Department of the Interior, United States (U.S.) Fish and Wildlife Service, (Region 3 Division of Migratory Birds | F19AS00103

Opportunity Information: Apply for F19AS00103

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Department of the Interior, Region 3 Division of Migratory Birds, is offering competitive grant funding through its Midwest Migratory Bird Conservation Program (Funding Opportunity Number F19AS00103). This is a discretionary grant opportunity focused on natural resources conservation and is listed under CFDA 15.647, Migratory Bird Conservation. The core purpose is to support on-the-ground and broader-scale conservation work for migratory birds that are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), specifically targeting species that are not federally listed as Endangered or Threatened under the Endangered Species Act. In practical terms, the program is aimed at improving habitat conditions, reducing threats, and delivering measurable conservation outcomes for a wide range of migratory bird species that still need proactive management even if they are not ESA-listed.

Geographically, proposals are expected to benefit migratory birds connected to USFWS Region 3, which includes Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, and Wisconsin. Projects can be located within these states, but the opportunity also recognizes that migratory birds depend on habitats far beyond their breeding range. Because of that, the program is open to proposals focused on non-breeding season areas that are important to birds that breed in Region 3 states (for example, stopover, staging, or wintering habitats used by those populations). In addition, applicants may propose broad-scale actions that extend beyond a single site or state, as long as the work produces tangible benefits that include migratory birds associated with the Region 3 states. The emphasis on tangible benefits signals a preference for projects that can clearly explain what will be improved, how success will be measured, and why the work matters for priority species or populations.

The opportunity is open to a wide range of applicant types, reflecting an intent to fund partnerships and locally grounded conservation delivery. Eligible applicants include state governments and local governments (such as cities or townships), federally recognized Native American tribal governments, other Native American tribal organizations, nonprofit organizations (including both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3) entities, as long as they are not institutions of higher education), and private institutions of higher education. This eligibility structure allows conservation proposals to come from wildlife agencies, tribes, conservation organizations, and academic institutions that can contribute scientific or applied management capacity, either independently or as part of collaborative projects.

Funding details indicate a modest, targeted grant program designed to support a small number of awards with meaningful project budgets. The maximum award amount (award ceiling) is $180,000, and the agency anticipated making about four awards under this announcement. The opportunity was posted on February 14, 2019, with an original application deadline of April 15, 2019. As a result, proposals would typically need to be well-scoped, implementable within a reasonable timeframe, and supported by clear work plans and outcomes that fit within the available funding range.

Overall, this grant opportunity supports practical migratory bird conservation in the Midwest region, with flexibility to address the full annual life cycle of migratory birds (breeding, migration, and non-breeding periods) as long as Region 3 bird populations benefit. It is designed to fund projects that help sustain MBTA-protected bird species through habitat conservation and other actions that can demonstrate real conservation results, especially when delivered through partnerships across agencies, tribes, nonprofits, and academic institutions.

• The Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Department of the Interior, United States (U.S.) Fish and Wildlife Service, (Region 3 Division of Migratory Birds" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.647.
• This funding opportunity was created on Feb 14, 2019.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 15, 2019. (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 $180,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 4 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, City or township governments, 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.

Apply for F19AS00103

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