National Marine Fisheries Service Grant for Tribal Species Recovery Programs

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) recognizes the unique importance of many protected species to tribes and values ongoing efforts by tribal nations to conserve and protect species listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), 16 U.S.C. 1535. NMFS is authorized to provide Federal assistance to tribes to support conservation programs for listed marine and anadromous species under its jurisdiction. This assistance, provided in the form of grants or cooperative agreements, can be used to support conservation of endangered, threatened, and candidate species or species proposed for listing, as well as post-delisting monitoring of recovered species. Proposals that address the recovery of one of the following endangered species are also encouraged as part of the agency’s Species in the Spotlight initiative: Gulf of Maine distinct population segment (DPS) of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), white abalone (Haliotis sorenseni), Cook Inlet DPS of beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas), Hawaiian monk seals (Neomonachus schauinslandi), Pacific leatherback sea turtles (Dermochelys coriacea), North Atlantic right whales (Eubalaena glacialis), and southern resident DPS of killer whales (Orcinus orca). Funded activities may include development and implementation of management plans, scientific research, and public education and outreach. Only federally recognized tribes and organizations of federally recognized tribes, such as the Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission, that have delegated authority to represent a federally recognized tribe on matters relating to ESA listed, candidate, or proposed species, are eligible to apply. Proposals focusing on listed, candidate, or proposed species of Pacific salmon or steelhead will not be considered for funding under this grant program; such projects may be supported through the Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund. This document describes how to prepare and submit proposals for funding in fiscal year (FY) 2023 and how NMFS will determine which proposals will be funded. This document should be read in its entirety as some information has changed from previous announcements.