Opportunity Information: Apply for FWS R3 FY10 CCS
Apply for FWS R3 FY10 CCS
- The Fish and Wildlife Service in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Midwest Region Challenge Cost Share" 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 Jan 4, 2010 and posted on Jan 4, 2010.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Mar 5, 2010 This is an annual program with partnerships being developed year round between local units of the USFWS and non federal partners. All projects must be sponsored by a US Fish and Wildlife Service field station and benefit National Wildlife Refuge System programs. Proposals are prepared under the most recent guidance from the Regional Office by the local unit of the USFWS and are normally collected for evaluation and ranking each January and March. Potential applicants should check with USFWS offices to develop a shared conservation proposal and submit completed proposals for the next funding round. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $800,000.00 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) grant is a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) funding opportunity run by the National Wildlife Refuge System in Region 3, covering Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, and Missouri. It supports hands-on natural resources work that directly benefits National Wildlife Refuge System programs, with an emphasis on practical conservation outcomes such as inventorying and controlling invasive species, restoring habitat, and delivering conservation outreach. Projects are expected to be collaborative, on-the-ground efforts that help refuges and related USFWS programs meet management needs, rather than standalone projects developed without agency involvement.
A key requirement is that every proposal must be built and submitted through a USFWS Region 3 field office, such as a national wildlife refuge or a Partners for Fish and Wildlife office. In other words, even though eligibility is broadly described as “unrestricted” (open to many entity types), a non-federal organization cannot simply apply on its own; the project has to be sponsored by a USFWS field station and aligned with refuge system priorities. The program is structured as a cooperative agreement, which generally signals active involvement by USFWS staff in planning, coordination, and implementation compared to a standard grant.
Cost sharing is central to the program design. Successful projects are expected to cover at least 50 percent of total project costs with non-federal resources, meaning applicants need to bring matching funds or in-kind contributions (for example, partner labor, donated equipment use, volunteer time, or non-federal cash). This matching approach is meant to stretch federal dollars and strengthen local partnerships, ensuring that projects have buy-in and capacity beyond the federal contribution.
Funding is offered on an annual federal fiscal year cycle, but partnerships are encouraged year-round. The notice explains that conservation partners should coordinate with local USFWS offices throughout the year as needs and opportunities arise, then prepare proposals using the most current Regional Office guidance. Proposals are typically gathered for evaluation and ranking during set windows, commonly around January through March. For the specific funding round described in the notice (FY10), the posting date is January 4, 2010, with an original and current closing date of March 5, 2010.
In terms of scale, the opportunity lists an estimated total funding level of about $800,000 across the region, with an expectation of roughly 100 awards. Individual awards have a ceiling of $25,000, and the floor is listed as $0, indicating that award sizes can vary widely depending on project scope and available funds. The CFDA number associated with the program is 15.642 (Challenge Cost Share), and the activity category is Natural Resources.
For organizations or groups interested in pursuing funding, the practical first step is to contact the nearest USFWS Region 3 field office to identify a shared refuge-benefiting project and confirm fit with regional priorities. Once a project is shaped collaboratively, the USFWS partner office forwards the completed proposal to the Midwest Region CCS grant coordinator for consideration in the next funding round. The listed regional contact for this announcement is Rob Bruesewitz, Acting Region 3 Challenge Cost Share Coordinator, reachable by phone at (612) 713-5403 or by email at RobertBruesewitz@fws.gov, and he can also help connect potential partners with the appropriate local USFWS contacts.
Midwest Region Challenge Cost Share (CCS) Grant (USFWS Region 3) - FAQs
What is the Midwest Region Challenge Cost Share (CCS) grant?
The Midwest Region CCS grant is a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) funding opportunity managed by the National Wildlife Refuge System in Region 3. It funds hands-on natural resources work that directly benefits National Wildlife Refuge System programs and related USFWS priorities.
Which states are included in USFWS Region 3 for this opportunity?
This opportunity covers the USFWS Midwest Region (Region 3): Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, and Missouri.
What types of projects does this program support?
The program emphasizes practical, on-the-ground conservation outcomes that benefit refuges and USFWS programs. Examples mentioned include inventorying invasive species, controlling invasive species, restoring habitat, and delivering conservation outreach.
Does the project have to directly benefit a National Wildlife Refuge?
Yes. Projects are expected to directly benefit National Wildlife Refuge System programs and help refuges (and related USFWS programs) meet management needs.
Are standalone projects eligible if they are not developed with USFWS involvement?
The notice indicates projects should not be standalone efforts developed without agency involvement. Proposals are expected to be collaborative and aligned with refuge system priorities.
Who can apply for the Midwest Region CCS funding?
Eligibility is described as "unrestricted" (open to many entity types). However, non-federal organizations cannot apply independently because each proposal must be built and submitted through a USFWS Region 3 field office.
Can a nonprofit, university, or local group submit an application directly?
No. A non-federal organization cannot simply apply on its own. The project must be sponsored and submitted through a USFWS Region 3 field office (for example, a national wildlife refuge or a Partners for Fish and Wildlife office).
What is the required role of a USFWS Region 3 field office?
Every proposal must be built and submitted through a USFWS Region 3 field office. Practically, that means partners coordinate with a local refuge or Partners for Fish and Wildlife office to shape a shared project, and the USFWS office forwards the proposal for regional consideration.
What type of award is this (grant vs. cooperative agreement)?
The program is structured as a cooperative agreement, which generally signals active involvement by USFWS staff in planning, coordination, and implementation (as compared to a standard grant).
Is cost sharing (matching) required?
Yes. Cost sharing is central to the program design. Successful projects are expected to cover at least 50 percent of total project costs with non-federal resources.
How much match is required?
At least 50 percent of the total project costs are expected to be covered with non-federal resources (matching funds and/or allowable in-kind contributions).
What counts as non-federal match for this program?
The notice gives examples of non-federal match including partner labor, donated equipment use, volunteer time, and non-federal cash.
Why does the program require cost sharing?
The matching approach is intended to stretch federal dollars and strengthen local partnerships by ensuring projects have partner buy-in and capacity beyond the federal contribution.
How often is funding offered?
Funding is offered on an annual federal fiscal year cycle, although partnerships and coordination with USFWS offices are encouraged year-round.
When are proposals typically gathered and reviewed?
Proposals are typically gathered for evaluation and ranking during set windows, commonly around January through March, using the most current Regional Office guidance.
What are the posting date and closing date for the funding round described in the notice?
For the specific funding round described (FY10), the posting date is January 4, 2010, and the original and current closing date is March 5, 2010.
How much total funding is available across the region?
The opportunity lists an estimated total funding level of about $800,000 across the region.
How many awards are expected?
The notice indicates an expectation of roughly 100 awards.
What is the maximum award amount?
The ceiling for individual awards is $25,000.
Is there a minimum award amount?
The floor is listed as $0, indicating award sizes may vary widely depending on project scope and available funds.
What is the CFDA number associated with this program?
The CFDA number listed is 15.642 (Challenge Cost Share).
What is the activity category for this funding opportunity?
The activity category is Natural Resources.
What is the best first step for an organization interested in this funding?
The practical first step is to contact the nearest USFWS Region 3 field office to identify a shared project that benefits refuges and confirm fit with regional priorities.
How does a proposal get submitted for consideration?
After a project is shaped collaboratively with a USFWS Region 3 field office, the USFWS partner office forwards the completed proposal to the Midwest Region CCS grant coordinator for consideration in the next funding round.
Who is the regional contact listed for this announcement?
The listed regional contact is Rob Bruesewitz, Acting Region 3 Challenge Cost Share Coordinator.
How can we contact the Region 3 Challenge Cost Share Coordinator?
Phone: (612) 713-5403. Email: RobertBruesewitz@fws.gov.
Can the regional coordinator help connect us with a local USFWS contact?
Yes. The notice states that the regional contact can help connect potential partners with the appropriate local USFWS contacts.
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