Funding Wizard

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) Ecological Services Program provides Federal financial assistance on a competitive basis to states, landowners, educators, non-profit organizations, researchers and other potential partners to secure information about candidate and other at-risk species to avert listing of species pursuant to the Endangered Species Act, and to help conserve the ecosystems upon which these species depend.The overall goal of this Candidate Conservation funding opportunity is based on cooperative relationships with states, non-profit organizations, private landowners and those interested in habitat restoration or undertaking candidate and at-risk species research, surveys and monitoring, or educational outreach efforts. Work may be done via cooperative agreement and project grants.

Section 812 of ANILCA directs the Departments of the Interior and Agriculture, cooperating with other Federal agencies, the State of Alaska, and Alaska Native and rural organizations, to research and monitor fish and wildlife subsistence uses on Federal public lands and to seek data from, consult with, and make use of the knowledge of local residents engaged in subsistence. When the Federal government assumed responsibility for management of subsistence fisheries on Federal public lands in Alaska in 1999, the Secretary of the Interior made a commitment to increase the quantity and quality of information available to manage subsistence fisheries, to increase quality and quantity of meaningful involvement by Alaska Native and rural organizations, and to increase collaboration among Federal, State, Alaska Native, and rural organizations. The mission of the Fisheries Resource Monitoring Program (Monitoring Program) is to identify and provide information needed to sustain subsistence fisheries on Federal public lands for rural Alaskans through a multidisciplinary, collaborative program. The main focus of the Monitoring Program will continue to be projects whose purpose is the collection, dissemination, and application of information used in the management of Federal subsistence fisheries in Alaska. However, it is also the intent of the Monitoring Program to support partnerships and provide opportunities for capacity building of rural organizations, communities, and individuals. Applicants are encouraged to develop the highest level of community and regional collaboration that is practical. Investigators must demonstrate that capacity building has already reached the communication or partnership development stage during proposal development, and ideally, include a strategy to develop capacity building to higher levels, recognizing, however, that in some situations higher level involvement may not be desired or feasible by local organizations. Letters of support from local communities or organizations that will partner on the proposed project must be included with the proposal package. The Office of Subsistence Management is targeting this Funding Opportunity towards projects that address specific priority information needs identified by Federal Subsistence Regional Advisory Councils. The 2022 Priority Information Needs can be accessed at the Monitoring Program’s webpage https://www.doi.gov/subsistence/frmp/funding. Investigators wishing to address information needs other than those identified in the list must include a compelling rationale regarding strategic importance and application to Federal subsistence management. Project proposals are evaluated using five, equally weighted criteria: (1) strategic priority, (2) technical and scientific merit, (3) investigator ability and resources, (4) partnership-capacity building, and (5) cost/benefit. Indicators of successful projects are technical soundness, administrative competence, and cost effectiveness. Successful projects promote partnerships and capacity building and address critical Federal subsistence fisheries research and monitoring needs. Successful projects have rigorous sampling and/or research designs with appropriate, clearly stated, and achievable objectives and incorporate traditional knowledge and methods. Rural community members have meaningful roles such as in project management or fieldwork, and requested funds are reasonable and justified.

Marine Turtle Conservation Fund (MTCA)

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is pleased to announce the availability of financial assistance to wildlife and natural resource management agencies of states, the District of Columbia, and federally-recognized Native American Tribes for efforts related directly to the management of white-nose syndrome (WNS), a fungal disease of bats. State Agencies and Tribal natural resource or environmental management programs are encouraged to apply for this opportunity. The most competitive proposals will present actionable plans to manage WNS and bat species that are affected or potentially vulnerable to the disease. WNS is confirmed in at least 12 bat species, including three that are federally listed as threatened or endangered. The northern long-eared bat was listed as Threatened primarily due to impacts of WNS. Concern over population declines resulting from WNS led the Service to schedule status assessments for two additional bat species: little brown bat and tricolored bat. The work funded through the WNS Grants to States and Tribes is expected to assist partners in their efforts to combat the disease and conserve affected species. In addition, the projects funded will provide information that strengthens the scientific information needed to support decisions under the Endangered Species Act. Since 2008, funding through the WNS Grants to States has led to critical information and resources for maximizing the benefits of bat conservation efforts by States. In 2019, this funding opportunity was extended to Tribes engaged in, or seeking to engage in, bat management and conservation efforts. Although WNS has decimated several species of bats in North America, efforts taken with the support of funding from the Service’s WNS program have helped the management community to focus efforts where there is the greatest need and benefit. Through the advances made in understanding WNS over the past decade, we now have multiple tools that management agencies can consider when developing and implementing strategies to combat WNS. In this way, these grants support the actions of States and Tribes working to conserve bats in the United States.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is pleased to announce the availability of financial assistance to wildlife and natural resource management agencies of states, the District of Columbia, and federally-recognized Native American Tribes for efforts related directly to the management of white-nose syndrome (WNS), a fungal disease of bats. State Agencies and Tribal natural resource or environmental management programs are encouraged to apply for this opportunity. The most competitive proposals will present actionable plans to manage WNS and bat species that are affected or potentially vulnerable to the disease. WNS is confirmed in at least 12 bat species, including three that are federally listed as threatened or endangered. The northern long-eared bat was listed as Threatened primarily due to impacts of WNS. Concern over population declines resulting from WNS led the Service to schedule status assessments for two additional bat species: little brown bat and tricolored bat. The work funded through the WNS Grants to States and Tribes is expected to assist partners in their efforts to combat the disease and conserve affected species. In addition, the projects funded will provide information that strengthens the scientific information needed to support decisions under the Endangered Species Act. Since 2008, funding through the WNS Grants to States has led to critical information and resources for maximizing the benefits of bat conservation efforts by States. In 2019, this funding opportunity was extended to Tribes engaged in, or seeking to engage in, bat management and conservation efforts. Although WNS has decimated several species of bats in North America, efforts taken with the support of funding from the Service’s WNS program have helped the management community to focus efforts where there is the greatest need and benefit. Through the advances made in understanding WNS over the past decade, we now have multiple tools that management agencies can consider when developing and implementing strategies to combat WNS. In this way, these grants support the actions of States and Tribes working to conserve bats in the United States.

The ANS Task Force, within its Strategic Plan for 2020-2025 (Objective 2.2 and 2.3), identifies a need to evaluate and prioritize pathways, develop risk management strategies, and encourage implementation of non-regulatory and regulatory measures to prevent the establishment and spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS) in waters of the United States. While evaluating pathways, the ANS Task Force determined that more information is needed to assess the risk of spreading AIS via the seaplane pathway and develop measures to mitigate this risk. This project will address these objectives. International air travel is a significant pathway for the introduction of nonnative pest species, based on data collected at U.S. Department of Agriculture inspection stations (McCullough, et al., 2006. Biol. Invas. 8: 611–630). However, there has been no conclusive data to quantify the risk of transport of AIS represented by seaplanes. Air travel has historically connected otherwise isolated areas, providing a means to transport species from one location to another. The risk of species movement associated with commercial airplanes and air cargo carriers has been previously evaluated; however, the ANS Task Force Prevention Subcommittee found that information on the potential risks associated with seaplanes is currently lacking. Seaplanes may be a more direct risk to aquatic habitats, as opposed to passenger or cargo aircraft. Preliminary studies of the seaplane transportation pathway in Alaska, have concluded that seaplanes have contributed to the spread of Elodea, an invasive aquatic plant within Alaska. The spread of Elodea could have significant economic impacts on fisheries, businesses, and recreation, if left unchecked. Currently, the significance of the seaplane pathway as a vector for high risk species, such as Dressinid mussels, within the contiguous United States, and between Alaska and the contiguous United States is poorly understood. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), co-chair of the ANS Task Force, requests proposals to build upon previous studies and evaluate the risk of the seaplane pathway as a vector for AIS. This risk analysis should include two components: a risk assessment and identification of risk management actions. The risk assessment is needed to identify and quantify the range of waterbodies that are utilized by seaplanes and what AIS may be transported through this pathway. This information will be used to identify risk management actions that can be taken by seaplane operators, manufacturers, and others to reduce the spread of AIS. The assessment should be conducted for the 48 contiguous states and Alaska. Your risk analysis proposal must address: Identifying the travel patterns of seaplanes within the 48 contiguous states and Alaska; this would include the location and distance traveled between origin and final destinations, frequency of travel, and average time spent at each location. Identifying what AIS potentially could be moved by seaplane operation. Identifying high risk areas of the plane (e.g., hull, float, wheel well), as well as operational or distribution practices and behaviors that may facilitate transport of AIS. Assessing the extent to which measures are taken by seaplane operators to prevent the transport of AIS. Developing evidence-based recommendations for preventing the establishment and spread of AIS through seaplane operation and distribution, working with seaplane pilots to ensure the recommendations are realistic and practical. Developing evidence-based recommendations for preventing the spread of AIS through seaplane manufacturing to consider possible redesign opportunities if high-risk areas of the plane are identified. It is the intent that the results of this assessment may be used by the ANS Task Force, regional ANS panels, States, and partners to develop or enhance seaplane decontamination and inspection protocols or other industry standards, processes, or programs. Risk management strategies may also inform State and non-governmental educational and awareness campaigns that inform seaplane pilots about the risks of AIS and encourage preventative behaviors to reduce this risk. Proposals submitted for this award should address how the anticipated results will assist the ANS Task Force in reaching the goal of preventing the establishment and spread of AIS by seaplanes through non-regulatory and regulatory measures. Following the assessment, the ANS Task Force will work with federal and state agency personnel and others who are actively involved with seaplane operation, seaplane manufacturing or distribution, and AIS management to facilitate adoption of the recommendations, as appropriate. Following award selection, and prior to commencement of work, the successful applicant must meet with the Service. During the meeting, the applicant will summarize the work plan (methods and timetable) and review the draft outline of the final report, included in the application, with the Service. The Service will provide feedback on anticipated deliverables meeting ANSTF needs. Overall, the final report should: Identify and quantify the risk of spreading AIS though seaplane operation, by reporting on the number and type of waterbodies used by seaplanes, the distance traveled, and potential high risk AIS that may be transported. Data should be depicted on maps when possible. Identify high risk areas of the plane that may facilitate transport of AIS. Identify any specific operational practices or behaviors of seaplane operators, manufacturers and distributers that may facilitate transport of AIS. Report on the type and frequency of AIS preventative measures performed by seaplane operators. Recommend priority best management practices to reduce the risk of AIS spread by seaplanes. Recommend possible redesign opportunities or industry standards that could be considered by seaplane manufactures to reduce the spread of AIS. Once the risk analysis is complete, the grantee will be required to present (30 – 45 minutes, in person or virtually) the findings and recommendations to the Service and ANS Task Force, along with their final risk analysis report.

I. Program Description Quagga and Zebra Mussels are aquatic invasive species that are rapidly expanding their range in the Western United States. Popular recreational reservoirs on or connected to the lower Colorado River are one major source of invasive mussels, which are easily transported via trailered watercraft to areas that have not yet been invaded. This Request For Proposals (RFP) will fund proposals in the listed principal areas towards the fulfillment of the top priorities in the Quagga/Zebra Mussel Action Plan for Western U.S. Waters (QZAP) and will be limited to states within the boundaries of the Western Regional Panel within the United States, not including Canada and Mexico (see map): https://westernregionalpanel.org/about-us/ Limiting the spread of invasive mussels through containment, especially by inspection and decontamination of watercraft moving from invaded water bodies to jurisdictions currently free of dreissenid mussels, and the coordination between states or other jurisdictions to this end; Protecting western ecosystems through support and/or establishment of prevention programs for invasive mussels at identified high risk control points. Limiting the spread of invasive mussels through containment by increasing compliance with federal, state, local and tribal laws; Increasing the effectiveness of outreach and education efforts to help advance prevention efforts; Building capacity to detect and respond to new invasive mussel infestations; Conducting Research that benefits the priorities listed above, including (but not limited to) social science research to evaluate the effectiveness of invasive species prevention messaging, and research on non-target species impacts of invasive mussel control treatments. Efforts to address the risks and impacts of these invasive species are on-going. They include development of QZAP, and funding by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (Service) to address waters at highest risk for spreading invasive mussels. In fiscal year 2021 the Service plans to allocate approximately $2,250,000 to projects that will reduce or minimize the threat of quagga and zebra mussels to Western U.S. waters. Funding is available for a limited number of projects that target containment of quagga or zebra mussels in areas already infested, e.g., the lower Colorado River and connected waters, by minimizing the potential for trailered boats to carry invasive mussels to other waters, through actions that meet the principle areas identified above.

The Tribal Wildlife Grants (TWG) Program was created to support the development and implementation of programs for the benefit of wildlife and their habitats and species of Tribal cultural or traditional importance, including species that are not hunted or fished. The TWG Program is part of the State Wildlife Grant (SWG) Program which provides wildlife conservation grants to States, Commonwealths, and to the District of Columbia, U.S. Territories, and Tribes under provisions of the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 and the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act. TWG Program funding originates from the Department of the Interior (DOI) and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2002 (Pub. L. 107-63), when Congress first specified that the Service use a portion of the funds appropriated under the SWG Program to establish a competitive grant program available to federally recognized Tribes. This language allows the Secretary of the Department of the Interior, through the Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), to establish a separate competitive Tribal grant program which is not subject to the provisions or other requirements of the SWG Program portion. The TWG Program provides opportunities for federally recognized Tribes to engage in fish and wildlife conservation efforts on their lands, many of which are located adjacent to DOI- managed lands. Many of the TWG Program-funded project activities increase fish and wildlife populations, allowing for hunting and fishing opportunities on and off Tribal lands. Additionally, the TWG Program funds project activities that align and assist the Service with Endangered Species Act (ESA) activities supporting downlisting, delisting, and preventing new species listings under the ESA. Eligible projects include those that initiate, develop or implement activities or programs that benefit wildlife and their habitat, including species of Native American cultural or traditional importance and species that are not hunted or fished.

The Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection, and Restoration Act (Title III, Section 301, Public Law 101‐646, 16 U.S.C. 3951-3956) established the National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant (NCWCG) Program to acquire, restore, and enhance wetlands in coastal areas through competitive matching grants to eligible State, Commonwealth, and Territory agencies. The NCWCG Program is funded by revenues collected from excise taxes on sport fishing equipment, electric motors and sonar, import duties on fishing tackle, yachts and pleasure craft, and a portion of gasoline tax attributable to motorboats and small engines. Revenues are deposited into and appropriated from the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund. The primary goal of the NCWCG Program is the long‐term conservation of coastal wetland ecosystems.

The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA) and the Service work cooperatively to manage T-MSGCP and R3-MSGCP. Administratively, both programs function similarly, with AFWA providing the Service with a priority list of projects to be considered for award and the Service administering the program and managing the awards. This Funding Opportunity Announcement provides application guidance for both of these competitive programs. Eligible grant proposals are shared with the AFWA National Grants Committee (NGC) for review and ranking to aid in the selection process. Proposals must address eligible activities in one or more of the selected AFWA Strategic Priorities to be considered. Strategic Priorities are annually selected by AFWA to establish the State, Commonwealth, and Territory fish and wildlife agencies' (States') conservation priorities (under T-MSCGP) or national recruitment priorities (under R3-MSCGP), and they are used to guide proposal development and grant selection for the programs. The primary goal of both programs is to provide grant funds to address regional or national priority needs of the States and their partners that are beyond the scope and capabilities of a single State. Projects selected and awarded are annually published in the Federal Register. Lists of past awards are also available from the Service and AFWA (see Section G, Federal Awarding Agency Contacts). Recipients awarded grants under T-MSCGP may use the funds for sport fisheries and wildlife management including research projects, boating access development, hunter safety and education, aquatic education, fish and wildlife habitat improvements, and other purposes consistent with the enabling legislation. Recipients awarded grants under the R3-MSCGP can only use the funds for designing or implementing hunter recruitment and recreational shooter recruitment projects that promote a national hunting and shooting sports recruitment program, including related communication and outreach activities. FY 2022 Strategic Priorities for MSGCP funding: Strategic Priorities FY 2022 Strategic Priorities for the MSCGP 1. Conservation & Science A. Large Landscape Systems & Species B. Climate C. Wildlife Disease Including Connections with Human Health (“One Health”) D. Data E. Human Dimensions & Social Science F. Invasive Species 2. Relevancy & Inclusion & Participation A. Enhancing Conservation Through Broader Engagement B. Communication Programs that Further Regional & National Conservation Efforts C. Implementing and/or Expanding Internal and External Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Efforts 3. Coordination, Capacity Building & Fish and Wildlife Agencies Support A. Leadership Development B. Conservation Education C. Coordination of International, National & Regional Conservation Efforts & Policies D. Integration of Law Enforcement 4. Trust Fund Stewardship A. Research that Informs & Supports Conservation Efforts B. Trust Fund Education & Promotion of North American Model of Conservation (“Legal Strategy”) C. Conservation Law Education 5. AFWA Priorities Identified in AFWA Funding Principles (submitted by ExCom) A. Management Assistance Team B. Management of MSCGP Program C. CITES and International Conservation Programs and Their Impact of State Agencies D. Coordination of Conservation on National Scale 6. Recruitment, Retention, Reactivation (R3)* *The category was recently developed in response to the Pittman Roberson Modernization Act and includes up to an additional $5 million for R3 projects focused specifically on hunting and shooting sports. The Association is also requesting R3 projects focused on fishing through this category although they will be funded through the Traditional MSCGP program using available Sport Fish Restoration funding. a. Monitoring and Evaluation (Wildlife Restoration Only) Description: Development of tools, trainings and technologies that allow R3 practitioners to document the influence of R3 effort implementation on the target participants’ or populations’ initiation into and/or increased avidity in hunting and/or recreational target shooting. Potential projects might include: Development of tools to support data collection methodologies, data dashboards, and resources that increase R3 staff competency and capacity to evaluate, manage, and interpret data in order to benefit decision making. Creation of R3 effort outcome indicators measurement and collection systems that allow participant and license sales data to be summarized and compared at regional or national scales. b. Marketing Description: Identification, development and implementation of strategic marketing tools and resources (with defined and measurable R3 outcomes) intended to 1) maximize social support for (from increasing broad societal awareness and acceptance, to connecting prospects with opportunities) and to 2) increase participation in hunting and/or recreational target shooting. Projects will also be considered for fishing participation under this category using funds from the Traditional MSCGP. Potential Projects might include: Market research; best marketing practices; development of marketing toolkits; strategies to form regional or national marketing campaigns; or increase community-wide engagement and implementation of marketing tactics. c. Mentoring Description: Identification and evaluation of elements of successful mentoring programs as well as current mentor/mentee motivations and application of that knowledge to expand and promote effective mentoring or instructional efforts from the current base of hunting and/or recreational target shooting participants. Projects will also be considered for fishing participation under this category using funds from the Traditional MSCGP. Potential projects might include: Development of program guidance to increase effectiveness, capacity, scalability, and collaboration of partners; efforts to increase involvement and marketing to current participants to become mentors; efforts to increase understanding and engagement of potential mentees; and efforts to facilitate effective brokering of mentoring or instructional experiences within populations of mentors/instructors and prospective mentees/students. d. Engaging New Audiences Description: Assist organizations and R3 efforts with targeting new or underserved audiences by further defining likely new and efficient audiences, and then identifying effective pathways and tools to create targeted R3 efforts to engage those new and diverse audiences. Proposals focused specifically on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Initiatives are encouraged. Potential projects might include: Development of tools to increase the effectiveness of targeted R3 efforts; evaluation of adoption and effectiveness of existing toolkits; research projects to understand potential target audiences; development of additional toolkits or trainings to increase organizations’ effectiveness and capacity in retaining new hunting and target shooting participants. Projects will also be considered for fishing participation under this category using funds from the Traditional MSCGP. e. R3 Capacity and Infrastructure Description: Assist the R3 community in increasing capacity and infrastructure to address regional and national R3 threats and barriers; and provide for the unification of strategic and effective R3 efforts by state and federal fish and wildlife agencies, NGO and industry partners to yield measurable outcomes. Potential projects might include: Development of resources to help organizations improve effectiveness in R3 efforts; projects that increase partners’ (industry, NGO, regional associations, etc.) capacity to work on collaborative R3 efforts; development of tools that foster effective communication, planning, coordination, and networking at all levels on R3 efforts; facilitation of strategic efforts to unify the R3 community in its pursuits.