Aquatic Invasive Species Grant Program

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) administers the Aquatic Invasive Species Grant Program to support the management, control, research, and public education efforts aimed at reducing the spread and impact of aquatic invasive species and cyanobacteria within the state’s inland waters. Created through Public Act 19-190, the program is funded by the Aquatic Invasive Species Stamp fee assessed on registered boats using Connecticut waters, which finances the Connecticut Lakes, Rivers and Ponds Preservation Account. This account provides a dedicated funding stream to protect Connecticut’s freshwater resources and to support research, restoration, and outreach activities addressing invasive species and harmful algal blooms. The 2025–2026 grant cycle invites applications from state agencies, municipalities, and not-for-profit organizations to undertake eligible projects that directly contribute to the control or management of invasive species and cyanobacteria, advance research with practical applications for Connecticut’s lakes, ponds, and rivers, or expand education and public outreach that promotes prevention and awareness. The program seeks to enhance ecological resilience, safeguard recreational and economic interests, and protect native biodiversity by fostering evidence-based interventions and community engagement. Projects may include herbicide or mechanical removal of listed invasive plants and invertebrates, feasibility and monitoring studies of infestations, or public awareness campaigns. Research proposals must generate actionable management implications relevant to Connecticut waterbodies. Education and outreach projects must demonstrate a clear plan to reach an appropriate audience through materials such as signage, digital campaigns, or community workshops. Ineligible activities include control efforts targeting native species, management of non-listed invasives, or projects outside Connecticut’s inland waters. Awards typically range from $10,000 to $75,000, with approximately 10 to 20 awards expected depending on available funds and proposal quality. Each applicant must provide matching funds equal to at least 25 percent of the total project cost; indirect costs are not reimbursable but may be counted toward the match. Projects are expected to be completed within approximately eighteen months from contract execution, with all eligible expenditures limited to the active grant period. Contracts are reimbursement-based, and proof of payment must be submitted with final reporting. Applications are due by December 10, 2025, following an open period that began October 20, 2025. Questions must be submitted by November 3, 2025, to the official program contact, Madeline Ortiz ( DEEP.AISGrants@ct.gov ). Responses will be posted November 12, 2025. Applicants may submit up to two proposals electronically via email; late submissions are ineligible. Awards are anticipated in January 2026, with contract negotiations beginning in February and projects commencing May 1, 2026 through December 31, 2027. Proposals are reviewed by the DEEP Aquatic Invasive Species Grants Oversight Committee according to published evaluation criteria that weigh ecological and recreational benefits, urgency of threat, cost-effectiveness, applicant capacity, and, where applicable, the quality of research design or outreach strategy. Performance is measured through final reporting on financials, outcomes, and monitoring results, ensuring accountability and knowledge-sharing across the state’s aquatic resource management community. This program provides a recurring annual mechanism to access state funds dedicated to preserving Connecticut’s lakes, rivers, and ponds.

Highlight measurable ecological and public benefits, provide clear monitoring and management plans, and ensure match documentation.