FWS DIC MSCF RT2012 | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the FWS DIC MSCF RT2012 funding opportunity?

FWS DIC MSCF RT2012 is a discretionary funding opportunity administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) under CFDA 15.619, the Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Fund. It supports on-the-ground conservation efforts for rhinoceroses and/or tigers across their current ranges, with the broader goal of supporting national and local programs in countries whose actions directly or indirectly influence rhino and tiger populations.

2. What law authorizes or established the program?

The program traces to the Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Act of 1994, which was designed to provide practical financial resources for efforts that reduce threats, strengthen management, and improve long-term survival prospects for rhinoceroses and tigers.

3. What species does this grant support?

This fund supports conservation work focused on rhinoceroses and/or tigers.

4. What types of projects are a good fit for this opportunity?

The grant is intended for projects that translate into real conservation outcomes rather than purely academic work. Projects that directly reduce threats, improve protection and management, and strengthen long-term survival prospects for rhinos and tigers align with the stated intent.

5. What are the priority activities mentioned in the opportunity description?

Priority activities include improved protection for at-risk rhino and tiger populations, management of protected areas and reserves in key range locations, and field-based veterinary care for wild populations.

6. Does the fund support habitat conservation and restoration?

Yes. The fund emphasizes habitat conservation and management, habitat restoration, and (where appropriate and feasible) reintroduction into former range.

7. Are anti-poaching, enforcement, and illegal trade-related activities eligible?

Yes. The fund supports capacity and enforcement-related work such as wildlife inspection, law enforcement training, and forensics skills that help address poaching and illegal trade.

8. Are education and community outreach projects eligible?

Yes. Education and community outreach are eligible, particularly when they are tied to measurable reductions in threats.

9. Does this opportunity support work to reduce human-rhinoceros or human-tiger conflict?

Yes. Efforts to reduce human-rhinoceros and human-tiger conflict are listed as eligible project types.

10. Can projects focus on building local capacity or strengthening institutions?

Yes. Building local institutional capacity is included among the eligible project types.

11. Are cross-border (transfrontier) conservation initiatives eligible?

Yes. Transfrontier (cross-border) conservation initiatives are identified as eligible.

12. Is applied research allowed under this opportunity?

Yes. Applied research such as surveys and monitoring is included among eligible project types, with expectations described for research proposals to demonstrate practical conservation and management value.

13. Are conservation management plans eligible activities?

Yes. The development and execution of conservation management plans are listed as eligible project types.

14. Are purely academic research projects a fit for this funding?

The opportunity emphasizes real conservation outcomes rather than purely academic work. Research proposals are expected to show a strong, practical link to management needs and demonstrate how results will be used to drive concrete management actions rather than remaining solely informational.

15. What extra expectations apply to research proposals?

Research proposals are expected to demonstrate a strong and practical connection between the research and management needs, including how results will address pressing threats such as disease and climate change, and how findings will be used to drive concrete management actions.

16. Where should the proposed project activities take place?

Proposed work is expected to occur within the natural range of rhinoceroses or tigers.

17. Can projects located outside the natural range of rhinos or tigers be considered?

Yes, but only if the proposal clearly demonstrates direct relevance and benefits to rhino or tiger conservation.

18. What compliance considerations are highlighted in the description?

A recurring theme across the eligible activities is compliance with applicable treaties and laws that prohibit or regulate the take or trade of rhinoceroses and tigers and that govern habitat use and management.

19. What is the minimum and maximum award size?

Awards were structured with a funding floor of $10,000 and a ceiling of $100,000.

20. Is cost sharing or matching required?

Yes. The program required cost sharing or matching funds.

21. What types of funding instruments are used for this opportunity?

The listed funding instrument types include grants and cooperative agreements. This means projects may range from relatively independent, grantee-led work to more collaboratively managed efforts with the agency, depending on project design and needs.

22. Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants included individuals, nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status, private and public institutions of higher education, and government entities at multiple levels (state, county, city/township, and special district governments).

23. Which federal program listing is associated with this opportunity?

This opportunity is associated with CFDA 15.619, the Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Fund.

24. When was the opportunity posted and what were the key dates?

The notice was made public on October 1, 2011, created on September 28, 2011, had an application deadline of November 1, 2011, and an archive date of December 1, 2011.

25. Who was the listed point of contact for access issues or help with the full announcement?

The listed point of contact was Cory Brown, International Affairs Specialist, reachable by phone at 703-358-2221.