R6 State Wildlife Grant Program for State Fish Game Agencies | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): R6 State Wildlife Grant Program for State Fish and Game Agencies (F12AS00034)

1. What is the R6 State Wildlife Grant Program for State Fish and Game Agencies?

This is a mandatory federal grant opportunity administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) under CFDA 15.634 (State Wildlife Grants). It provides funding to support wildlife conservation efforts that benefit wildlife species and their habitats, with an explicit emphasis on species that are not hunted or fished and broader habitat needs.

2. What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this grant?

The Funding Opportunity Number is F12AS00034.

3. Which federal agency administers this opportunity?

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service administers this opportunity.

4. What is the CFDA number and program name associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is under CFDA 15.634, State Wildlife Grants.

5. What is the main purpose of this grant program?

The purpose is to provide grant funding to state-level governments to support wildlife conservation that benefits wildlife species and their habitats. A central focus is on species that are not hunted or fished and other wildlife conservation needs that may receive limited attention or funding through traditional game-focused programs.

6. Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is limited to state governments, broadly defined to include the District of Columbia, U.S. commonwealths, and U.S. territories.

7. What types of activities can be funded?

Funded work generally falls into two categories: planning and implementation. Planning funds support work tied directly to developing, updating, or modifying a State Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Plan (also known as a Wildlife Action Plan). Implementation funds support on-the-ground or programmatic actions that carry out a jurisdiction's Wildlife Action Plan.

8. What are "planning" activities under this program?

Planning activities must directly contribute to developing, updating, or modifying a State Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Plan (Wildlife Action Plan). Any plan-related work supported by this grant must align with that framework and must be approved by the Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

9. What are "implementation" activities under this program?

Implementation activities are actions a state intends to carry out to put its Wildlife Action Plan into practice. These are the practical steps (on-the-ground or programmatic) that execute the conservation priorities and actions identified in the plan.

10. What is a Wildlife Action Plan in the context of this funding?

A Wildlife Action Plan is another name for a State Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Plan. These plans were originally required to be submitted by October 1, 2005, and this grant supports planning and implementation work that aligns with that statewide plan framework.

11. Is there a priority for certain species or conservation needs?

Yes. A central program priority is directing funds toward species identified as having the greatest conservation need. Funding decisions and project prioritization are intended to consider biological urgency and the relative level of other funding available, encouraging use of these grant funds where they can make the most difference, especially for underfunded conservation needs.

12. Does the program emphasize species that are not hunted or fished?

Yes. The program explicitly emphasizes conservation benefiting species that are not hunted or fished, along with broader habitat needs and the full range of wildlife.

13. How should applicants think about using these funds alongside other conservation funding sources?

The opportunity indicates that project prioritization should consider both biological urgency and the relative level of other funding available for conserving those species. This encourages directing State Wildlife Grant funds toward conservation needs that may be underfunded through other sources.

14. Are wildlife education activities eligible for funding?

Wildlife education activities are generally ineligible. An education component may be included only if it is minor or incidental, clearly critical to the success of an otherwise eligible project, and directly contributes to conserving species of greatest conservation need and their habitats in a way consistent with the Wildlife Action Plan.

15. Are law enforcement activities eligible for funding?

Law enforcement activities are generally ineligible. A law enforcement component may be included only if it is minor or incidental, clearly critical to the success of an otherwise eligible project, and directly contributes to conserving species of greatest conservation need and their habitats consistent with the Wildlife Action Plan.

16. Can education or law enforcement be the main purpose of a project?

No. The opportunity states that education or enforcement cannot be the main purpose of the grant-funded project. They may be allowed only as small supporting elements when essential to achieving an eligible conservation outcome aligned with the Wildlife Action Plan.

17. Is cost sharing or matching required?

Yes. The opportunity lists a cost-sharing or matching requirement, meaning recipients must provide a non-federal contribution as part of the project financing.

18. How many awards are expected?

The announcement metadata indicates an expected 100 awards.

19. What are the key dates listed for this opportunity?

The opportunity was posted on January 24, 2012, created on January 25, 2012, and lists a closing date of August 30, 2013. The archive date is January 1, 2015.

20. The listing shows estimated total funding and award ceiling/floor as 0. Does that mean no funding is available?

Not necessarily. The information provided suggests this is best read as an administrative or listing artifact rather than a statement that no funds are available, since some Grants.gov postings may leave these fields blank or show zeros even when funds are distributed through allocation or formula processes.

21. Where can applicants find the full announcement details?

The general listing references Grants.gov as the primary source for the full announcement details.

22. Who is the point of contact for questions or help accessing the full announcement?

The listed point of contact is Franziska May at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Phone: 303-236-4406. Email: franmay@fws.gov.

23. What does "mandatory" mean in the description of this grant opportunity?

The opportunity is described as a mandatory federal grant opportunity. Based on the provided information, it is presented as an established federal program administered by USFWS to provide grant funding to eligible state-level jurisdictions for wildlife conservation planning and implementation aligned with Wildlife Action Plans.

24. What is the overall conservation approach encouraged by this program?

The program emphasizes proactive conservation focused on species of greatest conservation need and their habitats, aiming to address conservation needs early to help prevent species from declining to the point where more intensive and costly interventions become necessary.