The Brown Tree Snake (BTS) Program 2025 funding opportunity, issued by the Office of Insular Affairs (OIA), aims to control and prevent the spread of the invasive brown tree snake (BTS) and mitigate its ecological and economic impacts. The BTS, believed to have been introduced to Guam post-World War II, has caused significant damage to native species, ecosystems, and infrastructure. The program supports interdiction, landscape-scale suppression, early detection, rapid response, and research to develop tools for BTS management.
The total program funding is estimated at $3,500,000, with an expected seven awards. There is no award ceiling or floor, and cost-sharing is not required. Applications are due by April 9, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. ET, and must be submitted through Grants.gov unless alternative submission methods are pre-approved.
Eligible applicants are limited to members of the Brown Tree Snake Technical Working Group, including representatives from the governments of Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), the State of Hawaii, and federal agencies. Projects should focus on priority areas, including interdiction efforts at air and seaports, rapid response to BTS sightings, development of new tools for capture, and landscape-scale control for native species restoration.
Applications must include a signed cover letter, project abstract, detailed project narrative (maximum 10 pages), timeline, statement of need, goals, performance measures, budget narrative, and supporting documents such as letters of support and conflict of interest statements. The project narrative should include measurable objectives, performance goals, and a clear description of expected outcomes. Applicants must also provide a detailed budget that aligns with cost principles under 2 CFR 200.
Proposals will be evaluated on program priorities, project narrative quality, and budget clarity, with specific scoring criteria provided. Interdiction, early detection, and rapid response projects are given the highest priority, followed by research on new tools and outreach initiatives. The review process includes eligibility checks, merit reviews, and a final selection by the Assistant Secretary for Insular and International Affairs.
Successful applicants will receive funding contingent on congressional appropriations. Recipients must comply with reporting requirements, including semi-annual financial and performance reports and final reports within 120 days of project completion. Award notices will be issued electronically, and projects are anticipated to begin on October 1, 2025.
