal, monitoring programs, scientific data collection, and habitat restoration. Equipment and personnel costs for field operations are generally eligible.
Is there a deadline for applications?
The grant operates on a rolling basis with no fixed deadline. Contact Illinois DNRES for current submission windows and application cycles.
What is the funding range?
Awards range from $30,000 to $2,000,000 depending on project scope and regional priorities. The total available pool is approximately $1.2 million.
Is cost-sharing required?
No cost-sharing or matching funds are required for this grant. Your organization does not need to contribute additional funds.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Align your project with Upper Mississippi River conservation priorities and Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office goals.
- Demonstrate scientific rigor in your monitoring methods and data collection protocols.
- Include specific metrics for carp removal, population monitoring, and ecological outcomes.
- Clearly describe your team's technical capacity in aquatic invasive species management.
- Budget realistic timelines for removal operations and multiple monitoring seasons.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications fail when projects lack alignment with regional Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office priorities. Weak monitoring or data collection plans undermine competitiveness. Unclear removal strategies or insufficient team expertise in invasive species management reduces funding likelihood.
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