The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) is offering grants to support wildlife conservation efforts in the Congo Basin, focusing on improving protected area management, reducing threats to key wildlife populations, and developing conservation capacity. Funding is available for projects in specific geographic areas such as Gabon, Sangha Trinational and Odzala National Park, Virunga National Park, Tsuapa-Lomani-Lualaba, Maringa-Lopori-Wamba, as well as initiatives related to wildlife law enforcement, capacity building, species conservation, and biodiversity research. Government agencies, NGOs, educational institutions, and individuals are eligible to apply for grants aimed at achieving outcomes like reducing illegal wildlife activities, enhancing park management, and promoting sustainable revenue through tourism.
Opportunity ID: 199653
General Information
| Document Type:: | Grants Notice |
| Funding Opportunity Number:: | FWS-DIC-WWB-AFR2013 |
| Funding Opportunity Title:: | FWS-DIC-WWB-AFR2013 |
| Opportunity Category:: | Discretionary |
| Opportunity Category Explanation:: | |
| Funding Instrument Type:: | |
| Category of Funding Activity:: | Environment |
| Category Explanation:: | |
| Expected Number of Awards:: | 32 |
| Assistance Listings Number(s):: | 15.651 — Wildlife Without Borders-Africa Program |
| Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement:: | No |
| Version:: | Synopsis 3 |
| Posted Date:: | Sep 07, 2012 |
| Last Updated Date:: | Oct 31, 2012 |
| Original Closing Date for Applications:: | Nov 01, 2012 |
| Current Closing Date for Applications:: | Nov 08, 2012 |
| Archive Date:: | Dec 01, 2012 |
| Estimated Total Program Funding:: | $ 4,550,000 |
| Award Ceiling:: | $2,000,000 |
| Award Floor:: | $20,000 |
Eligibility
| Eligible Applicants:: | Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled “Additional Information on Eligibility” |
| Additional Information on Eligibility:: | Eligible Applicants: Applicants under this program can be: individuals; multi-national secretariats, federal, state and local government agencies; non-profit, non-governmental organizations; public and private institutions of higher education, and individuals with demonstrated and proven experience in wildlife conservation and management. U.S. non-profit, non-governmental organizations must submit documentary evidence of their Section 501(c)(3) non-profit status. |
Additional Information
| Agency Name:: | Fish and Wildlife Service |
| Description:: | The Congo Basin is a globally important region for forest and biodiversity conservation. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) works closely with national governments, U.S. agencies, and a range of other partners to ensure a strategic, results-based approach to wildlife conservation in the basin. In collaboration with U.S. Agency of International Developments (USAID) Central Africa Regional Program for the Environment (CARPE), the USFWS is providing this funding opportunity to improve protected area management, reduce threats to key wildlife populations, and develop the requisite individual and institutional conservation capacity to undertake long-term conservation programs. It is anticipated that grant funding through the USFWS Multinational Species Conservation Funds will continue to provide support on a competitive basis to Congo Basin countries and corresponding landscapes not covered in the priorities outlined below, in future funding cycles.The FY 2013 call for applications will be limited to the following geographic and thematic areas:1. Gabon Description: The basins of the Congo and Ogooué rivers comprise the second largest expanse of tropical forest on earth. The creation of Gabons National Parks network and National Parks Agency (ANPN) demonstrates international leadership in biodiversity conservation and protected area management. Yet despite these tremendous achievements, the ability of Gabon to successfully protect its national biological treasures remains significantly challenged. USFWS will support activities by ANPNs partner organizations to reduce threats to wildlife both in and around its protected area network. Funding Mechanism: Multiple, one year grants that collectively total $1,000,000. Individual proposals requesting less than $100,000 USD have a higher likelihood of being selected. Government agencies, non-governmental organizations, institutions of higher education, and individuals are eligible to apply.Desired Results: Reduction of illegal killing of elephants. Mitigation of the impacts of extractive industries in national parks and buffer zones. Improved management of national parks and buffer zones. Sustainable revenue for conservation activities through tourism.2. Sangha Trinational and Odzala National ParkDescription: The Sangha Trinational Landscape, a new World Heritage site, encompasses three contiguous national parks buffered by timber concessions. The landscape supports large populations of elephants, great apes, and many other endangered species. Odzala National Park and its surrounding timber concessions play an equally important role in conserving the biodiversity of this contiguous forest ecosystem. USFWS will continue to support activities in these areas aimed at developing conservation capacity, mitigating threats from poaching and extractive industries, enhancing law enforcement, monitoring wildlife populations and threats, and assisting in the development of sustainable revenue schemes through eco-tourism. Funding Mechanism: A single, five year cooperative agreement of up to $2,000,000 per annum developed in collaboration with government agencies and non-governmental organizations currently active in the Sangha Trinational landscape, Odzala National Park, and their surrounding timber concessions. Government agencies, non-governmental organizations, institutions of higher education, and individuals are eligible to apply. Proposals have a higher likelihood of being selected if submitted by a consortium of conservation partners.Desired Results: Reduction of illegal killing of elephants and mitigation of the impacts of extractive industries in national parks and buffer zones, including the adoption of management plans and best practice guidelines by extractive industries that clearly define the activities they will undertake to maintain healthy wildlife populations; improved management of national parks and buffer zones; reduced bushmeat consumption in logging (or other extractive industry) camps; reduced use of infrastructure and transport in logging and mining concessions which facilitate illegal bushmeat trade; proper wildlife surveys to map the distribution and density of key wildlife populations in national parks and concessions, particularly Lobeke NP; clear understanding of (a) the impact of Ebola hemorrhagic fever on ape populations, (b) transmission of Ebola among wildlife, and (c) appropriate intervention strategy and critical control measures; and sustainable revenue for conservation activities through tourism.3. Virunga National Park Description: Virunga National Park contains the highest biological diversity of any national park in Africa, with 2,000 plant species, 706 bird species, and 218 mammal species, including hippos and one-third of the worlds mountain-gorilla population. Despite recent setbacks in the security situation, Virunga National Park has made significant progress in the development of its ranger force, tourist facilities (in FY11, tourist revenues approached $1 million), and local livelihood projects. USFWS will provide operational support to enable park operations and support the further development of tourism opportunities necessary to develop a park constituency at local and national levels as well as securing a revenue source for park staff. Funding Mechanism: A single, five year cooperative agreement of up to $250,000 per annum developed in collaboration with the Congolese Wildlife Authority (Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature, ICCN) and the non-governmental organizations currently active in Virunga National Park.Desired Results: Mitigation of the impacts of extractive industries in national parks and buffer zones; improved management of national parks and buffer zones; reduction in illegal wood harvest for charcoal production; strong local constituency that supports the park; and sustainable revenue for conservation activities through tourism.4. Tsuapa-Lomani-Lualaba (TL2) Description: The Tsuapa-Lomani-Lualaba (TL2) conservation area in the Democratic Republic of Congo is home to a significant population of bonobos as well as forest elephant, congo peacock, okapi, and a recently discovered new primate species. In the TL2, the USFWS will continue to provide support to the creation of new protected areas, wildlife and threat monitoring, participatory management, and law enforcement. Funding Mechanism: A single, one year grant of up to $200,000. Government agencies, non-governmental organizations, institutions of higher education, and individuals are eligible to apply.Desired Results: Reduction of illegal killing of elephants; improved management of national parks and buffer zones; proper wildlife surveys to map the distribution and density of key wildlife populations in national parks and concessions; decreased profitability and incentive for commercial bushmeat hunters; and strong local constituency that supports protected areas and conservation activities. 5. Maringa-Lopori-WambaDescription: The Maringa-Lopori-Wamba landscape covers potentially over 20% of the estimated bonobo distribution range. Progress in previous years has led to the creation of an emerging network of protected areas. USFWS support to this landscape will focus on increasing coverage (and ensuring adequate management) to at least 12,000km2 or 15% of the landscape to safeguard enough habitat to assure the long-term viability of bonobo and other large mammals. Funding Mechanism: A single, one year grant of up to $200,000. Government agencies, non-governmental organizations, institutions of higher education, and individuals are eligible to apply.Desired Results: Decreased profitability and incentive for commercial bushmeat hunters and improved management of national parks and buffer zones. 6. Wildlife Law Enforcement Description: USFWS will support national efforts to assist governments of the Congo Basin countries to increase wildlife law enforcement capacity, produce effective deterrents to the killing of threatened or endangered wildlife, monitor the illegal wildlife trade and other activities, ensure the effective prosecutions of wildlife crimes and application of appropriate penalties, and raise public awareness of the increased enforcement of wildlife law.Funding Mechanism: Multiple, one year grants that collectively total $500,000. Individual proposals requesting less than $50,000 USD have a higher likelihood of being selected. Government agencies, non-governmental organizations, institutions of higher education, and individuals are eligible to apply.Desired Results: Increased awareness, political will and legal system capacity to enforce wildlife laws and assure effective prosecutions; greater awareness and political will among government agents and policy-makers to detect, apprehend and prosecute wildlife criminals and to dismantle smuggling networks; and greater capacity among range state governments in Central Africa to carry out law enforcement and other key functions to reduce illegal killing of elephants and to deter and detect ivory smuggling. 7. Capacity BuildingDescription: USFWS will support national and regional activities designed to strengthen the ability of African individuals and institutions to reduce threats to biodiversity. Capacity building approaches can include training, facilitating dialogue, program development, and provision of equipment and other resources. Funding Mechanism: Multiple, one year grants that collectively total $200,000. Individual proposals requesting less than $50,000 USD have a higher likelihood of being selected. Government agencies, non-governmental organizations, institutions of higher education, and individuals are eligible to apply.Desired Results: Government partners have the capacity to protect and manage natural resources in Central Africa; Central African universities and faculty have the capacity to deliver effective education and training programs on protected area management and species conservation; rural communities are active advocates for wildlife conservation; and strong political support among decision makers to positively influence wildlife policy and management.8. Species Conservation and Applied Biodiversity ResearchDescription: USFWS will support national and regional activities designed to conserve Central African species and biodiversity not eligible for funding through the Multinational Species Conservation Funds. Example activities include the collection of reliable scientific data for management, efforts to conserve freshwater fish stocks, and protection of highly threatened species. Project activities that emphasize data collection and status assessment should describe a direct link to management action, and explain how lack of information has been a key limiting factor for management action in the past.Funding Mechanism: Multiple, one year grants that collectively total $200,000. Individual proposals requesting less than $50,000 USD have a higher likelihood of being selected. Government agencies, non-governmental organizations, institutions of higher education, and individuals are eligible to apply.Desired Results: Protected area managers and field personnel have the capacity, information and equipment to identify, monitor, and take action against key threats to Central African wildlife and no species endemic to Central Africa goes extinct. |
| Link to Additional Information:: | |
| Grantor Contact Information:: | If you have difficulty accessing the full announcement electronically, please contact: |
Version History
| Version | Modification Description | Updated Date |
|---|---|---|
| Synopsis 3 | Deadline extended to close of business, November 8th, due to Hurricane Sandy. | Oct 31, 2012 |
| Synopsis 2 | Added more detailed Funding Opportunity Description | |
| Synopsis 1 |
Package Status
Below are CLOSED Opportunity Package(s) no longer available for this Funding Opportunity:
Package No: 1
| Assistance Listings: | |
| Competition ID: | |
| Competition Title: | |
| Opportunity Package ID: | PKG00144975 |
| Opening Date: | |
| Closing Date: | Nov 08, 2012 |
| Agency Contact Information:: | Corrie Mauldin |
| Who Can Apply:: | Organization and Individual Applicants |
| mendatory_forms |
Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424) [V2.1] Attachments [V1.1] Assurances for Non-Construction Programs (SF-424B) [V1.1] |
| optional_forms |
Packages
| Assistance Listings | Competition ID | Competition Title | Opportunity Package ID | Opening Date | Closing Date | Actions | Who Can Apply: | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PKG00144975 | Nov 08, 2012 | View | Corrie Mauldin | Organization and Individual Applicants |