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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is this funding opportunity?

This is a discretionary federal funding notice titled "National Fish and Wildlife Foundation" with Funding Opportunity Number F16AS00023. It is issued by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service (DOI-FWS).

Is this a grant or another type of award?

The notice is offered as a cooperative agreement. That generally means the project is expected to include substantial involvement or collaboration between the federal agency and the recipient, rather than operating as a hands-off grant.

Is this opportunity competitive or open to new applicants?

No. The notice is explicitly described as non-competitive and is intended only as a continuation of an existing award with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF). It is not an open call for new applicants or new project ideas.

What does "continuation of an existing award" mean in practical terms?

It means the funding action exists to extend or continue work already underway under a current NFWF award. The opportunity is structured around an ongoing project rather than soliciting new proposals.

Who is the issuing agency?

The issuing agency is the U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service (DOI-FWS).

What organization is specifically referenced in the notice?

The notice is tied to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) and is intended as a continuation of an existing NFWF award.

What is the purpose of the continuation funding?

The purpose is capacity-building for National Wildlife Refuge "Friends" groups across the United States, including support and training for these Friends organizations during the January 2016 Friends National Training.

What are National Wildlife Refuge "Friends" groups?

Friends groups are typically nonprofit, community-based partners that support national wildlife refuges. The notice describes their work as including volunteer coordination, public outreach, education, advocacy, and support for on-the-ground conservation and visitor services.

What types of activities are expected to be supported by this funding?

Based on the stated purpose, the funds are intended to support and train Friends organizations, with training support generally centered on strengthening organizational effectiveness, partnership skills, and consistent best practices across the refuge system.

When is the training mentioned in the notice?

The notice references the January 2016 Friends National Training.

What is the legal authority for making this award?

The authority cited is the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Establishment Act, which provides the legal basis for supporting NFWF-related conservation and partnership activities.

Who is eligible to receive funding under this notice?

Eligibility is stated as limited to nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status, excluding institutions of higher education.

Does the stated eligibility mean any 501(c)(3) can apply?

In practice, no. Even though the notice states an eligibility category (501(c)(3) nonprofits excluding institutions of higher education), it is explicitly non-competitive and tied to continuation of a current award with NFWF. That means the meaningful eligible recipient is effectively the existing awardee associated with the ongoing project.

Are institutions of higher education eligible?

No. The notice explicitly excludes institutions of higher education from eligibility.

What is the posting and creation date of the notice?

The notice lists a posting and creation date of November 5, 2015.

Is there an application deadline?

The closing date fields reiterate the same non-competitive continuation language rather than providing a standard deadline. This reinforces that the action is to continue an existing agreement rather than run a typical, time-bound competition.

What is the award ceiling for this opportunity?

The notice lists an award ceiling of 0. This is consistent with a continuation action where the funding amount may be handled through existing award documents or internal amendments rather than advertised as a new competed amount.

How many awards are expected to be made?

The notice does not specify the number of expected awards. That is consistent with a continuation action tied to an existing award rather than a new multi-award competition.

Why would an award ceiling be listed as 0?

The information provided indicates this is a continuation of an existing award, and the funding amount and structure may already be defined within the existing award documents or handled through internal amendments. In that context, the notice may not advertise a new ceiling amount the way a competed opportunity typically would.

Is this opportunity meant to fund new conservation projects?

The notice is described as a continuation of an existing award and is focused on capacity-building and training support for Friends groups, not as an open solicitation for new project ideas.

What does "discretionary federal funding notice" mean here?

It means the notice is a federal funding opportunity issued at the agency's discretion (as opposed to a formula allocation). The information provided also makes clear this specific notice is non-competitive and for continuation of an existing award.

What does the cooperative agreement structure imply for project implementation?

It implies substantial involvement or collaboration between DOI-FWS and the recipient during the project, rather than the recipient operating independently with minimal agency involvement.