Invasive Carp Management Control in IL Waterway GLRI (FY25) (CAFWS-176 170, and 164)
Can you apply?
This grant is for organizations working to protect and restore the Great Lakes Basin. Eligible applicants typically include nonprofits, government agencies, universities, and other public entities operating in the Great Lakes region. Projects must focus on habitat protection, species conservation, or restoration activities on public or private lands.
Geographic scope is limited to the Great Lakes Basin. Funding supports planning, implementation, and monitoring of ecological restoration projects. Work must align with USFWS Great Lakes Restoration Program priorities and be located within eligible watershed areas.
Program description
To provide technical and financial assistance to implement the highest priority actions in order to protect and restore the Great Lakes. Priority actions are to: identify, protect, conserve, manage, enhance or restore habitat or species on both public and private lands within the Great Lakes Basin USFWS Great Lakes Restoration Program Funding Federal Assistance Listing: 15.662. Administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources via the Illinois GATA Catalog of State Financial Assistance (CSFA 422-20-0117).
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- Project proposal with conservation objectives
- Detailed budget and budget narrative
- Letters of support from partners and landowners
- Organizational capacity/qualifications documentation
- Environmental/ecological baseline assessment
- Maps showing project location within Great Lakes Basin
Program contact
- 👤 Cooper, Melissa melissa.cooper@illinois.gov
- 📧 melissa.cooper@illinois.gov
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 9 awards $42.2M
- MI 26 awards $15.1M
- DC 1 awards $14.2M
- OH 9 awards $11.1M
- WI 8 awards $6.6M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
Nonprofits, government agencies, universities, and public entities in the Great Lakes Basin. Check with Illinois DNR for specific eligibility requirements.
What geographic areas are eligible?
Projects must be located within the Great Lakes Basin in Illinois. Contact the administering agency to confirm watershed eligibility for your area.
What types of projects are funded?
Habitat restoration, species protection, conservation planning, invasive species management, and ecosystem monitoring on public or private lands.
What is the funding range?
Awards range from $20,000 to $6,000,000. Competitiveness depends on project scope, partnership strength, and alignment with GLRI priorities.
Is there a deadline?
This appears to be rolling acceptance. Contact Illinois DNR for specific application windows and any upcoming submission deadlines.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Align your project with Great Lakes Restoration Initiative priorities and measurable conservation outcomes.
- Develop strong letters of support from partners, landowners, and relevant Great Lakes agencies.
- Include detailed budget justification showing how funds support direct restoration work.
- Document baseline ecological conditions and specific metrics for success.
- Emphasize community engagement and long-term sustainability of restoration benefits.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Vague conservation outcomes or lack of measurable ecological indicators. Insufficient detail on how invasive species control or habitat work aligns with GLRI priorities. Weak partnerships or unclear stakeholder coordination for multi-year projects.
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