Illinois support of Ohio River Basin Asian Carp control and management (CAFWS-182)
Can you apply?
This grant is for organizations conducting fish and wildlife management activities in the Ohio River Basin region, particularly focused on Asian carp control and management.
Eligible applicants typically include state and local government agencies, public universities, nonprofit organizations, and tribal entities with wildlife management capacity.
Projects must align with conservation, restoration, and management goals of USFWS Fish and Wildlife Conservation Offices. Activities must take place in or benefit the Ohio River Basin.
Cost sharing is not required for this grant.
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
Funding opportunity for CAFWS-182 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
Required documents
- GATA application form (via Illinois CSFA Catalog)
- Project narrative with goals and timeline
- Budget and budget justification
- Evidence of organizational capacity
- Letters of support from USFWS or relevant agencies
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/local government agencies, nonprofits, universities, and tribal organizations with fish and wildlife management experience typically qualify. Check the Illinois GATA catalog for specific recipient type requirements.
What is the funding range?
Awards range from $30,000 to $3,000,000 depending on project scope and available funds.
What activities are eligible?
Fish and wildlife management activities aligned with USFWS conservation and restoration goals. Asian carp control projects in the Ohio River Basin are a primary focus.
Is there a deadline?
This grant has rolling acceptance. Check the Illinois GATA catalog for specific application windows or when funding becomes available.
How competitive is this funding?
Highly competitive. Strong proposals demonstrate clear alignment with USFWS priorities and measurable conservation outcomes.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Align your project directly with USFWS Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office priorities for your region.
- Include detailed implementation timelines and measurable metrics for Asian carp control or ecosystem restoration.
- Demonstrate your organization's capacity to manage fish and wildlife projects at the proposed scale.
- Connect your work to broader Ohio River Basin conservation goals in your narrative.
- Budget conservatively and justify all major expenses; this funding is often highly scrutinized.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Proposals not clearly aligned with specific USFWS conservation priorities fail. Vague timelines and unmeasurable goals weaken competitiveness. Underestimating the complexity of invasive species management planning reduces funding chances.
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