Opportunity Information: Apply for F14AS00020
Apply for F14AS00020
- The Fish and Wildlife Service in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "R3 Wildlife Restoration Grant Program (TO STATE FG AGENCIES ONLY)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.611 Wildlife Restoration and Basic Hunter Education.
- This funding opportunity was created on Apr 22, 2014 and posted on Nov 14, 2013.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 31, 2015. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Eligible applicants include: State governments.
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Opportunity Summary:
The R3 Wildlife Restoration Grant Program (TO STATE FG AGENCIES ONLY), Funding Opportunity Number F14AS00020, is a mandatory federal grant program administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under CFDA 15.611 (Wildlife Restoration and Basic Hunter Education). The opportunity is designed to provide grant funding to state governments, as well as U.S. Commonwealths and territories, to support a broad set of wildlife restoration and management priorities that align with long-standing wildlife conservation goals. As described, the program focuses on practical, on-the-ground work that helps agencies conserve wildlife resources and improve opportunities for the public to use and enjoy those resources responsibly.
The funded activities are wide-ranging and cover many of the core functions typically carried out by state fish and wildlife agencies. Eligible project types include the selection, restoration, rehabilitation, and improvement of wildlife habitat; wildlife management research; wildlife population surveys and inventories; and land acquisition. In addition to biological and habitat work, the program also supports coordination and the development of facilities and services connected to wildlife resources, including infrastructure that enables public access and responsible use. In other words, the grant is not limited to field restoration alone; it can also back the planning, data collection, and facility-related investments agencies need in order to manage wildlife effectively and provide public benefits.
A major component highlighted in the announcement is the Hunter Education and Safety Program under Section 4(c). This portion of the program supports training that emphasizes safe handling and use of firearms and archery equipment, hunter responsibilities and ethics, and survival skills. It also explicitly includes the construction, operation, and maintenance of public shooting ranges, along with basic wildlife management and identification training. Hunter education under this program is meant to be structured and intentional: the agency develops and implements a programmed course of instruction that leads students toward defined hunter safety training goals and objectives. The overall intent is to produce safe, responsible hunters while also supporting the broader mission and goals of the participating fish and wildlife agency.
The opportunity includes a cost-sharing or matching requirement, meaning participating entities should expect to contribute non-federal funds or eligible in-kind support as part of the project financing structure. Eligibility is limited to state governments (state fish and wildlife agencies), consistent with the program title and the way Wildlife Restoration funds are typically apportioned and administered. The posting date for the notice is November 14, 2013, with a creation date of April 22, 2014. The original closing date was August 31, 2014, and the current closing date is listed as August 31, 2015, with an archive date of December 31, 2015. The listing shows estimated total funding and award ceiling/floor as 0, which often indicates that awards are determined by formula/apportionment or are otherwise not expressed in the typical competitive-grant range format within the posting.
For applicants or stakeholders needing more details, the listing references Grants.gov as the additional information source (http://www.grants.gov). For access issues or questions about the full announcement, the contact provided is Abbey Kucera at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, reachable by phone at 612-713-5137 or by email at abbeykucera@fws.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the name of this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is the R3 Wildlife Restoration Grant Program (TO STATE FG AGENCIES ONLY).
What is the Funding Opportunity Number?
The Funding Opportunity Number is F14AS00020.
Who administers this program?
This mandatory federal grant program is administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
What CFDA program is this associated with?
This opportunity is listed under CFDA 15.611, Wildlife Restoration and Basic Hunter Education.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited to state governments (state fish and wildlife agencies). The opportunity also indicates it is designed to provide funding to state governments as well as U.S. Commonwealths and territories.
Is this a competitive grant, or is it a mandatory program?
It is described as a mandatory federal grant program. The listing also shows estimated total funding and award ceiling/floor as 0, which often indicates awards are determined by formula/apportionment or are not presented as typical competitive ranges within the posting.
What is the overall purpose of the R3 Wildlife Restoration Grant Program?
The program provides grant funding to support wildlife restoration and management priorities that align with long-standing wildlife conservation goals, with an emphasis on practical, on-the-ground work that helps agencies conserve wildlife resources and improve opportunities for the public to use and enjoy those resources responsibly.
What types of projects or activities can be funded?
Eligible activities are wide-ranging and include selection, restoration, rehabilitation, and improvement of wildlife habitat; wildlife management research; wildlife population surveys and inventories; and land acquisition.
Can the program fund planning, data collection, or coordination work?
Yes. The description notes the grant is not limited to field restoration alone and can support planning, data collection, and coordination needed to manage wildlife effectively and provide public benefits.
Can the program fund facilities, infrastructure, or services?
Yes. The program supports development of facilities and services connected to wildlife resources, including infrastructure that enables public access and responsible use.
What is the Hunter Education and Safety component mentioned in the announcement?
A major component highlighted is the Hunter Education and Safety Program under Section 4(c), which supports structured training focused on safe handling and use of firearms and archery equipment, hunter responsibilities and ethics, and survival skills.
Does the program support shooting ranges?
Yes. The Hunter Education and Safety portion explicitly includes construction, operation, and maintenance of public shooting ranges.
Does hunter education funding include wildlife management or identification training?
Yes. The Hunter Education and Safety portion explicitly includes basic wildlife management and identification training.
How is hunter education expected to be delivered under this program?
The agency develops and implements a programmed course of instruction that leads students toward defined hunter safety training goals and objectives.
What is the intent of the hunter education element?
The stated intent is to produce safe, responsible hunters while supporting the broader mission and goals of the participating fish and wildlife agency.
Is there a match or cost-sharing requirement?
Yes. The opportunity includes a cost-sharing or matching requirement, meaning participating entities should expect to contribute non-federal funds or eligible in-kind support as part of the project financing structure.
What are the key dates listed for this opportunity?
The posting date is November 14, 2013, with a creation date of April 22, 2014. The original closing date was August 31, 2014, and the current closing date is listed as August 31, 2015. The archive date is December 31, 2015.
Where can applicants find additional information?
The listing references Grants.gov as the additional information source: http://www.grants.gov
Who is the contact person for questions or access issues?
The contact provided is Abbey Kucera at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
How can Abbey Kucera be reached?
By phone at 612-713-5137 or by email at abbeykucera@fws.gov.
Why do the estimated total funding and award ceiling/floor show as 0?
The listing notes these fields show 0, which often indicates awards are determined by formula/apportionment or are otherwise not expressed in the typical competitive-grant range format within the posting.