Opportunity Information: Apply for F16AS00039
Apply for F16AS00039
- The DOI-FWS in the environment, natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Bouchard Plover Restoration Projects" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.658.
- This funding opportunity was created on Nov 27, 2015 and posted on Nov 27, 2015.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Dec 11, 2015. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $50,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 5 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Opportunity Summary:
The Bouchard Plover Restoration Projects grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number F16AS00039) is a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (DOI-FWS) discretionary funding program designed to improve the breeding success and survival of the federally threatened piping plover (Charadrius melodus) in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. The funding traces back to a natural resource damages settlement with Bouchard Transportation Co., Inc. related to the Bouchard Barge 120 oil spill that affected Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. The Trustees (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, NOAA, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and the State of Rhode Island) developed a publicly reviewed Restoration Plan and Environmental Assessment that lays out how these settlement funds should be used to compensate for impacts to piping plovers by supporting targeted, on-the-ground restoration actions at breeding sites.
This solicitation represents what the notice describes as a third and final round of proposals aligned with the priorities in the B-120 Plover Restoration Plan. Projects are expected to support one or more elements of an enhanced management program focused on (1) targeted predator management, (2) stronger enforcement of local beach ordinances on plover nesting beaches to reduce human disturbance, and (3) outreach and education to improve compliance and stewardship. Any predator removal work funded through this opportunity must follow the plan’s specific procedures and protocols, must have all required federal, state, and local permits in place, and must be carried out by USDA Wildlife Services or similarly qualified professionals. A key constraint is geographic: proposals must be in Massachusetts or Rhode Island, with priority for sites within or near the spill-impacted area (Buzzards Bay, Block Island, and the southeast coast of Rhode Island). Locations outside MA and RI are not eligible.
Eligibility is broad and includes state and federal agency personnel, local governments (cities, towns, and counties), non-governmental organizations, and even individuals, provided they can meet the administrative and compliance expectations of a federal award. Projects must be completed within three years of receiving funds. Before applying, applicants are expected to coordinate with relevant partners such as state natural resource staff, federal biologists and resource managers, and local landowners to confirm feasibility (including permitting). Applications must include confirmation that key partners support the proposal, and must include documented landowner permission for the project site(s). On the federal grants administration side, funded organizations must have a DUNS number and be registered in SAM (System for Award Management), and applicants must also be in good standing on prior federal awards to be eligible for new funding.
Proposals are evaluated using several specific criteria tied to biological impact and feasibility. Reviewers prioritize projects that (a) occur near the spill-impacted region; (b) are likely to benefit a meaningful number of piping plovers; (c) address sites where monitoring shows reproductive success has been substantially reduced by predation and/or human disturbance; and (d) are likely to be effective at measurably improving reproductive success or survival at the target site(s). The program also makes clear what funds cannot be used for: grant dollars may not be used to satisfy routine legal compliance obligations or to fulfill mitigation requirements tied to state or federal permits. The technical and administrative qualifications of the project team matter as well, since the Service wants assurance the work can be implemented properly and reported accurately.
The application package is intentionally brief and structured. The narrative proposal is capped at five pages total (including cover page, executive summary, tables/figures, itemized budget, and supplemental qualifications information), though required federal forms do not count toward that limit. The proposal must include a one-page cover sheet (project title, principal investigators and contacts, funding request, total project cost if different, timeline, and a statement confirming collaborators are aware and agree), a one-page executive summary suitable for public posting on the USFWS website, and a body section describing background, objectives and expected outcomes, methods (including target predator species and timeline where relevant), and a budget with justification broken down by objective. A qualifications section must describe the experience and capacity of the PIs and partner organizations. Standard grants.gov forms are required, including SF-424, SF-424A, and SF-424B.
Applications are reviewed by a panel that includes the Service and other federal and state agency representatives, and awards are made based on alignment with the published criteria and the B-120 Restoration Plan. While matching funds are not required, partnerships and supplemental funding are encouraged and can improve competitiveness. The notice also signals that proposals keeping indirect costs and overhead low will be viewed more favorably; indirect costs above 17.5 percent are described as unlikely to be competitive and may not be supported. Final award amounts and the exact scope of work for selected projects are negotiated with the Service, and award instruments may be issued as grants or cooperative agreements under CFDA 15.658.
For award logistics, the closing date for submissions was December 11, 2015 (by midnight). The Service estimated roughly five awards totaling about $280,000, with individual awards expected to range from $10,000 to $50,000. Funded recipients must provide semiannual public-facing progress updates (about 1 to 2 pages each) and a final report due within 90 days after the end of the grant period. The final report must follow a fuller technical format (executive summary, introduction, methods, results, discussion, conclusions, and final budget details) and must be approved by the Service before final payment. Any changes from the approved procedures or objectives require prior Service approval, reinforcing that projects must closely track what was proposed and what the Restoration Plan allows.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Bouchard Plover Restoration Projects (F16AS00039)
What is the Bouchard Plover Restoration Projects grant opportunity?
The Bouchard Plover Restoration Projects grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number F16AS00039) is a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (DOI-FWS) discretionary funding program that supports on-the-ground actions to improve the breeding success and survival of the federally threatened piping plover (Charadrius melodus) in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
What is the source of funding for this opportunity?
The funding comes from a natural resource damages settlement with Bouchard Transportation Co., Inc. related to the Bouchard Barge 120 oil spill affecting Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. The Trustees developed a publicly reviewed Restoration Plan and Environmental Assessment that directs how these settlement funds should be used to compensate for impacts to piping plovers.
Who are the Trustees behind the restoration funding and plan?
The Trustees described for this effort are the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, NOAA, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and the State of Rhode Island.
Is this a recurring opportunity, and what round of funding is this?
This solicitation is described as the third and final round of proposals aligned with the priorities in the B-120 Plover Restoration Plan.
What types of projects are the program looking to fund?
Projects are expected to support one or more elements of an enhanced management program focused on:
- Targeted predator management
- Stronger enforcement of local beach ordinances on plover nesting beaches to reduce human disturbance
- Outreach and education to improve compliance and stewardship
Where must projects take place to be eligible?
Projects must take place in Massachusetts or Rhode Island. Proposals outside Massachusetts and Rhode Island are not eligible.
Are some locations prioritized over others within Massachusetts and Rhode Island?
Yes. Priority is for sites within or near the spill-impacted area, which the notice describes as including Buzzards Bay, Block Island, and the southeast coast of Rhode Island.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes state and federal agency personnel, local governments (cities, towns, and counties), non-governmental organizations, and individuals, as long as they can meet the administrative and compliance requirements of a federal award.
Are there federal registration requirements to be eligible for an award?
Yes. Funded organizations must have a DUNS number and be registered in SAM (System for Award Management). Applicants must also be in good standing on prior federal awards to be eligible for new funding.
How long do projects have to be completed once funded?
Projects must be completed within three years of receiving funds.
Does the program require applicants to coordinate with partners before applying?
Yes. Applicants are expected to coordinate with relevant partners (such as state natural resource staff, federal biologists and resource managers, and local landowners) to confirm feasibility, including permitting.
Do applications need documented support from partners?
Yes. Applications must include confirmation that key partners support the proposal.
Is landowner permission required?
Yes. Applications must include documented landowner permission for the project site(s).
What are the key evaluation criteria for proposals?
Proposals are evaluated using criteria tied to biological impact and feasibility. Reviewers prioritize projects that:
- Occur near the spill-impacted region
- Are likely to benefit a meaningful number of piping plovers
- Address sites where monitoring shows reproductive success has been substantially reduced by predation and/or human disturbance
- Are likely to be effective at measurably improving reproductive success or survival at the target site(s)
Are predator management activities allowed, and are there special requirements?
Yes, targeted predator management is one of the program elements. However, any predator removal funded through this opportunity must follow the Restoration Plan’s specific procedures and protocols, must have all required federal, state, and local permits in place, and must be carried out by USDA Wildlife Services or similarly qualified professionals.
Do proposals need to specify target predator species and timing?
Yes. The methods section should include target predator species (where relevant) and a timeline.
Are matching funds required?
No. Matching funds are not required. However, partnerships and supplemental funding are encouraged and can improve competitiveness.
How does the program view indirect costs and overhead?
The notice indicates that proposals keeping indirect costs and overhead low will be viewed more favorably. Indirect costs above 17.5 percent are described as unlikely to be competitive and may not be supported.
What activities are not allowed to be funded with these grant dollars?
The notice states that grant funds may not be used to satisfy routine legal compliance obligations or to fulfill mitigation requirements tied to state or federal permits.
How long can the narrative proposal be?
The narrative proposal is capped at five pages total. The five-page limit includes the cover page, executive summary, tables/figures, itemized budget, and supplemental qualifications information. Required federal forms do not count toward that page limit.
What must be included in the one-page cover sheet?
The cover sheet must include: project title; principal investigators and contacts; funding request; total project cost (if different from the funding request); timeline; and a statement confirming collaborators are aware of the application and agree.
What is the executive summary requirement?
The application must include a one-page executive summary that is suitable for public posting on the USFWS website.
What should be covered in the main body of the proposal?
The body should describe background; objectives and expected outcomes; methods (including target predator species and timeline where relevant); and a budget with justification broken down by objective.
What must be included in the qualifications section?
The qualifications section must describe the experience and capacity of the principal investigators and partner organizations.
Which standard federal forms are required?
Standard grants.gov forms are required, including SF-424, SF-424A, and SF-424B.
How are applications reviewed, and who makes the decisions?
Applications are reviewed by a panel that includes the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and other federal and state agency representatives. Awards are made based on alignment with the published criteria and the B-120 Restoration Plan.
What happens after a proposal is selected for funding?
Final award amounts and the exact scope of work for selected projects are negotiated with the Service.
What type of federal award instrument will be used?
Award instruments may be issued as grants or cooperative agreements under CFDA 15.658.
What was the submission deadline for this opportunity?
The closing date for submissions was December 11, 2015 (by midnight).
How many awards and how much total funding were expected?
The Service estimated roughly five awards totaling about $280,000.
What was the expected award size range?
Individual awards were expected to range from $10,000 to $50,000.
What reporting is required for funded projects?
Recipients must provide semiannual public-facing progress updates (about 1 to 2 pages each) and a final report due within 90 days after the end of the grant period.
What is required in the final report?
The final report must follow a fuller technical format including: executive summary, introduction, methods, results, discussion, conclusions, and final budget details. The final report must be approved by the Service before final payment.
Can a funded project change methods or objectives after award?
Changes from the approved procedures or objectives require prior Service approval, reflecting that projects are expected to closely track what was proposed and what the Restoration Plan allows.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Environment, Natural Resources
Next opportunity: Competitive State Wildlife Grants Program
Previous opportunity: Determine and Document all sites and collections from the Glen Canyon Project
USGrants.org Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for F16AS00039
[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (F16AS00039) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Competitive State Wildlife Grants Program Apply for F16AS00038 Funding Number: F16AS00038 Agency: DOI-FWS Category: Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Restoration Projects for the Richardson Hill Road Landfill Apply for F16AS00011 Funding Number: F16AS00011 Agency: DOI-FWS Category: Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $270,000 |
| THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS- HOME Youth Interns- THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS Apply for NPS NOIPP15AC0137 Funding Number: NPS NOIPP15AC0137 Agency: DOI-NPS Category: Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $33,390 |
| Coastal Program Apply for F16AS00037 Funding Number: F16AS00037 Agency: DOI-FWS Category: Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Engineering Surveying and Design Services of Wetland Irrigation Infrastructure Apply for F16AS00046 Funding Number: F16AS00046 Agency: DOI-FWS Category: Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Winter Study of Wolf-Moose Population - ISRO Apply for P16AC00004 Funding Number: P16AC00004 Agency: DOI-NPS Category: Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $183,000 |
| Coastal Program - Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Apply for F16AS00060 Funding Number: F16AS00060 Agency: DOI-FWS Category: Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Great Lakes Restoration Initiative - Joint Venture Habitat Restoration and Protection Apply for F16AS00061 Funding Number: F16AS00061 Agency: DOI-FWS Category: Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| 2016-2020 YRBWEP Technical Support Apply for BOR PN 16 N001 Funding Number: BOR PN 16 N001 Agency: DOI-BOR Category: Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $299,254 |
| Shrublands, Saltmarsh and Species Management Apply for F16AS00064 Funding Number: F16AS00064 Agency: DOI-FWS Category: Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Council-Selected Restoration Component 12/09/2015 Funded Priorities List Grant and Interagency Agreement Application Requirements Apply for GCC FPL 16 001 Funding Number: GCC FPL 16 001 Agency: GCERC Category: Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $156,553,618 |
| International Affairs-CITES Apply for F16AS00073 Funding Number: F16AS00073 Agency: DOI-FWS Category: Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $76,656 |
| Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund Apply for F16AS00074 Funding Number: F16AS00074 Agency: DOI-FWS Category: Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
| Wildlife Without Borders – Latin America and the Caribbean (South America) Apply for F16AS00095 Funding Number: F16AS00095 Agency: DOI-FWS Category: Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Fiscal Year 2016 Recovery Implementation Fund Apply for F16AS00099 Funding Number: F16AS00099 Agency: DOI-FWS Category: Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Fiscal Year 2016 Candidate Conservation Action Funds Apply for F16AS00100 Funding Number: F16AS00100 Agency: DOI-FWS Category: Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Research Grants (Generic) Apply for F16AS00112 Funding Number: F16AS00112 Agency: DOI-FWS Category: Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $60,000 |
| Climate altered terrestrial carbon and nutrient flux to the aquatic foodweb from increased depth of soil ice thaw, Selawik and Fish Rivers Apply for F16AS00117 Funding Number: F16AS00117 Agency: DOI-FWS Category: Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $85,000 |
| State of Michigan Statewide Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leuocepholus) Productivity Flight Survey Apply for F16AS00122 Funding Number: F16AS00122 Agency: DOI-FWS Category: Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $64,440 |
| Support of East Asian Australasian Flyway Partnership (EAAFP) Apply for F16AS00125 Funding Number: F16AS00125 Agency: DOI-FWS Category: Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $30,000 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Subscribe to Leads
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "F16AS00039", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.