Opportunity Information: Apply for F16AS00391
Apply for F16AS00391
- The Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service in the community development, education, environment, natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY16 - FWS Urban Waters - Urban Refuge Partnership" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.654.
- This funding opportunity was created on Aug 10, 2016.
- Applicants must submit their applications by The recipient has been selected.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $25,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.
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Opportunity Summary:
The FY16 FWS Urban Waters - Urban Refuge Partnership opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number F16AS00391) is a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) cooperative agreement designed to channel federal support into the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration Grant Program. The broader effort traces back to the Urban Waters Federal Partnership formed in 2011, which aimed to help communities create safer, healthier, and more accessible outdoor spaces, with a major emphasis on revitalizing urban waterways. As community interest and agency participation grew, the partnership needed a practical way to provide real on-the-ground seed funding for locally generated project ideas. In 2013, the partnership asked NFWF to manage this funding need through an established national vehicle, the Five Star Restoration Program, which has long required applicants to assemble at least five partners to carry out urban wetland and stream restoration work coupled with community stewardship and education.
Under this FY16 award, FWS set aside $250,000 to be managed by NFWF to support an Urban Refuge focal area within the competitive Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration Program. The idea is not for FWS to run a separate standalone grants competition, but to use NFWF's existing national grantmaking infrastructure and combine FWS dollars with funds already committed by other federal partners (notably the U.S. Forest Service and EPA) and multiple corporate partners (including Southern Company, FedEx, Alcoa Foundation, and Bank of America). The program itself has a long track record: since 1999 it has funded more than 700 projects across all states and several U.S. territories, awarding over $13.3 million and leveraging more than $56 million in matching funds and in-kind services, while engaging more than 160,000 community members and restoring tens of thousands of acres of habitat, including wetlands, streams, rivers, and coastal areas.
The core purpose of the FWS funding is to expand urban conservation work in places where people can easily participate, especially on lands not owned by the Service, but located near FWS lands, FWS offices, or where there are existing FWS urban partnerships. Projects are expected to bring residents into place-based outdoor experiences that build stronger connections to fish, wildlife, and habitat conservation in everyday community settings. To align projects with the Urban Wildlife Refuge and Partnership approach, funded work must meet at least one of the eight Standards of Excellence for Urban Wildlife Refuges and Partnerships: knowing and relating to the community; connecting urban people with nature through stepping stones of engagement; building partnerships; being a community asset; ensuring long-term resources; providing equitable access; ensuring visitors feel safe and welcome; and modeling sustainability. In practice, this frames projects as more than habitat repair alone, emphasizing inclusive access, community relevance, and long-term local capacity.
Program objectives emphasize four themes. First, strong partnerships are non-negotiable: proposals should demonstrate a diverse coalition of public and private partners with the ability (or a clear plan) to work with specific urban cultures and communities, and they should explain how coordination with FWS staff will help achieve shared goals. Second, projects must produce measurable benefits, not just activities, including documented increases in participation in fish- and wildlife-related experiences among diverse urban audiences and improved understanding of how conservation supports community well-being. Third, sustainability matters: applicants are expected to show a credible commitment to neighborhood strength and continued engagement beyond the grant period, essentially building relationships and capacity that last. Fourth, projects should make FWS a tangible community asset, such as by offering technical expertise on fish and wildlife issues, creating pathways for youth employment, supporting urban bird conservation (a stated FWS priority added when FWS joined the partnership in 2015), and expanding community education and recreation opportunities.
The need statement behind the award is straightforward: as urban populations grow and daily life becomes more disconnected from local nature, both FWS and NFWF see an increasing urgency to reengage urban communities in conservation and stewardship. Rather than reinventing a new grant platform, FWS uses NFWF's established competitive program to reach a wide network of governments, nonprofits, Tribes, and academic institutions already developing community-based project ideas. The Five Star model also targets typical urban watershed problems, including erosion from unstable streambanks, stormwater pollution, and habitat degradation tied to development, while requiring an education and outreach component to help sustain conservation behaviors over time.
The planned timeline described for administering the program reflects an annual grant cycle managed by NFWF with partner coordination and multi-stage review. Outreach begins in October 2016, the request for proposals and application materials are released in November 2016 (along with an applicant webinar), proposals are due in February 2017, and reviews occur from mid-February through March. Funding decisions are made through review committee meetings involving NFWF, FWS, and other partners in April, followed by final approvals and congressional notification in May through June. Awards are publicly announced and grant agreements negotiated in mid-summer 2017, with project implementation and monitoring continuing through no later than September 2019, and the overall FWS-NFWF award concluding in December 2019.
Accountability and performance measurement are a major part of how the program operates. NFWF built its evaluation approach from a formal external review conducted by Oregon State University of early Five Star projects, and it has since embedded refined metrics into NFWF's electronic grants management system. Applicants are required to define activities, outputs, outcomes, indicators, and baseline values so changes can be tracked over time, and common measures can roll up into program-wide reporting. Grantees must submit periodic and final programmatic and financial reports using standard templates and data standards to ensure compatibility with FWS requirements, and NFWF monitors compliance with federal regulations through its compliance department. At project completion, grantees provide an evaluation report summarizing how grant objectives were met and what environmental and community outcomes were achieved, and NFWF compiles overall accomplishments into final reporting back to FWS.
From an administrative standpoint, this opportunity is listed as a discretionary cooperative agreement under CFDA 15.654, housed within the Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service. The posted eligible applicant type is 501(c)(3) nonprofits (other than institutions of higher education), and the notice indicates a single expected award with the recipient already selected at the time of posting. The opportunity is backed by a range of conservation, refuge, recreation, volunteer partnership, youth engagement, and cultural resource protection authorities, reflecting that the work sits at the intersection of habitat restoration, public use, education, community partnership, and stewardship on or near urban refuge landscapes.
FY16 FWS Urban Waters - Urban Refuge Partnership (F16AS00391) FAQ
1) What is the FY16 FWS Urban Waters - Urban Refuge Partnership opportunity (F16AS00391)?
This is a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) discretionary cooperative agreement (CFDA 15.654) that provides federal support to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) to run an Urban Refuge focal area within the NFWF Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration Grant Program.
2) Is this a standalone FWS grant competition?
No. The stated intent is not for FWS to operate a separate standalone grants competition. Instead, FWS channels its funding through NFWF's existing national competitive grantmaking infrastructure (the Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration Grant Program).
3) What organization manages the funding supported by this opportunity?
NFWF manages the funding as part of the Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration Grant Program, using its established grants management and reporting systems.
4) How much funding did FWS set aside under this FY16 award?
FWS set aside $250,000 to be managed by NFWF to support an Urban Refuge focal area within the competitive program.
5) What is the larger initiative this work connects to?
The work traces back to the Urban Waters Federal Partnership formed in 2011, which aimed to help communities create safer, healthier, and more accessible outdoor spaces, with a major emphasis on revitalizing urban waterways.
6) Why did the partnership use NFWF and the Five Star Program instead of creating a new program?
As described, the partnership needed a practical way to provide on-the-ground seed funding for locally generated project ideas. In 2013, the partnership asked NFWF to manage this need through the existing Five Star Restoration Program, rather than reinventing a new platform.
7) What is the Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration Grant Program?
It is NFWF's established national vehicle for supporting urban wetland and stream restoration coupled with community stewardship and education. It has operated since 1999 and requires applicants to assemble at least five partners.
8) What is the "Five Star model" partnership requirement?
The program has long required applicants to assemble at least five partners to carry out urban wetland and stream restoration work along with community stewardship and education.
9) What kinds of problems do projects typically address under this program model?
The program targets typical urban watershed issues such as erosion from unstable streambanks, stormwater pollution, and habitat degradation tied to development, and it requires an education and outreach component to help sustain conservation behaviors over time.
10) What is the main purpose of the FWS funding within the Five Star program?
The core purpose is to expand urban conservation work in places where people can easily participate, especially on lands not owned by FWS but located near FWS lands, FWS offices, or where there are existing FWS urban partnerships.
11) Do projects have to be on U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service-owned land?
No. The opportunity specifically emphasizes work on lands not owned by the Service, particularly when those areas are near FWS lands, offices, or existing urban partnerships.
12) What is meant by an "Urban Refuge focal area" within the program?
It refers to a focus within the broader Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration Grant Program that aligns funded projects with the Urban Wildlife Refuge and Partnership approach and priorities described by FWS.
13) What are projects expected to do for communities?
Projects are expected to bring residents into place-based outdoor experiences that build stronger connections to fish, wildlife, and habitat conservation in everyday community settings.
14) What are the Standards of Excellence referenced for Urban Wildlife Refuges and Partnerships?
Funded work must meet at least one of the eight Standards of Excellence listed in the opportunity: (1) knowing and relating to the community, (2) connecting urban people with nature through stepping stones of engagement, (3) building partnerships, (4) being a community asset, (5) ensuring long-term resources, (6) providing equitable access, (7) ensuring visitors feel safe and welcome, and (8) modeling sustainability.
15) Do projects need to meet all eight Standards of Excellence?
No. The information provided states that funded work must meet at least one of the eight Standards of Excellence.
16) What are the main program objectives emphasized for proposals?
The objectives are framed around four themes: (1) strong partnerships, (2) measurable benefits, (3) sustainability beyond the grant period, and (4) making FWS a tangible community asset.
17) What does the opportunity mean by "strong partnerships"?
Proposals should demonstrate a diverse coalition of public and private partners, show an ability (or clear plan) to work with specific urban cultures and communities, and explain how coordination with FWS staff will help achieve shared goals.
18) What does "measurable benefits" mean in this context?
Projects are expected to produce measurable benefits beyond activities. Examples given include documented increases in participation in fish- and wildlife-related experiences among diverse urban audiences and improved understanding of how conservation supports community well-being.
19) What does the program expect regarding long-term sustainability?
Applicants are expected to show a credible commitment to neighborhood strength and continued engagement beyond the grant period, building relationships and capacity that last.
20) What does it mean for a project to make FWS a tangible community asset?
Examples described include offering technical expertise on fish and wildlife issues, creating pathways for youth employment, supporting urban bird conservation (noted as an FWS priority added when FWS joined the partnership in 2015), and expanding community education and recreation opportunities.
21) What priorities are specifically highlighted by FWS within this partnership?
Urban bird conservation is explicitly stated as an FWS priority added when FWS joined the partnership in 2015.
22) What types of entities does the opportunity say it is trying to reach through NFWF's program?
It describes reaching a wide network of governments, nonprofits, Tribes, and academic institutions that are already developing community-based project ideas.
23) Who is listed as eligible to apply under the posted eligible applicant type?
The posted eligible applicant type is 501(c)(3) nonprofits (other than institutions of higher education).
24) How many awards are expected under this specific funding opportunity notice?
The notice indicates a single expected award.
25) Was the recipient already selected when this opportunity was posted?
Yes. The notice indicates the recipient was already selected at the time of posting.
26) What federal department and agency is associated with this opportunity?
It is housed within the Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS).
27) What is the assistance listing / CFDA number provided?
The opportunity is described as a discretionary cooperative agreement under CFDA 15.654.
28) Which partners are mentioned as contributing funds alongside FWS through the program?
Other federal partners mentioned include the U.S. Forest Service and EPA. Corporate partners mentioned include Southern Company, FedEx, Alcoa Foundation, and Bank of America.
29) What track record is cited for the Five Star Program?
Since 1999, the program has funded more than 700 projects across all states and several U.S. territories, awarding over $13.3 million and leveraging more than $56 million in matching funds and in-kind services. It also reports engaging more than 160,000 community members and restoring tens of thousands of acres of habitat including wetlands, streams, rivers, and coastal areas.
30) What is the planned grant cycle timeline described for administration by NFWF?
The described annual cycle includes outreach beginning in October 2016; a request for proposals and application materials released in November 2016 (with an applicant webinar); proposals due in February 2017; reviews from mid-February through March; funding decision meetings in April; final approvals and congressional notification in May through June; awards announcement and agreement negotiation in mid-summer 2017.
31) How long can project implementation and monitoring continue?
Project implementation and monitoring is described as continuing through no later than September 2019.
32) When does the overall FWS-NFWF award conclude?
The overall FWS-NFWF award is described as concluding in December 2019.
33) What accountability and performance measurement approach is described?
NFWF's evaluation approach is described as building from an external review by Oregon State University of early Five Star projects, with refined metrics embedded into NFWF's electronic grants management system.
34) What are applicants required to define for performance tracking?
Applicants are required to define activities, outputs, outcomes, indicators, and baseline values so that changes can be tracked over time and reported in consistent measures that can roll up to program-wide reporting.
35) What reporting is required of grantees?
Grantees must submit periodic and final programmatic and financial reports using standard templates and data standards designed to be compatible with FWS requirements.
36) How is compliance with federal regulations addressed?
NFWF monitors compliance with federal regulations through its compliance department.
37) What is required at the end of a project?
At project completion, grantees provide an evaluation report summarizing how grant objectives were met and what environmental and community outcomes were achieved. NFWF compiles overall accomplishments into final reporting back to FWS.
38) What is the underlying need statement driving this funding?
The need statement is that as urban populations grow and daily life becomes more disconnected from local nature, FWS and NFWF see urgency to reengage urban communities in conservation and stewardship.
39) What types of activities are implied beyond restoration work?
The opportunity repeatedly emphasizes that projects are more than habitat repair alone, highlighting community stewardship, education, outreach, inclusive access, community relevance, and long-term local capacity.
40) What legal or program authorities are mentioned as backing this opportunity?
The opportunity notes it is backed by a range of conservation, refuge, recreation, volunteer partnership, youth engagement, and cultural resource protection authorities, reflecting the intersection of habitat restoration, public use, education, community partnership, and stewardship on or near urban refuge landscapes.
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| Cooperative Agreement with PNTS to Provide Services Benefitting Management of America's 30 National Scenic and Historic Trails Apply for F16AS00397 Funding Number: F16AS00397 Agency: Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Community Development, Education, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $60,000 |
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| Service Training and Technical Assistance (Generic Training) Apply for F16AS00421 Funding Number: F16AS00421 Agency: Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Community Development, Education, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Service Training and Technical Assistance (Generic Training) Apply for F16AS00420 Funding Number: F16AS00420 Agency: Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Community Development, Education, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Service Training and Technical Assistance (Generic Training) Apply for F16AS00422 Funding Number: F16AS00422 Agency: Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Community Development, Education, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Coastal Program Apply for F17AS00014 Funding Number: F17AS00014 Agency: Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Community Development, Education, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Partners for Fish and Wildlife Apply for F17AS00015 Funding Number: F17AS00015 Agency: Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Community Development, Education, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS-Trail Development and Management- NOCO- THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS Apply for NPS NOIP17AC00006 Funding Number: NPS NOIP17AC00006 Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service Category: Community Development, Education, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $2,500,000 |
| THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS-Develop programs to enhance public use and enjoyment of Cuyahoga Valley National Park CUVA-THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS Apply for NPS NOIP17AC00113 Funding Number: NPS NOIP17AC00113 Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service Category: Community Development, Education, Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
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