Addressing information needs for priority species of raptors in Region 6 | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the name of this funding opportunity?

The funding opportunity is titled "Addressing information needs for priority species of raptors in Region 6."

Who is offering this grant opportunity?

The opportunity is offered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (DOI-FWS).

What type of award is this?

This opportunity will be awarded as a discretionary cooperative agreement. A cooperative agreement typically means there is substantial involvement or collaboration with the federal agency during project planning and execution.

What is the main purpose of the funding?

The purpose is to improve information for priority raptor species in U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Region 6 by filling key data gaps through research, monitoring, and/or modeling that directly informs management and conservation decisions.

Which geographic area does "Region 6" refer to in this opportunity?

The notice frames Region 6 as the western and Great Plains states typically associated with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Region 6, and emphasizes the challenging environments and regulatory settings involved with working on protected birds of prey in that region.

Which raptor species are identified as priorities?

The priority species identified are Ferruginous Hawk, Golden Eagle, Bald Eagle, Short-eared Owl, Burrowing Owl, and Flammulated Owl.

What kinds of raptors does the technical scope include?

The scope spans multiple raptor groups, including hawks, eagles, falcons, and owls, reflecting an expectation that methods may need to be adapted across species with different behaviors, habitats, and risks.

What types of project activities are expected to be supported?

Projects would likely involve activities such as population monitoring, movement and habitat-use studies using telemetry, assessment of breeding success or survival, and modeling approaches that translate field data into actionable guidance.

What does the announcement mean by "addressing information needs"?

The intent is to generate defensible data products that managers can use to evaluate threats, target conservation actions, and track outcomes over time.

Who is eligible to apply?

Only organizations that are partners in the Rocky Mountain Cooperative Ecosystems Studies Unit (RMCESU) are positioned for this award, according to the notice.

Is general wildlife research capacity enough to be competitive?

The call emphasizes specialized, hands-on expertise rather than general wildlife capacity, particularly experience with rigorous raptor field science in difficult environments and in regulated contexts involving protected birds of prey.

What experience are applicants expected to demonstrate?

Applicants are expected to demonstrate extensive experience designing rigorous studies on wild raptors, developing practical field plans for remote and logistically difficult areas, and navigating permitting requirements associated with federally protected species.

How important are field safety and capture/handling skills in this opportunity?

Field safety and technical competence are major themes. The announcement highlights the need for proven ability to live-trap raptors safely, restrain and process them appropriately, and fit or deploy transmitter technologies.

Does this opportunity support telemetry or transmitter deployment?

Yes. The description anticipates movement and habitat-use studies using telemetry and explicitly references the ability to fit or deploy transmitter technologies as part of the technical competence expected.

How many awards are anticipated?

The announcement anticipates up to five awards.

What is the maximum award amount?

The award ceiling is $100,000.

Does the funding level suggest the intended scale of projects?

Yes. The notice characterizes the ceiling as indicating relatively modest, targeted project budgets intended to support discrete studies or components of broader raptor conservation efforts rather than large multi-year initiatives.

What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?

The Funding Opportunity Number is F16AS00173.

When was the opportunity posted and when did it close?

It was posted April 14, 2016, with a closing date of June 13, 2016.

What CFDA number is associated with this program?

The program is listed under CFDA 15.655.

How is this opportunity categorized?

It is categorized under Science and Technology and other Research and Development.

What makes an organization a good fit for this work, based on the notice?

The notice emphasizes a strong track record in raptor field science, the ability to operate in remote and logistically difficult areas, experience working under the permitting requirements for federally protected raptors, and demonstrated expertise in safe capture, handling, processing, and transmitter deployment across different raptor species.