2025 Request for Proposals
The Mid-Atlantic Panel on Aquatic Invasive Species (MAPAIS) is offering a small grants competition to encourage interested groups and individuals to submit proposals for possible funding.
Download the full solicitation.
Important Due Dates
Proposals must be submitted as one PDF file to MAP-Proposals@mdsg.umd.edu by February 28th, 2025 at 5:00 PM EDT. Proposals not adhering to the solicitation guidance will be returned without review.
Program priorities:
The MAPAIS membership identified the following activities as high
priorities for 2025. This is not an exclusive list, and priorities are listed in no particular order.
Projects that address other AIS management topics will also be considered.
- Conduct research on AIS issues in the region such as prevention, early detection, rapid
response, emerging invasions, and how climate change may influence AIS. - Conduct innovative approaches to AIS control/eradication, or control/eradicate a high
priority AIS population. - Continue to develop vector management strategies for states and the region.
- Develop outreach and educational materials for classrooms and specific populations (K-Gray) to prevent the introduction and spread of AIS.
- Encourage states to develop and implement AIS management plans meeting the standards
set by the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force.
Eligibility and Proposal Process
Any individuals in state or local agencies, institutions of higher education, commercial or non-profit organizations, professional, lake, landowner, watershed, tribes, and international organizations are eligible for funding as investigators or cooperators.
Selection Process
- All proposals will be screened to determine eligibility and whether projects address program priorities.
- All proposals will be reviewed by expert reviewers, which may include MAPAIS members or other experts in the field.
- Proposals will be evaluated and ranked according to:
- Technical merit and feasibility
- Relevance to MAPAIS mission and priorities
- Outreach and impact potential
- Applicants’ knowledge of the field and previous contributions
- At the spring/summer MAPAIS meeting, the Panel will assess and revise the rankings as appropriate.
- Projects will be selected based on available funds, requested funding support, technical ranking, and MAPAIS priorities.
- Announcement of awards is expected by July 2025.
- Projects selected for funding will be required to work with the Fiscal Agent to complete final budget sheets and budget justifications following funding guidance from MAPAIS.
Consultation
Before submitting a proposal, applicants are encouraged to discuss proposals with their respective MAPAIS state representative.
Photo: Rusty Crayfish (Orconectes rusticus) Credit: Jay Kilian, MD DNR