Opportunity Information: Apply for FWS R5 RW 09 001
Apply for FWS R5 RW 09 001
- The Region 5 in the environment sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Challenge Cost Share Grant Agreement/s" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.642 Challenge Cost Share.
- This funding opportunity was created on Oct 2, 2008 and posted on Oct 2, 2008.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Oct 10, 2008. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $600,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $60,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 65 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Small businesses State governments For profit organizations other than small businesses Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Private institutions of higher education.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Challenge Cost Share Grant Agreement(s) opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number FWS R5 RW 09 001) is a discretionary grant program administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Region 5, focused on supporting work connected to National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS) lands in the Northeast. The program funds a mix of on-the-ground conservation projects and public-facing visitor service efforts, meaning proposals can range from wildlife and habitat conservation activities to outreach and education initiatives that improve how the public learns about and experiences refuge resources. A key boundary for eligibility is geographic and mission alignment: projects must take place on NWRS lands or in nearby areas where the work directly supports refuge lands, so proposals need to show a clear, tangible connection to refuge priorities and benefits.
A central requirement of this program is cost sharing. Even though the listing indicates "CostSharingOrMatchingRequirement: No," the opportunity description itself clearly states that at least 50 percent of the total project cost must come from non-federal contributions, described as a minimum 1:1 match. In practice, that means applicants must bring significant partner support to the table through cash and/or allowable in-kind contributions such as labor, equipment use, or donated materials, as long as those contributions are non-federal. Any proposal would need to lay out this match in a detailed budget narrative, describing both the source and the valuation method for in-kind support, since match is often a deciding factor in feasibility and competitiveness.
Funding levels are relatively modest but spread across many awards. The estimated total funding available is $600,000, with an expected 65 awards. Individual awards range from a floor of $1,000 up to a ceiling of $60,000, indicating that the program is designed to support many small to mid-sized projects rather than a few large initiatives. The activity category is listed as Environment, and the CFDA number associated with the program is 15.642 (Challenge Cost Share), which is the federal assistance listing tied to this cost-share partnership approach.
The eligible applicant pool is broad and includes state governments, small businesses, other for-profit organizations, nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (with the common exception language around institutions of higher education), and private institutions of higher education. This suggests the program is intended to encourage partnerships across sectors, including community organizations, academic institutions, and private entities, as long as the proposed work clearly advances refuge-related conservation or visitor service goals and meets the non-federal match expectation.
Timing for this specific announcement shows it was posted and created on October 2, 2008, with an original and current closing date of October 10, 2008, and an archive date of October 11, 2008. While those dates indicate the particular solicitation has long since closed, the structure of the opportunity provides a useful template for similar future or recurring refuge partnership programs: small awards, strong emphasis on partner match, and projects tightly tied to NWRS land management and public engagement outcomes. Refuge locations relevant to this Region 5 announcement are referenced through the Fish and Wildlife Service Northeast refuges location page provided in the notice.
For applicants who had trouble accessing the full announcement at the time, the listed contact was Christal Cutler, Contract Specialist, reachable by phone at 413-253-8233, identified as the point of contact for electronic access errors.
FAQs: Challenge Cost Share Grant Agreement(s) (FWS R5 RW 09 001)
What is the Challenge Cost Share Grant Agreement(s) opportunity (FWS R5 RW 09 001)?
It is a discretionary grant program administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Region 5. It supports projects connected to National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS) lands in the Northeast, including both on-the-ground conservation work and public-facing visitor service efforts.
What kinds of projects does this program fund?
The opportunity supports a mix of conservation and visitor service projects. Examples described in the notice include wildlife and habitat conservation activities, as well as outreach and education initiatives that improve how the public learns about and experiences refuge resources.
Where must the project take place to be eligible?
Projects must take place on NWRS lands or in nearby areas where the work directly supports refuge lands. Proposals need to show a clear, tangible connection to refuge priorities and benefits.
Does the project need to directly benefit National Wildlife Refuge System lands?
Yes. A key eligibility boundary is geographic and mission alignment. Even if work occurs in an adjacent area, it must directly support refuge lands, and the proposal should clearly explain that connection and benefit.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
Yes. Although the listing indicates "CostSharingOrMatchingRequirement: No," the opportunity description states that at least 50 percent of the total project cost must come from non-federal contributions, described as a minimum 1:1 match.
What does a minimum 1:1 match mean in practice?
A 1:1 match means the applicant (and partners) must provide at least the same amount of non-federal contributions as the federal request, so that non-federal support equals at least 50 percent of the total project cost.
What types of match contributions are allowed?
The notice indicates match may be provided through cash and/or allowable in-kind contributions, such as labor, equipment use, or donated materials, as long as the contributions are non-federal.
Are federal funds allowed to be used as match?
No. The match is described as needing to be non-federal contributions. Proposals should ensure match sources are non-federal.
How should in-kind match be documented in the application?
The opportunity emphasizes that proposals should lay out match in a detailed budget narrative, describing both the source of the match and the valuation method used for in-kind support.
How much funding is available under this opportunity?
The estimated total funding available is $600,000.
How many awards are expected?
The notice estimates approximately 65 awards.
What is the minimum and maximum award size?
Individual awards range from a minimum of $1,000 up to a maximum of $60,000.
Does this program tend to fund large projects or smaller projects?
Based on the stated award range and the expectation of many awards, the program appears designed to support many small to mid-sized projects rather than a small number of large initiatives.
What is the activity category for this funding opportunity?
The activity category is listed as Environment.
What CFDA number is associated with this program?
The CFDA number associated with the program is 15.642 (Challenge Cost Share).
Who is eligible to apply?
The eligible applicant pool is broad and includes state governments, small businesses, other for-profit organizations, nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (with the common exception language around institutions of higher education), and private institutions of higher education.
Are for-profit organizations eligible to apply?
Yes. The notice explicitly includes small businesses and other for-profit organizations among eligible applicants.
Are nonprofits required to have 501(c)(3) status to be eligible?
No. The notice states that nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status are included in the eligible applicant pool.
Are institutions of higher education eligible?
Yes. Private institutions of higher education are included as eligible applicants in the notice.
Which USFWS region administers this opportunity?
It is administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Region 5.
What geographic area does Region 5 cover for this opportunity?
The notice describes the focus as NWRS lands in the Northeast and references Northeast refuges via the Fish and Wildlife Service Northeast refuges location page cited in the announcement.
When was this specific announcement posted and when did it close?
The notice lists a posted/created date of October 2, 2008, an original and current closing date of October 10, 2008, and an archive date of October 11, 2008.
Is this particular funding opportunity still open?
No. Based on the closing date (October 10, 2008) and archive date (October 11, 2008), this specific solicitation is closed.
Who was the listed contact for issues accessing the full announcement?
The listed contact was Christal Cutler, Contract Specialist.
What should applicants do if they had electronic access errors with the announcement?
The notice directs applicants experiencing electronic access errors to contact Christal Cutler, Contract Specialist, at 413-253-8233.
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