Great Apes Conservation Fund FY13 | Apply Online

Great Apes Conservation Fund FY13 (F12AS00423) - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is the Great Apes Conservation Fund FY13 grant opportunity?

The Great Apes Conservation Fund FY13 is a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service funding opportunity created under the Great Ape Conservation Act of 2000. Its purpose is to slow and reverse declines in great ape populations across Africa and Asia by supporting conservation actions and applied work that directly improves survival prospects for great apes and the ecosystems they depend on.

2) Which species are covered by this funding opportunity?

The opportunity focuses on conserving gorillas, chimpanzees, bonobos, orangutans, and gibbons across their natural ranges.

3) What is the overall goal of the program?

The program is intended to support both in-range national conservation programs and proven, expert-led projects that directly improve the conservation outlook for great apes, including the habitat and ecosystem conditions necessary for long-term survival.

4) What types of projects are considered priorities?

Priority project types include:

• Surveys and monitoring of ape populations and habitat conditions
• Development and implementation of conservation management plans
• Efforts that strengthen compliance with relevant laws and international agreements related to taking, trade, or habitat use affecting apes
• Education and community outreach to change behaviors driving habitat loss, hunting, or illegal trade
• Direct protection for the most at-risk populations (including anti-poaching and other threat-reduction interventions)

5) Does the program support on-the-ground conservation work?

Yes. The program is designed to back practical, on-the-ground conservation actions, including direct protection measures and management activities aimed at reducing immediate threats to great apes.

6) Is research eligible, and if so, what kind?

Yes. The solicitation supports targeted, applied research that is tied to management decisions and specific conservation needs. Research-focused proposals are expected to be directly relevant to management outcomes for great ape conservation.

7) Are human-ape conflict reduction activities supported?

Yes. Reducing human-ape conflict is identified as a major emphasis area in this opportunity.

8) Are habitat protection, restoration, and protected area management activities eligible?

Yes. The opportunity emphasizes protecting or restoring habitat and includes eligible work such as habitat conservation and management, improved protected area and reserve management, and related initiatives within key great ape ranges.

9) Does the fund support capacity building for local institutions and communities?

Yes. The fund supports initiatives that build local capacity so that government agencies, local organizations, and communities can sustain conservation gains over time.

10) Are law enforcement and anti-trafficking activities eligible?

Yes. The opportunity supports strengthening compliance with laws and international agreements, and it recognizes enforcement as important by supporting wildlife inspection, law enforcement, and forensics skill-building to help detect and deter illegal activities.

11) Does the program encourage transboundary (transfrontier) conservation projects?

Yes. Transboundary conservation is encouraged when great ape populations and threats cross national borders.

12) Are disease and climate change considered within the scope of this opportunity?

Yes. The solicitation explicitly highlights emerging and compounding threats such as disease and climate change as important considerations, particularly for applied work tied to management needs.

13) Where are projects expected to take place?

Projects are expected to occur within great ape range countries.

14) Can work conducted outside of ape range countries be funded?

Potentially, yes. Work conducted outside the range can be considered if the applicant clearly demonstrates a strong, direct relevance to great ape conservation outcomes.

15) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broad and includes:

• Government agencies responsible for great ape conservation and protection
• Other organizations
• Multinational secretariats
• Individuals with demonstrated great ape conservation expertise

16) Do U.S. nonprofit or nongovernmental organizations need to provide documentation?

Yes. U.S. nonprofit and nongovernmental applicants must provide documentation of 501(c)(3) status.

17) Is cost-sharing or matching required?

No cost-sharing or matching requirement is indicated for this opportunity.

18) What type of federal funding mechanism is used?

This is a discretionary program offering grants and cooperative agreements.

19) What is the CFDA number for this program?

The CFDA number is 15.629.

20) How much funding was anticipated in total, and how many awards were expected?

The announcement anticipated approximately 30 awards with an estimated total funding level of $1.9 million.

21) What is the expected award size range?

Individual awards were expected to range from a minimum (floor) of $20,000 to a maximum (ceiling) of $2,000,000.

22) What is the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number is F12AS00423.

23) When was the opportunity posted?

The opportunity was posted on September 14, 2012.

24) What was the application closing date?

The closing date was December 3, 2012 (noted as originally December 1).

25) When was the opportunity set to be archived?

The opportunity was set to be archived on December 31, 2012.

26) Where could applicants find additional program information?

Additional program information was provided through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service "Wildlife Without Borders" Great Ape Conservation Fund webpage.

27) Who was the listed contact for help accessing the full announcement?

The listed contact was Corrie Mauldin, International Affairs Specialist. Phone: (703) 358-2637. Email: corriemauldin@fws.gov.