Illinois support of Upper Mississippi River Asian Carp control and management (FY25)
Can you apply?
This grant is for fish and wildlife management activities on Upper Mississippi River Asian Carp control and related conservation work in Illinois. Illinois Department of Natural Resources and partnering organizations can apply. Projects must align with USFWS Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office goals and state conservation priorities. Eligible activities include carp monitoring, removal operations, habitat restoration, and management planning.
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
Required documents
- Grant application form (Illinois GATA/CSFA system)
- Project narrative describing fish and wildlife management activities
- Budget and budget narrative
- Organizational background and capacity statement
- Proposed timeline and measurable outcomes
Program contact
- 👤 Justison, Kathy
- 📧 kathy.justison@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?
Illinois Department of Natural Resources and qualified wildlife management organizations aligned with state conservation priorities can apply. Contact the Illinois DNRES for specific eligibility questions.
Is there a deadline?
This is a rolling program with no fixed deadline. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. Check the Illinois GATA system for current submission windows.
What activities are eligible?
Asian Carp control, monitoring, removal operations, habitat restoration, and conservation planning aligned with USFWS objectives are eligible. Equipment and personnel costs for fish and wildlife management are typically allowed.
How competitive is this?
Awards range from $30,000 to $2,000,000 from a $2,000,000 pool. Proposal quality and alignment with USFWS priorities are critical factors.
Is cost-sharing required?
No cost-sharing is required for this grant, making it more accessible for smaller organizations.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Request detailed guidance from Illinois DNRES early. State agency interpretation of USFWS priorities is crucial.
- Focus on Asian Carp control methods with measurable outcomes and timelines.
- Demonstrate partnership with local conservation groups or academic institutions if possible.
- Budget carefully for personnel and field operations. Equipment should be justified with clear use cases.
- Align project objectives directly with Upper Mississippi River conservation goals stated in the grant description.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Projects failing to clearly connect activities to USFWS priorities or state conservation goals are commonly rejected. Weak monitoring or evaluation plans for carp control outcomes reduce competitiveness. Vague budget justification for equipment or personnel costs is a frequent issue.
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