Foa_Content_of_F25AS00376.pdf

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Notice of Funding Opportunity

F25AS00376 MENTOR - ApeHealth

Funding Opportunity Number

F25AS00376

Table of Contents

BASIC INFORMATION

ELIGIBILITY

Cost Sharing Requirement

GET READY TO APPLY

Required System Registrations

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Program Goals

Program Description

Legislative Authority

Type of Award

PREPARE YOUR APPLICATION

Applications Content and Format

Application Documents

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS AND DEADLINES

Address to Request Application Package

Submission Dates and Times

Submission Instructions

APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

Eligibility Review

Merit Review

Review and Selection Process

Risk Review

AWARD NOTICES

POST AWARD REQUIREMENTS AND ADMINISTRATION

Administration and National Policy Requirements

Reporting

BASIC INFORMATION

Announcement Type: Initial

Funding Opportunity Number: F25AS00376

Assistance Listing Number(s): 15.629

Estimated Total Program Funding: $5,300,000

Expected Number of Awards: 1

Award Ceiling: $5,300,000

Award Floor: $3,000,000

Cost Sharing Required?

No Closing Date for Applications: 02/04/2025

Applications must be submitted electronically through GrantSolutions by 11:59 PM ET.

Applications must be submitted in English. Late applications will not be accepted. A confirmation email containing an assigned application number beginning with “FWS-” will be sent to applicants upon submission. If you do not receive this email within five days of the opportunity closing date, contact [program inbox email]. DO NOT SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION MORE THAN ONCE. Duplicate applications will be discarded. Please see more information about submission requirements in section Other Submission Requirements. Applicants must have an active registration in SAM to apply.

OMB Control Number: 1018-0100

Have Questions?

Please direct any questions regarding this NOFO to greatapeafrica@fws.gov.

Executive Summary The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (Service) 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 goal of the Service’s African Great Ape Conservation Fund (GACF- Africa) is to ensure the long-term conservation of African great apes in the wild. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species lists all African great apes as either Endangered or Critically Endangered, and all subspecies, with the exception of mountain gorillas (G. b. beringei), are experiencing decreasing population trends.

Infectious disease is among the leading threats to most African great ape populations. Over the past few decades veterinary support for great ape health at the site level has increased substantially in some regions, but opportunities for Central African nationals to obtain the skills necessary to effectively address great ape and other wildlife health challenges remain limited, threatening the security of human, wildlife and ecosystem health. The Service seeks to strengthen capacity within Central African ape range states to effectively address great ape and broader wildlife health security issues. This funding opportunity seeks proposals for a targeted three-year Mentoring for Environmental Training in Outreach and Resource conservation (MENTOR) Program to improve the capacities of Central African veterinarians and veterinary colleges to achieve those aims. The objectives of the program are to 1) strengthen the capacity of wildlife veterinary practitioners in Central Africa to address health threats to great apes in the wild, 2) strengthen the capacity of academic institutions in Central Africa to address wildlife and great ape health threats, and 3) strengthen and sustain the great ape health community through a professional network. This increased capacity will also bring needed wildlife health and veterinary expertise to address health security in the region, supporting joint priorities for human and animal health. Understanding and addressing disease dynamics between humans and wildlife https://www.fws.gov/media/required-notices-and-burden-statement-omb-control-no-1018-0100 mailto:greatapeafrica@fws.gov contributes to our collective ability to address future pandemics, safeguarding the American public. The successful applicant is expected to engage in a co-design process with the Service to implement the MENTOR program. Applicants may be multi-national secretariats, U.S. and foreign non-profits, non-governmental organizations, community and indigenous organizations, and U.S. and foreign public (non-government entity) and private institutions of higher education.

ELIGIBILITY

Eligible Applicants Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)

Additional Information on Eligibility Applicants may be multi-national secretariats, U.S. and foreign non-profits, non-governmental organizations, community and indigenous organizations, and U.S. and foreign public (non-government entity) and private institutions of higher education.

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.

Restrictions and Requirements for Non-U.S. Entities or Projects

• We do not fund countries supporting terrorism subject to U.S. sanctions.

• We do not fund countries under U.S. Treasury sanctions without licenses.

• You must get all required approvals for work outside the U.S. We are not responsible for your compliance with local rules.

• For projects over $500,000, you may need to comply with 2 CFR 175.105(b) before we make an award.

Cost Sharing Requirement Cost Sharing Required?

No Cost sharing is the portion of project costs not borne by the Service. Under this program, cost share is not required but may be committed voluntarily. Though Voluntary Committed Cost Share (See 2 CFR 200.1) is not required, as prescribed by the Great Ape Conservation Act of 2000, preference will be given to projects that include cost share funds. Cost share 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 project is part of a larger program, show these funding sources and their contributions. The Budget Narrative should also address the proposal's cost-effectiveness and how institutional resources are leveraged.

https://www.state.gov/state-sponsors-of-terrorism/ http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/Pages/default.aspx https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-175 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 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=38753b18f54182883b86b0bb0eede07b&mc=true&node=pt2.1.200&rgn=div5#sp2.1.200.e

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.

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.

GET READY TO APPLY

Required System Registrations Unique Entity Identifier and SAM.gov Registration

Before applying, all applicants except individuals applying as a natural person must be registered in SAM.gov. During the SAM.gov registration the entity will obtain their Unique Entity Identifier (UEI).

The SAM.gov registration process can take several months. If your organization is not already registered in SAM.gov, begin the registration process as soon as possible.

To register in SAM.gov, go to the SAM.gov website and use the available resources to complete registration.

• Financial assistance registrants must review and certify compliance with the SAM.gov “Financial Assistance General Representations and Certifications”.

• Already registered? You already have a Unique Entity ID. Before applying, check that your “Financial Assistance General Representations and Certifications” on SAM.gov is complete. Remember to renew your registration every year to keep it active while you have an award or application in progress. You can update your registration whenever you need, including during renewal.

• Need help? For additional information and contact information on the SAM.gov Help page.

GRANTSOLUTIONS

This program accepts application through GrantSolutions.gov. You must register with GrantSolutions. See Submission Instructions.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Program Goals

• The goal of the Service's African Great Ape Conservation Fund (GACF-Africa) is to ensure the long-term conservation of African great apes in the wild. We achieve this through stewardship of a financial and technical assistance program, convening and connecting partners, informing conservation decision making with technical expertise and data, developing capacity of great ape conservationists, and cultivating long-term partnerships and relationships with field projects and other key stakeholders across African great ape range states.

https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration https://sam.gov/content/help https://sam.gov/content/help

Program Description Background, Purpose and Program Requirements:

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (Service) 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 International Affairs Program delivers this mission through its financial assistance programs by supporting strategic projects that deliver measurable conservation results for priority species and their habitats around the world. The goal of the Service’s African Great Ape Conservation Fund (GACF-Africa) is to ensure the long-term conservation of African great apes in the wild.

Central Africa is home to most of the continent’s great apes, including both subspecies of western gorilla (Gorilla gorilla), both subspecies of eastern gorilla (G. beringei), three of the four subspecies of chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes), and bonobo (P. paniscus). The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species lists all African great apes as either Endangered or Critically Endangered, and all subspecies, except for mountain gorillas (G.

b. beringei), are experiencing decreasing population trends. Some populations have experienced dramatic declines over the last three decades (Plumptre et al., 2016).

Infectious disease is among the leading threats to most African great ape populations. Awareness of the threat posed to great ape health by infectious diseases has increased in recent years, with both human respiratory viruses and numerous other pathogens identified as important sources of great ape morbidity and mortality.

As a result of their genetic, anatomical and physiological similarities, apes and humans are vulnerable to many of the same diseases (Calvignac‐Spencer et al., 2021) (i.e. zoonoses). The One Health approach stresses the connection and interdependence of the health of humans, non-human animals, and the environment and is integral to addressing ape health and conservation (Grützmacher et al., 2021). With the majority of emerging infectious diseases originating in wildlife species, understanding the disease threats to great ape populations also contributes to the knowledge base needed to safeguard human health and prevent the next global pandemic, including the potential impacts of such a pandemic on economic and political security.

Over the past few decades veterinary support for great ape health at the site level has increased substantially in some regions and for some ape taxa. For example, veterinary interventions accounted for up to 40% of a 4% annual growth rate in Virunga mountain gorillas (G. b beringei) from 1967-2008 (Robbins et al., 2011). Overall veterinary capacity to address great ape and other wildlife health challenges has also increased, but opportunities for Central African nationals to obtain the skills necessary to effectively address great ape and other wildlife health challenges remain limited. A review of the curriculum of veterinary programs in great ape range states conducted by the Service identified a gap in wildlife health training. Few programs in Central Africa offer substantive training in the application of veterinary skills to wildlife; a trend identified across low- and middle-income countries (Meredith et al., 2022).

The Service seeks to increase the opportunities available for wildlife veterinary practitioners from Central African countries to address infectious disease and other health threats to great apes via a targeted Mentoring for ENvironmental Training in Outreach and Resource conservation (MENTOR) Program. The USFWS MENTOR model brings together transdisciplinary teams of emerging conservation leaders from diverse backgrounds and provides rigorous academic and field-based training, long-term mentoring, learning through experience, and project design and implementation to strengthen participants’ capacity to address major threats to wildlife and develop conservation leadership (USFWS, 2021). Training is provided by a team of Mentors comprised of conservation leaders and other experts. For a given MENTOR program, a lead recipient organization (Awardee) submits a proposed program, then works with the Service to further refine the program post-award through a co-design process.

Funding Opportunity

Objectives The purpose of this Notice of Funding Opportunity is to support the goal of GACF-Africa by strengthening the capacity of Central African range states to address threats to the health of great apes in the wild. This capacity development program will address immediate, short-term needs by providing professionals with specialized training in wildlife health focused on great apes. It will also strengthen long-term capacity by establishing a network of trained conservation leaders and regional institutions poised to collaboratively address ape health threats and health security more broadly. Recognizing that capacity development can take many forms, the emphasis of this program is on skill-building and knowledge exchange. This will be achieved through three objectives:

Objective 1. Strengthen the capacity of wildlife veterinary practitioners in Central Africa to address health threats to great apes in the wild.

The focus of this objective is to develop the capacity of individuals to address great ape health threats.

Desired results include: (a) individuals demonstrate improved proficiency of veterinary clinical skills; (b) individuals demonstrate an increased working knowledge of public health and other disciplines and their application to great ape health; and (c) individuals demonstrate an increased working knowledge of great ape and broader wildlife conservation and management issues.

Objective 2. Strengthen the capacity of academic institutions in Central Africa to address wildlife and great ape health threats.

The primary focus of this objective is to develop the capacity of one or more institutions to support the development of a workforce poised to address great ape and other wildlife health challenges. Applicants must partner with at least one academic institution in the region (see Geographic Scope below). A secondary focus is to develop capacity of non-academic institutions and organizations engaged as program Mentors.

Desired results include: (a) capacity of veterinary program(s) at one or more academic institutions to teach wildlife medicine is(are) strengthened; (b) the capacities of non-academic institutions to support wildlife health initiatives are strengthened; (c) students at these institutions are exposed to pathways for applying veterinary skills to addressing great ape and broader wildlife health challenges.

Objective 3. Strengthen and sustain the great ape health community through a professional network.

The focus of this objective is to develop a professional regional network to promote great ape health through exchange of best practices and opportunities for continued learning and growth.

Desired results include: Individual program Fellows are linked to Mentors and other wildlife conservation and health professionals and institutions through a network that fosters information exchange and support beyond the life of the award. This may include integration into existing great ape, wildlife health, and One Health networks.

Program Co-Design Applications will include a proposed project that is responsive to the Service’s goal and objectives under this NOFO. Upon issuance of an award, the Awardee and the Service will undertake a collaborative co-design process through which they collaborate closely to further refine the project. See additional details in the description of substantial involvement below (Type of Award- Funding Instrument).

Needs Assessment To inform the project design, the Awardee should conduct a needs assessment appropriate to the proposed project’s scope. An assessment conducted prior to the award, either by the awardee or a third party may satisfy part or all this requirement, as determined by the Service.

Costs for the needs assessment may be included in the proposed project budget. The results of the needs assessment will inform refinement of the objectives and activities in the co-design process as well as the selection of Fellows and Mentors.

Staffing It is expected that the awardee will hire at least a full-time program manager, and other staff as needed, dedicated to the timely and effective implementation of the project. This position will serve as the principal investigator and lead point of contact for the award and should be reflected in the proposed project budget.

USFWS MENTOR Model

The Service has a long-standing history of supporting efforts to develop the capacity of Central African conservationists through its MENTOR model and support to educational institutions. This program will employ the MENTOR model, which incorporates the following components:

Mentors and Fellows:

Fellows: Fellows will be African nationals from countries identified in the Geographic Scope (see Section F). Candidates should have experience in the veterinary field or related disciplines broadly applicable to addressing ape health issues. At least a majority of the individuals trained must be veterinarians. Proposals should address the composition of the team of Fellows, including approximate number, and if possible what disciplines and work experiences will be represented. Fellows will receive stipends during their participation in the program and this should be reflected in the proposed project budget.

Mentors: Mentors should be experienced leaders in relevant disciplines and may be individuals, institutions, or organizations (e,g., non-governmental organizations, government agencies, etc.). Mentor institutions will be eligible to receive financial and/or technical support to facilitate their Mentor roles and to further develop their own capacities to address great ape health challenges. Proposals should address the composition of Mentors, including broad disciplines that will be represented.

Capacity Development Approach

Once an award is issued, the Service will work with the awardee to further develop the training and mentoring program. The following three-phase basic program structure is recommended:

Phase I: During this stage, Fellows are brought together for shared instruction and learning on interpersonal and leadership skills which may include, but are not limited to, the following: foundational elements of wildlife health, great ape biology, One Health, team building, conflict management, project planning, project management, grant proposal writing, environmental governance, human dimensions, outreach, adaptive management, and other subjects.

Phase II: Fellows pursue individual projects on a subject of interest or identified individual development need relevant to great ape health. Mentors will work with Fellows to individually tailor and design their Phase II course of study. Fellows will receive mentoring one-on-one or in small groups.

Phase III: Fellows reconvene as a group following Phase II to share their individual learning experiences.

Geographic Scope Program activities should be implemented within one or more of the following great ape range states: Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Nigeria, Rwanda, and Uganda.

Timeline An award under this announcement will be funded through an inter-agency agreement between the Service and USAID. As these funds are subject to fixed expiration dates, award funds for each project year must be spent by the dates indicated below:

Project Year Funds must be spent by Funds Available Year 1 June 30, 2026 Up to $2,000,000 Year 2 June 30, 2027 Up to $2,300,000 Year 3 June 30, 2028 Up to $1,000,000

In the event of successful project implementation, the Service may consider the option of extending the program to future years, subject to Service priorities, good performance of the recipient, Service management approval, and funding availability.

Program- specific unallowable costs

USFWS-International Affairs (IA) will not fund some activities regardless of planned mitigation or use. These include, but may not be limited to:

Ineligible Activities:

• Physical resettlement of people (voluntary or involuntary);

• The purchase of firearms or ammunition;

• Gathering information by persons who conceal their true identity;

• Buying or purchasing of intelligence, evidence or information or paying informants;

• Law enforcement operations that, to arrest suspects, prompt them to carry out illegal activities (entrapment); and

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

The following cost elements are not allowable under this program:

• Publication of materials for distribution within the United States that are not related to the program; Pre-award Costs - Expenses incurred before the specified dates of award period of performance (unless prior written approval is received);

• Programs designed to advocate policy views or positions of foreign governments or views of a particular political faction;

• Entertainment and/or alcoholic beverages;

• Purchase of land;

• Direct support or the appearance of direct support for individual or single-party electoral campaigns; and

• Duplication of services immediately available through municipal, provincial, or national government.

Literature Cited Goldberg, T. L., Gillespie, T. R., Rwego, I. B., et al. (2007). Patterns of gastrointestinal bacterial exchange between chimpanzees and humans involved in research and tourism in western Uganda. Biological Conservation, 135(4), 511–517.

https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2006.10.048 Grützmacher, K.S., Karesh, W.B., Amuasi, J.H., et al. (2021). The Berlin principles on one health: bridging global health and conservation. Science of The Total Environment, 764, 142919. DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.142919.

Kühl, H. S., Sop, T., Williamson, E. A., et al. (2017). The Critically Endangered western chimpanzee declines by 80%. American Journal of Primatology, 79(9), e22681.

https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1002/ajp.22681 Le Gouar, P. J., Vallet, D., David, L., et al. (2009). How Ebola impacts genetics of Western lowland gorilla populations. PLOS One, 4(12).

Meredith, A., Anderson, N., Malik, P., et al. (2022). Capacity building for wildlife health professionals: the Wildlife Health Bridge. One Health & Implementation Research, 2(2), 68–

78. https://doi.org/10.20517/ohir.2022.03 Negrey, J. D., Reddy, R. B., Scully, E. J., et al. (2019). Simultaneous outbreaks of respiratory disease in wild chimpanzees caused by distinct viruses of human origin. Emerging Microbes & Infections, 8(1), 139–149. https://doi.org/10.1080/22221751.2018.1563456 https://doi.org/https:/doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2006.10.048 https://doi.org/https:/doi.org/10.1002/ajp.22681 https://doi.org/10.20517/ohir.2022.03 https://doi.org/10.1080/22221751.2018.1563456

Plumptre, A. J., Nixon, S., Kujirakwinja, D. K., et al. (2016). Catastrophic Decline of World’s Largest Primate: 80% Loss of Grauer’s Gorilla (Gorilla beringei graueri) Population Justifies Critically Endangered Status. PLOS ONE, 11(10), e0162697-.

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0162697 Refisch, J., Wich, S., Williamson, L., et al. (2018). GRASP and IUCN report to the CITES Standing Committee on the status of great apes.

https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.24454.22085/1 Robbins, M. M., Gray, M., Fawcett, K. A., et al. (2011). Extreme Conservation Leads to Recovery of the Virunga Mountain Gorillas. PLOS ONE, 6(6), e19788-.

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0019788 Ryan, S. J., & Walsh, P. D. (2011). Consequences of Non-Intervention for Infectious Disease in African Great Apes. PLOS ONE, 6(12), e29030-.

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0029030 United States Fish and Wildlife Service. (2021). Developing Conservation Leaders through

MENTOR.

This program has Federal funding for infrastructure projects. Buy America preferences apply to Federal awards for infrastructure projects in the United States. Reference 2 CFR Part 184 - Buy America Preferences for Infrastructure Project for further guidance.

Legislative Authority Awards are authorized per the Great Ape Conservation Act—Great ape conservation assistance (16 U.S.C. §6303). Applications awarded under this announcement will be funded through a Participating Agency Program Agreement (PAPA) between the US Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Bureau for Resilience, Environment, and Food Security (REFS). 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).

Type of Award Projects will be funded through:

Funding Instrument CA (Cooperative Agreement) Recipient should expect the Federal agency to have substantial involvement in the project.

The type of award will be a cooperative agreement. Under a cooperative agreement, the Service is substantially involved in the project. Under this funding opportunity, the Service’s substantial involvement may include, as resources allow: all aspects of project co-design, including but not limited to design of the project structure; curricula and instructional subject matter; development of criteria for, and section of, Fellows and Mentors; identifying opportunities and developing the individual phase of mentoring; establishing monitoring and evaluation parameters; and other involvement as agreed in project co-design.

PREPARE YOUR APPLICATION

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0162697 https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.24454.22085/1 https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0019788 https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0029030 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-184

Applications Content and Format Application Documents Applicants must submit the following forms with their application as specified below.

Instructions for accessing and submitting application forms are provided in the Submission Instructions section of this document below. For instructions on completing form fields, see the form instructions on the Grants.gov Forms Repository.

Forms/Assurances/Certifications Submission Requirement SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance Note: For applicants requesting more than $100,000 in Federal funds, the Authorized Representative’s signature (or electronic equivalent) on the Application for Federal Assistance form also represents their certification of the statements in Appendix A to 43 CFR 18-Certification Regarding Lobbying

Required from all applicants

SF-424A, Budget Information – Non-Construction Programs

Required for non-construction projects

SF-LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities

Required if requesting more than $100,000 in Federal funds and the applicant has used or plans to use funds other than Federal appropriated funds for lobbying related to the proposed project.

Project Abstract Summary (OMB 4040-0019). Must include, in plain language:

• Award purpose,

• Activities to be performed,

• Expected deliverables or outcomes,

• Intended beneficiaries, Subrecipient activities (if known or specified at time of award)

Required from all applicants

Project Narrative

Project title: Provide a basic description of the project, including the location and country, in the title. Please note: This title will be the reference archived and communicated in all future documents.

Statement of Need: This section should answer the question, “Why is this project necessary?”

Clearly identify the wildlife, habitat, or biodiversity targeted for conservation (including any existing estimates of population size, geographic range, or extent); a description of the direct threats that affect the targeted species; and the specific threats and/or gaps that the project will address. This section should describe how the proposed activities are expected to lead to desired conservation outcomes, such as the reduction of direct threats or improvement of the status of the https://www.grants.gov/forms/forms-repository.html https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-43/subtitle-A/part-18#Appendix-A-to-Part-18 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-43/subtitle-A/part-18#Appendix-A-to-Part-18 species. Summarize previous or ongoing efforts (of you/your organization, and other organizations or individuals) that are relevant to the proposed work, including how the proposal differs from past work, or builds upon it, and how the applicant plans to expand upon the successes, failures, and lessons learned from past efforts.

We encourage you to base your project proposal on the best available evidence. You should explain and reference the research or other information that supports the main conservation activities in your proposal. For example, describe the evidence that suggests your proposed actions will work as intended. To find this evidence, you can use the Conservation Evidence database (https://www.conservationevidence.com/). You can also use published studies, your past experiences, Indigenous knowledge, or evidence reviews, as well as species information from the Endangered Species Act and the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

If you have received funding previously from the Service for this specific project work or site, 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: including columns for donor, reference number, amount funded, year of activity, and bullet points of major activities, outcomes, products, and associated measurable conservation results. Projects with funding from any other government source or eligible for any other government source should add a section describing the activities supported and the added value of Service support. Please note how the proposal differs or builds upon funding available from other major donors. 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 and a summary of activities and accomplishments helps all reviewers to better understand the proposal in context.

Project Goals, Objectives, Activities and Methods: This section should answer the question, “What do you want to achieve and how are you going to do it?” State the long-term goals of what your project aims to achieve. Objectives are the specific steps that you will take to reach your stated goals. Your objectives must be attainable within the project period and should be specific, measurable, and realistic. Activities are the specific actions to be undertaken to fulfill the project objectives and reach the project goal(s). The proposed project activities narrative must be detailed enough for reviewers to make a clear connection between the activities and the proposed project costs. Provide a detailed description of the method(s) used to carry out each activity.

The following format is recommended:

GOAL:

Objective 1.

Activity 1.1 Activity 1.2

Objective 2.

Activity 2.1

Objective 3.

Activity 3.1 Activity 3.2

Activity 3.3

Consider including activities that meet one or more of the following conditions:

• Activities that clearly address the specific direct threats described in the above section titled: Statement of Need.

• Activities that are feasible and likely to be successfully implemented as stated;

• Activities that apply the best scientific and/or technical information and methods available;

• Activities that include the participation of local partners in project activities, including meaningful involvement of government, community, or civil society stakeholders; and

• Activities resulting in benefits continuing beyond the period of performance of the project.

Project Timetable: This section should answer the question, “Over what period will project activities be implemented? Provide a timetable indicating roughly when activities or project milestones are to be accomplished. Include any resulting tables, spreadsheets or flow charts within the body of the project narrative (do not include as separate attachments). The timetable should not propose specific dates but instead group activities by month for each month over the entire proposed project period.

Relevant Party Engagement: This section should answer the question, “Who is impacted by this project and how will they be incorporated into the project (e.g. consultation mechanism, inclusion in governance system, outreach etc.)?” As applicable, describe how you/your organization has coordinated with and involved other relevant organizations, indigenous peoples and local communities 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 stakeholders 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 stakeholders in the proposal, letters of endorsement specifically referring to this proposal and the proposed collaboration from each partner organization will strengthen your proposal and may be requested by reviewers. If the project impacts changes in access to resources by indigenous peoples and local communities, letters of support or documentation of consultation may be requested by the reviewers.

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:

o 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?;

https://biodiversitylinks.org/library/key-resources%23parks https://biodiversitylinks.org/library/key-resources%23parks o 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?;

o 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 o 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?

Project Monitoring and Evaluation: This section should answer the question, “How will you evaluate the progress and success of this project?” Detail the monitoring and evaluation plan for the project. Building on the stated project objectives, which must be specific and measurable, identify what you will measure (i.e., quantitative/quantifiable indicators) and how you will measure (i.e., methods, sample size, survey tools). Note that except for the relevant standard indicators identified for USAID-funded project, outputs (or products) should generally NOT be used as indicators, including Service performance reports. Indicators should reflect a change in capacity, human behavior, threat, or status of the target species. If the current status of the indicator is known, and the applicant identifies the indicator’s desired status or qualitative condition, providing this information will strengthen the proposal.

Proposals should describe a monitoring and evaluation plan for the program, including and building upon the indicators listed below.

The following table format is recommended:

The Service values projects that report both the success and failures of efforts as a means by which an applicant can improve their performance and provide lessons learned to improve our efforts to conserve wildlife.

In addition to project-specific indicators, projects funded under this announcement will be required to report progress against USAID’s standard indicators for biodiversity and gender. 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 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

Objective Indicator (i.e., what you will measure to track your progress toward achieving the objective)

Monitoring Method (i.e., how you will measure the indicator)

Current Status (if known)

Desired Status

• 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

• Gender Indicator 2 Proportion of female participants in U.S. government-assisted programs designed to increase access to productive economic resources

• Gender Indicator 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.

Description of Entities Undertaking the Project: This section should answer the question, “Who will carry out the project, and what are their specific qualifications?” Provide a brief description of the applicant organization and all participating entities and/or individuals. Where relevant, refer to any institutional codes of conduct or safeguarding policies the institution organization has in place to demonstrate capacity to implement the proposed project in accordance with relevant laws and best practices. Based on the activities involved, reviewers may request additional information regarding institutional policies and codes of conduct that demonstrate such measures are in place. Identify which of the proposed activities each agency, organization, group, or individual is responsible for conducting or managing. On the SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance, provide complete contact information for the individual within the organization that will oversee/manage the project activities on a day-to-day basis.

Provide brief (1-page) curricula vitae for key personnel, identifying their qualifications to meet the project objectives. To prevent unnecessary transmission of Personally Identifiable Information, DO NOT include Social Security numbers, the names of family members, or any other personal or sensitive information including marital status, religion or physical characteristics in the description of key personnel qualifications.

Sustainability: This section should answer the question, “What is your long-term plan for this project beyond the Service funding period?” As applicable, describe which project activities will continue beyond the proposed project period, who will continue the work or act on the results achieved, and how and at what level you expect these future activities will be funded.

Literature Cited: (if applicable) include as an addendum and not within the text of the proposal.

Map of Project Area: This section should answer the question, “Where is the project located?”

The map should clearly delineate the project area and be large enough to be legible. Label any sites referenced in the project narrative. Label any protected areas and other important geographic features.

Government/Impacted Party Letter of Endorsement: For projects implemented outside of the United States, non-governmental applicants must include a recent letter of support (no older than two years) from the appropriate local, regional, or national government wildlife or conservation authority. A current Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the applicant and the government authority may be accepted as long as the MOU references the proposed work.

Where appropriate, letters of support from local communities or project beneficiaries should be provided. Endorsement letters should be in English and make specific reference to the Service and the proposed work. If a support or endorsement letter is not in English, applicants must also provide an English translation of the letter. 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.

Letters must be addressed to the US Fish and Wildlife Service International Affairs or the Africa Branch. If the applicant itself is a government agency, the letter must be endorsed by someone other than those listed as key personnel.. The Service will accept applications with pending Government Endorsement Letters, but applicants must include a status statement in the application.

Budget Narrative Applicants must describe and justify items and costs listed in their budget. The budget narrative must identify the following cost items: total estimated costs, non-Federal cost share, third-party contributions, and any pre-award costs. Total project cost is the sum of all allowable costs, including required and voluntary cost share and third-party contributions.

Budget items must be:

• Reasonable, allowable, allocable, and necessary

• Compliant with 2 CFR §200 Subpart E cost principles

Indirect Costs: Applicants must indicate in their budget narrative how they will charge indirect costs, including the rate to be applied:

• De Minimis Rate: If eligible, state if your organization is opting to use the de minimis rate of up to 15% of total modified direct costs. Entities that do not have a current Federal negotiated indirect cost rate (including provisional rate) may propose to use the de minimis rate. For more information, refer to 2 CFR 200.414(f).

• Negotiated Rate: State if you will negotiate with your cognizant agency. If your organization has previously negotiated a rate, attach a copy of the most recently negotiated rate agreement (active or expired).

Data and Evaluation Costs: Applicant budgets may include costs related to data and evaluation as relevant per 2 CFR §200.455.

Cost justifications must provide sufficient information for reviewers to understand the basis of the costs and how they were calculated at a glance. For example, a charge of $3,300 for lodging https://biodiversitylinks.org/library/key-resources#parks https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200/subpart-E should include the formula used to determine this cost, such as: Lodging for 20 nights x 11 people x $15 per night = $3,300. For personnel salary costs, include the baseline salary figures and the estimated time commitment (e.g., 50% of time dedicated to the project).

When requesting FWS funds for salaries, staff, or contractors, list the individuals and their qualifications in the Project Narrative section. For training activities, provide details in the Methods section. For meetings, include participants, a draft agenda, and desired outcomes.

If your project is part of a larger program, please list any additional funds and resources you have or need to reach your goals. Leveraged funds are those that come from outside the proposed FWS project budget. Provide the specific amounts from these sources and explain what activities they will support. Also, the Budget Narrative should discuss the overall cost-effectiveness and feasibility of the proposal, including how you will leverage other resources.

Specific Items of Costs:

• Expenses listed as “Miscellaneous” or “etc.” are unallowable. Unless conditions listed under

200.433 Contingency provisions are applicable, “contingencies” are unallowable.

• Expenses listed as “Other” must be identified and described.

• Applicants should be aware of and comply with the requirements of 200.216 Prohibition on certain telecommunications and video surveillance services or equipment.

• Equipment: Equipment refers to items costing $10,000 or more that last over one year, which require compliance with federal procurement rules. Items not meeting these criteria should be classified as supplies. In the budget narrative, explain the reason for purchasing or renting equipment. List any existing federally-funded equipment for the project and its funding source.

For large purchases, include technical specifications or a pro forma invoice.

• Supplies: List items separately using unit costs and the percentage of each unit cost being charged to the award for photocopying, postage, telephone/fax, printing, and office supplies (e.g., Telephone: $50/month x 50% = $25/month x 12 months).

• Contractual:

o Subawards: For each subaward, provide a detailed line-item breakdown explaining specific services in a separate tab in the Budget Table and Narrative. Subaward budgets should include the same level of detail for personnel, fringe benefits, travel, equipment, supplies, other direct costs, and indirect costs required of the direct applicant.

o Consultant Fees: For example, lecture fees, honoraria, travel, and per diem for outside speakers or independent evaluators: list number of people and rates per day (e.g., 2 x $150/day x 2 days). Consultant/outside expert fees/honoraria should be consistent with the level of experience and based on a fair market value.

• Applicants can include costs in their budget proposals for creating and maintaining new social safeguards. This includes expenses for training, hiring staff, and setting up systems to handle complaints, like Grievance Redress Mechanisms (GRMs). Applicants are also encouraged to seek help in building their organization’s ability to maintain these social safeguards over time.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFRed1f39f9b3d4e72/section-200.433 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-C/section-200.216 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-C/section-200.216

Alternative Budget Narrative Applicants may include an itemized budget table with cost justifications instead of submitting a separate Budget Narrative. An example budget spreadsheet is available on our website.