Invasive Species Mitigation Weed Control Grant

The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF) is offering grant funding for the 2026-27 Invasive Species Mitigation (ISM) Weed Control Program. This annual grant initiative is designed to support effective weed and invasive species control projects within the state of Utah. The program encourages applicants to propose solutions that demonstrate strong potential for reducing outlier populations and controlling the spread of invasive plants across various landscapes. The overarching goal of the ISM grant is to reduce the presence of high-priority invasive species while enhancing land health and protecting agricultural, natural, and recreational land uses. The 2026-27 funding cycle supports one-year projects that run from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027, with the possibility of future multi-year funding depending on availability. UDAF seeks applications that include comprehensive management strategies such as early detection and rapid response, treatment of critical acreage, ongoing monitoring of both new and established infestations, and rehabilitation of affected areas. Proposals are particularly encouraged to incorporate multi-year plans, include active partnerships, and outline a strong restoration and monitoring component. Applicants must belong to a broad range of eligible organizations, including universities, Cooperative Weed Management Areas (CWMAs), county weed boards, federal or state agencies, tribal entities, private landowners, conservation districts, nonprofits, and other political subdivisions. This wide eligibility ensures that both public and private stakeholders involved in land management and conservation can participate. To apply, organizations must first create a UtahID account, which is required to access and use the Submittable portal. Applications must be submitted via Submittable, and drafts can be saved for later completion. All correspondence will be sent to the email address associated with the Submittable account, so applicants are advised to monitor that inbox closely. For support with the Submittable platform or UtahID, applicants may contact the Submittable Customer Support or the UtahID Help Desk. In addition to the grant submission, applicants are required to use the Utah SIIPA project modeling tool, accessible through the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food’s website. This tool helps design and model effective invasive species management projects. Access to the SIIPA system requires an EDDMapS account and an email request to be added to the system. Once granted access, applicants can log in using their EDDMapS credentials. UDAF has established an award ceiling of $75,000 for this opportunity. The agency emphasizes the importance of partnerships, monitoring, and restoration within project designs. Submissions will be accepted until the end of the business day on Friday, March 20, 2026. Technical questions about the Utah SIIPA or modeling tools may be directed to Aaron Eagar at [email protected].

Include multi-year plans, strong restoration components, and solid partnerships for competitive advantage.