Invasive Carp Management Control in IL Waterway GLRI (FY26)
Can you apply?
This grant is for organizations protecting and restoring the Great Lakes, with focus on invasive carp management in Illinois waterways.
Eligible applicants include nonprofits, government agencies, educational institutions, and private landowners within the Great Lakes Basin. Activities must support habitat protection, species conservation, invasive species management, or ecosystem restoration on public or private land.
Projects must directly benefit the Great Lakes ecosystem and align with regional conservation priorities. The program emphasizes implementation of high-impact conservation actions in Illinois waterways and surrounding basin lands.
This grant is for organizations protecting and restoring the Great Lakes, with focus on invasive carp management in Illinois waterways.
Eligible applicants include nonprofits, government agencies, educational institutions, and private landowners within the Great Lakes Basin. Activities must support habitat protection, species conservation, invasive species management, or ecosystem restoration on public or private land.
Projects must directly benefit the Great Lakes ecosystem and align with regional conservation priorities. The program emphasizes implementation of high-impact conservation actions in Illinois waterways and surrounding basin lands.
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 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
- Nonprofits
- Public Authority
- Public K-12 School
- Public University
- Small Business (SBA-defined)
- State Government
Details
This grant is for organizations protecting and restoring the Great Lakes, with focus on invasive carp management in Illinois waterways.
Eligible applicants include nonprofits, government agencies, educational institutions, and private landowners within the Great Lakes Basin. Activities must support habitat protection, species conservation, invasive species management, or ecosystem restoration on public or private land.
Projects must directly benefit the Great Lakes ecosystem and align with regional conservation priorities. The program emphasizes implementation of high-impact conservation actions in Illinois waterways and surrounding basin lands.
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- Project Narrative/Proposal
- Detailed Budget and Budget Narrative
- Letters of Support from partners
- Environmental or ecological assessment
- Monitoring and evaluation plan
- Organization capacity documentation
Program contact
- 👤 Cooper, Melissa
- 📧 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 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.
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
Nonprofits, government agencies, tribes, universities, and private landowners in the Great Lakes Basin can apply. Check with Illinois DNR for specific eligibility requirements.
What is the funding range?
Awards typically range from $20,000 to $6,000,000. Exact amounts depend on project scope and regional priorities.
What types of projects are funded?
Habitat restoration, species protection, invasive carp control, ecosystem management, and conservation planning projects are eligible.
Is cost-sharing required?
No cost-sharing is required for this grant. However, matching funds strengthen competitiveness.
How often can I apply?
The program operates on a rolling basis. You can submit applications throughout the year, but check deadlines with Illinois DNR.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Demonstrate how your project directly addresses invasive carp or other priority threats to Great Lakes health. Focus on measurable outcomes.
- Build partnerships with other government agencies, nonprofits, or universities to strengthen your application and expand impact.
- Include detailed budget and timeline showing efficient use of funds. Large awards require strong implementation capacity.
- Emphasize habitat benefits and species protection outcomes. Connect your work to regional conservation strategies.
- Start conversations with Illinois DNR early. Program staff can clarify priorities and help shape competitive proposals.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Vague or unmeasurable project goals without specific invasive carp control targets. Weak partnerships showing you can't manage complex implementation at scale. Insufficient detail on monitoring and long-term sustainability of conservation outcomes.
Similar grants
- OPEN 27-0343-10 FFY27 Local Agency General Non-Enforcement — Illinois Department of Transportation
- ROLLING RTAP Grant Program (Rolling) — Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation
- ROLLING Rail Industrial Access Grant (RIA) — Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation
- OPEN Special Education 2026-2027 – IDEA B Grants — North Dakota Department of Public Instruction
- ROLLING AGR GTA Business Acceleration and Marketing (BAM) Program — Montana Department of Agriculture