Opportunity Information: Apply for F16AS00246
Apply for F16AS00246
- The DOI-FWS in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Refuge Water Consumptive Use 2" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.637.
- This funding opportunity was created on May 27, 2016 and posted on May 27, 2016.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 10, 2016. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $70,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Opportunity Summary:
The Refuge Water Consumptive Use 2 grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number F16AS00246) is a U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service (DOI-FWS) discretionary grant focused on water management for National Wildlife Refuges. The core purpose of the project is to support and streamline inter-refuge water transfers by quantifying consumptive use, meaning it funds work that measures and documents how much water is actually consumed (lost to evapotranspiration, incorporated into vegetation, or otherwise not returned to the system) as refuges manage wetlands and associated habitats. By producing credible consumptive-use information, the project helps refuges plan, justify, and implement water transfers in a way that is transparent and defensible, which is often necessary in water-limited basins where allocations, accounting, and compliance requirements can be strict.
This opportunity is explicitly described as a continuation of an existing grant to The Nature Conservancy, indicating it was designed to extend or complete ongoing work rather than launch a brand-new competitive effort. The funded activities are tied to habitat conservation outcomes, with stated objectives to protect, restore, and enhance wetland and upland ecosystems, particularly to benefit migratory birds. In practical terms, quantifying consumptive use can directly support habitat management decisions such as timing and volume of water deliveries, wetland drawdowns, and the maintenance of seasonal and permanent marsh conditions that migratory birds depend on during breeding, staging, and wintering periods.
The grant is authorized under several longstanding federal wildlife conservation laws, including the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 (as amended), the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act of 1958, the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. These authorities collectively underpin DOI-FWS programs that conserve fish and wildlife resources and their habitats, and they provide the legal foundation for funding projects that improve habitat conditions and management effectiveness on refuge lands and waters.
Administratively, the opportunity falls under CFDA 15.637 and is categorized under Natural Resources. The funding instrument is a grant, with an award ceiling of $70,000 and an expectation of one award, reinforcing that it is narrowly scoped and likely tailored to a specific recipient and deliverables. The eligible applicant type listed is nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS (other than institutions of higher education), which is a relatively specific eligibility category that can include certain nonprofit entities that operate without 501(c)(3) designation. The opportunity was posted on May 27, 2016, created the same day, and had a closing date of June 10, 2016, indicating a short application window consistent with continuation or noncompetitive funding actions.
Overall, Refuge Water Consumptive Use 2 is best understood as targeted support for technical water accounting and analysis that enables smarter water transfers and better refuge water management, with the ultimate conservation payoff being healthier wetland and upland habitats that sustain migratory bird populations.
Refuge Water Consumptive Use 2 (F16AS00246) - FAQs
What is the Refuge Water Consumptive Use 2 grant opportunity?
Refuge Water Consumptive Use 2 is a U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service (DOI-FWS) discretionary grant opportunity focused on water management for National Wildlife Refuges. The project centers on quantifying "consumptive use" to support and streamline inter-refuge water transfers.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON) for this program?
The Funding Opportunity Number is F16AS00246.
Which federal agency is offering this grant?
The grant is offered by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service (DOI-FWS).
What does "consumptive use" mean in this grant?
In this opportunity, "consumptive use" refers to the portion of water that is actually consumed and not returned to the system, such as water lost to evapotranspiration, incorporated into vegetation, or otherwise not returned through runoff or return flows.
What is the core purpose of the funded work?
The core purpose is to produce credible consumptive-use information that helps National Wildlife Refuges plan, justify, and implement inter-refuge water transfers in a transparent and defensible way, especially in water-limited basins with strict allocations, accounting, and compliance requirements.
What types of activities does the grant fund?
Based on the description, funded activities support technical water accounting and analysis, including measuring and documenting consumptive use associated with refuge wetland and habitat management.
How does quantifying consumptive use help National Wildlife Refuges?
Quantifying consumptive use supports refuge decision-making and water transfer implementation by providing documentation of how much water is consumed through habitat management. This information can be used to support timing and volume of water deliveries, wetland drawdowns, and maintaining seasonal and permanent marsh conditions.
What conservation outcomes are tied to this project?
The stated objectives include protecting, restoring, and enhancing wetland and upland ecosystems, particularly to benefit migratory birds that depend on these habitats during breeding, staging, and wintering periods.
Is this a new competitive funding opportunity?
No. It is explicitly described as a continuation of an existing grant to The Nature Conservancy, indicating it was intended to extend or complete ongoing work rather than launch a brand-new competitive effort.
Who is the project described as continuing with?
The opportunity is described as a continuation of an existing grant to The Nature Conservancy.
What is the funding instrument type?
The funding instrument is a grant.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is $70,000.
How many awards were expected?
The opportunity indicates an expectation of one award.
What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?
The opportunity falls under CFDA 15.637.
How is this opportunity categorized?
It is categorized under Natural Resources.
Who is eligible to apply, according to the listing?
The eligible applicant type listed is nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS (other than institutions of higher education).
What does the listed eligibility category imply?
It indicates the opportunity was aimed at nonprofit entities that operate without 501(c)(3) designation, with an exception noted for institutions of higher education.
When was the opportunity posted?
The opportunity was posted on May 27, 2016.
When was the opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on May 27, 2016.
What was the application closing date?
The closing date was June 10, 2016.
How long was the application window?
Based on the posted date (May 27, 2016) and closing date (June 10, 2016), the application window was short, consistent with a continuation or noncompetitive funding action.
Why is "transparent and defensible" water accounting emphasized?
The description notes that in water-limited basins, allocations, accounting, and compliance requirements can be strict. Credible consumptive-use information helps refuges document and justify water transfers and management actions under those conditions.
What legal authorities authorize this grant?
The opportunity is authorized under the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 (as amended), the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act of 1958, the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
How do those laws relate to the funded work?
These authorities underpin DOI-FWS programs that conserve fish and wildlife resources and their habitats, providing a legal foundation for funding projects that improve habitat conditions and management effectiveness on refuge lands and waters.
What is the primary habitat focus mentioned for benefits?
The project is tied to wetland and upland ecosystem conservation, with a particular emphasis on habitat benefits for migratory birds.
What is the main operational focus: habitat work or water accounting?
The description frames the grant as targeted support for technical water accounting and analysis (consumptive-use quantification) that enables better refuge water management and water transfers, with habitat conservation as the ultimate outcome.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Natural Resources
Next opportunity: Detecting and Preventing Suicide Behavior, Ideation and Self-Harm in Youth in Contact with the Juvenile Justice System (R01)
Previous opportunity: NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD: National Capital Region, NAMA and NACE: Research and Interpret Civil Rights Sites through Public History Career Internship Program – Graduate Students
USGrants.org Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for F16AS00246
[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (F16AS00246) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Glen Canyon Dam Adaptive Management Program Apply for BOR UC 16 N012 Funding Number: BOR UC 16 N012 Agency: DOI-BOR Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $684,297 |
| Garden Project Apply for P16AS00197 Funding Number: P16AS00197 Agency: DOI-NPS Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $92,308 |
| BLM OR-WA CCS Cultural Rimrock Draw Rockshelter, Burns District Apply for L16AS00150 Funding Number: L16AS00150 Agency: DOI-BLM Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $35,000 |
| BLM-Arizona - The Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU): Aravaipa Creek Native Fish Monitoring SFO Apply for L16AS00151 Funding Number: L16AS00151 Agency: DOI-BLM Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| Citizen-Based Acoustic Bat Monitoring Project Apply for P16AS00203 Funding Number: P16AS00203 Agency: DOI-NPS Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| BLM-NewMexico Archaeological Education Outreach - Challenge Cost Share (CCS) Apply for L16AS00152 Funding Number: L16AS00152 Agency: DOI-BLM Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Fox River NRDA Apply for F16AS00250 Funding Number: F16AS00250 Agency: DOI-FWS Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $89,272 |
| National Park Service- Trail Maintenance Gunnison Point YCC 2016 Apply for P16AS00200 Funding Number: P16AS00200 Agency: DOI-NPS Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $44,100 |
| Notice of Intent: FY2016 Implementation of Management Plan Apply for P16AS00209 Funding Number: P16AS00209 Agency: DOI-NPS Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Notice of Intent: The National Symphony Orchestra Labor Day Capitol Concert Apply for P16AS00211 Funding Number: P16AS00211 Agency: DOI-NPS Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $528,500 |
| Reconstructing fire regimes and forest history in upland ecosystems at Zion NP Apply for P16AS00212 Funding Number: P16AS00212 Agency: DOI-NPS Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $54,900 |
| Notice of Intent: FY2016 Implementation of Management Plan Apply for P16AS00205 Funding Number: P16AS00205 Agency: DOI-NPS Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| BLM NV Implementation of Environmental Education and Interpretation Projects Nevada State Office NV Apply for L16AS00154 Funding Number: L16AS00154 Agency: DOI-BLM Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Notice of Intent: A Survey of the Fauna of Seepage Springs in National Capital Parks-East Apply for P16AS00204 Funding Number: P16AS00204 Agency: DOI-NPS Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $52,147 |
| BLM-New Mexico Cooperative Ecosystems Studies Unit (CESU) Salado Canyon Project Apply for L16AS00033 Funding Number: L16AS00033 Agency: DOI-BLM Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Notice of Intent: FY2016 Implementation of Management Plan Apply for P16AS00207 Funding Number: P16AS00207 Agency: DOI-NPS Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Protect Park Resources and Enhance Visitor Experience through Visitor Use Management Apply for P16AS00214 Funding Number: P16AS00214 Agency: DOI-NPS Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $35,000 |
| BLM NV Seed Strategy Implementation Nevada State Office NV Apply for L16AS00153 Funding Number: L16AS00153 Agency: DOI-BLM Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $499,000 |
| BLM-Alaska, Invasive, Rare Species and Vegetation Monitoring Apply for L16AS00159 Funding Number: L16AS00159 Agency: DOI-BLM Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| BLM NV Mojave Desert Biological Soil Crust Research Apply for L16AS00157 Funding Number: L16AS00157 Agency: DOI-BLM Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $90,000 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants

Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Subscribe to Leads
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "F16AS00246", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.
