Opportunity Information: Apply for FWS 09 RW 642 001
Apply for FWS 09 RW 642 001
- The Region 3 in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Midwest Region Challenge Cost Share Grants" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.642 Challenge Cost Share.
- This funding opportunity was created on Oct 24, 2008 and posted on Oct 24, 2008.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Nov 28, 2008. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $600,000.00 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 100 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.
- All projects must be sponsored by a US Fish and Wildlife Service field station and benefit National Wildlife Refuge System programs.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Midwest Region Challenge Cost Share (CCS) Grants program is a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) funding opportunity managed by the National Wildlife Refuge System in Region 3, which covers Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, and Missouri. The program supports hands-on natural resource management work that advances Refuge System priorities across the Midwest, with a strong emphasis on projects that inventory and control invasive species, restore habitat, and deliver conservation outreach. Projects are expected to produce clear, on-the-ground conservation benefits tied to National Wildlife Refuge System programs, rather than being purely academic or indirect in impact.
A key requirement is that every proposal must be developed and submitted in partnership with a USFWS Region 3 field office, such as a national wildlife refuge or a Partners for Fish and Wildlife office. The USFWS field station acts as the sponsor, and proposals are forwarded by that partnering USFWS office to the Region 3 Challenge Cost Share coordinator. In practice, this means prospective applicants should start by connecting with a local refuge or appropriate USFWS field office to shape a joint project concept that meets refuge priorities, aligns with management plans, and has a clear scope, deliverables, and budget.
The program is designed as a true cost-share partnership. Successful applications must show that at least 50 percent of the total project cost will be covered by non-federal resources. That match can typically include cash and eligible in-kind contributions (such as labor, equipment use, donated materials, or partner services), as long as it is properly documented and allowable under the award terms. This cost-share structure is central to the CCS program: it aims to stretch federal conservation dollars by leveraging state, local, nonprofit, tribal, private, and other partner investments.
Funding is offered through grants and cooperative agreements under CFDA 15.642 (Challenge Cost Share). For this specific announcement (Funding Opportunity Number FWS-09-RW-642-001), the estimated total funding available was $600,000 with an expected 100 awards. Individual awards were relatively small and geared toward actionable projects, with a minimum award size of $1,000 and a maximum (ceiling) of $25,000. The opportunity was categorized as discretionary funding in the natural resources area, and eligibility was broadly described as unrestricted, with the practical constraint that projects must be sponsored by a USFWS field station and must benefit National Wildlife Refuge System programs.
The CCS program operates on the federal fiscal year cycle and is offered annually, but the announcement stresses that partnerships can be developed throughout the year as conservation needs and shared project ideas emerge. For the posting referenced here, the opportunity was posted on October 24, 2008, and the application deadline was November 28, 2008 (with an archive date of December 28, 2008). Even though that specific cycle is historical, the structure described reflects how Region 3 frames CCS projects: partner-driven work, refuge-sponsored proposals, measurable conservation outcomes, and a minimum 50 percent non-federal cost share.
For questions about the call for proposals or to identify the right local USFWS contacts in the Midwest Region, the notice lists Dan Sobieck as the Region 3 Challenge Cost Share Coordinator at (612) 713-5426 or DanSobieck@fws.gov.
Midwest Region Challenge Cost Share (CCS) Grants (USFWS Region 3) - FAQs
What is the Midwest Region Challenge Cost Share (CCS) Grants program?
The Midwest Region Challenge Cost Share (CCS) Grants program is a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) funding opportunity managed by the National Wildlife Refuge System in Region 3. It supports hands-on natural resource management projects that advance Refuge System priorities across the Midwest.
Which states are included in USFWS Region 3 for this program?
Region 3 covers Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, and Missouri.
What kinds of projects does this grant program prioritize?
The program emphasizes on-the-ground natural resource management work, with strong priority for projects that:
- Inventory invasive species
- Control invasive species
- Restore habitat
- Deliver conservation outreach
Are purely academic or indirect-impact projects a good fit for this opportunity?
No. Projects are expected to produce clear, on-the-ground conservation benefits tied to National Wildlife Refuge System programs, rather than being purely academic or indirect in impact.
Is partnership with USFWS required to apply?
Yes. Every proposal must be developed and submitted in partnership with a USFWS Region 3 field office, such as a national wildlife refuge or a Partners for Fish and Wildlife office.
Who submits the proposal to Region 3?
The partnering USFWS field station acts as the sponsor and forwards proposals to the Region 3 Challenge Cost Share coordinator. In practice, this means prospective applicants should start by working with a local refuge or appropriate USFWS field office to shape the project.
What is meant by a "USFWS field station sponsor"?
A USFWS field station sponsor is the Region 3 field office (for example, a national wildlife refuge or a Partners for Fish and Wildlife office) that partners on the project, sponsors the proposal, and forwards it to the Region 3 CCS coordinator.
When should prospective applicants start engaging USFWS field offices?
Prospective applicants should start by connecting with a local refuge or appropriate USFWS field office early to shape a joint project concept that meets refuge priorities, aligns with management plans, and includes a clear scope, deliverables, and budget.
What is the cost-share requirement for this program?
Successful applications must show that at least 50 percent of the total project cost will be covered by non-federal resources.
What counts as non-federal match?
The notice indicates that non-federal match can typically include cash and eligible in-kind contributions, as long as it is properly documented and allowable under the award terms.
What are examples of in-kind contributions that may be used as match?
Examples listed include labor, equipment use, donated materials, or partner services, provided they are eligible, allowable, and properly documented.
Why does the program require cost sharing?
The cost-share structure is central to the CCS program and is intended to stretch federal conservation dollars by leveraging state, local, nonprofit, tribal, private, and other partner investments.
What funding instrument is used (grant vs cooperative agreement)?
Funding is offered through grants and cooperative agreements under CFDA 15.642 (Challenge Cost Share).
What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?
The CFDA number provided is 15.642 (Challenge Cost Share).
What is the Funding Opportunity Number for the referenced announcement?
The Funding Opportunity Number listed is FWS-09-RW-642-001.
How much funding was available under the referenced announcement?
The estimated total funding available for the referenced announcement was $600,000.
How many awards were expected under the referenced announcement?
The referenced announcement expected 100 awards.
What is the minimum award size?
The minimum award size listed was $1,000.
What is the maximum (ceiling) award size?
The maximum (ceiling) award size listed was $25,000.
Are awards generally large or small?
Individual awards were described as relatively small and geared toward actionable projects.
What is the funding type/category for this opportunity?
The opportunity was categorized as discretionary funding in the natural resources area.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility was broadly described as unrestricted, with practical constraints that projects must be sponsored by a USFWS field station and must benefit National Wildlife Refuge System programs.
What is the main practical eligibility constraint even if eligibility is described as unrestricted?
Projects must be sponsored by a USFWS Region 3 field station and must benefit National Wildlife Refuge System programs.
What kinds of outcomes are expected from funded projects?
Projects are expected to deliver measurable, on-the-ground conservation outcomes and clear benefits tied to National Wildlife Refuge System programs.
Does the program run every year?
Yes. The CCS program operates on the federal fiscal year cycle and is offered annually. The announcement also notes that partnerships can be developed throughout the year as conservation needs and shared project ideas emerge.
What were the key dates for the referenced posting?
For the posting referenced, the opportunity was posted on October 24, 2008, the application deadline was November 28, 2008, and the archive date was December 28, 2008.
Is the referenced announcement current or historical?
The specific cycle described (posted in 2008) is historical. The notice explains that the structure described reflects how Region 3 frames CCS projects: partner-driven work, refuge-sponsored proposals, measurable outcomes, and at least 50 percent non-federal cost share.
Who can help answer questions or point applicants to the right USFWS contacts?
The notice lists Dan Sobieck as the Region 3 Challenge Cost Share Coordinator.
What is the contact phone number and email for the Region 3 CCS Coordinator listed in the notice?
Phone: (612) 713-5426
Email: DanSobieck@fws.gov
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