Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act | F19AS00015

Opportunity Information: Apply for F19AS00015

The Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act (GLFWRA) funding opportunity (F19AS00015) is a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service program that supports on-the-ground restoration, applied research, and larger multi-jurisdictional "Regional Projects" aimed at improving fish and wildlife resources and habitat across the Great Lakes Basin, under the authority of 16 USC 941c. The core intent is to help states, federally recognized Tribes, and other partners work together on cooperative conservation, restoration, and management efforts that benefit Great Lakes ecosystems. The program is supported in part by the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, with an anticipated total of about $1.1 million available for the fiscal year described, though final award amounts depend on Congressional appropriations.

Projects funded through this opportunity generally fall into three buckets: restoration projects (habitat and species recovery actions), research projects (science and monitoring that informs management and restoration), and Regional Projects. Regional Projects are framed as Service-authorized activities that protect, restore, maintain, or enhance fish and wildlife resources in ways that affect multiple Great Lakes states or multiple Tribes with fish and wildlife management authority. A key distinction is that, for Regional Projects, the Service is responsible for carrying out the work on behalf of the state and/or Tribal agencies that submit the proposal, reflecting a more Service-led implementation approach than a typical pass-through grant.

The expected scale and pace of awards are relatively modest but meaningful. The Service projected roughly 5 to 9 awards (about 8 expected), with typical project periods ranging from 1 to 4 years. Past restoration and research awards have varied widely, from about $2,300 up to $2,000,000, with an average award around $124,912. The notice also highlights that up to one-third (33 and one-third percent) of the total annual appropriation under the Act can be used for Regional Projects, so a notable share of the overall pot can be directed to basin-wide or multi-state/Tribal efforts.

Award instruments can be either grants or cooperative agreements. Cooperative agreements are emphasized as situations where the Fish and Wildlife Service expects to be substantially involved in how the project is carried out. That involvement can include working closely with the recipient on the scope of work, providing training or assigning federal staff to support the effort, requiring approval of stages of work before moving forward, reviewing and approving proposed subawards or modifications prior to award, helping select project staff or trainees, coordinating or redirecting work because of links to other efforts, stopping activities quickly if performance specifications are not met, and otherwise limiting discretion over major management elements while closely monitoring performance. In practical terms, applicants should assume that many awards may involve active federal participation and oversight rather than a hands-off reimbursement model.

Cost sharing rules differ by project type. Restoration and research projects require a 25 percent non-federal match. Regional Projects, however, may be exempt from cost sharing if the Service Midwest Region Director determines the project authorization does not require a non-federal share. The opportunity also notes that the 2016 reauthorization expanded what can count as eligible non-federal match, including changes related to the time period for match and the use of land and conservation easements, and it directs applicants to the full Notice of Funding Opportunity for the specific match eligibility details and documentation requirements.

The application process is staged. Applicants first submit a short, two-page pre-proposal for restoration or research, while Regional Project proposals are also submitted at this initial stage. The Service reviews these submissions and invites selected restoration and research applicants to submit full proposals. Full proposals are then evaluated and ranked by a Proposal Review Committee. Regional Projects selected for funding and invited restoration/research proposals ultimately result in awards that fund the project for its full duration through a grant or cooperative agreement, with funds becoming available once the award letter is issued. Continuation funding for previously supported work is allowed, but returning projects are not treated as automatic renewals; they must be submitted, considered, and reviewed as new proposals.

Eligibility is broad and includes state, county, and local governments; special districts; independent school districts; public and private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Tribes and other Tribal organizations; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status; individuals; and for-profit entities (including small businesses). The funding activity areas are aligned with environment, natural resources, and science and technology/research and development, and the CFDA listings cited are 15.608 and 15.662. For the cycle described, pre-proposals and Regional Project proposals were due January 7, 2019 at 5:00 PM Eastern, with late submissions not considered and email confirmation of receipt provided.

• The Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service in the environment, natural resources, science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.608, 15.662.
• This funding opportunity was created on Nov 01, 2018.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jan 07, 2019 Pre-proposals and Regional Project proposals are due on Monday, January 7, 2019 by 500 PM EST. An email will be sent to confirm receipt of pre-proposals and Regional Project proposals. Proposals received after this deadline will not be considered.. (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 $1,100,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 8 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, 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, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, Individuals, For profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses.

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