Opportunity Information: Apply for FWS 08 CGSRE 001
Apply for FWS 08 CGSRE 001
- The Region 5 in the employment, labor and training sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Conservation Internships" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.649 Service Training and Technical Assistance (Generic Training).
- This funding opportunity was created on Jan 29, 2008 and posted on Jan 24, 2008.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Feb 15, 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 $150,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $150,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education County governments For profit organizations other than small businesses Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education City or township governments Small businesses Private institutions of higher education Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized).
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Opportunity Summary:
The Conservation Internships grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number FWS 08 CGSRE 001) is a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Region 5 (Northeast) cooperative agreement intended to support the Conservation Internship Program (CIP) across National Wildlife Refuge System sites in 13 states: Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, West Virginia, and Virginia. The core purpose of CIP is workforce development in conservation by giving culturally diverse undergraduate students meaningful, hands-on exposure to natural resource careers. Interns work side-by-side with USFWS professionals and receive both informal and formal training, with the broader goal of helping build a new generation of conservationists and ecologists, especially from traditionally disadvantaged or otherwise underrepresented backgrounds.
Rather than funding individual students directly, this opportunity seeks one or more partner organizations (the Recipient/cooperator) that can run the program infrastructure on USFWS's behalf. The selected Recipient would help identify, recruit, screen, and administer placements of student interns at participating refuges and other USFWS stations. USFWS anticipated setting up one or more multi-year (five-year) blanket cooperative agreements, and then issuing task orders each year or as needed for specific internship cohorts and station placements. USFWS also makes clear that CIP depends on annual congressional appropriations, so funding could be reduced, suspended, or discontinued if appropriated funds are not available.
The internships themselves are structured as 12-week, on-site summer placements, typically occurring sometime between May 31 and September 30. During that period, interns may participate in practical conservation work such as invasive species management, habitat restoration, wildlife management activities, and public education/interpretation projects. The program is also framed as a pipeline into longer-term federal conservation careers: after successful completion, some interns may be considered for the USFWS Student Career Experience Program (SCEP) or other USFWS jobs, although no future appointment is guaranteed. Even though interns work at USFWS stations, they are treated as volunteers (not USFWS employees) for payroll, benefits, and liability purposes, which is why the administrative partner is expected to handle key employment-like logistics.
Financially, the federal reimbursement cap is set at no more than $7,500 per intern per year for the costs of identifying, recruiting, placing, and compensating interns, including transportation to and from the assigned USFWS station. Within that amount, each intern must receive at least $4,800 in stipend support from the Recipient, calculated at $10 per hour for the 12-week term and paid no less frequently than every two weeks. If an intern does not complete the full term, the stipend can be reduced, but only by up to $10 per unfulfilled on-site hour. In addition to the $7,500 per-intern federal share, USFWS would provide either no-cost on-site housing when available or a housing stipend up to $1,000 per student for the 12-week period. Medical insurance, workers compensation insurance, food, and incidental expenses are identified as responsibilities to be covered by the Recipient and/or the students, and applicants are expected to clearly state in their proposals how those costs will be handled. Applicants are also asked to describe, preferably in itemized form, any additional contributions they can make (cash or in-kind) to cover reasonable and necessary program costs beyond the federal limits, reflecting that cost sharing or matching is required.
Student eligibility and recruitment expectations are a major focus. Interns must be U.S. citizens and enrolled at federally accredited U.S. colleges or universities, drawn from culturally diverse undergraduate populations. The program targets (but is not limited to) students in wildlife and conservation-related fields such as biology, ecology, wildlife science, botany, hydrology, geology, geography, cartography/GIS, forestry, soil science, environmental science (including education), outdoor recreation, human dimensions of natural resource management, and law enforcement, among similar disciplines. Preference may be given to qualified students who intend to pursue advanced degrees (Masters or PhD) aligned with careers in wildlife resource management. USFWS estimated a need of roughly 5 to 15 interns per year, placed across 5 to 15 participating stations selected by USFWS, meaning the Recipient must be able to recruit enough qualified candidates and manage placements across a broad geographic footprint within the Northeast Region.
Selection and performance accountability are structured around USFWS retaining final authority. The Recipient is responsible for identifying and screening candidates and ensuring suitability, but USFWS station leadership works closely with the Recipient during interviews and selection, and USFWS keeps final selection and retention rights for all interns. Timing is emphasized: the recruitment and selection process must move quickly enough that interns can report to their duty stations by May 31. Importantly, USFWS payments are tied to successful task order completion, defined as USFWS acceptance of eligible candidates referred by the Recipient into the CIP program. Candidates referred but not accepted do not trigger payment, so the partner organization is expected to submit strong, well-qualified candidate pools. The opportunity also bars participation by any applicants listed in the Federal Excluded Parties List System (EPLS).
From an administrative standpoint, the opportunity is categorized as discretionary funding using a cooperative agreement instrument under an employment, labor, and training activity category, with CFDA 15.649 (Service Training and Technical Assistance). The posting listed an estimated total funding amount of $150,000, with an award ceiling of $150,000 and an award floor of $1,000, and anticipated one award. Eligible applicants were broad and included public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (other than higher education institutions), for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), small businesses, city/township and county governments, state-controlled institutions of higher education, and federally recognized tribal governments.
Proposals were evaluated on factors such as how well they addressed the stated program requirements; the applicant's demonstrated responsibility and ability to conduct targeted recruitment and administer placements; financial capacity and willingness to cover costs beyond the $7,500 per-intern reimbursement limit; established connections to source schools (especially HBCUs, HACU-affiliated institutions, and other colleges serving underrepresented populations); the academic quality and quantity of students available to recruit; the applicant's ability to place interns anywhere within the Northeast Region; and the methods proposed for recruiting interns and managing the internship experience. Applications had to be submitted by an authorized organizational official using standard federal forms SF-424, SF-424A, and SF-424B plus a narrative explaining the organization's ability and willingness to run this diversity-focused student placement and internship administration program. The deadline in the announcement was close of business on February 15, 2008 (posted January 24, 2008), with late submissions subject to rejection. The primary program contact listed was Rick Jorgensen (Acting R5 NWRS SCEP Coordinator), and an additional contact was provided for access issues with the full announcement.
Conservation Internships (CIP) Grant (FWS 08 CGSRE 001) - FAQs
What is the Conservation Internships grant opportunity?
It is a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Region 5 (Northeast) cooperative agreement intended to support the Conservation Internship Program (CIP) across National Wildlife Refuge System sites. The program is designed to provide meaningful, hands-on conservation experience to culturally diverse undergraduate students while building a workforce pipeline into natural resource careers.
What is the funding opportunity number (FON) for this program?
The Funding Opportunity Number is FWS 08 CGSRE 001.
Which USFWS region is running this opportunity?
This opportunity is administered by USFWS Region 5, the Northeast Region.
In which states can internship placements occur?
Placements may occur at USFWS National Wildlife Refuge System sites (and other USFWS stations) in 13 states: Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, West Virginia, and Virginia.
What is the core purpose of the Conservation Internship Program (CIP)?
The core purpose is workforce development in conservation by giving culturally diverse undergraduate students hands-on exposure to natural resource careers. Interns work alongside USFWS professionals and receive informal and formal training, with an emphasis on supporting students from traditionally disadvantaged or underrepresented backgrounds.
Does this grant fund individual students directly?
No. The opportunity is intended to fund one or more partner organizations (the Recipient/cooperator) that can operate the program infrastructure for recruiting, screening, placing, and administering interns at USFWS sites.
What does the selected Recipient/partner organization do?
The Recipient is expected to help identify, recruit, screen, and administer placements of student interns at participating refuges and other USFWS stations, and handle key logistics because interns are not treated as USFWS employees.
What type of federal award instrument is expected?
The announcement describes a cooperative agreement, with USFWS anticipating one or more multi-year (five-year) blanket cooperative agreements and then issuing task orders each year or as needed for specific cohorts and station placements.
Is funding guaranteed for all five years?
No. The program depends on annual congressional appropriations, and the announcement notes that funding could be reduced, suspended, or discontinued if appropriated funds are not available.
How long are the internships and when do they occur?
Internships are structured as 12-week, on-site summer placements, typically occurring sometime between May 31 and September 30.
What kinds of work might interns do during the internship?
Examples provided include invasive species management, habitat restoration, wildlife management activities, and public education/interpretation projects.
Are interns considered USFWS employees?
No. Even though interns work at USFWS stations, they are treated as volunteers (not USFWS employees) for payroll, benefits, and liability purposes. This is why the administrative partner is expected to handle employment-like logistics.
What is the maximum federal reimbursement per intern?
The federal reimbursement is capped at no more than $7,500 per intern per year for the costs of identifying, recruiting, placing, and compensating interns, including transportation to and from the assigned USFWS station.
What is the minimum stipend amount each intern must receive?
Each intern must receive at least $4,800 in stipend support from the Recipient, calculated at $10 per hour for the 12-week term.
How frequently must interns be paid their stipend?
The stipend must be paid no less frequently than every two weeks.
What happens if an intern does not complete the full 12-week term?
The stipend can be reduced if the intern does not complete the full term, but only by up to $10 per unfulfilled on-site hour.
Is housing provided to interns?
USFWS would provide either no-cost on-site housing when available or a housing stipend up to $1,000 per student for the 12-week period.
Who is responsible for medical insurance and workers compensation insurance?
The announcement identifies medical insurance and workers compensation insurance as responsibilities to be covered by the Recipient and/or the students. Applicants are expected to clearly state in their proposals how these costs will be handled.
Are food and incidental expenses covered by this opportunity?
Food and incidental expenses are identified as responsibilities to be covered by the Recipient and/or the students, and proposals should explain how these will be handled.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
Yes. The announcement indicates that applicants should describe additional contributions (cash or in-kind) to cover reasonable and necessary program costs beyond the federal limits, and states that cost sharing or matching is required.
How many interns does USFWS expect to place each year?
USFWS estimated a need of roughly 5 to 15 interns per year.
How many stations might participate each year?
USFWS indicated placements could be across 5 to 15 participating stations selected by USFWS.
What are the student eligibility requirements mentioned?
Interns must be U.S. citizens and enrolled at federally accredited U.S. colleges or universities. The program focuses on culturally diverse undergraduate students, particularly those from traditionally disadvantaged or otherwise underrepresented backgrounds.
What academic fields are targeted for recruitment?
The program targets (but is not limited to) students in wildlife and conservation-related fields such as biology, ecology, wildlife science, botany, hydrology, geology, geography, cartography/GIS, forestry, soil science, environmental science (including education), outdoor recreation, human dimensions of natural resource management, and law enforcement, among similar disciplines.
Is there any stated preference for students pursuing advanced degrees?
The announcement notes that preference may be given to qualified students who intend to pursue advanced degrees (Masters or PhD) aligned with careers in wildlife resource management.
Who makes the final decision on which interns are selected?
The Recipient identifies and screens candidates, and USFWS station leadership works closely with the Recipient during interviews and selection. USFWS retains final selection and retention rights for all interns.
How important is the recruitment timeline?
Timing is emphasized: recruitment and selection must move quickly enough that interns can report to their duty stations by May 31.
How are payments to the Recipient tied to performance?
USFWS payments are tied to successful task order completion, defined as USFWS acceptance of eligible candidates referred by the Recipient into the CIP program. Referred candidates who are not accepted do not trigger payment.
Are there any restrictions related to excluded or debarred parties?
Yes. The opportunity bars participation by applicants listed in the Federal Excluded Parties List System (EPLS).
What is the CFDA number and program category listed?
The CFDA number listed is 15.649 (Service Training and Technical Assistance). The activity category is employment, labor, and training, and the funding is described as discretionary.
What was the estimated total funding amount and award range in the posting?
The posting listed an estimated total funding amount of $150,000, with an award ceiling of $150,000 and an award floor of $1,000, and it anticipated one award.
Who was eligible to apply based on the announcement?
Eligible applicants were broad and included public and private institutions of higher education; nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (other than higher education institutions); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); small businesses; city/township and county governments; state-controlled institutions of higher education; and federally recognized tribal governments.
What were the main evaluation criteria described?
Proposals were evaluated on factors such as: alignment with program requirements; the applicant's ability to conduct targeted recruitment and administer placements; financial capacity and willingness to cover costs beyond the $7,500 per-intern reimbursement limit; established connections to source schools (especially HBCUs, HACU-affiliated institutions, and other colleges serving underrepresented populations); the academic quality and quantity of students available to recruit; ability to place interns anywhere within the Northeast Region; and the methods proposed for recruiting interns and managing the internship experience.
What application forms were required?
Applications had to be submitted by an authorized organizational official using standard federal forms SF-424, SF-424A, and SF-424B, along with a narrative describing the organization's ability and willingness to run the program.
What was the application deadline in the announcement?
The deadline listed was close of business on February 15, 2008. The announcement notes that late submissions were subject to rejection.
When was the opportunity posted?
The posting date provided was January 24, 2008.
Who was the primary program contact listed?
The primary program contact listed was Rick Jorgensen, Acting R5 NWRS SCEP Coordinator.
Does completing a CIP internship guarantee a USFWS job?
No. The announcement frames CIP as a potential pipeline: after successful completion, some interns may be considered for the USFWS Student Career Experience Program (SCEP) or other USFWS jobs, but no future appointment is guaranteed.
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