Roadside Ecology Strike Team

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) is offering a competitive grant opportunity titled the Roadside Ecology Strike Team through its Bureau of Design and Environment Natural Resources Unit. With an anticipated total program funding of $5,000,000 and a single award allocation, the grant aims to enhance ecological stewardship along transportation corridors by establishing a dedicated ecological team. This initiative is part of IDOT’s broader effort to manage and conserve sensitive natural resources located within or adjacent to its right-of-way areas. The program supports best practices in grassland enhancement and roadside conservation, reflecting IDOT’s commitment to environmentally responsible transportation infrastructure. The primary purpose of this funding is to support activities conducted by a specialized roadside ecology strike team. These activities include wildlife surveys, conservation work such as prescribed burning, brush management, invasive species control, prairie plantings, and the development of prairie management plans. Additional allowable uses include the diversification of grasslands for pollinator habitats, tree and shrub planting, and execution of various ecological best management practices (BMPs). The performance period runs from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2030. Eligible applicants are nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status, excluding institutions of higher education. Applicants must meet specific staffing qualifications, including certifications in pesticide application and wildland fire management. At least one staff member must be licensed as a Burn Boss Type 2 (RXB2). Preferred applicants will have demonstrated experience in prescribed burning, prairie restoration, wildlife surveys, and implementation of conservation strategies relevant to Illinois’s Wildlife Action Plan. Applications are due no later than November 24, 2025, by 5:00 PM. The application window opened on October 23, 2025. The application process includes registration in the GATA portal, completion of the GATA ICQ and Programmatic Risk Assessment, submission of the Uniform Grant Application, and a detailed Scope of Service. A valid UEI from SAM.gov is also required. While no pre-application steps like letters of intent are necessary, all nonprofit entities must meet the state’s GATA compliance requirements. IDOT will evaluate proposals using a 100-point scale. The applicant with the highest score will receive a Notice of State Award (NOSA) through the GATA portal. Once selected, the grantee will be subject to quarterly reporting via IDOT’s BoBS 2832 Reporting Form, covering both financial and performance metrics. Periodic performance meetings will be held to monitor progress. Technical assistance sessions will not be offered for this funding round. For submission-related inquiries, applicants may contact Shawn Wilcockson, Natural Resources Unit Manager, via email at shawn.wilcockson@illinois.gov or by phone at (217) 557-1762. This opportunity is non-recurring and intended as a one-time award. The program does not require any matching funds, and indirect costs are allowed without restrictions.