Final_2025 NMBCA Application Instructions 9-25-24.pdf

OMB Control No. 1018‐0100

How to Apply for a NMBCA Grant (updated 19 August 2024) Page 1

MB-FWS-Migratory Birds F25AS00015 - FY25 Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation

Act Grants Fiscal Year 2025

Announcement # F25AS00015

Application Due Date: October 31, 2024 at 11:59pm Eastern Time

PROGRAM AUTHORIZING LEGISLATION: Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act, 16 U.S.C.

§6101 et seq.

SOLICITATIONS: The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) program does not use social media or contact individuals by phone to solicit, review, or make awards. Government staff will NOT call or message you requesting money in order to be eligible for an award. There is no fee to register in the System for Award Management. Please report any information and documentation that you have related to such incidents to the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Internet Crime Complaint Center (https://www.ic3.gov) and your local law enforcement authorities.

SCIENTIFIC INTEGRITY POLICY: Effective 1/28/2011, the Department of Interior (DOI) established a policy to ensure and maintain the integrity of scientific and scholarly activities used to inform management and public policy decisions: DOI Policy 305 DM 3, "”. The Scientific Integrity Policy applies to the DOI employees as well as its contractors, grant recipients and volunteers when they analyze or share scientific information with the public or use the DOI information to make policy or regulatory decisions. This policy now applies to all funding applications received by the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act grant program.

Essentially, the use of false data to leverage grant funds is a direct violation of DOI's Scientific Integrity Policy and requires the refund of any associated Federal assistance.

https://www.ic3.gov/

How to Apply for a NMBCA Grant (updated 19 August 2024) Page 2

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act

Fiscal Year 2025 Proposal Application Instructions Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) #15.635

How to Apply for a NMBCA Grant

Notice of Funding Opportunity and Application Instructions

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 15.635 Funding Opportunity Number: F25AS00015

Submission Deadline: October 31, 2024 (11:59pm Eastern Time) Description of Funding Opportunity: F25AS00015 - FY25 Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act Grants

Program Authorizing Statute: Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act of 2000, Public Law 106-247, 16 U.S.C. 6101.

This Notice of Funding Opportunity and Application Instructions can be found online here.

We strongly encourage applicants to initiate the process of enrolling in the required systems (System for Award Management and GrantSolutions) as soon as possible, and at least 6 weeks before our deadline, because it can be a complex process.

New for Fiscal Year 2025 and important changes from recent years

• The required matching contributions (cost-sharing) amount was lowered to 2-to-1 by the signing into law of the

Migratory Birds of the Americas Conservation Enhancements Act of 2023.

• Applicant organizations are eligible to receive a maximum of two awards from this request for proposals. There is no limit to the number of applications one organization can submit.

• The maximum amount you may request per proposal is $250,000.

• Proposals in Spanish are allowed. If you submit a Spanish proposal, you may also submit an English translation.

• Application Deadline is October 31, 2024. (The closing time will be 11:59pm Eastern Time).

• The is no IMPACT program opportunity this year.

• Matching (Cost-sharing) contributions are allowable from January 1, 2022. We allow matching contributions from

January 1 of the calendar year that is two years before the year that the proposal is submitted.

• New applicants encouraged: We encourage applications from organizations that have either never applied to NMBCA before or have never received a NMBCA award. We also encourage applications from organizations based in the Caribbean, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana.

• UPDATE (As of September 2024): NMBCA would like to help eliminate application barriers for inexperienced or small organizations. If you have tried but were unable to register in the System for Award Management (SAM) or in GrantSolutions, or if you are currently enrolled but are having difficulty navigating these systems, you may be eligible to receive technical support through the FWS Small Grants Program. Please contact neotropical@fws.gov to learn if you are eligible for help with your application and grant administration. US State governments, Institutions of Higher Education (except Minority Serving Institutions), or large Nonprofit Organizations (i.e., received more than $10M from Department of the Interior bureaus and offices combined in the past three years) are not eligible.

• SF-424 B and D - Effective October 28, 2022, the Service no longer requires applicants to submit the "Assurances for Non-Construction Programs (SF-424 B)" form or the "Assurances for Construction Programs (SF-424D)" form with their applications. However, all applicant organizations must review the Financial Assistance Representation and Certification in your SAM.gov registration and agree to their compliance. You can learn more here:

https://www.fsd.gov/gsafsd_sp?id=kb_article_view&sysparm_article=KB0016553. You (or your organization) must complete the Representations and Certifications to remain eligible.

https://www.fws.gov/service/neotropical-migratory-bird-conservation-act-nmbca-grant mailto:neotropical@fws.gov https://www.fsd.gov/gsafsd_sp?id=kb_article_view&sysparm_article=KB0016553

How to Apply for a NMBCA Grant (updated 19 August 2024) Page 3

• We encourage the inclusion of Conservation Evidence to support the justification for the appropriateness of your proposed actions (see the Proposal Narrative section “3. Project Description, a. Statement of Need” for more details).

Attention: Do not forget to include the Required Overlap/Duplication Statement (Appendix A), Indirect Costs statement (in Budget section of proposal narrative) and reporting on outcomes from prior phases relating to the current proposal.

Important changes from recent years

• Cash definition changed: We now consider “Cash” to be any cash outlay for a project related cost that is made up to two years before January 1 of the year that FWS receives the application. There must be documentation of the purchase of these goods or services. See: What are the match requirements?

• Matching Contribution Savings Plans

• Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) numbers has replaced DUNS numbers.

• Optional Appendix N added. These are optional (but highly recommended) data tables to inform certain Selection

Criteria Questions.

• All applicants and grantees are required to be registered within GrantSolutions. Applicants must properly set up their

GrantSolutions account, including obtaining the correct user roles within the system. To register for a user account, visit https://home.grantsolutions.gov/home/getting-started-request-a-user-account/.

• ALL proposals MUST be submitted through GrantSolutions.gov. Click here for guidance on submitting a proposal through GrantSolutions.gov.

• Your GrantSolution.gov application MUST include a Project Abstract Summary (in English only), SF-424, and SF-424A budget (A) corresponding to your proposal budget. For additional guidance to complete these forms see “STANDARD FORM-424s AND PROJECT ABSTRACT SUMMARY INSTRUCTIONS”

• Your Project Abstract Summary must not include acronyms and special characters and must be written in English.

• Include a separate Excel file matching the budget included in your proposal narrative or Appendix D. This can be uploaded in the “Project Abstract Summary” section of your GrantSolutions Application Kit.

• DO NOT WAIT until the last days to apply. We recommend applying at least a week early to anticipate technical issues with GrantSolutions.

• Phased projects must evaluate their progress towards long-term goals with measurable indicators and provide those measures to justify continued funding (see Proposal Narrative: Section 3e and Section 9).

• The program’s Fiscal Year 2025 funding may not be appropriated by Congress before your proposal is submitted;

therefore, any grant selections are contingent on the availability of funds.

• The Financial Assistance Interior Regulation (FAIR) (2 CFR Part 1402) is effective as of October 29, 2019 and applies to all financial assistance awarded under this opportunity.

• 2CFR200 applies to all foreign and domestic projects.

• Proposal Narrative Section 9: We added a Monitoring and Evaluation table, along with a link to examples of evaluation measures.

• There are three Required Appendices.

• An Optional Appendix “D” was created for very detailed or itemized budgets that otherwise would require too many pages (i.e., more than two pages) or font too small to read in Proposal Narrative Section 10. You must include some form of budget in the Proposal Narrative Section 10, do not refer to a separate excel file only.

• Designated Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) (Drones): Department funds may not be used for the procurement, repair or service of certain telecommunications and video surveillance services or equipment. Please see Code of Federal Regulation § 200.216 to know what equipment or services are covered. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title- 2/section-200.216

• On May 8, 2020, the Department issued implementation guidance on the definition of "Designated Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)" as the term is used in Secretarial Order 3379, “Temporary Cessation of Non-Emergency Unmanned Aircraft Systems Fleet Operations”. Under this order,

• Chihuahua Grassland projects: Demonstration of collaboration between organizations operating in this landscape is required; see the section “Local Participation” in the proposal narrative.

• Cover page no longer counts towards your proposal narrative 12-page limit.

• Required overlap/duplication statement. You must provide this statement in Appendix A. The Proposal Narrative

Section 13 was moved to Appendix A.

• In the Budget and Budget Justification section of the Proposal Narrative there are now required statements pertaining to

Indirect Costs and Negotiated Indirect Cost Rates.

https://home.grantsolutions.gov/home/ https://home.grantsolutions.gov/home/getting-started-request-a-user-account/ https://home.grantsolutions.gov/home/ https://www.grantsolutions.gov/support/public/pdf/QuickSheetDirectedAnnouncement.pdf https://home.grantsolutions.gov/home/ https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/08/30/2019-18650/financial-assistance-interior-regulation https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.216 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.216 https://www.doi.gov/sites/doi.gov/files/uploads/memorandum-5-8-20-designated-uas-under-secretarys-order-3379.pdf https://www.doi.gov/sites/doi.gov/files/uploads/memorandum-5-8-20-designated-uas-under-secretarys-order-3379.pdf https://www.doi.gov/sites/doi.gov/files/elips/documents/signed-so-3379-uas-1.29.2020-508.pdf

How to Apply for a NMBCA Grant (updated 19 August 2024) Page 4

APPLYING FOR A NMBCA GRANT: OVERVIEW

Description of Funding Opportunity In 2000, recognizing the significant threats Neotropical migratory birds face in their annual migrations between the United States (U.S.) and Latin America and the Caribbean, the U.S. Congress enacted the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act (NMBCA).

The Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act grant program solicits project proposals for the conservation of Neotropical migratory birds throughout their range (please visit https://www.fws.gov/media/neotropical-migratory-bird-conservation-act-nmbca-species-list for the eligible species list). The purpose of the NMBCA is (1) to perpetuate healthy populations of neotropical migratory birds; (2) to assist in the conservation of neotropical migratory birds by supporting conservation initiatives in the United States, Canada, Latin America, and the Caribbean; and (3) to provide financial resources and to foster international cooperation for those initiatives. As clarified in the Act, “conservation” means the use of methods and procedures necessary to bring a species of neotropical migratory bird to the point at which there are sufficient populations in the wild to ensure the long-term viability of the species, including—

(A) protection and management of neotropical migratory bird populations.

(B) maintenance, management, protection, and restoration of neotropical migratory bird habitat.

(C) research and monitoring.

(D) law enforcement; and

(E) community outreach and education.

Project proposals must (1) demonstrate that the project will enhance the conservation of neotropical migratory bird species in the United States, Canada, Latin America, or the Caribbean; (2) include mechanisms to ensure adequate local public participation in project development and implementation; (3) contain assurances that the project will be implemented in consultation with relevant wildlife management authorities and other appropriate government officials with jurisdiction over the resources addressed by the project; (4) demonstrate sensitivity to local historic and cultural resources and comply with applicable laws; and (5) describe how the project will promote sustainable, effective, long-term programs to conserve neotropical migratory birds (NMBs).

The NMBCA seeks to fund projects that demonstrate they will improve the conservation of neotropical migratory bird (NMB) species in a specific measurable way in the United States, Canada, Latin America, or the Caribbean. Proposals must describe the problem (E.g., a significant threat to NMBs or the habitat upon which they depend), the proposed solution to the problem (i.e., partner conservation actions), why the proposed activities and objectives are best suited to alleviate the problem, and how the applicant intends to measure successful implementation of project activities. High priority projects (1) address NMB species of conservation concern, (2) address the significant threats to those NMBs, (3) occur in important habitat to NMBs, (4) significantly involve and benefit the local communities in the project area, (5) identify and measure outcomes (i.e., improvements to and for the NMB species) from the conservation activities, and (6) are financially, ecologically and socially sustainable.

Desired conservation outcomes from NMBCA projects may include, among others:

• Self-sustaining and viable populations of the species are established and maintained throughout their range.

• Important NMB habitat is enhanced through conservation and restoration activities.

• Important NMB habitat is protected at levels sufficient to sustain healthy NMB populations.

• Successful implementation of recovery and conservation strategies.

• Extinction of species is prevented, and conservation status is improved.

• Effective implementation of alternative sustainable livelihood schemes by local communities.

• Threats to NMBs are reduced.

• Scientific knowledge of NMB conservation needs is improved and applied to achieve more effective conservation actions.

• Civil society is aware of the values of migratory bird conservation and carries out actions to conserve and use natural resources sustainably.

This funding opportunity aligns with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) mission and the Secretary of the Department of the Interior priorities to:

• Conserve, protect, manage, and restore natural and cultural resources.

• Sustainably balance the use of resources while supporting communities and the economy.

• Serve and honor the public trust.

All applicants (except US Federal Agencies) must apply through GrantSolutions.gov.

All applicants should apply through GrantSolutions or if unable, Grants.gov. Applicants who are unable to submit applications through GrantSolutions or Grants.gov may seek a waiver and obtain Service approval to apply via direct email to the program inbox. UPDATE (As of September 2024): NMBCA would like to help eliminate application barriers for inexperienced or small organizations. If you have tried but were unable to register in the System for Award Management (SAM) or in GrantSolutions, or if you are currently enrolled but are having difficulty navigating these systems, you may be eligible to receive technical support https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?path=/prelim@title16/chapter80&edition=prelim https://www.fws.gov/media/neotropical-migratory-bird-conservation-act-nmbca-species-list https://www.fws.gov/media/neotropical-migratory-bird-conservation-act-nmbca-species-list https://home.grantsolutions.gov/home/

How to Apply for a NMBCA Grant (updated 19 August 2024) Page 5 through the FWS Small Grants Program. Please contact neotropical@fws.gov to learn if you are eligible for help with your application and grant administration. US State governments, Institutions of Higher Education (except Minority Serving Institutions), or large Nonprofit Organizations (i.e., received more than $10M from Department of the Interior bureaus and offices combined in the past three years) are not eligible. Or if you wish to seek a temporary waiver from GrantSolutions and Grants.gov, you must demonstrate that you have attempted to register in SAM and apply via GrantSolutions or Grants.gov and attempted to resolve issues you experienced. This may include computer screen shots, email correspondence with helpdesks or other information obtained at the time of submission, before the stated deadline, that would support a waiver. You must submit all application materials to the following address: neotropical@fws.gov BEFORE the deadline. DBHC will review your waiver request, justification and then determine whether your proposal remains eligible. You will need to successfully register your organization in GrantSolutions as soon as possible to remain eligible for a possible future award.

However, before you begin applying through GrantSolutions, you should familiarize yourself with the guidance in these instructions.

If you understand the guidance before you begin, the application process will likely be easier. In addition, you should review the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act Grant Guidelines page as well as the following grant administration standards to understand your commitments before writing a proposal; if you are selected and accept an award, you agree to comply with these standards. (Nonprofit organizations based outside the U.S. are legally required to comply with 2CFR200. Generally, 2CFR200 applies to all international projects. Public international organizations retain their privileges but are encouraged to address this OMB Circular.)

• For projects with field activities located exclusively within the United States: U.S. Grant Administration Standards.

• For projects with field activities located exclusively outside of the United States 2CFR200 applies. Please read our

Administration Guidelines for Recipients with Grant Activities Outside of the United States of America.

• The Financial Assistance Interior Regulation (FAIR) (2 CFR Part 1402) was effective October 29, 2019 and applies to all financial assistance awarded under this opportunity.

• The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service General Award Terms and Conditions applies to every award (see link – https://www.fws.gov/grants/atc.html)

GrantSolutions (GS)- Your application record starts with GrantSolutions.

Getting Started: All NMBCA applicants/grantees are required to be registered within GrantSolutions:

https://home.grantsolutions.gov/home/. Visit the GrantSolutions Frequently Asked Questions page. Applicants must first request (Getting Started – Request A User Account) and properly set up your GrantSolutions account, including obtaining the correct user roles within the system. To help guide you please do the following:

1. Watch applicant and/or Grant Recipient training videos: https://home.grantsolutions.gov/home/recipient-gmm-training-resources/

2. To register for a user account, visit https://home.grantsolutions.gov/home/getting-started-request- a-user-account/.

3. In “Request a user account”, go to GrantSolutions Self Registration and click on Electronic User Request Form.

4. To complete your GrantSolutions account setup, someone in your organization needs to be assigned the role of “Grantee

Administrative Official/Grantee Authorized Representative”.

5. Once your organization is set up in GrantSolutions, your organization will be able to apply for directed grant announcements within GrantSolutions. Below is a link that explains how to apply:

https://www.grantsolutions.gov/support/public/pdf/QuickSheetDirectedAnnouncement.pdf

For individual recipient users that need roles in GrantSolutions please refer them to the link below. They will request access via the Recipient User Account Request Form and submit it to the GrantSolutions help desk for processing.

https://www.grantsolutions.gov/home/getting-started-request-a-user-account/

GrantSolutions Help desk Support Please send all GrantSolutions related help desk questions/issues to help@grantsolutions.gov. If needed GrantSolutions will forward the issue to FWS or escalate it up response tiers. If you do not receive a response or if the response did not resolve the issue, please ask that the ticket be escalated to Tier 2 or 3.

Very important: enter all requested information under GRANTEE PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR (PI/PD) and the GRANTEES ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER (ADO). Do not forget the username and the correctly spelled email address.

For new applications: submit the form without filling in the requested “grant number”.

For foreign applicants: You MUST apply through GrantSolutions.gov. We encourage you to submit your applications through GrantSolutions well before the deadline (4-5 business days) to ensure you can resolve submission issues you might encounter mailto:neotropical@fws.gov mailto:neotropical@fws.gov https://www.fws.gov/library/collections/neotropical-migratory-bird-conservation-act-grant-guidelines https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200?toc=1 https://fws.gov/media/united-states-grant-administration-standards-north-american-wetlands-conservation-act-and https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200?toc=1 https://www.fws.gov/media/neotropical-migratory-bird-conservation-act-grant-administration-guidelines-recipients-grant https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/08/30/2019-18650/financial-assistance-interior-regulation https://www.fws.gov/grants/atc.html https://home.grantsolutions.gov/home/ https://home.grantsolutions.gov/home/ https://home.grantsolutions.gov/home/frequently-asked-questions/ https://home.grantsolutions.gov/home/getting-started-request-a-user-account/ https://home.grantsolutions.gov/home/recipient-gmm-training-resources/ https://home.grantsolutions.gov/home/recipient-gmm-training-resources/ https://home.grantsolutions.gov/home/getting-started-request-a-user-account/ https://home.grantsolutions.gov/home/getting-started-request-a-user-account/ https://www.grantsolutions.gov/support/public/pdf/QuickSheetDirectedAnnouncement.pdf https://www.grantsolutions.gov/home/getting-started-request-a-user-account/

How to Apply for a NMBCA Grant (updated 19 August 2024) Page 6 using the GrantSolutions system. UPDATE (As of September 2024): NMBCA would like to help eliminate application barriers for inexperienced or small organizations. If you have tried but were unable to register in the System for Award Management (SAM) or in GrantSolutions, or if you are currently enrolled but are having difficulty navigating these systems, you may be eligible to receive technical support through the FWS Small Grants Program. Please contact neotropical@fws.gov to learn if you are eligible for help with your application and grant administration. US State governments, Institutions of Higher Education (except Minority Serving Institutions), or large Nonprofit Organizations (i.e., received more than $10M from Department of the Interior bureaus and offices combined in the past three years) are not eligible. We also encourage you to submit a copy of your application with all required forms and shapefiles to neotropical@fws.gov before the deadline with a subject line that includes your GrantSolutions application number.

All applicants are welcome to submit their complete application to neotropical@fws.gov as a backup to their GrantSolutions.gov submission (you must include the SF424 forms), however your official application is through GrantSolutions because this will feed into our project management system in GrantSolutions.

Your application will consist of a Proposal Narrative (in Spanish or English), Project Abstract Summary (In English only), Partner Contribution Statements, Standard Forms (SF424 (“Application for Federal Assistance”) and SF424A (“Budget”)), an Excel data sheet of the same budget that is also included in the proposal narrative and/or Appendix D, and a GIS shapefile (or Google Earth .kmz file) of your project area. NOTE: If the Excel budget sheet cannot successfully be uploaded to your GrantSolutions application kit in the “Project Abstract Summary” attachments section, please send it via email along with your GIS shapefiles. The GIS shapefiles cannot be uploaded into GrantSolutions because they are not an accepted format. You must submit this separately to neotropical@fws.gov with a subject including the title of your proposal along with GrantSolutions’ application number (number will start with FWS- MB2025XXXXXX). Each is described in the steps and instructions below.

APPLYING FOR A NMBCA GRANT: STEPS

Application Process Information and Submission

UPDATE (As of September 2024): NMBCA would like to help eliminate application barriers for inexperienced or small organizations. If you have tried but were unable to register in the System for Award Management (SAM) or in GrantSolutions, or if you are currently enrolled but are having difficulty navigating these systems, you may be eligible to receive technical support through the FWS Small Grants Program. Please contact neotropical@fws.gov to learn if you are eligible for help with your application and grant administration. US State governments, Institutions of Higher Education (except Minority Serving Institutions), or large Nonprofit Organizations (i.e., received more than $10M from Department of the Interior bureaus and offices combined in the past three years) are not eligible.

GrantSolutions - GrantSolutions is a grant and program management service provider that supports Federal agencies throughout the entire grant lifecycle - from forecast and funds planning to closeout.

All applicants (except US Federal Agencies) must apply through GrantSolutions.gov.

1. Register in the System for Award Management. You should start this very early (i.e., months before) in the process! On April

4, 2022, the DUNS number was officially replaced by the Unique Entity ID (UEI). You must have an active System for Award Management (SAM) registration to apply through https://www.grantsolutions.gov/, to receive an award, and to be able to receive funds. The SF-424B is not required because the assurances contained therein have been added to the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) and is a required element of your SAM registration. You must review the Financial Assistance Representation and Certification in your SAM.gov registration and agree to their compliance. You can learn more here:

https://www.fsd.gov/gsafsd_sp?id=kb_article_view&sysparm_article=KB0016553. You (or your organization) must complete the Representations and Certifications to remain eligible. We strongly encourage applicants to initiate this process at least 6 weeks before our deadline, because it can be a complex process. If your organization is registered with SAM.gov but your status is not listed as “active,” you must update your registration prior to applying. You must renew and revalidate the SAM registration at least every 12 months and ensure that all information is up to date. All active SAM.gov registrants will have their Unique Entity ID (UEI) automatically assigned and viewable within SAM.gov. NOTE: There is NO FEE to register or maintain your SAM.gov registration.

a. All SAM.gov users have differing levels of access (roles) to the system. The role that allows the most access is called an Entity Administrator (EA). Entity Administrators play a vital role for recipients in SAM.gov. Having more than one EA at all times can help ensure continuity and that you never lose access to SAM.gov. Taking the time now to make sure you have two or more EAs can help you avoid potential access issues later. One important task an Entity Administrator performs is to maintain your entity registration (i.e., renew every year). An active registration lets you conduct business with the federal government and get paid if you have a contract. If your registration expires, you can no longer contract with the federal government until you renew it. If your only Entity Administrator leaves your organization, you must then undergo a rather time-consuming process to add a new Entity Administrator. Entity Administrators also manage mailto:neotropical@fws.gov mailto:neotropical@fws.gov mailto:neotropical@fws.gov mailto:neotropical@fws.gov mailto:neotropical@fws.gov https://home.grantsolutions.gov/home/ https://www.grantsolutions.gov/ https://www.fsd.gov/gsafsd_sp?id=kb_article_view&sysparm_article=KB0016553 https://www.fsd.gov/gsafsd_sp?id=kb_article_view&sysparm_article=KB0016652&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govDelivery

How to Apply for a NMBCA Grant (updated 19 August 2024) Page 7 user roles, meaning they can assign EA roles to others. Making sure you have more than one EA at all times ensures you have a trusted person who can renew your registration each year, when the time comes.

b. If your organization is based outside the U.S.A., you will need to go through additional steps in SAM, which could take additional time. You must have a SAM registration before you can register in GrantSolutions.gov. For organizations outside the U.S.A., NATO Commercial and Governmental Entity (NCAGE) Codes are required prior to starting a SAM registration. The organization’s name, address, and email information used to request your NCAGE Code must match exactly what you used to request your UEI Number. Otherwise, you will receive error messages when applying for the NCAGE code. You can submit your request for an NCAGE Code using the NCAGE Request Tool at https://eportal.nspa.nato.int/AC135Public/scage/CageList.aspx. Detailed instructions are posted at that site. For additional information, send an email message to NCAGE@dlis.dla.mil. If you are not based in U.S.A. and wish to be paid directly to a U.S. bank account, you must enter and maintain valid and current banking information in SAM.

c. If you are an office of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, you do not need to apply through GrantSolutions.gov, follow the instructions for the Proposal Narrative and submit your Proposal Narrative to neotropical@fws.gov.

d. Excluded Entities: Applicant entities or individuals identified in the SAM.gov Exclusions database as ineligible, prohibited/restricted or excluded from receiving Federal contracts, certain subcontracts, and certain Federal assistance and benefits will not be considered for Federal funding, as applicable to the funding being requested under this Federal program.

2. Register in GrantSolutions (GS) - While all applications are linked from Grants.gov to GrantSolutions, we are instructing applicants to apply directly through GrantSolutions. Your application record starts with GrantSolutions.gov.

Getting Started: All NMBCA applicants/grantees are required to be registered within GrantSolutions:

https://home.grantsolutions.gov/home/. Visit the GrantSolutions Frequently Asked Questions page. Applicants must first request (Getting Started – Request A User Account) and properly set up your GrantSolutions account, including obtaining the correct user roles within the system. To help guide you please watch applicant and/or Grant Recipient training videos:

https://home.grantsolutions.gov/home/recipient-gmm-training-resources/ New Applicant Requests in GrantSolutions: To request that a new applicant be set up in GrantSolutions users may apply here: https://home.grantsolutions.gov/home/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Grant-Recipient-User-Account-Request-Form- 2021-1.pdf or https://www.grantsolutions.gov/gsrstatic/registration/initiate-request. For individual recipient users that need roles in GrantSolutions please refer them to the link below. They will request access via the Recipient User Account Request Form and submit it to the GrantSolutions help desk for processing. https://www.grantsolutions.gov/home/getting-started-request-a-user-account/ Help desk Support: Please send all GrantSolutions related help desk questions/issues to help@grantsolutions.gov. If needed GrantSolutions will forward the issue to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or escalate it up response tiers. If you do not receive a response or if the response did not resolve the issue, please ask that the ticket be escalated to Tier 2 or 3.

Very important: enter all requested information under GRANTEE PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR (PI/PD) and the GRANTEES ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER (ADO). Do not forget the username and the correctly spelled email address.

For new applications: submit the form without filling in the requested “grant number”.

3. Your application will consist of a Proposal Narrative, Project Abstract Summary (In English only), Partner Contribution Statements, a Standard Form 424 (“Application for Federal Assistance”), SF-424A “Budget”, an Excel spreadsheet of your proposal narrative budget and/or Appendix D budget, and a project area shapefile or .kmz file (your shapefile cannot be uploaded to GrantSolutions and must be sent to us at the neotropical@fws.gov address with a subject of your project title along with GrantSolutions’ application number (number will starts with FWS-MB2025XXXXXX)). Each is described below.

4. Write the Proposal Narrative, as described below. You will attach the Proposal Narrative to your GrantSolutions application.

5. Obtain signed Partner Contribution Statements. You will attach these to your GrantSolutions application.

6. Make your project area shapefile using a GIS or create a .kmz file using Google Earth. For instructions, go here: Neotropical

Migratory Bird Conservation Act Instructions for Submitting GIS Data via Google Earth | FWS.gov

7. Prepare an Excel sheet of your proposal narrative budget table.

8. Start your online application in GrantSolutions.gov and follow the instructions on how to apply for a Directed Announcement.

https://www.grantsolutions.gov/support/public/pdf/QuickSheetDirectedAnnouncement.pdf. Search for the announcement title for the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act. Your GrantsSolutions.gov Application Kit will be where you complete Online forms and upload your additional information except for Project Area shapefiles which must be emailed to us at the neotropical@fws.gov address with a subject of your project title along with GrantSolutions’ application number (number will starts with FWS-MB2025XXXXXX). To successfully submit your application in GrantSolutions.gov, you must add your Proposal Narrative document as an Adobe Acrobat .pdf file. GrantSolutions accepts Adobe files, Word and Excel only.

9. We recommend that you also submit all application materials as one single PDF file (except the separate Excel budget table and the Project Area GIS Shapefile/Google Earth .kmz, which should be attached separately) to: neotropical@fws.gov. Please include the complete proposal title (along with GrantSolutions’ application number (number will starts with FWS- MB2025XXXXXX)) in the subject line of this email. Your official application, however, is the package submitted through GrantSolutions.gov.

10. Applications must be submitted to GrantSolutions.gov, and emailed to neotropical@fws.gov, no later than 11:59pm Eastern Time on October 31, 2024.

https://www.fsd.gov/gsafsd_sp?id=kb_article_view&sysparm_article=KB0036075&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govDelivery https://eportal.nspa.nato.int/AC135Public/scage/CageList.aspx mailto:NCAGE@dlis.dla.mil mailto:neotropical@fws.gov https://home.grantsolutions.gov/home/ https://home.grantsolutions.gov/home/ https://home.grantsolutions.gov/home/frequently-asked-questions/ https://home.grantsolutions.gov/home/getting-started-request-a-user-account/ https://home.grantsolutions.gov/home/recipient-gmm-training-resources/ https://home.grantsolutions.gov/home/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Grant-Recipient-User-Account-Request-Form-2021-1.pdf https://home.grantsolutions.gov/home/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Grant-Recipient-User-Account-Request-Form-2021-1.pdf https://www.grantsolutions.gov/gsrstatic/registration/initiate-request https://www.grantsolutions.gov/home/getting-started-request-a-user-account/ https://www.grantsolutions.gov/home/getting-started-request-a-user-account/ mailto:neotropical@fws.gov https://www.fws.gov/media/neotropical-migratory-bird-conservation-act-instructions-submitting-gis-data-google-earth https://www.fws.gov/media/neotropical-migratory-bird-conservation-act-instructions-submitting-gis-data-google-earth https://www.grantsolutions.gov/support/public/pdf/QuickSheetDirectedAnnouncement.pdf

How to Apply for a NMBCA Grant (updated 19 August 2024) Page 8

STANDARD FORM-424s AND PROJECT ABSTRACT SUMMARY INSTRUCTIONS

The SF-424B Assurances for Non-Construction Projects form is not required for NMBCA projects. All applicants, except Federal Agencies, are required to submit a completed Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424) AND SF-242A budget form. All SF-424 forms now can be completed in https://www.grantsolutions.gov/ when you apply. The address on the SF-424 (#8d) must match the address associated with the Unique Entity ID number (#8c)! The following instructions for completing the SF-424 to accompany a NMBCA proposal supersede those on the back of the SF-424.

CELL NUMBER and TITLE INSTRUCTIONS

1. Type of Submission Check “Application”

2. Type of Application Check “New”

3. Date Received Enter date completing SF-424

4. Applicant Identifier Leave blank

5. a. Employer Identification Leave blank

5. b. Federal Award Identifier Leave blank

6. Date Received by State Leave blank

7. State Application Identifier Leave blank

8. Applicant Information (a-f) Complete all required information in sections a-f

9. Type of Applicant Complete for your organization

10. Name of Federal Agency Enter "DOI-U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service"

11. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number and Title

Enter “15.635” and “Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act”

12. Funding Opportunity Number/Title: Enter "F25AS00015" and "FY25 Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act Grants"

13. Competition Identification Number/Title: Will automatically fill in from #12

14. Areas Affected by Project Enter only information for "Counties and States" that the tract(s) are included in; if tract(s) are unknown, then list all counties within the project area or indicate ‘statewide’ if applicable

15. Descriptive Title of Applicant’s Project Enter title of proposal

16. Congressional Districts of Applicant/Project Enter information for a and b.

17. Proposed Project Start and End Dates Enter proposed project start and end dates.

18. Estimated Funding Do not include non-match $. In “a”, include only NMBCA grant $. In

“b-e”, include only matching partner $. For “e- Other”, include private organizations, etc. Leave "f-Program Income" blank, unless you will be generating program income from the project

19. Is Application Subject to Review by State EO 12372 Process? Required to answer but only applicable to states

20. Is Applicant Delinquent on any Federal Debt? Required to answer

21. Authorized Representative SIGNATURE AND DATE REQUIRED by the authorized representative of the applicant organization. We will not accept a typed signature.

On January 1, 2022, DOI implemented the project abstract summary in GrantSolutions. The Project Abstract is a concise summary of a grant project. The summary typically describes the mission and goals of the project, the population it will serve, and what impact it may have on the community. Information for the project abstract summary can be taken from proposal narrative and include/avoid the following:

• Must be written in English.

• Avoid acronyms or Federal or agency-specific terminology;

• Include plain language description Award purpose;

• Activities to be performed;

• Deliverables and Expected Outcomes;

• Intended beneficiary(ies); and

• Subrecipient activities if known or specified at the time of award

Project Abstract Summary character limitation as 1 page or less (no more than ~4000 characters) written in English and use of 12 pt.

font and Times New Roman is recommended.

https://www.grantsolutions.gov/

How to Apply for a NMBCA Grant (updated 19 August 2024) Page 9

GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION

Read these instructions carefully before writing your Proposal Narrative. Proposal Narratives that do not follow the instructions may be determined to be ineligible for funding.

What is a Neotropical migratory bird?

For the purposes of the NMBCA, a Neotropical migratory bird is one that breeds in the continental United States or Canada and spends the boreal winter in Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, or South America. Birds from all taxa are included, so proposals may benefit land birds, waterbirds, shorebirds, waterfowl, raptors, and others. Go to https://www.fws.gov/media/neotropical-migratory-bird-conservation-act-nmbca-species-list for a list of eligible birds. NOTE: Non-migratory subpopulations of a species that is listed as an eligible Neotropical migratory bird are a lower conservation priority for the program.

Who may apply?

• An individual, corporation, partnership, trust, association, or other private entity.

• An officer, employee, agent, department, or instrumentality of the Federal Government, state, municipality, or political subdivision of a state, or of any foreign government.

• A state, municipality, or political subdivision of a state.

• Any other entity subject to the jurisdiction of the U.S. or of any foreign country; or

• An international organization.

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. As of January 12, 2021 this includes Cuba.

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 (OFAC) without proper licenses.

Additional to the State Sponsor of Terrorism exclusion, Cuba has specific sanctions by OFAC. Venezuela is subject to OFAC’s Venezuela-Related Sanctions. Proposals from Venezuela must comply with the Venezuela-Related Sanctions as well as not involve or provide resources to any of the entities on the Specially Designated Nationals And Blocked Persons List.

Excluded Parties: FWS conducts a review of the SAM.gov Exclusions database for all applicant entities and their key project personnel prior to award. The Bureau 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.

Where may a project be located?

Project activities may be carried out in the U.S.A., in Canada, or in most countries or territories in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Should projects with activities in the U.S.A. coordinate with a Migratory Bird Joint Venture?

For projects with activities in the U.S.A., applicants should contact the Migratory Bird Joint Venture (JV) where the project activities are planned. Proposals with activities that are coordinated with a JV and specifically address JV needs and priorities will be more competitive. We strongly recommend that you share your project Proposal Narrative with the appropriate JV Coordinator before submitting it for review; and you may copy the JV coordinator on your recommended email submission to neotropical@fws.gov.

Check Migratory Bird Joint Ventures to find the JV appropriate for your project area.

Is there a maximum or minimum grant amount for which I can apply?

The maximum request per proposal is US$250,000 for a two-year project. Projects of one year in duration are limited to a request of $125,000. Do not submit a proposal for a two-year project period if all the work will be completed within one year. The average award is about US$150,000. Requests under US$10,000 are discouraged; please contact us if you are planning such a proposal.

Requests at or near $250,000 (or $125,000 for a one-year project) will likely receive additional scrutiny during review to make sure the investment is fully justified and the costs reasonable. Applicants may submit more than one proposal; however, we will not support more than two awards to any one organization, so that we can distribute the funds to the broad demand throughout the Western Hemisphere.

What is the duration of a grant?

The applicant may choose a funding period of either one or two years. A grant project period typically starts on the date on which the grant is awarded or July 1 (a recommended start date in GrantSolutions), which typically occurs about 1-3 months after the announcement of selected projects. The official award announcement may occur anytime from May to July.

https://www.fws.gov/media/neotropical-migratory-bird-conservation-act-nmbca-species-list https://www.fws.gov/media/neotropical-migratory-bird-conservation-act-nmbca-species-list https://www.state.gov/state-sponsors-of-terrorism/ https://www.state.gov/state-sponsors-of-terrorism/ https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/office-of-foreign-assets-control-sanctions-programs-and-information https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/office-of-foreign-assets-control-sanctions-programs-and-information https://ofac.treasury.gov/sanctions-programs-and-country-information/cuba-sanctions https://ofac.treasury.gov/sanctions-programs-and-country-information/venezuela-related-sanctions https://ofac.treasury.gov/sanctions-programs-and-country-information/venezuela-related-sanctions https://sanctionslist.ofac.treas.gov/Home/SdnList https://www.fws.gov/partner/migratory-bird-joint-ventures

How to Apply for a NMBCA Grant (updated 19 August 2024) Page 10

What kinds of projects are eligible?

The following activities can be funded by NMBCA grant funds or matching contributions:

• Protection and management of Neotropical migratory bird populations.

• Maintenance, management, protection, and restoration of Neotropical migratory bird habitat.

• Research and monitoring.

• Law enforcement; and

• Community outreach and education.

All the above general activities can be funded by NMBCA grant funds or matching contributions.

Because NMBCA funds are limited, please note that:

• Applicant organizations are only eligible to receive two awards in any given request for proposals.

• Proposals for wetland habitat conservation in the U.S.A. and Canada should be directed to the North American Wetlands

Conservation Council. Go to North American Wetlands Conservation | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (fws.gov).

• Proposals involving NAWCA priority wetlands in Mexico should be submitted to the North American Wetlands

Conservation Council. See North American Wetlands Conservation Act: Mexico | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (fws.gov).

(Priority wetlands are described in the NAWCA Mexico Application Instructions. See the ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Section II. Reference Material)

• Proposals for species on the Endangered Species Act (ESA) List, seeking funds for domestic conservation work, must explain why NMBCA funding is needed in addition to available ESA funding.

What activities are ineligible?

We cannot pay salaries or travel expenses for permanent, full-time U.S. Federal employees. We will not fund or accept as match any activity that would circumvent the laws or regulations of either the U.S.A. or the country in which the activity would occur. Any activities that do not comply with the applicable NMBCA Grant Administration Guidelines and 2CFR200 are ineligible. In addition, the following categories are ineligible for grant funding or matching contributions:

1. General contingency costs.

2. Principal contributed to endowment funds.

3. Financing.

4. Costs for activities that were not preapproved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service/Division of Bird Habitat Conservation or that are not in the application.

5. Proposed (or preapproved) costs that remain unexpended at the end of the project.

6. Certain telecommunication and surveillance equipment or services, such as Drone (Unmanned Aircraft Systems) purchase or usage of covered items. See: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.216

7. The purchase of firearms or ammunition.

8. Gathering information by persons who conceal their true identity.

9. Buying or purchasing of intelligence, evidence or information or paying informants.

10. Law enforcement operations that, to arrest suspects, prompt them to carry out illegal activities (entrapment).

11. Any activity that would circumvent sanctions, laws or regulations of either the U.S.A. or the country of proposed activity.

12. Programs designed to advocate policy views or positions of foreign governments or views of a particular political faction

13. Entertainment and/or alcoholic beverages.

14. Direct…