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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Mammals of Conservation Concern (Alaska)

What is the Mammals of Conservation Concern grant opportunity?

The Mammals of Conservation Concern grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number 714509R001) is a discretionary cooperative agreement offered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Region 7. It falls under CFDA 15.608, Fish and Wildlife Management Assistance.

Which geographic area does this project focus on?

The project is focused on Alaska. The deliverables are intended to support wildlife conservation and management decision-making specific to Alaskan mammal taxa.

What is the main purpose of this grant?

The purpose is to produce a specimen-based, literature-grounded management resource that identifies which mammal taxa in Alaska may be at risk and could need heightened conservation attention. The emphasis is on compiling and synthesizing existing information into a clear, defensible product that agencies can use.

What is the expected primary deliverable?

The central deliverable is a completed manuscript titled Mammals of Conservation Concern in Alaska.

What will the manuscript contain?

The manuscript is expected to compile distribution data for Alaskan mammals and overlay that information with threats and risk factors documented in existing scientific and management literature. It is also expected to include range maps and visual documentation such as photographs or sketches, along with updated conservation-status information for the taxa covered.

What does "specimen-based" mean in the context of this opportunity?

The announcement describes the resource as specimen based and solidly supported by relevant literature. Based on the information provided, this indicates the government is seeking a product grounded in verifiable sources and evidence (including specimen-related distribution information) rather than unverified or purely anecdotal accounts.

Is the grant intended to fund new fieldwork?

The announcement indicates the core emphasis is not fieldwork alone. Instead, it prioritizes pulling together and synthesizing existing distribution information and published risk information into a management-ready product.

How will the project identify which mammals are "of conservation concern"?

The project will combine (1) compiled distribution data for Alaskan mammals with (2) documented threats and risk factors from existing scientific and management literature. Using that combined evidence, it will create a subset list of Alaskan mammal taxa whose continued existence could be in jeopardy.

Why does the announcement emphasize a "clear, defensible product"?

The resource is intended to be rigorous and grounded in verifiable sources so it can stand up to scrutiny. The announcement positions the manuscript as something agencies can cite confidently in planning and coordination contexts, including decision-making that benefits from well-supported, documented information.

How might agencies use the final manuscript?

The manuscript is positioned as a practical management tool for state and federal resource agencies. It is intended to help managers quickly understand where sensitive mammals occur, what pressures they face, and how their status may have changed based on the most current information available at the time of writing. It is also described as supporting prioritization of monitoring and directing limited conservation resources.

What type of federal assistance instrument is this?

This opportunity is described as a discretionary cooperative agreement.

What is the CFDA number and program name associated with this opportunity?

CFDA 15.608, Fish and Wildlife Management Assistance.

What is the funding opportunity number?

The Funding Opportunity Number is 714509R001.

How much funding is available?

The estimated total funding amount is $10,000. The award floor is $10,000 and the award ceiling is also $10,000, indicating a fixed award amount.

How many awards are expected?

The announcement indicates the expectation of a single award.

Is cost sharing or matching required?

No cost sharing or matching requirement is stated in the information provided.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is limited to state governments.

When was this opportunity posted?

The posting date (and creation date) is July 22, 2009.

What were the application closing dates?

The original closing date and the current closing date are both listed as August 3, 2009, meaning the application window was short.

Is this grant opportunity still open?

The archive date is September 2, 2009, and the closing date is August 3, 2009. Based on these dates, the opportunity is historical and is not currently open.

Where can applicants find the full project description?

The announcement notes that a full project description is contained in an attached proposal. It also indicates assistance is available for accessing the full announcement electronically.

Who is the contact person listed for this opportunity?

The contact listed is Tina Racy, identified as a point of contact for assistance accessing the full announcement electronically.

What makes the final product different from a standard literature review?

Based on the description provided, the manuscript is intended to function as a management resource by integrating specimen-based distribution information (including mapped ranges) with documented threats and risk factors from the literature, then translating that synthesis into an actionable subset list of taxa potentially at risk, along with updated conservation-status information and visual documentation.

What kinds of visuals are expected in the manuscript?

The manuscript is expected to include range maps and visual documentation such as photographs or sketches.

What is the intended audience for the manuscript?

The manuscript is intended for state and federal resource agencies responsible for conserving Alaska wildlife. It is described as useful for decision-making, prioritizing monitoring, and coordinating conservation actions.