Opportunity Information: Apply for F12AS00066
Apply for F12AS00066
- The Fish and Wildlife Service in the environment natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Fiscal Year 2012 Candidate Conservation Action Funds" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.660 Endangered Species Candidate Conservation Action Funds.
- This funding opportunity was created on Feb 8, 2012 and posted on Feb 8, 2012.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 31, 2012. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $200,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 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.
- Applicants must have a demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the biology of the involved candidate or at risk species in the United States and their ecosystem, including preferably having worked with the species in the field. FWS Regional (or Field Office) contacts will discuss potential proposals with interested parties if needed, and review eligible applications. The FWS Regional Office will refer interested parties to the appropriate FWS Field Office for further consideration as appropriate. For potential proposals submitted directly to the Field Office, the Field Office will conduct the proposal review and selection process. A list of FWS Regional and Field Office contacts is available in the Full Announcement under section VII. Agency Contacts.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Fiscal Year 2012 Candidate Conservation Action Funds opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number F12AS00066) is a Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) discretionary funding program intended to prevent species from needing federal protection under the Endangered Species Act by acting earlier, when conservation steps can still avert a listing. The central idea is practical, on-the-ground conservation: fund projects that either fill key information gaps about candidate and other at-risk species in the United States or implement restoration and management actions that improve the habitats and ecosystems those species rely on. By strengthening the science and taking targeted conservation actions before a species declines further, the program aims to conserve ecosystems, stabilize vulnerable populations, and reduce the likelihood that a federal listing becomes necessary.
This opportunity was posted on February 8, 2012, with an application deadline of August 31, 2012, and an archive date of October 31, 2012. The program falls under the Environment and Natural Resources activity category and is associated with CFDA 15.660 (Endangered Species - Candidate Conservation Action Funds). The estimated total funding amount listed for this cycle is $200,000, with an expectation of about 10 awards, which suggests relatively modest, targeted projects rather than large multi-year initiatives. The award ceiling and floor are both listed as $0 in the summary data, which typically means the specific award sizes are not standardized in the high-level listing and applicants need to consult the full announcement or coordinate with FWS contacts to understand typical award ranges, project scopes, and any constraints that may apply in a given region or field office.
Funding instruments for this opportunity include cooperative agreements and grants, and the listing also references procurement contracts, indicating that FWS may use different mechanisms depending on the nature of the work and the level of federal involvement. In practice, a cooperative agreement often signals that FWS expects to be substantially involved in the project, such as coordinating field activities, guiding study design, aligning deliverables with agency needs, or integrating results into agency decision-making. The listing explicitly states there is no cost sharing or matching requirement, which can lower the barrier to participation for smaller organizations or specialized researchers who can contribute critical expertise but may not have the budget flexibility to provide match.
Eligibility is described as unrestricted, meaning a wide range of entities can apply, but it is conditioned by an important capability requirement: applicants must demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the biology of the candidate or at-risk species involved and the species ecosystem within the United States, preferably supported by direct field experience. This emphasis is consistent with the program purpose. Because the funded work is intended to influence conservation outcomes and potentially avoid listing decisions, FWS is looking for applicants who can credibly deliver high-quality biological information or implement effective restoration actions with a strong grounding in species ecology and habitat needs.
A notable feature of this opportunity is the role of FWS Regional and Field Offices in shaping and reviewing proposals. Interested parties are encouraged to discuss potential proposals with FWS Regional or Field Office contacts, and proposals may be routed to the appropriate field office for consideration. The review and selection process can occur at the field office level, especially for proposals submitted directly there, which underscores that projects are often place-based and tied to local species priorities, local recovery and conservation planning, and local implementation capacity. The full announcement contains a list of regional and field office contacts under the agency contacts section, which would be essential for aligning a proposal with FWS priorities and ensuring the project targets the most relevant conservation needs.
In terms of what the program funds, the summary points to two broad categories of work: (1) securing species information and (2) undertaking restoration actions. Species information projects can include surveys, monitoring, population assessments, habitat use studies, threat assessments, or other data collection and analysis that clarify status, distribution, limiting factors, or management needs. Restoration or conservation action projects can involve habitat restoration, threat reduction, management interventions, or other practical steps that improve conditions for candidate and at-risk species and the ecosystems they depend on. The unifying requirement is that the work should meaningfully contribute to conservation outcomes that reduce the risk of federal listing by addressing the drivers of decline or by providing the information needed to implement effective conservation strategies.
For applicants looking for the complete technical requirements, application instructions, and any region-specific priorities, the announcement directs users to Grants.gov and recommends searching by CFDA 15.660 to access the full announcement. For access issues or administrative questions, the listed point of contact is Kelly Niland, Grants Manager, at 703-358-2492 or KellyNiland@fws.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Fiscal Year 2012 Candidate Conservation Action Funds opportunity?
It is a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) discretionary funding program (Funding Opportunity Number F12AS00066) focused on taking early conservation steps for candidate and other at-risk species in the United States. The goal is to prevent species from needing federal protection under the Endangered Species Act by acting before declines become severe enough to trigger a listing.
What is the main purpose of this funding program?
The program aims to reduce the likelihood that a species will require federal listing by funding practical, on-the-ground conservation and by filling key scientific information gaps. The emphasis is on strengthening the science and implementing targeted conservation actions that stabilize vulnerable populations and conserve the ecosystems those species depend on.
What types of projects does this program fund?
The opportunity highlights two broad categories of work: (1) securing species information and (2) undertaking restoration actions. Information-focused projects may include surveys, monitoring, population assessments, habitat use studies, threat assessments, and related data collection or analysis. Restoration or conservation action projects may include habitat restoration, threat reduction, management interventions, or other practical steps that improve conditions for candidate and at-risk species and their ecosystems.
What does "acting earlier" mean in the context of this program?
It means supporting conservation measures while there is still time for proactive actions to avert an Endangered Species Act listing. The funded work is intended to influence conservation outcomes by addressing drivers of decline or by producing the information needed to implement effective conservation strategies.
Which species are targeted by the program?
The program targets candidate species and other at-risk species in the United States, with the intent of preventing them from needing federal protection under the Endangered Species Act.
Is this opportunity tied to a particular activity category or CFDA number?
Yes. It falls under the Environment and Natural Resources activity category and is associated with CFDA 15.660 (Endangered Species - Candidate Conservation Action Funds).
What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this grant?
The Funding Opportunity Number is F12AS00066.
When was the opportunity posted and what were the key dates?
The opportunity was posted on February 8, 2012. The application deadline was August 31, 2012. The archive date was October 31, 2012.
How much funding is available under this cycle?
The estimated total funding amount listed for this cycle is $200,000.
How many awards does FWS expect to make?
The opportunity indicates an expectation of about 10 awards.
Are there minimum or maximum award amounts listed?
The summary data lists both the award ceiling and award floor as $0. This typically indicates that standardized award sizes are not provided in the high-level listing, and that applicants may need to consult the full announcement or coordinate with FWS contacts to understand typical award ranges and project scopes.
What funding instruments are used for this opportunity?
The listing indicates funding instruments may include cooperative agreements and grants, and it also references procurement contracts. This suggests FWS may use different mechanisms depending on the nature of the work and the level of federal involvement.
What is the difference between a grant and a cooperative agreement for this program?
The listing notes that a cooperative agreement often signals substantial FWS involvement in the project. That involvement can include coordinating field activities, guiding study design, aligning deliverables with agency needs, or integrating results into agency decision-making.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No. The opportunity explicitly states there is no cost sharing or matching requirement.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is described as unrestricted, meaning a wide range of entities may apply. However, applicants are expected to meet a capability requirement related to species and ecosystem knowledge.
What capability or experience does FWS expect from applicants?
Applicants must demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the biology of the candidate or at-risk species involved and the species ecosystem within the United States, preferably supported by direct field experience.
Why does the opportunity emphasize species biology and field experience?
Because the funded work is intended to support credible biological information and effective conservation actions that could reduce the risk of a federal listing. FWS is looking for applicants who can deliver high-quality results grounded in species ecology and habitat needs.
How important is it to coordinate with FWS Regional or Field Offices?
Coordination is strongly encouraged. Interested parties are encouraged to discuss potential proposals with FWS Regional or Field Office contacts, and proposals may be routed to the appropriate field office for consideration.
Who reviews and selects proposals?
The opportunity indicates that review and selection can occur at the field office level, particularly for proposals submitted directly to a field office. This reflects the place-based nature of many projects and their connection to local species priorities and implementation capacity.
Does this program support place-based or locally prioritized conservation work?
Yes. The described role of Regional and Field Offices, along with field office-level review, indicates projects are often tied to local species priorities, local conservation planning, and local implementation needs.
Where can applicants find the full technical requirements and application instructions?
The announcement directs users to Grants.gov and recommends searching by CFDA 15.660 to access the full announcement and complete details, including any region-specific priorities.
Who should be contacted for access issues or administrative questions?
The listed point of contact is Kelly Niland, Grants Manager, at 703-358-2492 or KellyNiland@fws.gov.
What agency is offering this opportunity?
The opportunity is offered by the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS).
What kind of outcomes is FWS trying to achieve through these awards?
The program aims to conserve ecosystems, stabilize vulnerable populations, and reduce the likelihood that federal listing under the Endangered Species Act becomes necessary by funding early, targeted conservation and supporting science that informs effective action.
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Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (F12AS00066) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
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| Community Forest and Open Space Program Apply for CFP FS 1002011 Funding Number: CFP FS 1002011 Agency: Forest Service Category: Environment Natural Resources Funding Amount: $3,150,000 |
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| Migratory Patterns and Habitat Use of Sea Ducks in the Atlantic Flyway, 2012 Apply for F12AS00087 Funding Number: F12AS00087 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment Natural Resources Funding Amount: $71,000 |
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| Management Assistance Apply for FWS R1 FIS 12 WFWO Funding Number: FWS R1 FIS 12 WFWO Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment Natural Resources Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Upper Columbia Region Methow Subbasin Habitat Improvement Project Apply for R12SS10004 Funding Number: R12SS10004 Agency: Bureau of Reclamation Pacific Northwest Region Category: Environment Natural Resources Funding Amount: $735,280 |
| FY12 Funding Guidance for Great Northern LCC Apply for F12AS00092 Funding Number: F12AS00092 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment Natural Resources Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Arctic LCC 2012 RFP Addressing Climate change in the Arctic Apply for F12AS00091 Funding Number: F12AS00091 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment Natural Resources Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Migratory Bird Joint Ventures Gulf Coast Joint Venture Fiscal Year 2012 Apply for F12AS00089 Funding Number: F12AS00089 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment Natural Resources Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| LEAP Support Apply for F12AS00093 Funding Number: F12AS00093 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment Natural Resources Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| Western Hemisphere Migratory Species Initiative Apply for F12AS00094 Funding Number: F12AS00094 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment Natural Resources Funding Amount: $36,976 |
| Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund Apply for NOAA NMFS NWRO 2012 2003324 Funding Number: NOAA NMFS NWRO 2012 2003324 Agency: Department of Commerce Category: Environment Natural Resources Funding Amount: $30,000,000 |
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