Opportunity Information: Apply for F13AS00041
Apply for F13AS00041
- The Fish and Wildlife Service in the natural resources science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Migratory Bird Conservation in the Upper Midwest" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.647 Migratory Bird Conservation.
- This funding opportunity was created on Dec 11, 2012 and posted on Dec 11, 2012.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Feb 15, 2013. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $620,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $75,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 25 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments) Public and State controlled institutions of higher education Private institutions of higher education Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education State governments.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Migratory Bird Conservation in the Upper Midwest grant (Funding Opportunity Number F13AS00041; CFDA 15.647) is a discretionary U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) program run through the Upper Midwest Migratory Bird Conservation Program. It supports on-the-ground conservation, research, coordination, and planning efforts for bird species protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, specifically excluding species that are federally listed as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Projects are expected to benefit priority migratory birds associated with the Upper Midwest, either by working directly within Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, and Wisconsin, or by addressing important nonbreeding-season areas elsewhere that are critical to birds that breed in those states. The program traces back to the late 1980s and is funded through annual discretionary appropriations, so available funding can vary year to year based on congressional decisions and other USFWS program needs. The 2013 grant cycle is framed around the USFWS business model that links biological planning, landscape design, conservation delivery, and monitoring and evaluation, emphasizing measurable outcomes and adaptive management rather than open-ended activities.
For 2013, the program lays out four main funding focus areas. The first is Coordinated Bird Monitoring, where the emphasis is on improving regional-scale monitoring priorities identified by the Midwest Coordinated Bird Monitoring Partnership. Competitive proposals are those that strengthen the flow of monitoring data among partners and the Midwest Avian Data Center (MWADC), expand training for data contributors and users, and build decision-support tools that help partners turn monitoring information into practical conservation decisions. The program also seeks efforts that create an organized network of research and monitoring capacity aimed at answering key landbird migration questions, such as reducing mortality during migration and ensuring stopover habitat supports survival and later reproductive success across the full annual cycle. A third monitoring priority is evaluating sampling frameworks for surveying Great Lakes nesting waterbirds. USFWS signals a strong preference for projects that are collaborative across multiple key regional partners. It also makes clear that this funding is not intended to pay for long-term, routine monitoring operations; instead, it targets coordination, innovation, and the development or evaluation of new field or analytical survey methods. If selected, investigators are expected to deposit data into MWADC, and applicants should include the costs of formatting and entering data in their budgets; proprietary data can be access-controlled within MWADC. The monitoring point of contact listed is Katie Koch (katiekoch@fws.gov; 906-226-1249).
The second focus area is Focal Species Conservation, reflecting several priority birds for which USFWS and partners have been building conservation plans and coordinating workshops. For Golden-winged Warbler, USFWS is looking for an integrated nonbreeding-season conservation plan that actively involves partners in Central America and northern South America, identifies threats to priority habitats at country and regional scales, proposes workable landscape-scale actions to address those threats, and clarifies which partners will do what to make implementation realistic. For Bobolink, the need is a full life-cycle conservation plan that brings together Canadian, U.S., and South American partners, summarizes current conservation status, identifies major threats by region, and lays out region-specific strategies for both breeding and nonbreeding seasons, ideally integrated with broader grassland bird landscape approaches. Additional focal species priorities include proposals aligned with existing plans for American Woodcock and King Rail, as well as Great Lakes Black Tern and Common Tern work tied to the Upper Mississippi Valley and Great Lakes Waterbird Conservation Plan, particularly coordinated monitoring, habitat-relationship research, and regional conservation actions. Shorebird research is also highlighted, especially studies on how different controlled grazing methods affect breeding Upland Sandpiper, Marbled Godwit, and Wilsons Phalarope; comparisons of soybean agricultural lands versus grassland habitat for Upland Sandpiper; and migration ecology work that clarifies timing, length of stay, and responses to site conditions for migrating shorebirds such as Stilt Sandpiper, Short-billed Dowitcher, Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, and Wilsons Phalarope.
The third focus area addresses Bald Eagle Permitting Information Needs. After the Bald Eagle was delisted in 2007, USFWS created permits in 2009 that allow limited take or disturbance resulting from otherwise legal activities. This grant category seeks research that helps improve the information base used to process and evaluate those permits. Priority topics include mapping or understanding bald eagle migration pathways, documenting local flight pathways and behavior, and developing better approaches for assessing impacts of wind energy development, powerlines, and other disturbances near nests or roosts.
The fourth focus area is Avian Health and Disease, tied to the USFWS Avian Health and Disease Program (AHDP). This portion recognizes that habitat fragmentation, land-use change, global trade, and climate-driven shifts in bird movements can all raise risks of emerging and zoonotic diseases, especially where birds act as reservoirs or vulnerable hosts. USFWS is interested in proposals that establish baseline health conditions in wild bird populations, identify existing and emerging disease risks (with particular mention of trematodiasis, Newcastle disease, avian influenza, and botulism), strengthen disease preparedness and prevention, and develop or implement effective disease management actions. However, the announcement warns that AHDP funding could be severely reduced or eliminated in the 2013 USFWS budget, and applicants are strongly encouraged to discuss potential projects in advance with Steve Lewis (stevejlewis@fws.gov; 612-713-5473), who is also the main contact for accessing the full announcement if needed.
Administratively, this is a grant (not a contract) in the natural resources and science/technology research and development space, with an estimated total funding amount of $620,000 and an expectation of about 25 awards. Individual awards are projected to range from $5,000 (floor) to $75,000 (ceiling), and there is no cost-sharing or matching requirement. Eligible applicants include state governments, federally recognized tribal governments, other tribal organizations, public and state-controlled universities, private universities, and nonprofits (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3), excluding higher education institutions when specified). The opportunity was posted December 11, 2012, with an application deadline of February 15, 2013 (and an archive date of February 16, 2013).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Migratory Bird Conservation in the Upper Midwest grant?
The Migratory Bird Conservation in the Upper Midwest grant (Funding Opportunity Number F13AS00041; CFDA 15.647) is a discretionary U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) program administered through the Upper Midwest Migratory Bird Conservation Program. It supports on-the-ground conservation, research, coordination, and planning efforts for migratory bird species protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
Which bird species are eligible to benefit from this program?
The program is intended for bird species protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, specifically excluding species that are federally listed as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act.
What geographic area does the grant focus on?
Projects are expected to benefit priority migratory birds associated with the Upper Midwest. This can be done by working directly within Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, and Wisconsin, or by addressing important nonbreeding-season areas elsewhere that are critical to birds that breed in those states.
Is this funding available every year?
The program is funded through annual discretionary appropriations. Because of that, available funding can vary from year to year depending on congressional decisions and other USFWS program needs.
How is the 2013 grant cycle framed in terms of project approach?
The 2013 cycle is framed around the USFWS business model linking biological planning, landscape design, conservation delivery, and monitoring and evaluation. The emphasis is on measurable outcomes and adaptive management, rather than open-ended activities.
What are the main funding focus areas for 2013?
For 2013, the program describes four focus areas: (1) Coordinated Bird Monitoring, (2) Focal Species Conservation, (3) Bald Eagle Permitting Information Needs, and (4) Avian Health and Disease.
What types of projects are supported under Coordinated Bird Monitoring?
Coordinated Bird Monitoring projects emphasize regional-scale monitoring priorities identified by the Midwest Coordinated Bird Monitoring Partnership. Competitive proposals are those that strengthen the flow of monitoring data among partners and the Midwest Avian Data Center (MWADC), expand training for data contributors and users, and build decision-support tools that help partners use monitoring information for practical conservation decisions.
Does the program support migration research under the monitoring focus area?
Yes. The monitoring focus area also seeks efforts that create an organized network of research and monitoring capacity aimed at answering key landbird migration questions, such as reducing mortality during migration and ensuring stopover habitat supports survival and later reproductive success across the full annual cycle.
Are Great Lakes nesting waterbirds included in the monitoring priorities?
Yes. One identified monitoring priority is evaluating sampling frameworks for surveying Great Lakes nesting waterbirds.
Is collaboration important for monitoring proposals?
Yes. USFWS indicates a strong preference for projects that are collaborative across multiple key regional partners.
Can the grant pay for long-term, routine monitoring operations?
No. The announcement states the funding is not intended to pay for long-term, routine monitoring operations. It targets coordination, innovation, and the development or evaluation of new field or analytical survey methods.
What are the expectations for data sharing under monitoring projects?
If selected, investigators are expected to deposit data into the Midwest Avian Data Center (MWADC). Applicants should include budget costs for formatting and entering data. Proprietary data can be access-controlled within MWADC.
Who is the monitoring point of contact for this opportunity?
The monitoring point of contact listed is Katie Koch (katiekoch@fws.gov; 906-226-1249).
What does the Focal Species Conservation focus area cover?
Focal Species Conservation supports work tied to several priority birds for which USFWS and partners have been developing conservation plans and coordinating workshops. The announcement specifies desired planning, research, monitoring, habitat-relationship work, and regional conservation actions for certain focal species.
What is USFWS looking for related to Golden-winged Warbler?
For Golden-winged Warbler, USFWS is looking for an integrated nonbreeding-season conservation plan that actively involves partners in Central America and northern South America, identifies threats to priority habitats at country and regional scales, proposes workable landscape-scale actions to address those threats, and clarifies partner roles to make implementation realistic.
What is USFWS looking for related to Bobolink?
For Bobolink, the need is a full life-cycle conservation plan that brings together Canadian, U.S., and South American partners, summarizes current conservation status, identifies major threats by region, and lays out region-specific strategies for both breeding and nonbreeding seasons, ideally integrated with broader grassland bird landscape approaches.
Are American Woodcock and King Rail included as focal species priorities?
Yes. The announcement includes additional focal species priorities for proposals aligned with existing plans for American Woodcock and King Rail.
What types of Black Tern and Common Tern projects are of interest?
The program highlights Great Lakes Black Tern and Common Tern work tied to the Upper Mississippi Valley and Great Lakes Waterbird Conservation Plan, particularly coordinated monitoring, habitat-relationship research, and regional conservation actions.
What shorebird research topics are highlighted?
Highlighted shorebird topics include studies of how different controlled grazing methods affect breeding Upland Sandpiper, Marbled Godwit, and Wilsons Phalarope; comparisons of soybean agricultural lands versus grassland habitat for Upland Sandpiper; and migration ecology work that clarifies timing, length of stay, and responses to site conditions for migrating shorebirds such as Stilt Sandpiper, Short-billed Dowitcher, Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, and Wilsons Phalarope.
What is the Bald Eagle Permitting Information Needs focus area?
This focus area supports research that improves the information base used to process and evaluate USFWS permits created in 2009 that allow limited take or disturbance of bald eagles resulting from otherwise legal activities, following the species being delisted in 2007.
What types of bald eagle research topics are considered priorities?
Priority topics include mapping or understanding bald eagle migration pathways, documenting local flight pathways and behavior, and developing better approaches for assessing impacts of wind energy development, powerlines, and other disturbances near nests or roosts.
What is the Avian Health and Disease focus area?
This focus area is tied to the USFWS Avian Health and Disease Program (AHDP) and recognizes risks of emerging and zoonotic diseases associated with habitat fragmentation, land-use change, global trade, and climate-driven shifts in bird movements.
What kinds of avian health and disease projects are sought?
USFWS is interested in proposals that establish baseline health conditions in wild bird populations, identify existing and emerging disease risks, strengthen disease preparedness and prevention, and develop or implement effective disease management actions. The announcement specifically mentions trematodiasis, Newcastle disease, avian influenza, and botulism.
Is AHDP funding stable for 2013?
The announcement warns that AHDP funding could be severely reduced or eliminated in the 2013 USFWS budget.
Should applicants discuss AHDP-related projects in advance?
Yes. Applicants are strongly encouraged to discuss potential avian health and disease projects in advance with Steve Lewis (stevejlewis@fws.gov; 612-713-5473).
Who is the main contact for accessing the full announcement if needed?
Steve Lewis (stevejlewis@fws.gov; 612-713-5473) is identified as the main contact for accessing the full announcement if needed.
Is this opportunity a grant or a contract?
This opportunity is a grant, not a contract.
What is the estimated total funding available for the 2013 cycle?
The estimated total funding amount is $620,000.
How many awards does USFWS expect to make?
USFWS expects to make about 25 awards.
What is the expected size of individual awards?
Individual awards are projected to range from $5,000 (floor) to $75,000 (ceiling).
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No. The announcement states there is no cost-sharing or matching requirement.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants include state governments, federally recognized tribal governments, other tribal organizations, public and state-controlled universities, private universities, and nonprofits (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3), excluding higher education institutions when specified).
When was the opportunity posted and when was the deadline?
The opportunity was posted on December 11, 2012. The application deadline was February 15, 2013 (with an archive date of February 16, 2013).
What is the CFDA number and the Funding Opportunity Number for this program?
The Funding Opportunity Number is F13AS00041 and the CFDA number is 15.647.
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