Opportunity Information: Apply for F12AS00008
Apply for F12AS00008
- The Fish and Wildlife Service in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NAWCA 12 U.S. STANDARD" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.623 North American Wetlands Conservation Fund.
- This funding opportunity was created on Apr 16, 2012 and posted on Jan 10, 2012.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 27, 2012. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $40,000,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 50 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.
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Opportunity Summary:
The NAWCA 12 U.S. STANDARD opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number F12AS00008) is a discretionary grant program run by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under the North American Wetlands Conservation Fund (CFDA 15.623). It is designed to fund on-the-ground wetlands conservation projects in the United States through competitive awards that are built around public-private partnerships. The program focuses on advancing the goals of the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) by supporting projects that produce lasting habitat outcomes, particularly for migratory birds that depend on wetlands and related upland areas.
At its core, this program is meant for projects that deliver long-term protection, restoration, enhancement, and/or establishment of wetlands and associated uplands habitat. The emphasis is on durable conservation benefits rather than short-term activities. Projects are expected to improve habitat conditions in ways that directly benefit wetlands-associated migratory bird species, which typically means work such as securing permanent or long-term habitat protection (for example through acquisition or conservation easements), rehabilitating degraded wetlands, enhancing existing wetlands to improve ecological function, or creating new wetland habitat where appropriate, along with conservation actions in adjacent upland areas that support wetland ecosystems.
The funding structure is strongly based on cost sharing. A 1:1 match is required, meaning applicants must bring at least one dollar of non-federal match for every federal dollar requested. This requirement is central to the program and reinforces its partnership model, encouraging applicants to combine federal funding with contributions from states, local governments, nonprofits, tribes, private landowners, or other partners. While the listing includes a “CostSharingOrMatchingRequirement: No” field, the narrative requirement clearly states that a 1:1 match is required, so applicants would need to plan budgets accordingly and be prepared to document eligible matching contributions.
The program does not support research funding. In other words, proposals primarily aimed at scientific studies, monitoring for research purposes, or other research-driven objectives are considered ineligible. The intent is to fund implementation-oriented conservation actions with tangible habitat outcomes rather than academic or investigative work, even if that research relates to wetlands or birds. Applicants should therefore frame proposals around direct habitat protection and improvement actions and ensure that any planning or monitoring components are clearly tied to project implementation rather than stand-alone research.
This opportunity anticipated roughly 50 awards, with an estimated total program funding amount of $40,000,000. Individual awards were expected to range from a minimum (floor) of $75,001 up to a maximum (ceiling) of $1,000,000 per grant. These figures suggest the program targets substantial, partnership-scale projects rather than very small local efforts, while still allowing a range of project sizes as long as they meet the habitat and match requirements.
Eligibility is listed as “Unrestricted,” meaning the competition is broadly open to different types of applicants, subject to any additional eligibility clarifications in the full announcement. In practice, because the program is partnership-driven and match-heavy, successful applications typically involve collaboration among multiple entities and a clear plan for assembling matching contributions and delivering measurable habitat results.
Key dates included a posted date of January 10, 2012, with an original closing date of March 2, 2012, and a revised/current closing date of July 27, 2012. The opportunity was archived on July 28, 2012. For applicants needing help accessing the announcement or details, the contact listed was David Buie, U.S. Standard Grant Coordinator at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (301-497-5870; davidbuie@fws.gov). The announcement also referenced an additional information link to the U.S. Standard Grant website, which would be the primary place to find full program guidance, application requirements, and any supporting materials.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - NAWCA 12 U.S. Standard (F12AS00008)
What is the NAWCA 12 U.S. Standard grant opportunity?
The NAWCA 12 U.S. Standard opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number F12AS00008) is a discretionary, competitive grant program run by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under the North American Wetlands Conservation Fund (CFDA 15.623). It funds on-the-ground wetlands conservation projects in the United States that are built around public-private partnerships.
What is the purpose of this program?
The program advances the goals of the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) by supporting projects that produce lasting habitat outcomes, especially for migratory birds that depend on wetlands and related upland areas.
What types of projects are this grant intended to support?
This opportunity is intended to support long-term protection, restoration, enhancement, and/or establishment of wetlands and associated uplands habitat. The emphasis is on durable conservation benefits and tangible habitat improvements, rather than short-term activities.
What kinds of conservation activities are examples of a good fit?
Examples described include securing permanent or long-term habitat protection (such as acquisition or conservation easements), rehabilitating degraded wetlands, enhancing existing wetlands to improve ecological function, and creating new wetland habitat where appropriate, along with conservation actions in adjacent upland areas that support wetland ecosystems.
Does the program focus on any particular species or habitat outcomes?
Yes. Projects are expected to improve habitat conditions that directly benefit wetlands-associated migratory bird species, with an overall focus on lasting wetlands and related upland habitat outcomes.
Is research funding allowed under this opportunity?
No. The program does not support research funding. Proposals primarily aimed at scientific studies, monitoring for research purposes, or other research-driven objectives are considered ineligible. The intent is to fund implementation-oriented conservation actions with tangible habitat outcomes.
Can a project include planning or monitoring components?
Planning or monitoring components should be clearly tied to project implementation rather than stand-alone research. The opportunity description emphasizes direct habitat protection and improvement actions over research-driven objectives.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
Yes. A 1:1 match is required, meaning applicants must provide at least one dollar of non-federal match for every federal dollar requested. While one listing field shows "CostSharingOrMatchingRequirement: No," the narrative description clearly states that a 1:1 match is required, and applicants should budget and document matching contributions accordingly.
What does a 1:1 match mean in practical terms?
A 1:1 match means the total eligible non-federal match must be at least equal to the amount of federal funding requested. For example, if requesting $500,000 in federal funds, the project should provide at least $500,000 in eligible non-federal match.
What types of partners can provide matching contributions?
The opportunity highlights a public-private partnership model and notes that matching contributions may come from sources such as states, local governments, nonprofits, tribes, private landowners, or other partners.
How many awards were anticipated under this opportunity?
Approximately 50 awards were anticipated.
What was the estimated total funding available?
The estimated total program funding amount was $40,000,000.
What is the minimum and maximum award size for a single grant?
Individual awards were expected to range from a minimum of $75,001 to a maximum of $1,000,000 per grant.
Is this opportunity aimed at small projects or larger, partnership-scale projects?
Based on the stated award range and the 1:1 match requirement, the program targets substantial, partnership-scale projects, while still allowing a range of project sizes that meet habitat and match requirements.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is listed as "Unrestricted," indicating the competition is broadly open to different types of applicants, subject to any additional eligibility clarifications in the full announcement.
What is the role of partnerships in this grant program?
Partnerships are central to the program. The opportunity is built around public-private partnerships and reinforces collaboration through the required 1:1 non-federal match, which encourages applicants to assemble contributions from multiple partners.
When was the opportunity posted?
The opportunity was posted on January 10, 2012.
What were the application deadlines?
The original closing date was March 2, 2012, and the revised/current closing date was July 27, 2012.
Is this funding opportunity still open?
No. The opportunity was archived on July 28, 2012.
Who can I contact with questions about this opportunity?
The listed contact was David Buie, U.S. Standard Grant Coordinator at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Phone: 301-497-5870. Email: davidbuie@fws.gov.
Where can applicants find additional program guidance and application requirements?
The announcement referenced an additional information link to the U.S. Standard Grant website, described as the primary place to find full program guidance, application requirements, and supporting materials.
What is the administering agency for this grant?
The grant is run by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under the North American Wetlands Conservation Fund.
What does CFDA 15.623 refer to in this listing?
CFDA 15.623 is the program identifier listed for the North American Wetlands Conservation Fund associated with this opportunity.
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