F25AS00313 FY2025 Implementation of the Quagga and Zebra Mussel Action Plan (QZAP) in the Western United States

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), under the Department of the Interior, has announced the availability of funding for the Fiscal Year 2025 implementation of the Quagga and Zebra Mussel Action Plan (QZAP) in the Western United States through Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) F25AS00313. This initiative responds to the escalating spread of quagga and zebra mussels—non-native aquatic invasive species—that threaten water ecosystems in the western United States. Their introduction into popular recreational water bodies, especially those connected to the lower Colorado River, is primarily due to trailered watercraft. The spread of these mussels endangers natural resources, local water systems, and native aquatic species. The primary objective of this grant program is to reduce and prevent the spread of Dreissenid mussels by implementing projects aligned with QZAP 2.0. Projects must focus on containment, prevention, enforcement of related laws, public education, rapid response capacity building, or research that supports these goals. Research proposals may include assessments of the effectiveness of outreach messaging or the impact of treatment methods on non-target species. The USFWS plans to allocate approximately $2.2 million in FY2025 funding, distributed across an expected 15 awards. Individual awards will range from $50,000 to $600,000. These are discretionary grants; applicants will be evaluated based on technical merit, alignment with QZAP priorities, clarity of budget and deliverables, and collaborative partnerships. This opportunity is open to all legal entities including nonprofits, tribal organizations, universities, and local/state governments. However, only applicants from within the Western Regional Panel’s geographic area (excluding Canada and Mexico) are eligible. The program does not allow for land acquisition funding. Applications must be submitted electronically through grantsolutions.gov; submission through Grants.gov is not accepted. A Unique Entity Identifier and SAM.gov registration are required, and applicants should begin this registration early due to processing time. Entities that expend more than $750,000 in federal funds annually must submit Single Audit reports. Indirect costs may be charged if justified and documented. Required submission materials include SF-424 forms, project abstract summaries, budget narratives, and a detailed project narrative describing the issue, objectives, deliverables, staffing, location, and evaluation plan. Compliance with environmental review requirements and lobbying disclosures must be demonstrated. The grant closes on September 5, 2025, at 11:59 PM ET, and successful applicants can expect a project start date of October 31, 2025, with an end date no later than April 30, 2027. The anticipated performance period is 18 months. Evaluation will proceed through three steps: eligibility review, merit-based scoring, and risk assessment. Projects not meeting technical criteria or with unacceptable ratings will be removed from consideration. Competitive proposals will clearly align with QZAP priorities, demonstrate effective outreach or research strategies, and leverage partnerships or other resources. A panel composed of regional biologists and AIS specialists will perform the merit review, and final selections will be made by the Assistant Regional Director of the Southwest Region in consultation with the USFWS Branch of Invasive Species. For technical questions, applicants should contact Barak Shemai at barak_shemai@fws.gov or (505) 366-9565. Administrative queries can be directed to TrishaEve Verdugo at trishaeve_verdugo@fws.gov or (858) 723-4328. Applicants are strongly encouraged to begin preparations early, especially for registration processes, and to ensure proposals are fully compliant and well-aligned with the strategic goals of the QZAP program.

Ensure SAM.gov registration is complete well in advance. All application materials must be submitted via GrantSolutions.gov—do not use Grants.gov. Leverage partnerships and demonstrate clear alignment with QZAP priorities for competitive scoring.