Opportunity Information: Apply for F15AS00142
Apply for F15AS00142
- The Fish and Wildlife Service in the environment natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Partners for Fish and Wildlife 2015" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.662 Great Lakes Restoration.
- This funding opportunity was created on Mar 24, 2015 and posted on Mar 24, 2015.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 30, 2016. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $400,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $25,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 75 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Special district governments Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities Private institutions of higher education County governments Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Small businesses Independent school districts Public and State controlled institutions of higher education Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education For profit organizations other than small businesses Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments) City or township governments Individuals.
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Opportunity Summary:
The "Great Lakes Restoration Initiative - Partners for Fish and Wildlife 2015" opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number F15AS00142) is a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service effort that uses Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) funds to tackle major environmental challenges across the Great Lakes ecosystem, with a specific focus on habitat and wildlife protection and restoration. The core intent is to restore and enhance wetlands and related upland habitats in ways that directly benefit native Great Lakes fish and wildlife populations, with particular attention to migratory birds. A key feature is that the on-the-ground restoration work is intended to happen on privately owned lands (specifically non-federal and non-state properties), reflecting the program's emphasis on voluntary conservation actions that expand habitat improvements beyond public lands.
A major priority area for projects is within, though not limited to, watersheds tied to Great Lakes "Areas of Concern" (AOCs), which are locations identified as having significant environmental degradation and needing targeted remediation and ecological recovery. By concentrating work in these watersheds, the program aims to deliver measurable ecological gains where they can help address longstanding problems such as habitat loss, water quality impacts, and reduced biodiversity. Typical activities can include wetland restoration, wetland enhancement, and complementary upland practices like grassland establishment, all designed to improve habitat quality, connectivity, and resilience.
This opportunity is also notable because it is not structured like a standard competitive grant program. The Partners for Fish and Wildlife (PFW) Program is described as a direct federal assistance program and does not operate through a traditional request for proposals. Instead of submitting proposals into an open competition, prospective projects are developed collaboratively with substantial involvement from PFW field biologists. These biologists, working across eight Great Lakes states, partner directly with landowners and other participants to identify opportunities, design projects, and implement voluntary habitat improvements. The federal role is intentionally hands-on, which is why the funding instrument is a cooperative agreement rather than a typical pass-through grant; the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service anticipates being actively involved to ensure technical quality and successful completion.
In terms of scale and funding details, the opportunity anticipated approximately 75 awards, with an estimated total funding amount of $400,000. The listed award ceiling was $25,000, with an award floor of $0, meaning project awards could vary widely depending on scope and readiness. The program requires cost sharing or matching, indicating applicants and partners are expected to contribute cash, in-kind services, materials, labor, or other non-federal support to help complete projects and stretch federal dollars further. The assistance is categorized under environment and natural resources, and it is tied to CFDA number 15.662 (Great Lakes Restoration).
Eligibility is broad and includes individuals, local governments (such as city/township and county governments), special district governments, independent school districts, tribal governments and tribal organizations, public housing authorities, nonprofits (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3)), educational institutions (public and private, including higher education), and for-profit entities (including small businesses and other for-profits). Even though many entity types are eligible on paper, the practical gateway into the program is collaboration with local PFW staff, since projects are not selected through a standard proposal solicitation and are instead shaped around regional priorities identified in a strategic plan and the feasibility of implementing work on private lands.
Key dates show it was posted March 24, 2015, with a closing date of June 30, 2016, and an archive date of July 1, 2016. For those seeking to engage with the program model described in the announcement, the primary next step is contacting a local PFW Program office to discuss site conditions, conservation goals, and whether a proposed habitat project aligns with geographic and biological priorities. The announcement directs interested parties to the PFW contact page (http://www.fws.gov/partners/contactUs.html). For access issues or questions about the full announcement, the listed point of contact was Lori Nordstrom at 612-713-5475 or lorinordstrom@fws.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the "Great Lakes Restoration Initiative - Partners for Fish and Wildlife 2015" opportunity?
This opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number F15AS00142) is a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service effort using Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) funds to address major environmental challenges across the Great Lakes ecosystem. The emphasis is on protecting and restoring habitat and wildlife, especially by restoring and enhancing wetlands and related upland habitats that benefit native Great Lakes fish and wildlife, with particular attention to migratory birds.
What is the main goal of the program?
The core intent is to restore and enhance wetlands and associated upland habitats in ways that directly support native Great Lakes fish and wildlife populations. Projects are meant to improve habitat quality, connectivity, and resilience, with specific benefits for wildlife such as migratory birds.
Where is the restoration work expected to take place?
The on-the-ground restoration work is intended to occur on privately owned lands, specifically non-federal and non-state properties. This reflects the program's focus on voluntary conservation actions that expand habitat improvements beyond public lands.
Does the program focus on any specific geographic areas?
Yes. A major priority area is within (though not limited to) watersheds tied to Great Lakes "Areas of Concern" (AOCs). These are locations identified as having significant environmental degradation and needing targeted remediation and ecological recovery.
What are Great Lakes "Areas of Concern" (AOCs) in this context?
AOCs are Great Lakes locations recognized for significant environmental degradation and the need for targeted remediation and ecological recovery. The program prioritizes projects in watersheds associated with AOCs to help deliver measurable ecological gains where problems like habitat loss, water quality impacts, and reduced biodiversity have been longstanding.
What types of activities or projects are supported?
Typical activities include wetland restoration, wetland enhancement, and complementary upland practices such as grassland establishment. These actions are intended to improve habitat quality, connectivity, and resilience for native fish and wildlife.
Is this a standard competitive grant program with an open request for proposals?
No. The Partners for Fish and Wildlife (PFW) Program is described as a direct federal assistance program and does not operate through a traditional request for proposals. Rather than submitting proposals into an open competition, prospective projects are developed collaboratively with substantial involvement from PFW field biologists.
How are projects developed and selected under this opportunity?
Projects are developed collaboratively with PFW field biologists working across eight Great Lakes states. These biologists partner directly with landowners and other participants to identify opportunities, design projects, and implement voluntary habitat improvements, shaped around regional priorities identified in a strategic plan and the feasibility of implementing work on private lands.
Why is the funding instrument a cooperative agreement instead of a typical grant?
The opportunity anticipates active, hands-on involvement from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to ensure technical quality and successful completion. Because of this substantial federal involvement, the funding instrument is a cooperative agreement rather than a typical pass-through grant.
How much funding is available overall, and how many awards were anticipated?
The opportunity anticipated approximately 75 awards with an estimated total funding amount of $400,000.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The listed award ceiling was $25,000.
What is the minimum award amount (award floor)?
The award floor was listed as $0, indicating that project award amounts could vary widely depending on scope and readiness.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
Yes. The program requires cost sharing or matching. Applicants and partners are expected to contribute cash, in-kind services, materials, labor, or other non-federal support to help complete projects and stretch federal dollars further.
What is the assistance category for this opportunity?
The assistance is categorized under environment and natural resources and is tied to CFDA number 15.662 (Great Lakes Restoration).
Who is eligible to participate?
Eligibility is broad and includes individuals; local governments (city/township and county); special district governments; independent school districts; tribal governments and tribal organizations; public housing authorities; nonprofits (501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3)); educational institutions (public and private, including higher education); and for-profit entities (including small businesses and other for-profits).
If eligibility is broad, what is the practical first step to pursue a project?
The practical gateway into the program is collaboration with local PFW staff, since projects are not selected through a standard proposal solicitation. The announcement indicates the primary next step is to contact a local PFW Program office to discuss site conditions, conservation goals, and whether a proposed habitat project aligns with geographic and biological priorities.
Where can interested parties find the Partners for Fish and Wildlife contact information?
The announcement directs interested parties to the PFW contact page: http://www.fws.gov/partners/contactUs.html
What are the key dates listed for this funding opportunity?
The opportunity was posted March 24, 2015. The closing date was June 30, 2016, and the archive date was July 1, 2016.
Who is the listed point of contact for access issues or questions about the full announcement?
The listed point of contact was Lori Nordstrom at 612-713-5475 or lorinordstrom@fws.gov.
Which agency is running this effort?
The opportunity is a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service effort using GLRI funds, implemented through the Partners for Fish and Wildlife (PFW) Program.
What kinds of ecological problems is the program aiming to address?
By emphasizing habitat restoration (especially in AOC-related watersheds), the program aims to produce measurable ecological gains that can help address habitat loss, water quality impacts, and reduced biodiversity across the Great Lakes ecosystem.
What wildlife benefits are specifically highlighted?
The opportunity highlights direct benefits to native Great Lakes fish and wildlife populations, with particular attention to migratory birds.
Across how many states do PFW field biologists work for this program?
The announcement notes that PFW field biologists work across eight Great Lakes states.
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