Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA FS IPT INVASIVE SPECIES 2026
The USDA Forest Service International Programs and Trade (IPT) Invasive Species Program Funding Opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number: USDA FS IPT INVASIVE SPECIES 2026) is a discretionary grant program focused on preventing the introduction and establishment of new invasive pests that could harm U.S. agriculture and related natural resources. The central purpose of this notice of funding opportunity is to fund projects that translate what is already known from invasive species research into real-world prevention outcomes, meaning practical, on-the-ground or decision-ready improvements that reduce the likelihood of new pest arrivals and successful establishment. Rather than emphasizing new basic research, the program is looking for proposals that use existing scientific understanding of pest risks and pathways and then directly connect that knowledge to improved regulatory systems, policy choices, and operational actions that strengthen U.S. prevention efforts.
A key theme of the opportunity is closing the gap between pre-invasion science and prevention practice. The notice points to examples of the kind of knowledge base it wants applicants to leverage, such as horizon scanning (structured approaches for identifying emerging pest threats before they arrive) and monitoring approaches like ex-patria sentinel trees (observing pests and disease agents on host plants located outside the United States to detect potential threats early). Competitive projects will not stop at producing reports or risk lists; they are expected to take the next step and convert that information into actionable tools, guidance, frameworks, or procedures that can be used by regulators and decision-makers to reduce introduction risk through better prevention measures. In other words, the program is oriented toward tangible improvements in the way invasive species prevention is carried out, including how risks are identified, prioritized, and managed through policy and regulatory action.
The program is administered by the Forest Service and is categorized under the funding activity area of Environment and Natural Resources (CFDA number 10.684). Awards are grants, with an award ceiling of $250,000, and the agency expects to make about three awards under this opportunity. The application deadline listed is September 30, 2026, and the opportunity record shows a creation date of August 3, 2026, which suggests it is a relatively recent posting and applicants should pay close attention to the full NOFO for any additional eligibility, compliance, and submission requirements.
Eligibility is broad and includes U.S. public entities and a range of organizational types: state, county, and local governments; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations; nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and an "others" category. The description also explicitly invites international participation, including international organizations and foreign nongovernmental organizations, with the important caveat that international applicants generally must be legally registered and based in countries that are not sanctioned by the U.S. Department of State. This international component aligns with the emphasis on pre-border and pre-invasion knowledge (for example, using overseas detection and monitoring insights to inform U.S. prevention decisions), and it signals that cross-border collaboration may be relevant when it directly supports improved U.S. invasive species prevention outcomes.
Overall, the opportunity is best understood as implementation-oriented funding for projects that can credibly demonstrate a pathway from existing invasive species risk knowledge to specific changes in prevention practice, such as refined regulatory frameworks, clearer policy guidance, improved pathway-focused prevention actions, or decision-support products that agencies can use to reduce the probability that high-risk pests arrive and establish in the United States.Apply for USDA FS IPT INVASIVE SPECIES 2026
- The Forest Service in the environment, natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "International Programs & Trade, Invasive Species Program Funding Opportunity" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.684.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-08-03.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-09-30. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $250,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 3 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Others.
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USDA Forest Service IPT Invasive Species Program (2026) - Frequently Asked Questions
1) What is this funding opportunity?
This is the USDA Forest Service International Programs and Trade (IPT) Invasive Species Program Funding Opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number: USDA FS IPT INVASIVE SPECIES 2026). It is a discretionary grant program focused on preventing the introduction and establishment of new invasive pests that could harm U.S. agriculture and related natural resources.
2) What is the main goal of the program?
The central goal is to fund projects that translate existing invasive species research and risk knowledge into real-world prevention outcomes. The intent is practical, on-the-ground or decision-ready improvements that reduce the likelihood of new pest arrivals and successful establishment in the United States.
3) Is this program funding new basic research?
The opportunity emphasizes implementation rather than new basic research. The program is looking for proposals that use what is already known from invasive species research (for example, known risks and pathways) and then directly connect that knowledge to improved regulatory systems, policy choices, and operational actions.
4) What does "closing the gap between pre-invasion science and prevention practice" mean?
It means moving beyond identifying or describing threats and instead producing usable outcomes that strengthen prevention. Competitive projects are expected to convert existing scientific understanding into actionable tools, guidance, frameworks, or procedures that regulators and decision-makers can actually use to reduce introduction risk.
5) What kinds of activities or approaches does the NOFO highlight as relevant?
The description points to leveraging knowledge such as horizon scanning (structured approaches for identifying emerging pest threats before they arrive) and monitoring approaches like ex-patria sentinel trees (observing pests and disease agents on host plants located outside the United States to detect potential threats early). The emphasis is on applying these approaches in ways that improve prevention decisions and actions.
6) If a project produces a report or a risk list, is that enough?
Based on the description, producing only reports or risk lists is unlikely to be competitive by itself. The program expects projects to take the next step and translate that information into prevention practice through actionable outputs that can be adopted or used by regulators and decision-makers.
7) What types of deliverables appear to fit this opportunity?
Deliverables that align with the stated focus include actionable tools, guidance, frameworks, procedures, and decision-support products that strengthen U.S. invasive species prevention. The description also mentions improvements tied to regulatory frameworks, policy guidance, and pathway-focused prevention actions.
8) What outcomes is the program trying to achieve?
The program is oriented toward tangible improvements in how invasive species prevention is carried out, including how risks are identified, prioritized, and managed through policy and regulatory action, with the ultimate aim of reducing the probability that high-risk pests arrive and establish in the United States.
9) Who is the administering agency?
The program is administered by the USDA Forest Service, International Programs and Trade (IPT).
10) What is the funding activity area and CFDA number?
The funding activity area is Environment and Natural Resources, and the CFDA number listed is 10.684.
11) What type of award is being offered?
Awards under this opportunity are grants.
12) What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is $250,000.
13) How many awards does the agency expect to make?
The agency expects to make about three awards under this opportunity.
14) What is the application deadline?
The application deadline listed is September 30, 2026.
15) When was the opportunity posted/created?
The opportunity record shows a creation date of August 3, 2026.
16) Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes U.S. public entities and a wide range of organizations, including:
- State, county, and local governments
- Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education
- Private institutions of higher education
- Federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations
- Nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education)
- For-profit organizations other than small businesses
- An "others" category
17) Are international applicants allowed?
Yes. The description explicitly invites international participation, including international organizations and foreign nongovernmental organizations.
18) Are there conditions on international eligibility?
International applicants generally must be legally registered and based in countries that are not sanctioned by the U.S. Department of State.
19) Why does the program include an international component?
The international component aligns with the program's emphasis on pre-border and pre-invasion knowledge. For example, overseas detection and monitoring insights (including approaches like ex-patria sentinel trees) may inform U.S. prevention decisions when they directly support improved U.S. invasive species prevention outcomes.
20) What kinds of projects are the best fit overall?
The opportunity is best understood as implementation-oriented funding for projects that can credibly demonstrate a pathway from existing invasive species risk knowledge to specific changes in prevention practice. Examples described include refined regulatory frameworks, clearer policy guidance, improved pathway-focused prevention actions, and decision-support products that agencies can use to reduce the probability that high-risk pests arrive and establish in the United States.
21) Should applicants rely only on the summary description?
No. The description notes that applicants should pay close attention to the full Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for any additional eligibility, compliance, and submission requirements.
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