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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the BDJV Special Research Need grant (Funding Opportunity Number 62009)?

The BDJV Special Research Need grant (Funding Opportunity Number 62009) was a competitive, discretionary grant opportunity administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under the Black Duck Joint Venture (BDJV). The BDJV is a partnership conservation program operating under the North American Waterfowl Management Plan.

What was the main purpose of this grant opportunity?

The core purpose was to support research that strengthens management and conservation of American black ducks by improving scientific understanding of black duck ecology and the factors shaping population status and habitat use. The program emphasized practical, decision-relevant science that BDJV partners and the broader research community could use.

What specific research topic did this solicitation focus on?

This solicitation targeted one specific research need: developing predictive models to estimate how economic development and climate change could affect the distribution and abundance of breeding black ducks in northern Quebec, specifically north of the 49th parallel.

What kinds of outputs was the BDJV looking for?

Based on the solicitation focus, the BDJV was looking for modeling tools and results that could anticipate where breeding black ducks are likely to occur and in what numbers under changing conditions, and that relate those changes to development pressures and climate-driven habitat shifts. The emphasis on predictive modeling indicates interest in scenario-based planning outputs that can guide long-term conservation strategy and habitat protection efforts.

What geographic area was the priority for this research?

The priority area was northern Quebec, specifically the region north of the 49th parallel.

What stressors or drivers did the models need to consider?

The targeted modeling need was to estimate impacts from (1) economic development and (2) climate change on breeding black duck distribution and abundance, including climate-driven habitat shifts and development-related pressures.

Which species was the focus of the grant?

The opportunity focused on American black ducks, with an emphasis on breeding distribution and abundance in the specified northern Quebec region.

What agency administered this opportunity?

The opportunity was administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as part of the Black Duck Joint Venture (BDJV).

What is the funding instrument for this opportunity?

The funding instrument was a grant.

How much funding was available?

The solicitation anticipated a single award with an estimated total of $27,000. The $27,000 amount also served as the maximum (award ceiling) for the opportunity.

Was there a minimum award amount?

No minimum award amount was listed in the information provided.

How many awards were anticipated?

The opportunity anticipated a single award.

Was cost sharing or matching funds required?

No. The opportunity stated that no cost sharing or matching funds were required.

How long could proposed projects run?

Multi-year proposals of up to two years were allowed. However, only the first year would be funded through this specific request for proposals.

If a project needed a second year, how would year-two funding work?

If a project required a second year of support, the successful applicant would need to submit a follow-on proposal through the BDJV 2011 Competitive Grant Program. Year-two funding was not guaranteed and would depend on that separate competitive process.

What did the “only the first year funded” limitation mean for project planning?

It meant applicants needed to design a work plan that delivered meaningful first-year outputs while also describing a logical pathway to complete a broader two-year effort, recognizing that continuation funding would require a separate proposal and competition.

What was the activity category or program alignment for this grant?

The activity category was Natural Resources. The opportunity aligned with CFDA 15.655 (Migratory Bird Monitoring, Assessment and Conservation), connecting it to migratory bird science, monitoring, and applied conservation planning.

Who was eligible to apply?

Eligibility was broadly open (unrestricted). Applications were encouraged from nonprofit organizations; public and private educational institutions; federal, state, local, and tribal governments and organizations; foreign governments; and private companies.

Were foreign governments eligible to apply?

Yes. The eligibility list specifically included foreign governments.

Were private companies eligible to apply?

Yes. The eligibility list specifically included private companies.

Where were applicants directed for full announcement materials and submission instructions?

Applicants were directed to Grants.gov for the full announcement materials and submission information.

What were the key dates for this opportunity?

The opportunity was posted on June 8, 2009, created on June 8, 2009, closed on July 15, 2009, and had an archive date of August 14, 2009.

Who was the point of contact for questions or access issues?

The point of contact listed was Patrick Devers, Wildlife Biologist, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Phone: 301-497-5549. Email: patrickdevers@fws.gov.

What type of research approach did this solicitation emphasize?

It emphasized predictive modeling, including estimating distribution and abundance under changing conditions and linking outcomes to development and climate change. The description suggests scenario-based planning (for example, projections under different development footprints or climate trajectories) to support long-term conservation decisions.

What management or conservation decisions was this research intended to support?

The described intent was to generate practical, decision-relevant science that BDJV partners and the broader research community could use to strengthen management and conservation of American black ducks, including long-term conservation strategy and habitat protection efforts in northern Quebec.