ENDANGERED SPECIES GRANT PROGRAM | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Endangered Species Grant Program (Opportunity Number F16AS00222)?

The Endangered Species Grant Program (Opportunity Number F16AS00222) is a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service funding opportunity under the Department of the Interior. It is offered within the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) framework and, for FY 2016, is tied to GLRI Ecological Services (GLRI-ES) funding focused on endangered species conservation in the U.S. Great Lakes watershed.

How does this opportunity relate to the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI)?

This opportunity sits within GLRI, which was launched in 2009 to accelerate progress toward major Great Lakes goals, including making it safer to eat Great Lakes fish, improving beach and recreational water quality, protecting drinking water, and restoring a healthier ecosystem for fish and wildlife. The work is guided by GLRI Action Plan II (covering planned federal actions for 2015 to 2019), with broader program context referenced at greatlakesrestoration.us.

What is the main purpose of the FY 2016 GLRI Ecological Services (GLRI-ES) funding described here?

For fiscal year 2016, the GLRI-ES funding described is aimed at on-the-ground conservation outcomes for species in the U.S. Great Lakes watershed that are listed as endangered or threatened, or are candidates for listing, under the Endangered Species Act. A key goal is to direct resources to projects that produce measurable benefits to priority species.

Which species are the focus of this funding?

The focus is on priority species in the U.S. Great Lakes watershed that are either (1) listed as endangered, (2) listed as threatened, or (3) candidates for listing under the Endangered Species Act. The opportunity emphasizes measurable conservation benefits to these species.

What geographic area is targeted by this opportunity?

The targeted geography is the U.S. Great Lakes watershed. Projects are expected to produce conservation outcomes within that basin.

Is this a typical open competition with a standard Request for Proposals (RFP)?

No. Rather than running a typical open competition through a formal Request for Proposals, the Fish and Wildlife Service indicates it will coordinate with partners and steer FY 2016 funds toward selected, eligible projects. This is described as a directed-funding approach for FY 2016.

What does the directed-funding approach mean for prospective applicants?

Because the Service is not using a typical open RFP process for FY 2016, prospective applicants are expected to contact one of the relevant Ecological Services Field Offices (referenced in Section IX of the Notice of Funding Opportunity) to confirm whether specific project ideas will be considered eligible for FY 2016 GLRI-ES support and how those ideas align with the Service's priorities.

Who should applicants contact to confirm eligibility and alignment with priorities?

Prospective applicants should contact the appropriate Ecological Services Field Office referenced in Section IX of the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). The Service indicates this step is important to confirm which project ideas will be considered eligible and how to align with FY 2016 GLRI-ES priorities.

What kinds of projects are most strongly emphasized?

The opportunity emphasizes projects that measurably benefit priority species and projects that finish or build upon work started under previously funded GLRI-ES projects. The program aims to direct resources toward on-the-ground outcomes and continuity with prior GLRI-ES investments.

What types of awards may be used under this opportunity?

Funding may be awarded as either grants or cooperative agreements.

What is the difference between a grant and a cooperative agreement in this program?

Cooperative agreements specifically signal substantial federal involvement during project execution. In contrast, a standard grant generally implies less federal involvement in day-to-day execution (the opportunity materials highlight extensive involvement for cooperative agreements).

What does "substantial federal involvement" look like in practice under a cooperative agreement?

The opportunity describes substantial involvement as potentially including active collaboration with recipient staff, volunteers, scientists, or technicians; providing training or detailing federal personnel to support the work; staged review and approval before moving from one phase to the next; review and approval of changes, modifications, or subawards before proceeding; and helping with selection of key project staff or trainees. The Service may also coordinate work to align with other related projects, halt activities if performance specifications are not met, and impose tighter limits on recipient discretion around scope, staffing, operations, and management, paired with close monitoring during the award.

Is this program a good fit for applicants who prefer to manage projects independently?

This opportunity appears best suited to applicants who are comfortable operating in a highly coordinated, federally guided project environment, especially where work needs to integrate with other GLRI efforts in the Great Lakes basin. The description of cooperative agreements, in particular, indicates close federal coordination and oversight.

What is the CFDA number and category for this opportunity?

The opportunity is identified as CFDA 15.662 and is categorized under environment and natural resources. It is also described as a discretionary opportunity.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is described in general terms as unrestricted (open to any entity type). However, applicants are advised to rely on the NOFO's clarifications and, importantly, discussions with the appropriate Ecological Services Field Office because of the directed-funding approach used for FY 2016.

Why is contacting the Field Office especially important for eligibility in FY 2016?

Because the Service is steering FY 2016 funds toward selected, eligible projects rather than running a typical open competition, discussions with the relevant Ecological Services Field Office are expected to clarify which project ideas will be considered eligible and how they match FY 2016 priorities.

When was this opportunity posted and what was the application deadline?

The opportunity was posted on May 10, 2016. The application closing date was July 10, 2016.

What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?

The award ceiling is $400,000.

How many awards were anticipated?

The Service anticipated making about five awards.

What is the broader planning framework guiding GLRI work referenced in this opportunity?

The opportunity references GLRI Action Plan II, which lays out planned federal actions for 2015 to 2019. It also points to greatlakesrestoration.us for broader program context and agency funding information.

What kinds of oversight or controls might recipients experience during the award?

As described, the Service may use staged review and approval processes, review and approve changes/modifications/subawards before they proceed, redirect work to connect with other projects, halt activities if performance specifications are not being met, and apply tighter limits on recipient discretion related to scope, staffing, operations, and management, with close monitoring while the award is active.

Could the Service influence staffing or personnel decisions on a project?

Yes. The opportunity notes that under cooperative agreements the Service may help with selection of key project staff or trainees, and may detail federal personnel or provide training as part of project execution.

Does the opportunity indicate whether funding supports new starts or continuation of prior work?

The opportunity places emphasis on finishing or building upon work started under previously funded GLRI-ES projects, in addition to directing resources toward projects that provide measurable benefits to priority species.