2026 Capital Region PRISM Requests for Proposals

Do you have an Invasive Species Project that Needs Funding? 
 
The Capital Region PRISM is seeking Request for Proposals (RFP's) for the 2026 calendar year.  The PRISM has a dedicated amount of funding for partner organizations throughout the Capital Region for invasive species related projects. Awarded projects must be located or serving areas within the ​boundary of the CR-PRISM.  
 
The CR-PRISM hosted by the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Saratoga County is funded through the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC) via the Environmental Protection Fund.  As part of the agreement with the NYSDEC, we are pleased to announce another round of funds to be released for contract on behalf of the CR-PRISM.  Proposals should align with the CR-PRISMs Five Year Strategic Plan 2023-2027 Goals, Objectives, and Priority Actions, which you can consult below.
 
The CR-PRISM is offering three levels of proposal requests in which potential applicants can apply for funding. Project requests can fall within one of the three category levels below based on financial need of partners and proposed project work. Please review the following documents before filling out your application: 

CR-PRISM Requests for Proposals: Application ​

• 2026 Capital Region PRISM RFP Pre-Application Guide
• RFP Contractor Insurance Requirements
• CR-PRISM Five Year Strategic Plan 2023-2027​
• 2026 CR-PRISM RFP Application 

RFP Supporting Documents and Resources

• 2026 RFP Scoring Selection Criteria 
• NY Invasive Species Prioritization Map Models
• Capital Region PRISM Invasive Species Tier Ranking List

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The maximum level of funding will be $25,000 per subcontract including indirect costs. Matches in kind are not part of the funding request.  Smaller funding requests will be accepted and evaluated commensurate with measurable results/outcomes expected. The money for this program comes from the NYS Environmental Protection Fund. We expect to fund several projects through this RFP, but are not obligated to award all funds.

A proposal is generally awarded funding when a project best meets the goals, objectives, and priority actions that are aligned to the Capital Region PRISM Five Year Strategic Plan, and are tied to the PRISM's priority examples. Awarded proposals will demonstrate the greatest possible justifications and feasibility for success while meeting the highest levels of selection criteria. Applicants should submit project proposals that follow a framework of response to address priority objectives. The scope of work should provide a clear connection to invasive species issues or concerns. Well-documented budgets are required. Applicants must possess knowledge, skills, and /or track record to successfully implement the project. Awards will be dependent on the merits of each application compared to other competing projects. Projects do not require a match, but documentation of local funds used to supplement the project, or in-kind matches will work in a proposal’s favor. Proposals that combine elements of prevention, education, outreach, detection, response, restoration, research, and/or other forms of invasive species’ management are welcome but not necessary.

Capital Region PRISM Priority Action Examples:
Prevent: Minimize the introduction and spread of harmful invasive species into new areas.

• Implement targeted prevention education for priority pathways of invasive species spread.
• Promote and construct the the creation of spread-prevention infrastructure and educational materials to address specific pathways of terrestrial and aquatic invasive species.

Detect & Monitor: Detect and monitor harmful invasive species approaching and affecting the CR-PRISM.

• Make effective use of limited resources by monitoring priority species and locations. 
• Detect and monitor proposals can include site preparation activities which include site survey, assessment, and project design that translate into future management and restoration projects when feasible.
• Conduct early detection surveys for Tier 1 and/or Tier 2 species, as listed in the New York Natural Heritage Program Invasive Species Tiers. 
• Proposals that address other tiered species (Tier 3, 4, or M) will require strong justification as to the value of such activities. Conduct early detection surveys for invasive species that pose a threat to conservation values. This includes: rare, threatened, endangered or species of concern; ecologically significant areas; or actions that will translate into restoring the ecologic functioning of a habitat or community.
• Surveys for nascent populations (low abundance) of invasive species are welcome.
• Establish Local Invasive Species Prevention Zone (ISPZ): The goal of an ISPZ is to protect a designated area against the intrusion of invasive species. An Invasive Species Prevention Zone (ISPZ) is a formal designation for a natural area that is dominated by native species and is known to support exceptional biodiversity concentrations as stated by the New York Natural Heritage Program (NYNHP 2006). (*Can be a small, localized area*) For more information, please reach out to the CR-PRISM.

Respond: Mitigate ecological and economic impacts of priority invasive species using an integrated pest management approach.

• Make effective use of limited resources by prioritizing responses to invasive species infestations.
• Conduct management for local eradication on Tier 1 and/or Tier 2 species, as listed in the New York Natural Heritage Program Invasive Species Tiers.​
• Projects that address containment, suppression, or exclusion for widespread Tier 3 and 4 invasive species will be considered when those actions are beneficial to protecting conservation value(s). This includes: rare, threatened, endangered or species of concern; ecologically significant areas; or actions that will translate into restoring the ecological functioning of a habitat or community.
• Projects which target nascent and/or smaller areas of infestation are welcome.
• Proposals will need well-defined justifications with clear outcomes for success that include post-treatment monitoring. Conduct restoration and resiliency components when feasible.
• Conduct and support research involving invasive species. Improve the scientific understanding of the extent, ecological impact, and/or effective controls of invasive species in the Capital Region PRISM through research.
• Projects which adequately describe and address the unique phenology and biology of target invasive species as it pertains to the proposed control action.
• Projects which deploy control methods that are tested, widely used, and likely to succeed.

Restoration and Resiliency of Sites Impacted by Invasive Species on Small Scales

• Use in conjunction with or after invasive species control measures have been implemented. Restoration strategies are a component of post-treatment and adaptive management activities.
• Native species recovery: facilitate the successful reestablishment of specific native species that were reduced or lost due to invasive species infestation.
• Habitat restoration: restore the habitat structure and/or ecological function at sites degraded by invasive species. Proposals should include evidence (historical data/surveys) that illustrates invasive impacts.
• Ecosystem Resiliency: implement measures to enhance an ecosystem's ability to withstand and recover from disturbance from invasive species and other stressors (e.g. reduce vulnerability to invasive species, restore natural processes that limit invasive species establishment, and reduce competition to support native biodiversity).
• Proposals should include a plan for post-treatment monitoring and adaptive management to ensure long-term success.

Education and Outreach: Build engaged communities that understand, support, and invest in the PRISM’s work to prevent, detect, and respond to harmful invasive species in the Capital Region.

• Construct and promote programs/events that engage specific audiences in the PRISM's work to prevent, detect, and respond to harmful invasive species. Programming should have broad applications that enhance public awareness of invasive species issues. Programs should have well documented results such as number of events, number of participants engaged, or products made with number of indirect participants reached.

The Capital Region PRISM recognizes the unique circumstances that land managers may have in relation to invasive species projects.  Be creative in submitting a proposal that will apply to an invasive species-related project. In general, the projects can be derived from the terrestrial realm including, but not limited to: forest, agriculture, riparian, disturbed areas, and urban settings.  On the aquatic side, including, but not limited to: wetlands, tributaries, and all other limnology environments. 
 
Application Deadline Closes:  
January 16th, 2026, at 9:00am.

Tentative Award Notification:
March 27th, 2026

Supporting Document:
​New York State Invasive Species Comprehensive Management Plan .

Hosted by Cornell Cooperative Extension Saratoga County.  Website ©2025 Capital Region PRISM