F24AS00181_FINAL_Full Announcement.pdf

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

FWS - International Conservation https://www.fws.gov/program/mentor-fellowship

F24AS00181 - MENTOR – HAWLT (Holistically Addressing WildLife Trafficking) Fiscal Year: 2024

F24AS00181

Due Date for Applications: 03/04/2024

Table of Contents A. Program Description

A1. Authority

A2. Assistance Listing Number

A3. Background, Purpose and Program Requirements

A4. Funding Opportunity Goals

B. Federal Award Information

B1. Total Funding

B2. Expected Award Amount

B3. Expected Award Funding and Anticipated Dates

B4. Number of Awards

B5. Type of Award

C. Eligibility Information

C1. Eligible Applicants

C2. Cost Sharing or Matching

C3. Other

D. Application and Submission Information

D1. Address to Request Application Package

D2. Content and Form of Application Submission

D3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM)

D4. Submission Dates and Times

D5. Intergovernmental Review

D6. Funding Restrictions

D7. Other Submission Requirements

E. Application Review Information

E1. Criteria

E2. Review and Selection Process

E3. CFR – Regulatory Information

E4. Anticipated Announcement and Federal Award Dates

F. Federal Award Administration Information

F1. Federal Award Notices

F2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

F3. Reporting

G. Federal Awarding Agency Contact(s)

G1. Program Technical Contact

G2. Program Administration

G3. Application System Technical Support

H. Other Information

A. Program Description A1. Authority Endangered Species Act—International cooperation (16 U.S.C. §1537)

Applications awarded under this announcement will be funded through a Participating Agency Program Agreement (PAPA) between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Bureau for Development, Democracy, and Innovation (DDI). The Activity Title of the Agreement is Critical Capacity Partnership signed on August 17, 2021. Section 632(b) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended (FAA), 22 U.S.C section 2392 (b).

A2. Assistance Listing Number 15.679 A3. Background, Purpose and Program Requirements The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (Service or USFWS) mission is to work with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service’s International Affairs Program delivers on this mission through its financial and technical assistance programs by supporting strategic projects that deliver measurable conservation results for priority species and their habitats around the world.

A key priority of the International Affairs Program is to work with others to holistically address and, in turn, halt the trafficking of wildlife, a critical conservation concern and a threat to global security. Wildlife trafficking is estimated to be a multi billion-dollar business involving the unlawful harvest and trade of animals and plants. It has broad security implications, with corruption and sophisticated transnational crime syndicates at the center of many trafficking chains. Wildlife trafficking removes hundreds of thousands of animals and plants from wild populations each year and further increases the extinction risk for threatened and endangered species, which are often the target of wildlife crime because of their limited supply and increased economic value. Additionally, trafficking of wildlife can place stressed animals in unsanitary conditions, compromising their welfare and increasing the risks of disease spillover and spread.

The Service’s Combating Wildlife Trafficking Program is focused on the need for greater capacity to address this complex threat to wildlife and people. As such, this new funding opportunity, part of the Service’s fellowship program, Mentoring ENvironmental Training in Outreach and Resources conservation (MENTOR), seeks a partner to co-design the inaugural MENTOR-HAWLT (Holistically Addressing WildLife Trafficking) program, based in Kenya.

The Service has a strong record of working closely with national governments, U.S. agencies, and a range of other partners to ensure a strategic, evidence-based approach to capacity development in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. This funding opportunity aligns with the

Service’s mission, including the commitment to international cooperation and the conservation of endangered or threatened species in foreign countries as authorized and encouraged by the Endangered Species Act.

USFWS MENTOR Model Description

Since 2008, the Service has supported multi-year cooperative agreements to develop the capacity of conservationists through the series of USFWS MENTOR Fellowship programs (See Abu- Bakarr et al. 2022). These programs establish transdisciplinary teams of emerging conservation leaders, representing multiple disciplines and sectors, who work together to problem-solve on threats to wildlife, such as the unsustainable commercial wild meat trade and uncontrolled extractive industry exploitation, as well as species conservation focusing on pangolins, manatees, chimpanzees, and fish. For a given MENTOR program, a lead recipient organization works with the Service to co-design the program. Teams of eight to ten MENTOR Fellows are identified and assembled to participate in rigorous academic and field-based training that emphasizes technical conservation skills, as well as team building, conflict management, environmental governance, outreach, and leadership. Training occurs through a combination of virtual and in-person learning. Fellows learn adaptive management using the Conservation Standards to design pilot conservation projects, which they then work as a team to implement projects over an 8-12 month period. Fellows work with mentors who help them to expand critical thinking and problem-solving skills. At the end of the 18-month program, Fellows earn a post-graduate certificate, diploma, or degree from a national or regional university or college.

As the program has grown, international MENTOR Forums have served an important role of bringing together former Fellows from the series of MENTOR programs to network and focus on conservation leadership. The first MENTOR Forum, held in 2020 in Sierra Leone, included over 30 participants from the seven MENTOR programs. The Forum sought to share and evaluate the MENTOR programs implemented across Africa over the last decade. The three-day bilingual meeting provided an opportunity for mentoring, exchanging technical information, sharing approaches to address common threats to wildlife, examining experiences on species conservation, and synthesizing lessons on capacity development initiatives for conservation leadership. Having Fellows from different MENTOR programs meet in-person is critical for forging future collaboration and a support network vital to addressing today’s complex conservation challenges. Hosting regular MENTOR Forums is a key component of the MENTOR Model.

Funding Opportunity

MENTOR – HAWLT (Holistically Addressing WildLife Trafficking)

Introduction

The Service is soliciting proposals for the first iteration of MENTOR-HAWLT, a conservation fellowship program focused on holistically addressing wildlife trafficking, with an emphasis on integrating robust social science to understand and address the human dimensions of the issue.

Under this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), the Service expects to issue one award for up to $1,000,000. The anticipated period of performance is July 1, 2024 – March 31, 2027.

Globally, thousands of wildlife species are threatened by wildlife trafficking, which, in turn, negatively impacts biodiversity and human well-being. Wildlife trafficking occurs in varied https://conservationstandards.org/about/ social-ecological contexts and includes numerous and diverse actors along the source-transit-destination trade chain. The illicit and often covert human behaviors at the center of this issue are driven by interacting social, economic, cultural, and political factors. Given this complexity, holistic approaches based on understanding the complex systems in which trafficking occurs are needed. Such approaches require cross-disciplinary collaboration that integrates expertise from relevant fields. The goal of the MENTOR-HAWLT program is to develop capacity to plan, implement, and evaluate holistic approaches to reduce wildlife trafficking that include evidence-based interventions designed to address the complex human dimensions of the issue.

By strengthening the cross-disciplinary capacity of the team of MENTOR-HAWLT Fellows, the proposed program will holistically address poaching and trafficking of wild plants and animals of conservation concern in Kenya with a focus on: (1) developing an empirical understanding of the contexts in which species are poached and trafficked, (2) integrating robust social science information to understand and address the human dimensions within the complex systems in which poaching and trafficking occur, and (3) developing, implementing, and evaluating activities that reduce the threat of poaching and trafficking to species populations. With this approach, the proposed MENTOR-HAWLT program should identify and address the drivers of poaching and trafficking of selected species, including social, economic, and cultural factors.

Geographic Scope - Kenya

This inaugural MENTOR-HAWLT program will take place in Kenya, a land rich in biodiversity and characterized by varied landscapes and thousands of wild plant and animal species, most living outside protected areas and many classified as vulnerable or endangered (Weru 2016).

Despite concerted conservation efforts at local, national, and international levels, many of these threatened species are the targets of poaching and trafficking, including elephants, rhinos, big cats (e.g., lion, cheetah), reptiles (e.g., chameleons, tortoises), pangolins, sandalwood, and aloe (Weru 2016).

In addition to aligning with the Service mission, this funding opportunity aligns with the Government of Kenya’s National Wildlife Strategy 2030, which calls for the active participation of Kenyans in wildlife conservation with the recognition that wildlife provides a range of essential benefits and is a key component of the nation’s environmental, social, economic, and cultural development (GoK 2018). The strategy also recognizes poaching and the illegal wildlife trade as key pressures on Kenya’s wildlife and prioritizes collaboration and cross-sectoral coordination to address these and other pressures.

Project activities will take place in Kenya but should also identify destination countries where wildlife is trafficked from Kenya and provide recommendations for research and interventions focused on the consumer end of the illicit trade chain. Consideration may be given to projects that include Fellows and organizations from key source, transit, and destination countries immediately bordering Kenya, with sufficient justification related to project goals and demonstrated feasibility in terms of logistics, cost, and other factors.

Program Design and Evaluation

Proposals should be tailored around the following phases of program design and evaluation.

Additional information on proposal requirements is provided in subsequent sections of this document, including section D2. Content and Form of Application Submission that includes a table of measurable objectives, indicators, and expected outputs. Additionally, sections B5. Type of Award provides details on the Service’s substantial involved in co-design and implementation, and section E1. Criteria describes the criteria for meeting minimum programmatic requirements for this funding opportunity.

Program Phases

Phase I – Program Co-Design

Following the review and selection of the proposal, the Service will work with the recipient of the award to further refine goals and objectives, select Fellows, Mentors and Lecturers, and identify topics to be covered in the curriculum (see section B5. Type of Award below). Post-fellowship, and as resources allow, the Service will monitor an additional objective related to positive changes in Fellows’ career trajectory and any accomplishments that stem from the Fellowship program.

Phase II – Fellow Selection

Proposals should address the proposed composition of the team of MENTOR-HAWLT Fellows and what disciplines and work experiences will be represented. Candidates should be recruited from multiple disciplines (e.g., social sciences, biological sciences, marketing, education, legal systems, business, etc.) to inform a holistic approach to wildlife trafficking. Ideally, candidates should be recruited at a critical point in which investment in their capacity can change the trajectory of their conservation careers, as opposed to candidates who have not yet demonstrated potential or, conversely, candidates who are already well established in career positions. After the award is issued, the Service will work with the selected applicant on the co-development of the evaluation rubrics for Fellow, Mentor, and Lecturer selection; recruitment processes; and the identification of competencies necessary to advance national and local counter-wildlife trafficking priorities.

Phase III – Delivery of Training and Mentoring Program

Proposals should describe the proposed MENTOR-HAWLT curriculum, including any key topics. Training should emphasize technical conservation skills, as well as team building, conflict management, environmental governance, human rights and social safeguards, outreach, leadership and adaptive management. The Service will work with the selected applicant to further refine the curriculum and training plans.

As part of the MENTOR-HAWLT program, Fellows will design and implement pilot conservation projects over an 8–12-month period. While much attention has been focused on elephant and rhino poaching, the trafficking of many other species, including plant species, needs more attention. Therefore, applicants should propose potential Fellow pilot projects that address poaching and trafficking of species receiving less international and national attention and take a holistic approach to understanding and addressing these issues within complex socio-ecological systems. Based on the needs of the selected species, projects must include two or more (at least one must include a behavior change intervention) of the following interrelated focal areas:

• Demand for wildlife o Conduct a preliminary assessment of local, national, and international demand for the selected species.

• Behavior change o Review existing social science data to understand drivers of target audience behavior. Where needed, collect new robust, ethical, and culturally-sensitive baseline data. Use findings to develop and pilot small-scale behavior-change interventions via the most appropriate behavior-change approach(es), including social marketing, education/outreach, choice architecture, and incentives and/or deterrents.

• Governance structures o Synthesize national and international policy related to wildlife poaching and trafficking, and conservation, in general (see Weru 2016, p. 33). Identify opportunities and gaps.

o Assess local, national, international governance structures. This could include comparing poaching/trafficking under different governance structures (see IUCN Green List), impact of governance on attitudes and behaviors (see Bennett et al.

2019)

• Community-led resource management and conservancies o Determine the effectiveness of community-based conservation efforts and/or conservancies that focus on reducing poaching and trafficking, identifying characteristics of successful efforts as well as potential barriers to success. Based on findings design community-based interventions (e.g., benefits sharing, community-based monitoring teams, alternative/sustainable livelihoods).

• Collaborative conservation o Multisectoral – identify current/needed sectors involved and their roles

(government, law enforcement, non-governmental organizations, international/local, business/tourism, private/communities, etc.)

o Partnerships – identify existing/needed partnerships.

o Cross-border evidence exchange and cooperation – assess current levels of information exchange (e.g., biological and prosecutorial information).

• Wildlife population monitoring o Examine existing and collect current population and distribution data, documenting the biological status of the poached and trafficked species.

o Clear understanding of population status of underrepresented species

• Poaching levels and drivers o Collect baseline data on the social, cultural, economic, political, and situational factors that drive poaching and trafficking. This may include cost-benefit analysis of living with wildlife, levels and drivers of human-wildlife conflict, etc.

Phase IV – Monitoring and Evaluation

Proposals should describe a monitoring and evaluation plan for MENTOR-HAWLT, including and building upon the objectives, indicators, and outcomes listed in the Example project evaluation table in Section D2. Content and Form of Application Submission. Post-fellowship, and as resources allow, the Service will monitor positive changes in Fellows’ career trajectory and any accomplishments that stem from the Fellowship program. The results of this inaugural https://iucngreenlist.org/resources/governance/ https://iucngreenlist.org/resources/governance/

MENTOR-HAWLT program will inform how the program may be replicated in other regions around the world.

LITERATURE CITED

Links to the following documents are provided to applicants as reference only. The inclusion of these documents should not be viewed as an official endorsement of a particular approach or strategy in responding to this NOFO.

Abu-Bakarr, I., Bakarr, M., Gelman, N., Johnny, J., Kamanda, P., Killian, D., . . . Wadsworth, R.

(2022). “Capacity and leadership development for wildlife conservation in sub-Saharan Africa:

Assessment of a programme linking training and mentorship.” Oryx, 1-9.

doi:10.1017/S0030605321000855.

Bennett., N.J. Di Franco, A, Calò, Nethery, E., Niccolini, F, Milazzo, M., Guidetti, P. (2019).

Local support for conservation is associated with perceptions of good governance, social impacts, and ecological effectiveness. Conservation Letters doi: 10.1111/conl.12640.

Browne, C., Ronis, E., Miller, J., Gibbs, S., Kapetanakos, Y., Hendrix, T., Carlson, D. (2021).

Systems approaches to combating wildlife trafficking: Expanding existing frameworks to facilitate cross-disciplinary collaboration. Frontiers in Conservation Science 2 doi:

10.3389/fcosc.2021.698666.

Government of Kenya (2018). National Wildlife Strategy 2030. Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife.

Weru, S. (2016). Wildlife protection and trafficking assessment in Kenya: Drivers and trends of transnational wildlife crime in Kenya and its role as a transit point for trafficked species in East Africa. TRAFFIC.

A4. Funding Opportunity Goals The goal of the MENTOR-HAWLT (Holistically Addressing WildLife Trafficking) program is to develop capacity to plan, implement, and evaluate holistic approaches to reduce wildlife trafficking that include evidence-based interventions designed to address the complex human dimensions of the issue.

B. Federal Award Information B1. Total Funding Estimated Total Funding $1,000,000 This funding opportunity will solicit a single award with an expected period of performance of two to three years and a range of $800,000 to $1,000,000 for the entire period of performance.

B2. Expected Award Amount Maximum Award $1,000,000 https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/oryx/article/capacity-and-leadership-development-for-wildlife-conservation-in-subsaharan-africa-assessment-of-a-programme-linking-training-and-mentorship/59BA1816DEB2FBEA064E03E72AF74B57 https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/oryx/article/capacity-and-leadership-development-for-wildlife-conservation-in-subsaharan-africa-assessment-of-a-programme-linking-training-and-mentorship/59BA1816DEB2FBEA064E03E72AF74B57

Minimum Award $800,000 The Service reserves the right to fund any or none of the applications submitted and will determine the resulting level of funding for the award.

B3. Expected Award Funding and Anticipated Dates Expected Award Funding $1,000,000 Expected Award Date July 01, 2024

B4. Number of Awards Expected Number of Awards

B5. Type of Award Funding Instrument Type CA - Cooperative Agreement This cooperative agreement requires substantial involvement by the Service during the program design and implementation of this award to ensure the achievement of the program objectives.

Service involvement will include:

• Co-design and implementation: Following the review and selection of the proposal, the Service will work with the award recipient to further refine goals and objectives and identify topics to be covered in the training program. The Service will work with the recipient to apply the USFWS MENTOR model, refine the geographic scope, determine combating wildlife trafficking priorities, and discuss potential pilot team project ideas.

The Service will meet regularly with the recipient on program design and implementation. This includes regular phone calls (weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly) and in-person site visits.

• Fellow selection process: The Service will be substantially involved in the Fellow selection process, including the co-development of the evaluation rubric for selection, candidate recruitment, and identifying the competencies considered necessary to advance national conservation and counter-trafficking priorities.

• Staff selection: The Service may help select project staff, including Mentors and Lecturers.

• Curriculum design: The Service will work with the recipient to identify topics to be covered in the MENTOR-HAWLT curriculum.

• Training: As applicable, the Service will conduct virtual and in-person teaching to the MENTOR-HAWLT Fellows in disciplines where Service staff have specific and relevant expertise (e.g., social science methods, combating wildlife trafficking, etc). The Service will also help facilitate training on adaptive management, conservation planning, conservation leadership, and project design.

• Partnership-building and networking: The Service will support partnership-building with other MENTOR programs (including via the international MENTOR Forum) and other relevant conservation organizations. The Service will also increase awareness of MENTOR-HAWLT by amplifying the program with external audiences as well as other U.S. Government agencies and donors.

C. Eligibility Information C1. Eligible Applicants Eligible Applicants 25 – Others (see text field entitled “Additional Information on Eligibility” for clarification) Additional Information on Eligibility Applicants can be individuals, multi-national secretariats, non-profit non-governmental organizations, for-profit organizations, and public and private institutions of higher education.

C2. Cost Sharing or Matching Cost Sharing / Matching Requirement No Percentage of Cost Sharing / Matching Requirement Cost sharing is the portion of program costs not borne by the Service. Under this program, cost share is not required, but may be committed on a voluntary basis (Voluntary Committed Cost Share). Voluntary Committed Cost Share (See 2 CFR 200.1). If cost share is included, it should be necessary and reasonable to accomplish project objectives, and allowable in accordance with 2 CFR 200 Subpart E—Cost Principles.

Applicants may consider all types of cost sharing, including in-kind and public-private partnerships. Examples include the use of office space owned by other entities; donated or borrowed supplies and equipment; (non-federal) sponsored travel costs; waived indirect costs;

and program activities, translations, or consultations conducted by qualified volunteers. Assign a monetary value in U.S. dollars to each in-kind contribution. The values of offered cost-share should be included in the detailed budget and explanations of contributions should be included in the Budget Narrative whether cash or in-kind.

If the proposed project is a component of a larger program, identify other funding sources and the specific funding amount to be provided by those sources in the Budget Narrative. In addition, it is recommended that the Budget Narrative address the overall cost-effectiveness of the proposal, including leveraging institutional or other resources.

Funds provided by another U.S. Federal Government agency or another Service award cannot be reported as cost share but contributions should be noted and explained in detail in the Budget Narrative.

https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=38753b18f54182883b86b0bb0eede07b&mc=true&node=pt2.1.200&rgn=div5&se2.1.200_11 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=38753b18f54182883b86b0bb0eede07b&mc=true&node=pt2.1.200&rgn=div5&sp2.1.200.e

If cost share is included in the budget, written records must be maintained to support all allowable costs that are claimed as its contribution to cost share, as well as costs to be paid by the Federal government. Such records are subject to audit.

C3. Other Funds provided under this program may not be used for assistance to governments, parts of government, or government employees in countries that USAID notifies the Service to be ineligible for assistance.

Some countries may not be eligible depending on the restrictions associated with each fiscal year of funding under this NOFO and based on policy circumstances. Awards are contingent on funding eligibility and policy circumstances in each country and may be subject to special coordination or communication with USAID and/or its partners. The Service has confirmed with USAID that this project may be implemented in Kenya. As such, the Service may request that applicants remove certain activities or other countries from the project to meet funding or policy requirements.

Foreign Entities or Projects:

State Sponsors of Terrorism: This program will not fund projects in countries determined by the U.S. Department of State to have repeatedly provided support for acts of international terrorism and therefore are subject to sanctions restricting receipt of U.S. foreign assistance and other financial transactions.

Office of Foreign Assets Control Sanctions: This program will not fund projects in countries subject to comprehensive sanction programs administered by the U.S. Department of Treasury, Office of Foreign Asset Control without proper licenses.

In-Country Licenses, Permits, or Approvals: Entities conducting activities outside the U.S.

are responsible for coordinating with appropriate U.S. and foreign government authorities as necessary to obtain all required licenses, permits, or approvals before undertaking project activities. The Service does not assume responsibility for recipient compliance with the laws, regulations, policies, or procedures of the foreign country in which they are conducting work.

Excluded Parties:

The DOI conducts a review of the SAM.gov Exclusions database for all applicant entities and their key project personnel prior to award. The DOI cannot award funds to entities or their key project personnel identified in the SAM.gov Exclusions database as ineligible, prohibited/restricted or otherwise excluded from receiving Federal contracts, certain subcontracts, and certain Federal assistance and benefits, as their ineligibility condition applies to this Federal program.

D. Application and Submission Information D1. Address to Request Application Package This funding opportunity contains everything needed to apply. To request paper copies of the materials, please contact cwt@fws.gov.

https://www.state.gov/j/ct/list/c14151.htm https://www.state.gov/j/ct/list/c14151.htm https://www.state.gov/j/ct/list/c14151.htm http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/Pages/default.aspx http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/Pages/default.aspx

Program Website Link

D2. Content and Form of Application Submission SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance

All applicants must submit the Standard Form (SF)-424, Application for Federal Assistance. This form is available with the announcement on Grants.gov and in GrantSolutions. The form must be complete and signed by an Authorized Representative. For all applicants except individuals and commercial entities, the Authorized Representative’s signature on a standard application form submitted to the Service represents their certification that the entity’s financial management system meets 2 CFR §200.302 financial management requirements. The non-Federal entity’s financial management system must be sufficient to:

1. Permit the preparation of required reports;

2. Trace funds to a level of expenditures adequate to establish that the entity has used such funds per Federal statutes, regulations, and terms and conditions of the Federal award;

3. Provide for the requirements in 2 CFR §200.302(b); and

4. Comply with §200.334 Retention requirements for records, §200.335 Requests for transfer of records, §200.336 Methods for collection, transmission, and storage of information, and §200.337 Access to records.

If this application requests more than $100,000 in Federal funds, the Authorized Representative’s signature on or submission of the SF-424 form in GrantSolutions also represents their certification of the statements in 43 CFR Part 18, Appendix A-Certification Regarding Lobbying.

When completing the SF-424 Application form, enter only the amount requested from this Federal program in Box 18a, Estimated Federal Funding. Include any other Federal sources of funding in Box 18e. Estimated Other Funding and identify any such sources and amounts in the required Budget Narrative (see below). For individuals applying as a private citizen (i.e., unrelated to any business or nonprofit organization you may own or operate in your name), do NOT include your Social Security Number on this or any other document to be submitted with your application! When completing the SF-424 Application form, individuals must enter in Box 8b. Employee/Taxpayer Identification Number (EIN/TIN) the substitute number “444-44-4444.”

Individuals may register in SAM.gov but are not required to have a SAM.gov registration. For individuals without a SAM.gov registration enter in Box 8c. the substitute Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) “KA5HQCLKUVW1".

Project Abstract Summary (OMB Number 4040-0019) Applicants must complete and submit the Project Abstract Summary form. The Project Abstract Summary form must provide a brief award description. The description must be in plain language that the public can understand without viewing the full application proposal. It should include a brief, simple description of the project purpose, activities to be performed, deliverables and expected outcomes, intended beneficiaries, and subrecipient activities, if known at the time of submission.

Do not include personally identifiable, sensitive, or proprietary information in the award description as this is available to the public. Use only English characters, numbers, punctuation, https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/section-200.302 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/section-200.302 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR4acc10e7e3b676f/section-200.334 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR4acc10e7e3b676f/section-200.335 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR4acc10e7e3b676f/section-200.336 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR4acc10e7e3b676f/section-200.337 and standard symbols. Use of non-English, non-standard characters (also referred to as special or extended ASCII characters) will result in the award description failing to be reported correctly to USASpending.gov. Award descriptions are limited to 4,000 characters or less. Applicants should check the length of the award description and proofread for proper grammar and spelling.

For applicants applying through Grants.gov: Applicants must download and complete the Grants.gov “Project Abstract Summary” form from the full text announcement. To submit the Grants.gov “Project Abstract Summary” form with the application, applicants must add the form as an attachment to the Grants.gov “Attachments” form that is included in the application package.

For applicants applying through GrantSolutions-Grants Management Module (GS-GMM):

Applicants must enter the information in the Project Abstract Summary screen. Do not upload a document in place of entering the information directly into GS-GMM Project Abstract Screen.

Project Narrative Project narratives should be ten or fewer pages and pages should be numbered. Project summary, figures, data tables, maps, curriculum vitae, additional detailed information, partner organization or government letters of endorsement, financial materials, and required standard forms do not count toward the ten-page limit.

The following sections must be included in your Project Narrative:

1. Project Title

2. Statement of Need

3. Project Goal, Objectives, Activities, and Methods

4. Relevant Party Engagement

5. Support for Protected Areas

6. Project Monitoring and Evaluation

7. Project Learning and Sharing

8. Ethics Standards

9. Project Timetable

10. Description of Entities Undertaking the Project

11. Sustainability

Include as an addendum (not included in 10-page limit):

12. Literature Cited

13. Project Location

14. Partner Organization or Government Letter of Endorsement

Detailed information about each required section is provided below.

Project Narrative Sections:

1. Project Title: Provide a basic description of the project, including the location and country, in the title. Please note that this title will be the reference archived and communicated in all future documents. Example: MENTOR – HAWLT (Holistically Addressing WildLife Trafficking) in Kenya

2. Statement of Need: This section should describe the conservation problem and answer why this proposed project is necessary to address wildlife trafficking. This section should demonstrate a systematic understanding of the conservation context, which can be based on a review of existing evidence from previous research, expertise, literature reviews, and other sources of information. The proposed project should be described within this greater context. Please summarize previous or on-going efforts that are relevant to the proposed work, including how this proposal differs from or builds on past work, and how you plan to expand upon the successes, failures, and lessons learned from past efforts.

It is important for applicants to show that conservation project proposals are based on the best available evidence. Applicants are encouraged to describe and cite the evidence base for the most important conservation activities within a proposal. For example, applicants should describe the existing evidence that suggests proposed activities will be effective, with a focus on activities that may have substantial or sensitive consequences or activities that are considered high risk by the project. To identify evidence for conservation activities, applicants are encouraged to search and cite the Conservation Evidence database (https://www.conservationevidence.com/). The evidence base may also include published or grey literature, previous personal experience, Indigenous and/or traditional knowledge, evidence review and synthesis libraries (e.g., Evidence for Nature and People) or species assessments published under the Endangered Species Act and the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. If a proposed activity is considered sensitive or high risk but has little to no existing evidence base among these information sources, applicants are encouraged to discuss where new evidence is needed to understand effectiveness. Further guidance and examples are available in Parks et al. (2022).

If you have previously received funding from the Service for this specific project work or site, please provide a summary of the funding, associated activities, products, outcomes, and associated measurable conservation results. A table may be the most efficient way to convey this information (e.g., Table 1). Former recipients of Service support should note that every proposal is expected to be a stand-alone document. Not all proposal reviewers may be familiar with past grants, thus a summary of activities and accomplishments helps reviewers better understand the proposal in context.

Table 1: Summary of prior Service funding.

Funding Source

Reference # Funding amount ($)

Years of activity

Major activities

Outputs Outcomes

3. Project Goals, Objectives, Activities and Methods: This section should describe the overall project goal and how it aligns with the goal and objectives of the proposed MENTOR-HAWLT program as described below in Table 2. The proposal should explain what will be achieved and how activities will be carried out. Proposals are expected to address each Objective in section A.

Program Description.

Applicants should demonstrate that project goals, objectives, and activities are based on a systematic understanding of the social-ecological context. We encourage applicants to articulate a clear theory of change (e.g., a results chain or logic model) describing the short-, intermediate-, and long-term outcomes that you expect will need to be in place to achieve the project goal. This can be presented in either a narrative or in a diagram. The resources below may be useful for developing theories of change for conservation projects:

• Open Standards for the Practice of Conservation V. 4 (2020) - Section 2 “Plan” (for other languages see https://conservationstandards.org/download-cs/)

• For an overview of additional planning frameworks see: Decision support frameworks and tools for conservation

Additionally, applicants should identify potential challenges, assumptions, or uncertainties in implementing the project as a whole and for each of the activities (e.g., political will, accessibility, infrastructure) and how these will be addressed. Crucially, detail how each activity will be implemented so that monitoring and evaluation will be possible.

We recommend using the format below to describe the project’s objectives and activities. Please include sufficient detail for each activity so that reviewers will have confidence in the team’s expertise and ability to complete the activity. Between one and three paragraphs per activity is commonly adequate.

Goal: [Describe the overall project goal or end result you want to achieve]

Objective 1:

[Describe the specific outcomes you’re trying to achieve using SMART criteria: Specific

(who, what, where), Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound]

Activity 1.1:

[Describe the actions that will be carried out to achieve the desired short, intermediate, and long-term outcomes. Include a description of your methods, challenges, and assumptions]

Activity 1.2:

Objective 2:

Activity 2.1:

Activity 2.2:

4. Relevant Party Engagement: This section should detail who may be impacted by this project and how they will be involved in the project. As applicable, describe how you/your organization has coordinated with and involved other relevant organizations, local community groups, or individuals in planning the project, and detail if/how they will be involved in conducting project activities, disseminating project results, and/or incorporating your results/products into their activities. Please describe any previous work with these relevant parties and how working with them relates to the specific threats and target audiences. Where multiple groups are working in the same site or are listed as relevant parties in the proposal, letters of endorsement specifically referring to this proposal and to the proposed collaboration from each partner organization will https://conservationstandards.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/12/CMP-Open-Standards-for-the-Practice-of-Conservation-v4.0-English.pdf https://conservationstandards.org/download-cs/ https://doi.org/10.1111/conl.12385 https://doi.org/10.1111/conl.12385 strengthen your proposal and may be requested by reviewers. For projects where Indigenous Peoples are present in or have a collective attachment to the project area and there are either: (i) risks of possible adverse impacts on their human rights, livelihoods, and/or culture; (ii) the potential for adverse impacts on their lands and territories, natural resources, or sacred sites (whether the land is under traditional ownership title or based on customary use and occupation);

or (iii) threats that might result in physical relocation from those lands, letters should explain the planned or completed process for how the project will obtain/has obtained free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC) in line with USAID’s Policy on Promoting the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, in addition to national and international laws, regarding proposed project activities.

Technical support documents for implementing FPIC are available at https://biodiversitylinks.org/library/key-resources#parks.

5. Support for Protected Areas: Projects with activities taking place in a protected area must address the following questions regarding social safeguards. Technical support documents for implementing these safeguards are available at https://biodiversitylinks.org/library/key-resources#parks to help applicants and recipients of USAID-funded projects apply these requirements and avoid or mitigate social risks associated with conservation activities for parks and protected areas. If the applicant believes that any of these items are not applicable, an explanation for this determination must be provided:

• How will information detailing the proposed project and potential impacts be shared with local communities and the free, prior, and informed consent of affected indigenous communities be obtained in accordance with USAID’s Policy on Promoting the Rights of Indigenous Peoples?;

• How will the potential impacts of the proposed project on existing land or resource claims by affected local communities or indigenous peoples be considered and addressed in a management plan?;

• What is the plan for providing proper training and monitoring to any eco-guards, park rangers, and other law enforcement personnel regarding safe and fair application of the law, including respect for human rights and avoiding intimidation or unnecessary use of force?; and

• Do effective grievance and redress mechanisms for reporting human rights abuse, misconduct, and other grievances exist? If not, what are the plans for their establishment?

6. Project Monitoring and Evaluation: Applicants should budget sufficient time and money for monitoring, evaluating, and adapting project activities. The monitoring and evaluation stage of an adaptive management approach involves incrementally applying lessons learned to adapt project activities and decision making to achieve desired outcomes. Ultimately, lessons learned at the project level can benefit future conservation efforts. Please Note: As a result of past efforts and evaluations related to the Service’s and other conservation fellowship programs, the Service developed the measurable objectives, indicators, and expected outputs outlined in Table

2. Proposals should integrate these as well as additional measurable objectives, indicators, and outputs that contribute to the overall leadership development goal of the MENTOR Program and the goal of MENTOR-HAWLT. In addition, proposals should describe other indicators and methods that will be used to monitor the implementation of the proposed activities and evaluate progress.

https://biodiversitylinks.org/library/key-resources#parks https://biodiversitylinks.org/library/key-resources#parks https://biodiversitylinks.org/library/key-resources#parks

Please describe how you will evaluate whether you met each objective and thus the overall goal of the project. If the ultimate goal of the project will occur after the period of performance of the project, describe which proxy indicators (in the form of outputs and short- and intermediate-term outcomes listed in Table 2) will show preliminary evidence of success. Please include this information in a similar format to Table 2 (which includes example indicators). A narrative can also be included to provide additional information.

The Service values projects that report both the successes and challenges of efforts as a means by which the applicant can improve their decision making and future performance, and so the Service can more effectively conserve wildlife going forward. Please describe how the activity or theory of change will be adapted should the objective(s) not be met. Please articulate any areas of risk or uncertainty in the intervention and how your team plans to address these information needs.

Table 2. Example project evaluation table (To be expanded by applicant) Goal: Develop capacity to plan, implement, and evaluate holistic approaches to reduce wildlife trafficking that include interventions designed to address the complex human dimensions of the issue.

Indicator(s) Measurement technique(s) Output(s)

Outcome(s)

Objective 1: By 12 months after the date of award, all available MENTOR-HAWLT Fellowship slots are filled with transdisciplinary candidates who demonstrate a high potential for an impactful conservation career.

# and % of slots filled with candidates scoring high on evaluation rubric 12 months after the date of award

Evaluation rubric completed 12 months after the date of award

MENTOR-HAWLT

Fellows selected

Short-term outcome:

Cross-disciplinary pool of applicants solicited Intermediate outcome:

‘Best” candidates selected Long-term outcome:

‘Best’ candidates accept fellowship

Objective 2: By the end of the program, a successful academic and field-based training and mentoring program has been delivered to the MENTOR-HAWLT Fellows.

# of Fellows completing the MENTOR-HAWLT program and ranking the program as successful in terms of their learning and the new conservation networks developed.

Pre/post comparison

Change in pre/post test scores

Training and curriculum materials produced

Cadre of Fellows, mentors, and lecturers established

Products of pilot projects, including planning products, intervention materials, and impact reports/presentations

Short-term outcome:

Fellows actively participate in experiential & collaborative learning Intermediate outcome:

Fellows apply new skills to real-world projects Long-term outcome:

Objective 3: By the end of the Fellowship, all MENTOR-HAWLT Fellows have gained essential skills and meaningful experiences to advance local, national, and regional conservation objectives as leaders in holistically combating wildlife poaching and trafficking and other conservation issues.

% change in competencies over Fellowship

# and % Fellows identifying as leaders within their countries on holistic approaches to combating wildlife trafficking

Pre/post comparison

Self-assessment

Short-term outcome:

Fellows have marketable skillset for potential employers Intermediate outcome:

Long-term outcome:

Objective 4: By three months after the end of the Fellowship, at least 90% of MENTOR-HAWLT Fellows are active in their conservation communities and applying training to improve conservation efforts.

# and % Fellows active in conservation community and applying their training three months after the end of the Fellowship

Post-Fellowship survey

X# increase in Fellows active in conservation community

X# increase in Fellows applying their training

Short-term outcome:

Intermediate outcome:

Long-term outcome:

Expected Outputs: (1) curriculum; (2) cadre of lecturers and Mentors; (3) products of pilot projects, including planning products, intervention materials, and impact reports/presentations; (4) a network that self-identifies as champions who holistically address poaching and trafficking of wild plants and animals in Kenya, (5) pre-/post-evaluations.

USAID Standard Indicators In addition to project-specific indicators, projects funded under this announcement will be required to report progress against USAID’s standard indicators for biodiversity projects, as well as two USAID standard gender indicators. If one or more of the following indicators are relevant to the project, include them in your monitoring plan.

EG 10.2-1 Number of hectares of biologically significant areas showing improved biophysical conditions as a result of U.S. Government (USG) assistance EG 10.2-2 Number of hectares of biologically significant areas under improved natural resource management as a result of USG assistance EG 10.2-3 Number of people with improved economic benefits derived from sustainable natural resource management and/or biodiversity conservation as a result of USG assistance EG 10.2-4 Number of people trained in sustainable natural resources management and/or biodiversity conservation as a result of USG assistance EG 10.2-5 Number of laws, policies, or regulations that address biodiversity conservation and/or other environmental themes officially proposed, adopted, or implemented as a result of USG assistance EG 10.2-6 Number of people that apply improved conservation law enforcement practices as a result of USG assistance

GNDR-2 Proportion of female participants in U.S. government-assisted programs designed to increase access to productive economic resources GNDR-4 Proportion of target population reporting increased agreement with the concept that males and females should have equal access to social, economic, and political opportunities

7. Project Learning and Sharing: As part of the project, applicants should disseminate findings and lessons learned from their work. We encourage applicants to consider producing a written document (e.g., publication in a peer-reviewed journal, a report, white paper) or other media (e.g., story map, online app), depending on the intended audience, that is open access…