F23AS00356- Conservation Science and Innovation in the Southeast | F23AS00356

Opportunity Information: Apply for F23AS00356

F23AS00356, titled "Conservation Science and Innovation in the Southeast," is a discretionary U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) funding opportunity offered through a cooperative agreement to support applied conservation work focused on birds and other public trust resources in the southeastern United States and affiliated jurisdictions. USFWS, as the federal government s primary fish and wildlife conservation agency, is using this opportunity to advance science based management and practical on the ground conservation by aligning the efforts of its Migratory Bird and Science Applications programs. The overall intent is to strengthen how conservation decisions are made and implemented at a landscape scale by combining credible science, effective data management, and meaningful coordination among agencies, communities, and other partners.

The work supported under this opportunity is meant to help maintain bird populations at desired or prescribed levels, improve conservation and management of trust species and the habitats they depend on, and produce information that can be directly used in planning and decision making. A major theme is collaboration: proposals are expected to recognize that conservation outcomes in the Southeast often depend on coordinated actions across jurisdictions and land ownerships. As a result, projects that bring together multiple stakeholders, integrate different data sources, or develop tools and guidance that partners can readily use are a strong fit for the stated program goals. The notice also emphasizes inclusive engagement in landscape scale planning and implementation, signaling that proposals should consider how to involve relevant partners and communities in ways that are substantive, not just symbolic.

Geographic eligibility is a central requirement. Proposal activities must be based within the Southeast Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (SEAFWA) geography, which includes Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Virginia, and West Virginia. Projects that extend beyond this footprint into other parts of the United States or the Caribbean may still be considered, but only on a case by case basis, so applicants planning multi region work should be prepared to clearly justify why those components are necessary to achieve Southeast focused outcomes.

A wide range of applicants may apply, including state governments, public and state controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, federally recognized tribal governments, other tribal organizations, 501(c)(3) nonprofits (outside of higher education), individuals, small businesses, and other eligible entities. Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and other minority serving institutions are explicitly encouraged to apply, reflecting an interest in broadening participation and strengthening diverse institutional capacity in conservation science and practice across the region.

From a budget and administration perspective, the award ceiling listed is $500,000. Matching funds are not required, but the program strongly encourages applicants to leverage other funding sources, past investments, or partner contributions where feasible. If an applicant includes match or in kind support from partners, the notice asks for supporting letters that document the level and extent of each commitment, which helps USFWS verify that the proposed partnerships and resources are real and actionable. The opportunity also notes that there is no limit on the number of pre proposals an applicant may submit, allowing organizations to propose multiple ideas or project tracks rather than forcing everything into a single submission.

Because the funding instrument is a cooperative agreement, recipients should expect active federal involvement during the project, which often means closer coordination with USFWS on project design refinement, deliverables, data sharing expectations, and implementation decisions than would typically occur under a standard grant. Additionally, applicants that are part of a Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESU) agreement must use the indirect cost rates established under that agreement, so institutions operating under CESU should confirm their applicable rate and structure their budgets accordingly.

Key administrative details included in the posting are the opportunity number (F23AS00356), CFDA number 15.670, an original closing date of June 30, 2023, and a creation date of May 1, 2023. In practical terms, the opportunity is designed for projects that can demonstrate clear conservation value in the SEAFWA region, produce decision usable science or tools, and strengthen partnerships that improve how bird and trust resource conservation is planned, prioritized, and delivered across the Southeast.

• The Fish and Wildlife Service in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "F23AS00356- Conservation Science and Innovation in the Southeast" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.670.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2023-05-01.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2023-06-30. (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 $500,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, Individuals, Small businesses, Others.

Apply for F23AS00356

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