Deadline: 5-Jan-25
The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) is pleased to announce its Aquatic Invasive Species Grant Program.
DNRC provides fiscal management of the grant program and approves funding decisions. MISC manages the application process, reviews, and provides recommendations to the DNRC Director.
Funding Information
- Funding in the amount of $278,000/year for fiscal year FY 22 and FY23 was appropriated by the legislature for this program.
- $50,000 per project. Projects can be up to 18 months with a one-year extension if needed. Grantee must request any extension or scope modification in writing to DNRC for approval.
Eligible Projects
- AIS grants are intended to increase local capacity and involvement to address AIS issues.
- Projects that address the following AIS management components are eligible and include:
- Prevention
- Early detection
- Education and outreach
- Research
- Treatment
- Current state-wide priorities that have been identified and supported by former grantees and stakeholders include grants for projects related to:
- Early detection survey and monitoring to expand local capacity and involvement in multi- AIS taxa early detection efforts.
- AIS education and outreach that expand AIS awareness at the local and statewide level.
- AIS research including eDNA research related to dreissenid mussel early detection addressing eDNA Science Advisory Panel recommendations.
- Locally led proposals that address state-wide priorities will receive ranking preference, as well as proposals addressing AIS species on the Montana Noxious Weed List and AIS under the authority of Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP).
- Projects must align with state AIS priorities, show local support, and be coordinated with related AIS efforts in the area including aquatic invasive species management plans. Priority will be given to local partnerships that demonstrate the administrative, financial, and management capacity to implement the project. The project must commit to using statewide AIS protocols and reporting.
Ineligible Costs
- Activities outside of the scope of work.
- Costs incurred outside of the contract term.
- Routine maintenance and operation.
- Salaries/wages, travel, and other expenses not directly related to the project.
- Administrative costs greater than 10 percent of the total project cost. Administration costs are costs directly related to grant management and reporting requirements.
- Indirect costs (for example, facilities, rent, and utilities).
Eligibility Criteria
- AIS grants are available to Montana communities or local, state, tribal, or other entities within the state and to Montana-based non-governmental organizations.
Evaluation Criteria
- All applications will be scored using the following criteria for the quantitative component of the evaluation:
- Project purpose and scope and project management;
- One project type, which is indicated on the application.
Application Requirements
- Applicants of eligible applications will have the opportunity to provide a 5-10-minute presentation describing the scope, schedule, and budget of their project during the grant cycle’s AIS Grant Hearing.
- Applicants may attend in person or provide their presentation via teleconference.
- MISC members will be able to ask the applicant questions following their presentation.
For more information, visit Montana DNRC.
