Noxious Weed Trust Fund 2027 Local Cooperative- New
🏛 Montana Department of Agriculture
✓ Free, no account · Source: Montana WebGrants · Last verified Oct 15, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for new Local Cooperative Weed Management projects in Montana. Applicants must include at least three cooperating, adjacent landowners. A weed district, conservation district, extension office, or tribe must serve as the official funding recipient.
Only first-year cooperative projects are eligible. Projects must complement the Montana Weed Management Plan. Matching funds from cooperating landowners are required to secure grant dollars.
This is a reimbursement grant, not ongoing support. It aims to control noxious weeds to a maintenance-only level. Environmental assessments are mandatory for new cooperative projects.
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Program description
Applications for the Noxious Weed Trust Fund Local Cooperative funding opportunity are due by January 6, 2027 by 11:59 PM. The Local Cooperative-New funding opportunity is for first year Local Cooperative projects that have a minimum of three cooperating, adjacent landowners. Applicants must contact and work with an organization , such as a weed district, conservation district, extension office, or tribe to be the funding recipient for grant dollars. Noxious Weed Trust Fund grants are a reimbursement type of grant. **This opportunity is not a sustainable funding source or a permanent cost-share program for landowners. It is designed to give Cooperative Weed Management Areas a boost in funding to create a big impact and get the weed infestations to a stage where they can be maintained without funding assistance. All grant applications should complement and enhance the Montana Weed Management Plan. Additional information can be found in the Noxious Weed Trust Fund Grant Guidelines and on the Montana Department of Agriculture website. The Noxious Weed Trust Fund grant program provides 50:50 cost-share for herbicides, commercial applicator, and re-seeding mixtures. Purchasing chemicals through the state bid is highly recommended. If you are unable to do so, please explain why on the herbicide worksheet. Projects will be funded only if matching funds are available from the participating cooperators. The maximum grant amount is limited to $75,000 per application. Administrative costs up to 3% of grant total, maximum of $1,000, are allowed for project coordinators that have not received a County/Reservation Noxious Weed Program Enhancement grant. NEW LOCAL COOPERATIVE PROJECTS REQUIRE AN ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT (EA) The EA portion of the grant application directs the grant participants in making the appropriate choice of herbicides to use depending on the noxious weed species along with environmental characteristics, such as groundwater depth, surface water resources, soil type, non-target plant damage, along with threatened, endangered, and sensitive species. It is important to start gathering EA information early to allow enough time to complete the environmental assessment forms that ask for a description and a mitigation statement. For more information on the EA process scroll down to the
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- Application form
- Environmental Assessment (EA) forms
- Herbicide worksheet
- Matching funds documentation
- Project narrative and work plan
Program contact
- 👤 Greta Dige
- 📧 greta.dige@mt.gov
- 📞 4064447882
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
Applicants need at least three adjacent cooperating landowners and must partner with a weed district, conservation district, extension office, or tribe as the funding recipient.
What is the deadline?
Applications are due January 6, 2027 by 11:59 PM.
What can grant funds pay for?
Funds cover 50% of herbicides, commercial applicator costs, and re-seeding mixtures. Administrative costs up to $1,000 are allowed for new coordinators.
Is this funding permanent?
No. This is short-term funding to boost weed control efforts, not a sustainable or permanent cost-share program.
What is the maximum award?
The maximum grant is $75,000 per application, with 50:50 cost-sharing required.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Start gathering environmental assessment information early. The EA forms are complex and require descriptions and mitigation statements.
- Partner with an existing organization like a weed or conservation district. This official recipient must submit the application.
- Secure matching funds from cooperating landowners before applying. Projects are only funded if matching dollars are confirmed.
- Buy herbicides through the state bid system. If you cannot, explain your reason in the herbicide worksheet.
- Focus your project plan on reaching a maintenance-only level of weed control. Reviewers want to see a clear exit strategy from grant funding.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications fail when matching funds from cooperators are not confirmed in advance. Environmental assessments are incomplete or submitted without required mitigation statements. Projects lack a clear plan to transition to self-maintenance after grant funding ends.
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