Funding Wizard

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is seeking proposals from applicants to implement the National Outreach and Communication Program (NOCP) for sportfishing and boating. The National Outreach and Communication Program was established by the Sportfishing and Boating Safety Act of 1998 (Public Law 105-178) to reverse declining trends in participation rates in angling and boating in the early 1990’s. Everyone deserves access to clean, safe, and healthy recreational fishing and boating opportunities. Fishing and boating participation are important to our nation’s economy and fund much of our nation’s aquatic resource conservation through the sale of state fishing licenses and the grant programs funded from the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund. Proposals must address the primary purposes of the NOCP, which are to: Improve communications with anglers, boaters, and the general public regarding angling and boating opportunities. Reduce barriers to access and participation in angling and boating activities. Advance the adoption of sound angling and boating practices in the U.S. Promote conservation and the responsible use of the nation’s aquatic resources. Further safety in angling and boating. Successful proposals will present a data-driven, consensus-based national outreach strategy that reduces barriers, improves communication, advances sound practices, and promotes conservation and safety. Not all of the purposes of the NOCP must be addressed equally, but they should all be taken into consideration. A data-driven, consensus-based approach should consider the full landscape of potential stakeholders – including state and federal agencies, industry, non-governmental organizations, community groups, and the angling and boating community. Proposals should be sure to thoughtfully consider the needs of underserved and underrepresented communities. In 1998 the Sport Fishing and Boating Partnership Council (Council) developed a National Outreach and Communication Program Strategic Plan (Strategic Plan) to enhance recreational fishing and boating opportunities and heighten public awareness about the need to protect and conserve the nation's aquatic resources. That plan identified five program objectives that could be used to achieve the goals of the NOCP: Create a top-of-mind campaign to develop awareness, trial and continued participation. Educate people as to how and where to boat and fish. Target market segments and create messages which address each segment’s specific needs. Educate stakeholders on marketing, outreach and implementation of strategies to targeted user groups. Make availability of and access to boating and fishing locations easy and simple. References to “you” or “your” in this announcement refer to applicants completing the application and any potential subgrantee, if applicable. References to “we” or “us” in this announcement typically refer to the Service.

Established by Congress in fiscal year (FY) 1997, the HCP Land Acquisition Grant program was designed to reduce conflicts between the conservation of listed species and competing land uses on specific parcels of land associated with approved and permitted HCPs. Under this program, the Service provides matching grants to States in support of land acquisition projects that will conserve species habitat in perpetuity through fee simple acquisition or the acquisition of permanent conservation easements. The Service considers the use of Federal acquisition dollars by States for habitat protection associated with HCPs to be an important and effective mechanism to promote species recovery, prevent extinction, and preclude the need to list species under the ESA in the future. All land acquired through these grants complements, but does not replace, the mitigation, minimization, and/or monitoring commitments of the HCP. Thus, this work is additive to the conservation commitments entered into when HCPs are permitted and serves as a meaningful way to leverage non-Federal investment in species recovery and connect conservation lands across the landscape.

Established by Congress in fiscal year (FY) 1997, the HCP Land Acquisition Grant program was designed to reduce conflicts between the conservation of listed species and competing land uses on specific parcels of land associated with approved and permitted HCPs. Under this program, the Service provides matching grants to States in support of land acquisition projects that will conserve species habitat in perpetuity through fee simple acquisition or the acquisition of permanent conservation easements. The Service considers the use of Federal acquisition dollars by States for habitat protection associated with HCPs to be an important and effective mechanism to promote species recovery, prevent extinction, and preclude the need to list species under the ESA in the future. All land acquired through these grants complements, but does not replace, the mitigation, minimization, and/or monitoring commitments of the HCP. Thus, this work is additive to the conservation commitments entered into when HCPs are permitted and serves as a meaningful way to leverage non-Federal investment in species recovery and connect conservation lands across the landscape.

First awarded in fiscal year (FY) 2001, Recovery Land Acquisition grants promote State and Federal cooperation in listed species conservation by leveraging funds to acquire specific parcels of land, through fee simple or conservation easement, in support of Service-approved recovery plans and outlines. The ESA conveys the importance of recovery plans as a central organizing tool for guiding the recovery process by requiring their development for every listed species.

First awarded in fiscal year (FY) 2001, Recovery Land Acquisition grants promote State and Federal cooperation in listed species conservation by leveraging funds to acquire specific parcels of land, through fee simple or conservation easement, in support of Service-approved recovery plans and outlines. The ESA conveys the importance of recovery plans as a central organizing tool for guiding the recovery process by requiring their development for every listed species.

The NAWCA Canada program promotes partnerships between public agencies and groups interested in: a) protecting, improving, restoring, and managing an appropriate distribution and diversity of wetland ecosystems and other habitats for wetlands-associated migratory birds and other fish and wildlife in North America; b) maintaining and improving the current distributions of wetlands-associated migratory bird populations; and c) maintaining an abundance of waterfowl (ducks, geese, and swans) and other populations of wetlands-associated migratory birds consistent with the objectives of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan, U.S. Shorebird Conservation Plan, Waterbird Conservation Plan for the Americas, Partners in Flight Bird Conservation Plan, and other international obligations contained in the treaties and migratory bird conventions and other agreements with Canada, Mexico, and other countries. Proposals to the NAWCA Canada program should demonstrate how the activities of partners would encourage sustainable and effective programs for the long-term conservation of wetlands-associated migratory birds. NAWCA funds wetlands conservation projects that include: a) the acquisition of property containing wetlands ecosystems and associated habitats, including water rights, where the acquired land will be administered for its long-term conservation and for the benefit of migratory birds, fish, and other wildlife that depend on it; and/or b) restoration, enhancement, or management of wetlands ecosystems and associated habitats, where these activities will be conducted on lands and waters that will be administered for their long-term conservation and for the benefit of migratory birds, fish, and other wildlife that depend on them. NAWCA Canada proposals contribute to efforts to reduce climate pollution, support climate resilience, support land conservation and biodiversity efforts and leverage partnerships.

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 (Pub. L. 117-58, November 15, 2021, “Bipartisan Infrastructure Law,” or “BIL”) provided $200 million for Federal Fiscal Years (FY) 2022 to 2026 to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (Service) National Fish Passage Program (NFPP). This funding opportunity announcement outlines the criteria and process to select projects for NFPP BIL FY2023 funding. The NFPP is a voluntary program that provides direct technical and financial assistance to partners to remove instream barriers and restore aquatic organism passage and aquatic connectivity for the benefit of Federal trust resources. In doing so, NFPP aims to maintain or increase fish populations to improve ecosystem resiliency and provide quality fishing experiences for the American people. Activities that restore fish passage also support the modernization of the country’s infrastructure such as road culverts, bridges, and water diversions contributing to enhanced community resilience to the impacts from climate change and other public safety hazards. NFPP funds a variety of project types including, but not limited to, dam removals, culvert replacements, floodplain restoration, and the installation of fishways. The NFPP is delivered through the Fish and Aquatic Conservation Program (FAC) across all States and territories. FAC staff coordinate with project partners, stakeholders, and other Service programs to identify and collaboratively implement projects within regional priority areas. Project work plans are developed strategically, in coordination with partners, and with substantial involvement from FAC staff. Projects must be based upon sound scientific principles, advance the Service mission, and promote biological diversity. Applicants seeking funding under this program should contact the regional NFPP Coordinator that corresponds to the location of the project for additional information on regional priorities and coordination with FAC staff prior to applying for funding. Contact are listed at the end of the announcement.

The Highlands Conservation Act (H.R. 1964, 2004; 16 U.S.C. 3901) (HCA) is designed to assist Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania in conserving land and natural resources in the Highlands Region through Federal assistance for land conservation projects in which a State entity acquires land or an interest in land from a willing seller to permanently protect resources of high conservation value. The USDA Forest Service (USFS) was directed by the HCA to identify lands that have high conservation value through the “New York-New Jersey Highlands Regional Study: 2002 Update” and the “Highlands Regional Study: Connecticut and Pennsylvania 2010 Update.” Subject to availability of funds through Federal appropriation, each year Governors of the four Highlands States may submit proposals for up to 50% of the total cost of land conservation projects in the Highlands Region. Proposed projects must be consistent with areas identified in the Study and Update as having high resource value. This program funds land conservation by State agencies in the Highlands Region. Funding appropriated under the Highlands Conservation Act (HCA) has been divided into two separate categories – Base and Competitive. Eligible applicants may submit requests for Competitive Funding in response to this Notice of Funding Opportunity. A separate Notice of Funding Opportunity will be posted for Base Funds. A property may not be proposed for funding from both the Base and Competitive funding opportunities.

For more than two decades, the Klamath Basin has encountered numerous challenges due to ongoing drought conditions, limited water supply and diverse needs. The Interior Department, along with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), the Bureau of Reclamation and numerous other state and federal entities have sought collaborative solutions to address conditions that impact Tribes and other stakeholders who are intimately connected to the Klamath Basin. For Year 2 (FY 23) of its Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) funding opportunity for the Klamath Basin, the Service is soliciting project pre-proposals that advance restoration activities in the Klamath Basin of Southern Oregon and Northern California. During an Interior Department workshop on Klamath restoration funding opportunities on December 15, 2022, many Klamath Basin stakeholders expressed an interest in having federal agencies adopt a more efficient process for navigating the complexities of funding opportunities across the federal and state government. As an initial response to that request, the Service, in collaboration with the Interior Department and other federal and state partners, invites applicants to submit project pre-proposals for its Year 2 BIL Klamath Basin funding opportunity. This funding opportunity incorporates a two-step process. Step one involves submitting pre-proposals, which will be ranked and evaluated by the Service. For Step two, by invitation only, the Service request full-proposals from the highest ranked projects. Both the pre-proposal process and the by-invitation-only full-proposal process are described below. Potential for Leveraging and Coordinating Funding The Service recognizes that there will likely be more request for project funding, than what is available within the Service’s Year 2 BIL funding opportunity. In an effort to leverage additional funds for high-ranking projects, the Service may share pre-proposal abstracts with other funding agencies and conservation partners in order to determine level of support, overlap with ongoing work, potential additional collaboration opportunities, and potential coordination of funds.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is the premier government agency dedicated to the conservation, protection, and enhancement of fish, wildlife and plants, and their habitats. We are the only agency in the federal government whose primary responsibility is the conservation and management of these important natural resources for the American public. FWS origins date back to 1871 when Congress established the U.S. Fish Commission to study the decrease in the nation’s food fishes and recommend ways to reverse that decline. Today, we are a diverse and largely decentralized organization, employing about 8,000 dedicated professionals working out of facilities across the country, including a headquarters office in Falls Church, Virginia, and eight regional offices representing the 12 Unified Interior Regions. The National Infrastructure Partnerships initiative of the US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) encourages National Wildlife Refuge System field stations to partner with local, regional, and national nonprofit organizations, other land management groups, state and tribal partners, and others to accomplish projects that: promote the stewardship of resources of the refuge through habitat maintenance, restoration, and improvement, and support the operation and maintenance of the refuge through constructing, operating, maintaining, or improving the facilities and services of the refuge. The goals of the initiative are to enable local communities to play a more active role in increasing outdoor recreation opportunities on refuge lands and waters, to be more focused and deliberate in using partnerships to help FWS address infrastructure repair and improvement needs such as proactive maintenance and the maintenance backlog, and to enhance wildlife habitat. Additionally, this initiative can help address multiple FWS priorities as a catalyst for: Economic and Conservation Enhancement Career Training and Mentoring Opportunities for Youth and Adults Equity and Inclusion in Conservation and Recreation Climate and Wildlife Resilience Community Health Successful projects will be related to identified FWS priorities or infrastructure projects at national wildlife refuges that enhance the visitor experience, promote wildlife-dependent outdoor recreation, provide sustainable wildlife habitat, provide career training and mentoring opportunities, and engage the community in opportunities to participate in wildlife-dependent outdoor recreation on FWS lands and waters. Fish and Wildlife Act – Community Partnership Enhancement Authority Overview Notwithstanding the Federal Grants and Cooperative Agreements Act, the Fish and Wildlife Act—Community partnership enhancement (16 U.S.C. 742f(d)) authorizes FWS to enter into cooperative agreements with non-Federal partner entities to implement projects or programs for a refuge or complex of geographically related refuges , including carrying out certain construction projects on refuge property. For the purposes of this Act, construction projects include “constructing, operating, maintaining, or improving the facilities”. However, there are several restrictions that apply to the special authority when used for construction, including restrictions on partner administrative and operational costs and property ownership. This authority is only available to the National Wildlife Refuge System. Improvements become the property of the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Federal funds may not exceed non-Federal matching funds. Per the Fish and Wildlife Act – Community Partnership Enhancement Authority, FWS cannot provide funding under this program for non-Federal entity operation or administration costs (i.e. indirect costs): “(ii) Use of Federal funds - Any Federal funds used to fund a project or program under a cooperative agreement may be used only for expenses directly related to the project or program and may not be used for operation or administration of any non-Federal entity.”