Invasive Species Grant Program

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Awards History

2024 Grant Awards

In January, 2024, DEC awarded more than $2.9 million from the New York State Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) to fund 43 projects for Round 3 of the Invasive Species Grant Program.  

2019 Grant Awards

DEC received 96 application and awarded approximately $2.8 million from the New York State Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) to 42 projects.

Request For Applications

The Invasive Species Grant Program (Round 3) Request for Applications (RFA) (PDF) provides details on the project objectives, application process, eligible expenditures, evaluation criteria, and contractual requirements.

Application Deadline

Round 3 of this grant opportunity is now closed. Updates about future rounds of the grant will be posted on this website. 

Application Limit

Applicants submitted up to two applications for Round 3. Multiple applications could not be made for the same project or project location. 

Matching Funds Requirement

Round 3 of this grant program had a 25% match requirement. For example, a $50,000 grant would require $12,500 in match for a total project cost of $62,500; $50,000 funded by grant.

Eligible Project Types for Round 3

  1. Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Watercraft Spread Prevention - Boat Steward Education and Outreach/Voluntary Inspection 
    Applicants may apply for projects that employ watercraft stewards who conduct voluntary boat inspections and deliver education and outreach to recreational boaters to prevent the spread of AIS. Projects in areas that have a high public benefit impact will score higher in the evaluation process. Projects that deliver the listed goals in the RFA are preferred and will receive a higher score. 
  2. Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Watercraft Spread Prevention - Boat Decontamination Programs 
    Boat decontamination stations are locations where boaters can have their boat and equipment cleaned and disinfected for free in order to comply with 6 NYCRR Part 576. Applicants may apply for projects providing boat and equipment decontamination. Preferred decontamination services incorporate the use of high pressure/hot water equipment. Project site layout and construction plans for each proposed station site and a letter of intent to cooperate from each project location landowner must be included in the application. Strategically located decontamination services, as described in the RFA, which address the objectives listed are preferred and will score higher in the evaluation process. 

  3. Terrestrial and Aquatic Invasive Species Rapid Response and Control 
    Applicants may apply for projects to directly control, manage and respond to invasive species introductions and infestations. Both terrestrial and aquatic habitats and species are eligible for the grant applications. Invasive Species Early Detection/ Rapid Response and Control proposals allow for multiple project types including:

    • Physical and Mechanical Removal;
    • Chemical Treatment; or
    • Biocontrol Release.

    All projects should include survey and monitoring components within their objectives. As appropriate, these efforts should utilize the NYS Invasive Species Database (iMapInvasives) (leaves DEC's website) to collect and report data for presence, treatment, and post-project monitoring. Evaluation criteria of Invasive Species Early Detection/ Rapid Response and Control (Terrestrial and Aquatic) projects will consider the objectives listed in the RFA. 

  4. Terrestrial and Aquatic Invasive Species Research 
    Effective management of invasive species on New York's lands and waters requires methodologies that are developed and supported by scientific research. Goals of this grant category are to:
    1. Support projects that provide a foundation for new approaches to invasive species management;
    2. Document the impacts of invasive species on ecosystem function;
    3. Develop and test new management tools; and
    4. Synthesize and communicate research results to improve upon applied invasive species management. 
  5. Lake Management Planning and Implementation 
    Applicants may apply for the development and implementation of a lake management plan of priority waterbodies. These grants are intended to promote identifying and addressing the underlying causes of aquatic invasive species infestations and to provide a context for the control and management of aquatic invasive species. Having a lake management plan in place before beginning AIS control and management ensures more effective project outcomes and lake-wide stewardship among stakeholders. Stakeholders can use the plan to organize, focus and coordinate efforts, consider a wide range of social, economic, political, and cultural aspects; define the desired results, determine what needs to change, and what steps are needed to achieve the desired results. Please note that watershed management plans and 9 element plans are not eligible for invasive species grants. 
  6. Invasive Species Education and Outreach 
    Effective education and outreach efforts are essential to increasing knowledge and awareness in order to better understand and address invasive species. The most successful of these efforts also inspire and motivate the public to engage in activities that prevent the spread of invasive species or to manage their control. Eligible applications will include projects within the following categories:
    • Outreach Product Creation
      • Applicants may apply for projects to create and distribute outreach products related to the biology, impacts, spread prevention, and management of invasive species. These may include but are not limited to the creation of print materials such as brochures, booklets, door hangers, watch cards and signs. These may also include the production of video or audio products intended to be used for public outreach.
    • Distribution and Educational Workshops and Training
      • Applicants may apply for projects to create and facilitate public workshops or trainings on topics relevant to invasive species identification, reporting, prioritization, control methods and management, biology, spread prevention, or impacts as well as habitat restoration.

Application Requirements

Eligible applicants for the Invasive Species Grant Program include:

  • Municipalities,
  • Academic Institutions, and
  • 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporations whose projects are located within the eligible geographic boundaries defined in this Request For Applications.

Other groups such as unincorporated lake associations must apply through a municipality, not-for-profit, or academic institution as the designated lead.

How do I apply?

Applications for Round 3 of this grant are now closed.

General Questions

Questions about the Invasive Species Grant Program should be directed to the contact below:

Dave Adams 
NYSDEC, Lands and Forests 
625 Broadway 
Albany, NY 12233-4253 
[email protected]

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