Opportunity Information: Apply for L18AS00056
The MT/DAK Aquatic Invasive Species grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number L18AS00056) is a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) cooperative agreement intended to strengthen aquatic invasive species (AIS) prevention and response efforts in Montana, particularly on or affecting BLM-managed waterbodies and riparian areas. The premise is that Montana has historically been the lead state agency for AIS management, and the BLM Montana/Dakotas office wants to support and extend that work through a formal partnership. The opportunity emphasizes that AIS pose serious risks to wetlands and waterways, with downstream harm to local ecosystems and to human uses of water resources, including agriculture, hydro-power infrastructure, recreation, boating, fishing, and tourism. The problem is presented as both current and urgent, referencing established invaders already in Montana waters such as Eurasian watermilfoil and New Zealand mudsnails, along with heightened concern about zebra and quagga mussels after individuals or DNA signals were detected in two Montana reservoirs.
The project’s core purpose is coordinated prevention, control, and containment across jurisdictional boundaries. The BLM highlights that Montana’s “intermingled” land ownership patterns make it unrealistic for any single entity to solve AIS problems alone. Lakes and reservoirs often have multiple shoreline managers, and treating only one segment can fail because untreated areas can quickly re-seed infestations. For that reason, the grant is designed to support a partner organization that can work with BLM districts and also collaborate with private and other non-federal landowners to implement consistent actions across a whole waterbody or interconnected system.
Programmatically, the opportunity calls for an integrated approach that includes four linked components: detection, eradication, education/prevention, and monitoring. Detection and monitoring include surveillance and reporting so new introductions can be found early, while eradication and control focus on reducing or eliminating established populations when feasible. Education is framed as a prevention tool, aiming to reduce the chance that invasive organisms are transported between waterbodies (for example via boats and gear), and to build public awareness that supports compliance and long-term behavior change. The grant also explicitly ties the work to an Integrated Weed Management (IWM) framework, applying the same disciplined, science-based decision-making used for terrestrial and aquatic undesirable plants. Under IWM, applicants are expected to select methods (or combinations of methods) that are efficient and effective, grounded in scientific evidence and current technology, informed by the target species’ physiology and habitat, and weighed against economic, social, and ecological consequences.
In terms of logistics, this is a discretionary funding opportunity administered by the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, categorized under Natural Resources (CFDA 15.230). It is structured as a cooperative agreement, which typically implies substantial involvement or collaboration by the BLM during the project rather than a hands-off pass-through. Eligibility is listed as unrestricted (open to any type of entity, subject to any additional eligibility clarifications in the full notice). The opportunity anticipated a single award with an award ceiling of $25,000. The notice was created July 27, 2018, with an original closing date of August 27, 2018.
A required theme throughout the announcement is public benefit. The BLM states that all awards must benefit the general public, reflecting the reality that invasive species impacts do not stay within property lines and can spread rapidly from one owner’s land to another. By coordinating eradication, containment, and prevention across both public and private lands, the program aims to reduce adverse impacts broadly, protecting aquatic habitat and sustaining the services and economic activities that depend on healthy waterways.Apply for L18AS00056
- The Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "MT/DAK Aquatic Invasive Species" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.230.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jul 27, 2018.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 27, 2018. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $25,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
FAQs: MT/DAK Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Grant (BLM) - Funding Opportunity Number L18AS00056
What is the MT/DAK Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) grant opportunity?
This opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number L18AS00056) is a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) discretionary funding program offered as a cooperative agreement. It is intended to strengthen aquatic invasive species (AIS) prevention and response efforts in Montana, especially where AIS issues occur on, or affect, BLM-managed waterbodies and riparian areas.
Which agency is offering this grant?
The grant is administered by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), through the BLM Montana/Dakotas office.
What is the main purpose of this funding?
The core purpose is coordinated prevention, control, and containment of aquatic invasive species across jurisdictional boundaries. The program is designed to support a partner organization that can work with BLM districts and collaborate with private and other non-federal landowners so actions are consistent across an entire waterbody or interconnected system.
Why is coordination across different landowners emphasized?
The announcement highlights Montana's "intermingled" land ownership patterns. Lakes and reservoirs can have multiple shoreline managers, and treating only one segment can fail because untreated areas can quickly re-seed infestations. Coordinated work across public and private lands is presented as essential to effective AIS prevention and response.
What kinds of impacts are aquatic invasive species described as causing?
The notice describes AIS as posing serious risks to wetlands and waterways, with downstream harm to local ecosystems and to human uses of water resources. Examples of affected uses include agriculture, hydro-power infrastructure, recreation, boating, fishing, and tourism.
What invasive species concerns are specifically referenced in the announcement?
The opportunity references established invaders already in Montana waters such as Eurasian watermilfoil and New Zealand mudsnails. It also notes heightened concern about zebra and quagga mussels following reports that individuals or DNA signals were detected in two Montana reservoirs.
What are the required or emphasized project components?
The announcement calls for an integrated approach with four linked components: detection, eradication, education/prevention, and monitoring. These components are framed as complementary parts of a coordinated AIS strategy.
What does "detection" mean in this opportunity?
Detection is described in terms of surveillance and reporting so new introductions can be found early. Early detection is emphasized as a way to improve response effectiveness.
What does "monitoring" mean in this opportunity?
Monitoring is tied to continued surveillance and tracking of AIS conditions over time. Along with detection, monitoring supports identifying new introductions early and understanding the status of existing infestations.
What does "eradication" or "control" mean in the context of this grant?
Eradication and control activities focus on reducing or eliminating established AIS populations when feasible. The notice stresses the importance of coordinated treatment so untreated areas do not quickly re-seed treated locations.
What role does education and prevention play under this grant?
Education is framed as a prevention tool to reduce the chance that invasive organisms are transported between waterbodies (for example, via boats and gear). It is also intended to build public awareness that supports compliance and long-term behavior change.
What is the Integrated Weed Management (IWM) framework and how does it apply here?
The opportunity explicitly ties the work to an Integrated Weed Management (IWM) framework, applying disciplined, science-based decision-making used for terrestrial and aquatic undesirable plants. Under IWM, applicants are expected to select methods (or combinations of methods) that are efficient and effective, supported by scientific evidence and current technology, informed by the target species' physiology and habitat, and weighed against economic, social, and ecological consequences.
Does the announcement say anything about how methods should be selected?
Yes. It emphasizes that selected approaches should be science-based and use current technology, consider the biology and habitat of the target species, and account for economic, social, and ecological consequences. The intent is to choose methods that are both effective and appropriate for the specific AIS problem.
Is this grant focused only on BLM lands and waters?
The focus is on AIS prevention and response in Montana, particularly on or affecting BLM-managed waterbodies and riparian areas. At the same time, the opportunity stresses that effective AIS work requires collaboration with private and other non-federal landowners to coordinate actions across whole waterbodies and connected systems.
What is meant by the grant being a "cooperative agreement"?
The opportunity is structured as a cooperative agreement, which typically implies substantial involvement or collaboration by the BLM during the project rather than a purely hands-off pass-through award.
What is the CFDA number and program category listed for this opportunity?
The program is categorized under Natural Resources and lists CFDA 15.230.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, meaning it is open to any type of entity, subject to any additional eligibility clarifications that may be included in the full notice.
How many awards were anticipated?
The announcement anticipated a single award.
What is the maximum funding amount available under this opportunity?
The award ceiling listed in the notice is $25,000.
When was the notice created and what was the closing date?
The notice was created on July 27, 2018, and the original closing date was August 27, 2018.
What is the central "public benefit" requirement mentioned in the announcement?
A required theme throughout the announcement is that all awards must benefit the general public. The BLM highlights that invasive species impacts do not stay within property lines and can spread rapidly. By coordinating eradication, containment, and prevention across public and private lands, the program aims to reduce adverse impacts broadly and protect aquatic habitat and the services and economic activities that depend on healthy waterways.
Why does the announcement describe AIS as an urgent issue in Montana?
The notice frames the issue as current and urgent due to established invaders already present (such as Eurasian watermilfoil and New Zealand mudsnails) and increased concern about zebra and quagga mussels after individuals or DNA signals were detected in two Montana reservoirs.
What is the overall strategy the BLM is trying to support through this grant?
The strategy is to extend and support Montana's historically lead role in AIS management through a formal partnership, strengthening coordinated prevention and response actions that can be implemented consistently across multiple jurisdictions and land ownership types.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Natural Resources
Next opportunity: National Symphony Orchestra Concerts
Previous opportunity: Development of an Integrated Fisheries Restoration and Monitoring Plan for the Klamath Basin
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for L18AS00056
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (L18AS00056) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| BLM-CO Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area Shared Conservation Project, Royal Gorge Field Office Apply for L18AS00086 Funding Number: L18AS00086 Agency: Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| SW EPMT-UNLV Collaborative Restoration Projects for Glen Canyon NRA and Tuzigoot NM Apply for P18AS00474 Funding Number: P18AS00474 Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $25,000 |
| Promote and Support Local River and Watershed Protection Apply for P18AS00475 Funding Number: P18AS00475 Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $52,000 |
| Long Term Curation of Reclamation Controlled Museum Property Apply for BOR GP 18 N002 Funding Number: BOR GP 18 N002 Agency: Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $51,524 |
| Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESU) Network Apply for F18AS00217 Funding Number: F18AS00217 Agency: Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $47,000 |
| Curation of Museum Property Under Reclamation Jurisdiction and Archaeological Fieldwork for Inadvertent Discoveries Apply for BOR GP 18 N003 Funding Number: BOR GP 18 N003 Agency: Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $244,000 |
| Museum Collection Processing and Curation Apply for BOR GP 18 N005 Funding Number: BOR GP 18 N005 Agency: Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $35,000 |
| Advance Management of Museum Collections Apply for P18AS00478 Funding Number: P18AS00478 Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $32,133 |
| Pika Monitoring through a National Parks and Protected Areas Cooperative Studies Program at Oregon State University Cascades Campus Apply for P18AS00481 Funding Number: P18AS00481 Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $232,406 |
| BLM-WO, Wet Meadows Restoration in Sagebrush & Grassland Wildlife Habitat Apply for L18AS00087 Funding Number: L18AS00087 Agency: Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $1,735,000 |
| Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Network Apply for F18AS00219 Funding Number: F18AS00219 Agency: Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $47,999 |
| Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Network Apply for F18AS00220 Funding Number: F18AS00220 Agency: Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $47,085 |
| Endangered Species Conservation â¿¿ Recovery Implementation Funds Apply for F18AS00221 Funding Number: F18AS00221 Agency: Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $30,000 |
| WO, Bureau-wide Pilot Experienced Services Program Apply for L18AS00088 Funding Number: L18AS00088 Agency: Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Endangered Species Conservation â¿¿ Recovery Implementation Funds Apply for F18AS00222 Funding Number: F18AS00222 Agency: Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $30,000 |
| Population Management Analysis for Condor Program Efficiencies Apply for P18AS00482 Funding Number: P18AS00482 Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $39,000 |
| Planning, Design, and Construction of the Mowry Bridge Retrofit for the Reach 2B and Mendota Pool Bypass Improvement Project Apply for BOR MP 18 N014 Funding Number: BOR MP 18 N014 Agency: Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $4,747,097 |
| BLM Utah Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument/Kanab Field Office Visitor Interpretation, Education, and Public Outreach Project Apply for L18AS00076 Funding Number: L18AS00076 Agency: Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $110,000 |
| Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Interns Apply for P18AS00164 Funding Number: P18AS00164 Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $61,800 |
| BLM-WO, Natural Resources Shared Conservation Apply for L18AS00082 Funding Number: L18AS00082 Agency: Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $45,000 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "L18AS00056", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.