The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has unveiled the grant opportunity F24AS00198, focusing on the Refuge System Enhancement through Non-Infrastructure initiatives. This discretionary grant is a part of the National Wildlife Refuge System Enhancements, as indicated by the CFDA number 15.654, and includes a cooperative agreement. The grant aims to promote the stewardship of refuge system resources through habitat maintenance, restoration, and improvement. With a staggering award ceiling of $50,000,000 and a floor of $5,000, this grant is set to make a significant impact in natural resource conservation and management. The application process remains open until May 17, 2024, offering a considerable period for interested parties to prepare their submissions.
The primary goal of this funding opportunity is to support projects that not only enhance wildlife habitats but also focus on the operation and maintenance of the Refuge System by improving facilities and services. The initiative encourages National Wildlife Refuge System field stations to collaborate with local, regional, and national nonprofit organizations, other land management groups, state and tribal partners, and others. Successful projects under this grant are expected to address FWS priorities, enhance visitor experiences, promote wildlife-dependent outdoor recreation, provide sustainable wildlife habitat, offer career training and mentoring opportunities, and engage communities in wildlife-dependent recreation. Additionally, the initiative aligns with broader goals such as economic and conservation enhancement, equity and inclusion in conservation and recreation, climate and wildlife resilience, and community health. This funding opportunity, therefore, represents a critical step in promoting active community involvement in increasing outdoor recreation opportunities on refuge lands and waters, while simultaneously addressing infrastructure repair and improvement needs. Eligibility for this grant extends to a diverse group, including public housing authorities, educational institutions, government entities, and various non-profit organizations, highlighting its inclusive approach.
Opportunity ID: 351214
General Information
| Document Type: | Grants Notice |
| Funding Opportunity Number: | F24AS00198 |
| Funding Opportunity Title: | F24AS00198 Refuge System Enhancement/Non-Infrastructure |
| Opportunity Category: | Discretionary |
| Opportunity Category Explanation: | |
| Funding Instrument Type: | Cooperative AgreementGrant |
| Category of Funding Activity: | Natural Resources |
| Category Explanation: | |
| Expected Number of Awards: | |
| CFDA Number(s): | 15.654 — National Wildlife Refuge System Enhancements |
| Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement: | Yes |
| Version: | Synopsis 1 |
| Posted Date: | Nov 29, 2023 |
| Last Updated Date: | Nov 29, 2023 |
| Original Closing Date for Applications: | May 17, 2024 Electronically submitted applications must be submitted no later than 11:59 PM., ET, on the listed application due date. |
| Current Closing Date for Applications: | May 17, 2024 Electronically submitted applications must be submitted no later than 11:59 PM., ET, on the listed application due date. |
| Archive Date: | Sep 10, 2024 |
| Estimated Total Program Funding: | $ 50,000,000 |
| Award Ceiling: | $50,000,000 |
| Award Floor: | $5,000 |
Eligibility
| Eligible Applicants: | Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities Public and State controlled institutions of higher education Independent school districts County governments Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments) Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) Others (see text field entitled “Additional Information on Eligibility” for clarification) Special district governments State governments City or township governments Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Private institutions of higher education |
| Additional Information on Eligibility: | Other Organizations that have an established Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with FWS such as 501(c) 4 or 501(c) 5 nonprofit organizations that are labor unions, neighborhood associations, or other types of eligible organizations, including those that reach or represent potentially underserved communities. |
Additional Information
| Agency Name: | Fish and Wildlife Service |
| Description: | 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.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:i. Promote the stewardship of Refuge System resources through habitat maintenance, restoration, and improvement, andii. Support the operation and maintenance of the Refuge System through constructing, operating, maintaining, or improving the facilities and services of the Refuge System.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 EnhancementCareer Training and Mentoring Opportunities for Youth and AdultsEquity and Inclusion in Conservation and RecreationClimate and Wildlife ResilienceCommunity HealthSuccessful projects will address identified FWS priorities or projects at FWS sites 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.” See Full Announcement for additional eligibility requirements. |
| Link to Additional Information: | |
| Grantor Contact Information: | If you have difficulty accessing the full announcement electronically, please contact: Robert L Williams
robert_l_williams@fws.gov |