Funding Opportunities

Note: Some of the funding opportunities listed have expired but they tend to occur every year so we left them to give you an idea of what might come up next year. Be sure to check back frequently for updates.

Funding for Prairie Research

offered by Prairie Biotic Research, Inc.

Prairie Biotic Research (PBR), Inc. is a Wisconsin nonprofit established in 2000 to foster biotic research in prairies.  One way they do this is through a Small Grants Program that funds grants up to $1,000 for the study of any grassland taxon in the USA.  They are especially eager to support independent researchers (individuals lacking institutional support), but anyone may apply.  Since 2002, they’ve awarded 46 grants worth $42,172 to researchers in 17 states to study insects, plants, mammals, reptiles, slime molds, mycorrhizal fungi, spiders, and invasive species.  Many of these grants supported graduate student research. 

In 2008, they expect to fund at least five grants of up to $1000 each with the donations they have received, including some restricted by the donor to support research in Illinois, Iowa and, also, in Wisconsin.

To Apply for a Grant     To apply for a grant, contact Michael Anderson at Prairie Biotic Research, Inc., PO Box 5424, Madison, WI 53705, or by email at pbr-grants@tds.net for a 2008 Grant Application Form and instructions.  Applications must be postmarked on or before January 3, 2008 to receive consideration.  Researchers who received PBR funding in 2007 are not eligible for 2008 funding. 

2008-2009 Wisconsin Coastal Management Program Grant
Program

The Wisconsin Coastal Management Program (WCMP) is soliciting proposals to enhance, preserve, protect and restore resources within the state's coastal zone - all counties adjacent to Lakes Superior and Michigan, with their 820 miles of shoreline. Please feel free to share this announcement with others who may be nterested.

WCMP Grants are available for coastal land acquisition, coastal wetland protection and habitat restoration, nonpoint source pollution control, coastal resource and community planning, Great Lakes education, public access and historic preservation. Applications are due November 2, 2007.

Applicants are encouraged to contact WCMP staff early to discuss ideas for project proposals and application requirements. When developing proposals, please pay close attention to the following items:

* Application materials and the Request for Proposals are
available on the WCMP website (http://coastal.wisconsin.gov).

* There is a cost-share requirement of non-federal funds for all projects. Matching funds may be in the form of in-kind contributions.

* For acquisition, habitat restoration and construction projects, be sure to include copies of all required permits or permit applications and title documentation with the application materials. For all projects, be sure to include copies of required documentation and letters of support.

We have scheduled four informational workshops to discuss the grant application process and funding priorities. We look forward to seeing you at one of these workshops. Should you have questions, please call the WCMP at (608) 267-7982. The meeting dates and locations are as follows:

Thursday, September 6, 2007, 1:00 p.m.
Wisconsin Administration Building, St. Croix Rm
101 East Wilson Street, Madison

Wednesday, September 12, 2007, 1:00 p.m.
Marinette City Hall, Council Chamber
1905 Hall Avenue, Marinette

Wednesday, September 19, 2007, 1:00 p.m.
Port of Milwaukee
2323 S. Lincoln Memorial Drive, Milwaukee

Thursday, September 27, 2007, 9:00 a.m.
Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center
29270 County Highway G, Ashland

Aquatic Invasive Species Control Grant

Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Control Grants are designed to assist in a state/local partnership to control aquatic invasive species. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) was directed to establish procedures to award cost-sharing grants to public and private entities for up to 50% of the costs of projects to control invasive species. These funds are available to units of local government and others for grants to control aquatic invasive species.

... Applications must be received in DNR regional offices by Feb. 1, 2007 for the spring grant cycle (August 1, 2007 for fall cycle) for education, prevention and planning projects, and for established infestation control projects. Applications are accepted throughout the year for early detection and rapid response projects. ... More (PDF)

Landowner Incentive Program

Helping landowners help rare species

The Landowner Incentive Program is a new cost-share program to helps private landowners by providing financial and technical assistance to manage and restore habitat for at-risk species on their land.  The program is funded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and administered by the DNR's Bureau of Endangered Resources.

LIP provides up to 75% of the project cost for eligible projects. At-risk species are rare plants and animals such as those listed as state or federally endangered or threatened, state special concern or species of greatest conservation need. 

Prairie and savanna management and restoration will be the focus of the first request for proposals, which will be announced in the next few weeks when applications become available.  To learn more about the program, visit the web site at http://dnr.wi.gov/org/land/er/WLIP/ 

Grants available for conservation projects

These grants are pretty flexible and can be used for on-the-ground conservation work or for education projects. You may want to consider applying if you have some eradication or control work to do.

MADISON – Public and private organizations have until Jan. 15, 2006 to apply for grants up to $1,000 for conservation projects that promote the responsible stewardship of Wisconsin’s natural resources at the local level.

The C.D. Besadny Conservation Grants from the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin (Exit DNR) provides the matching grants to private and public organizations and government agencies. Named after former Department of Natural Resources Secretary C.D., “Buzz” Besadny, this grant program has contributed more than $200,000 to 300 projects throughout every county in Wisconsin.

The foundation is especially interested in funding conservation projects from Dodge County in 2006, according to foundation program director Camille Zanoni.

This past year, the foundation awarded more than $22,000 to 24 projects throughout the state including two, DNR funded projects: the Bureau of Endangered Resource’s Dwarf Lake Iris Wildcard Project; and the Northern Region Service Center’s Raingarden Project.

Interested organizations may request a Besadny Conservation Grant application by calling (866) 264-4096, or by visiting www.wisconservation.org (go to Grant Opportunities). Questions about the program may be directed to Camille Zanoni, Program Director at (608) 266-1430 or Camille.Zanoni@dnr.state.wi.us . 2006 applications should be mailed to the NRF office at PO Box 2317, Madison, WI, 53701 and need to be postmarked by January 15, of any year.

The Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin is an independent, nonprofit organization that works with public and private partners to promote the knowledge, enjoyment and stewardship of Wisconsin's natural resources. Since its inception in 1986, the NRF has contributed over 1.2 million dollars to conservation projects throughout the state..

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Camille Zanoni, Natural Resources Foundation - (608) 266-1430

Urban Forestry Grant Program

This program has funded a number of urban forest invasives control and education projects in the past, including several years of the Weed-out! in Milwaukee County. If you have a project that might qualify, check out this website:

 http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/land/Forestry/UF/grants/index.htm

The federal GAO released an extensive report on Cooperation and Coordination are Important for Effective Management of Invasive Weeds. Report #GAO-05-185. Some good info on funding sources for inv. plant work. Single copies are available from the GAO, and it is on the following website: http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d05185.pdf

Aquatic Invasive Species Control Grants

In December 2004, the Natural Resources Board approved NR 198 Aquatic Invasive Species Control Grants. The rule still needs to clear legislative review and be officially published to be in effect. We don't anticipate issues with the legislature and expect the rule to be published before spring.

Here is a draft summary of the grant program (Word). It can be used for any aquatic or wetland invasive species in or on the shores of streams, rivers, lakes, wetlands and the Great Lakes. Grants can be used for prevention, planning, education, control and early detection and rapid response. There are two grant deadlines each year - Feb. 1 and Aug. 1. Municipalities, non-profits and other eligible applicants can apply for 50% match grant projects for up to $10,000. If you have questions after reading the summary, please contact:

Carroll Schaal
Lake Partnership Team Leader
WI Dept. of Natural Resources
101 S. Webster St, PO Box 7921
Madison, WI 53707-7921
Ph: (608) 261-6423

Also see the Midwest Invasive Plant Network Grant page.