Overview
The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation in coordination with the Montana Invasive Species Councils offers state-funded grants for the prevention and control of aquatic invasive species (AIS). The goal of the grants is to protect the natural resources of Montana from severe and unacceptable damage from AIS by increasing local capacity and involvement to address AIS issues.
DNRC provides fiscal management of the grant program and approves funding decisions, while MISC manages the application and review process and provides recommendations to DNRC. Funding in the amount of $278,580/year for FY 23 was appropriated by the legislature. DNRC may incur up to 10% of the yearly appropriation for administration of the program.
To Apply
AIS Grant Program Guidelines
To apply visit Submittable - Scroll down to the AIS 2023 Grant Information Cycle 1
Getting started with Submittable
Grant Limits and Types
$50,000 per project. Projects can be up to 18 months with a one-year extension if needed. Grantee must request any extension in writing to DNRC for approval.
On-the-ground projects: Projects or programs that address AIS priorities and other eligible projects. Typically, these are monitoring and control projects.
Education and outreach projects: Expand capacity and distribution of AIS outreach and education to improve AIS awareness and reinforce the Clean Drain Dry message.
AIS research projects: Applied research investigating techniques and strategies to improve AIS prevention, early detection, education or control. Projects must be applied research that addresses existing AIS priorities, gaps, questions or needs.
Current state-wide priorities that have been identified and vetted with former grantees and stakeholders for the upcoming AIS grant cycle include grants related to:
- Monitoring / early detection projects to expand local capacity and involvement in multi- AIS taxa early detection efforts.
- AIS outreach projects that expand AIS awareness at the local level.
- AIS research projects including eDNA research related to dreissenid mussel early detection addressing eDNA Science Advisory Panel recommendations.
Locally-led proposals that address the state-wide priorities will receive ranking preference, however all eligible grant requests will be evaluated and considered.
Click HERE for the complete AIS Grant Program Guidelines, including the application process and ranking criteria.
Grant Awards
Click below to see the Grants that have been funded by the AIS Grant Program!
FY 2023 Grants - COMING SOON!
For more information contact Liz Lodman, AIS Grant Manager.