Aquatic Invasive Species Grants to Great Lakes Tribes – Fiscal Year 2026 Great Lakes Restoration Initiative
Can you apply?
This grant is for federally recognized tribal nations and tribal organizations in the Great Lakes region working to control aquatic invasive species.
Eligible applicants include federally recognized tribes, tribal consortia, and tribal-based nonprofits located in or serving the Great Lakes basin. Activities must directly address aquatic invasive species prevention, control, or monitoring.
The geographic scope covers the Great Lakes region (Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York). Funding supports research, prevention, education, and on-the-ground control efforts.
Priority goes to projects benefiting tribal lands and communities. Multi-year projects are welcome.
This grant is for federally recognized tribal nations and tribal organizations in the Great Lakes region working to control aquatic invasive species.
Eligible applicants include federally recognized tribes, tribal consortia, and tribal-based nonprofits located in or serving the Great Lakes basin. Activities must directly address aquatic invasive species prevention, control, or monitoring.
The geographic scope covers the Great Lakes region (Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York). Funding supports research, prevention, education, and on-the-ground control efforts.
Priority goes to projects benefiting tribal lands and communities. Multi-year projects are welcome.
Program description
Using appropriations to the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) anticipates providing grants to support development and/or implementation of Great Lakes Tribal Aquatic Invasive Species Management Plans (Tribal AIS Plans). Therefore, a Tribal AIS Plan must be in place that supports the proposed work, or development of such a plan must be a part of the proposed work. All tribal grants will be awarded based on a competitive process for which only Great Lakes tribes or their designee are eligible.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
Demographic focus
Details
This grant is for federally recognized tribal nations and tribal organizations in the Great Lakes region working to control aquatic invasive species.
Eligible applicants include federally recognized tribes, tribal consortia, and tribal-based nonprofits located in or serving the Great Lakes basin. Activities must directly address aquatic invasive species prevention, control, or monitoring.
The geographic scope covers the Great Lakes region (Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York). Funding supports research, prevention, education, and on-the-ground control efforts.
Priority goes to projects benefiting tribal lands and communities. Multi-year projects are welcome.
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- Project Narrative (scope, timeline, expected outcomes)
- Budget and Budget Narrative
- Tribal Resolution authorizing application
- Letters of Support (state/federal partners)
- Proof of Tribal Recognition (if not obvious from lead applicant)
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 9 awards $42.2M
- MI 25 awards $14.9M
- 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.
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 can apply for this grant?
Federally recognized tribes and tribal organizations in the Great Lakes region. Tribal consortia and tribally-based nonprofits are also eligible if they partner with or are governed by tribes.
When is the deadline?
December 31, 2026. Applications typically open May 2026. Check the FWS website for exact dates closer to submission.
What activities does this grant fund?
Prevention, control, and monitoring of aquatic invasive species. Eligible work includes research, education, early detection, and removal efforts on tribal lands and waters.
How competitive is this grant?
Moderately to highly competitive. Strong applications demonstrate tribal priority, direct impact on tribal resources, and partnerships with state or federal agencies.
What is the typical funding range?
Award amounts vary. Check the recent funding history or GLRI guidance for typical grant sizes. Most grants range from mid-five to six figures.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Clearly document your tribe's federally recognized status and service area in the Great Lakes region. This is non-negotiable for eligibility.
- Connect your project directly to tribal cultural, economic, or subsistence uses of Great Lakes waters. Show why invasive species matter to your community.
- Include strong letters of support from state natural resource agencies, universities, or federal partners. Collaboration strengthens competitiveness.
- Develop a realistic timeline with measurable milestones for species monitoring or control activities. Vague timelines reduce funding likelihood.
- Request multi-year funding if appropriate. GLRI often supports sustained projects over time, not one-time efforts.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications fail when they lack clear tribal eligibility documentation or fail to show direct benefit to tribal lands and resources. Weak project descriptions without measurable outcomes or timelines reduce competitiveness. Projects without federal or state agency partnerships often rank lower than collaborative efforts.
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