SUSPENDED Foa_Content_of_F25AS00133.docx

In accordance with the President's Executive Order, Reevaluating and Realigning United States Foreign Aid, this Notification of Funding Opportunity, F25AS00133, is currently suspended.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Notice of Funding Opportunity SUSPENDED - F25AS00133 Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Fund - ASIA FY25 Funding Opportunity Number

F25AS00133

Table of Contents

BASIC INFORMATION

* Linked Field. Auto populated with user selection in the “Announcement Type” field on the Synopsis>General Information screen.

Announcement Type: Initial

* Linked Field. Auto populated with autogenerated number from “FON” field, Key Attributes tab.

Funding Opportunity Number: F25AS00133

* Linked Field. Auto populated with user selection(s) in “Assistance Listing Number(s)” field, Key Attributes tab.

Assistance Listing Number(s): 15.619

* Linked Field. Auto populated from the “Estimated Total Program Funding” field within the Publication Setup tab.

Estimated Total Program Funding: $8,000,000

* Linked Field. Auto populated with user entry in “Expected Number of Awards” field, Publication Setup tab.

Expected Number of Awards: 20

* Linked Field. Auto populated with user entry in “Award Ceiling” field, Publication Setup tab.

Award Ceiling: $750,000

* Linked Field. Auto populated with user entry in the “Award Floor” field, Publication Setup tab.

Award Floor: $250,000

* Linked field. Auto populated with user entry in the “Award Floor/Ceiling explanation" field with the Publication Setup tab.

Award Funding Range The amount of funding per award may range from $250,000 - $750,000.

The amount of funding you request must match the scope of your activities, anticipated results, and the length of the project period.

Project Time frame Your anticipated project and award start date should be 01 October 2025, or later. The length of your project may range from 3 to 5 years. If your project spans multiple years, you should describe your activities in phases or years. Support for phases or years will be contingent on your project performance, satisfactory reporting, financial management, and availability of program funds.

USFWS may extend your award for additional years contingent on USFWS priorities, your project performance, USFWS management approval, and funding availability.

Continuation of Ongoing Projects If you have a current USFWS award you are eligible to apply for renewal of your existing or ongoing project. You will compete with all other applications for new Federal awards.

Application Language Your application must be written in English.

Cost Sharing Required?

This field appears on both the Synopsis and the Announcement. User entry in any instance populates all instances. If not already populated, select Yes or No to indicate if cost sharing is required based on statute or regulation. When you select ‘Yes’, you must enter further information in the “Cost Sharing Explanation” field on the Announcement, Eligibility screen.Explain how cost sharing is calculated (e.g. percentage of total, ration to Federal share). In section “Application Contents and Format” you must state pre-award requirements for letters or other documentation verifying commitments to meet cost sharing requirements if an award is made. Required cost sharing is waived for awards to insular areas per 48 U.S.C. §1469a(d). Per E.O. 14112 (vi) Enhance accessibility by identifying any cost-sharing requirements that may make it difficult for Tribal Nations to access resources and remove these burdens when possible. Cost sharing not required by statute is strongly discourage for Tribal applicants. Any restrictions on the types of cost, such as in-kind contributions, acceptable as cost sharing should be addressed When you select ‘No’, you may enter any further explanation in the text field as needed.

No Closing Date Explanation For Grants.gov and GrantSolutions applicants, please enter “Electronically submitted applications must be submitted no later than 11:59 PM, ET, on the listed application due date.” in the Closing Date Explanation Field. If dates and times are different for electronic and paper submissions, be clear about those differences. Include details on submission deadline(s) for full applications and, any preliminary submissions, such as letters of intent, white papers, or pre-applications.

In accordance with the President's Executive Order, Reevaluating and Realigning United States Foreign Aid, this Notification of Funding Opportunity, F25AS00133, is currently suspended.

Electronically submitted applications must be submitted no later than 11:59 PM., ET, on the listed application due date.

Late applications will not be accepted. Once you submit your application, you will receive a confirmation email with an application number that starts with "FWS-." If you do not receive this email within five days after the closing date, please contact mscf_rhinotiger@fws.gov. Do not submit your application more than once, as duplicate applications will be discarded.

Closing Date Explanation

For Grants.gov and GrantSolutions applicants, please enter “Electronically submitted applications must be submitted no later than 11:59 PM, ET, on the listed application due date.” in the Closing Date Explanation Field. If dates and times are different for electronic and paper submissions, be clear about those differences. Include details on submission deadline(s) for full applications and, any preliminary submissions, such as letters of intent, white papers, or pre-applications.

In accordance with the President's Executive Order, Reevaluating and Realigning United States Foreign Aid, this Notification of Funding Opportunity, F25AS00133, is currently suspended.

Electronically submitted applications must be submitted no later than 11:59 PM., ET, on the listed application due date.

Late applications will not be accepted. Once you submit your application, you will receive a confirmation email with an application number that starts with "FWS-." If you do not receive this email within five days after the closing date, please contact mscf_rhinotiger@fws.gov. Do not submit your application more than once, as duplicate applications will be discarded.

Remove the text below if it's not applicable to your program.

OMB Control Number: 1018-0100 Have Questions?

Provide contact information for at least one point of contact to answer questions from the public. If needed, provide different points of contact for distinct types of help, such as a contact for programmatic or technical questions and a second contact for administrative questions. If the program has multiple points of contact, you may insert a link to a publicly available list of those. Provide multiple ways to contact the point(s) of contact or include an email address that multiple people monitor.

In accordance with the President's Executive Order, Reevaluating and Realigning United States Foreign Aid, this Notification of Funding Opportunity, F25AS00133, is currently suspended.

Please email the program for programmatic, technical, or administrative questions: mscf_rhinotiger@fws.gov Application Questions Webinar with USFWS Program Officer The USFWS Program Officer will host a virtual office hour open to all potential applicants at 07:00 ET on 16 January 2025.

The Program Officer will be available to answer questions about this call for applications, submission processes, eligibility, requirements, and other concerns. To receive a link to join this session, please submit an email to mscf_rhinotiger@fws.gov at least 24 hours before the session.

Executive Summary This field appears on both the Synopsis and the Announcement. User entry in any instance populates all instances. If not already populated, enter a summary (may be bulleted list) in plain language of program goals and objectives, target audience, and eligible recipients. Point to references for more information, as applicable. This field has a 500-word limit (4000 characters). This also populates the Grants.gov description.

In accordance with the President's Executive Order, Reevaluating and Realigning United States Foreign Aid, this Notification of Funding Opportunity, F25AS00133, is currently suspended. Consistent with the President's Executive Order on Reevaluating and Realigning United States Foreign Aid, this program is not processing any Notices of Funding Opportunity (NOFOs) or convening any technical evaluation committees pending a review of foreign assistance programs.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) works with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The purpose of USFWS is to protect the natural world so current and future generations can live with, live from, and find awe in lands, waters, and wildlife. USFWS envisions a future where people and nature thrive in an interconnected way and where every community feels part of and committed to the natural world around us. The USFWS International Affairs program works to coordinate domestic and international efforts to protect, restore, and enhance the world’s diverse wildlife and their habitats with a focus on species of international concern, including domestic species that range or migrate beyond our borders or are traded or trafficked internationally. We envision a world where all people value nature and conserve living resources for the well-being of life on Earth. The USFWS International Affairs program achieves its goals by providing financial support for important projects that achieve clear conservation results for key species and their habitats around the world.

Congress passed the Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. §5301) in 1994 because they recognized the increasing threats to tigers and rhinoceros and the American people's commitment to conserving these iconic species. This law helps protect tigers and all rhinoceros species by supporting conservation programs in their habitats. The goal of the Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Fund (RTCF) is effective, long-term conservation of rhinoceros and tigers and their habitats. RTCF supports projects that have lasting benefits for Asian rhinoceros and tigers. RTCF funds projects that are designed to increase rhino and tiger populations, manage their habitats, create protected areas, involve local communities and Indigenous peoples in conservation, deal with conflicts between people and wildlife, and educate the public about these animals.

This RTCF NOFO invites applications for conservation projects in Asia that have lasting benefits and:

· Support protected areas and restore habitats where rhinoceros and tigers live in Asia.

· Ensure strong protections to stop illegal killing and end the illegal trade in live tigers and rhinos, their products, and their body parts.

· Work with local communities to protect biodiversity, plan how land is used, and provide alternative ways to earn a living that have lasting benefits.

· Promote coexistence by reducing the negative impacts of humans on Asian rhinoceros and tigers and their habitats, tackling the root causes of conflicts between humans and these animals, and finding solutions to minimize such conflicts.

· Conduct research on Asian rhinoceros and tiger populations and their habitats, that informs conservation decision-making, including surveys and monitoring.

· Enforce CITES and other relevant treaties and laws that prohibit or regulate the taking or trade of rhinoceros and tigers or control how their habitats are used and managed.

· Eliminate the demand for illegal rhinoceros and tiger parts, products, and live animals in countries that consume them.

· Reintroduce Asian rhinoceros to places where they once lived.

· Improve cooperation between countries to promote conservation of tigers and Asian rhinoceros across borders.

ELIGIBILITY

Eligible Applicants This checkbox list appears on both the Synopsis and the Announcement. User entry in any instance populates all instances. If not already populated, select all entity types eligible to apply. If your program is open to all nonprofits regardless of tax status, be sure to select both nonprofit options. Programs should avoid inadvertently excluding organizations that could otherwise be applicable.

Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification) Additional Information on Eligibility This Text Field appears on both the Synopsis and the Announcement. User entry in any instance populates all instances. If you selected “Others” or “Unrestricted” above, provide further clarification. For any specifically targeted applicant types (e.g., Native American tribal organizations), we encourage you to explicitly state that they are eligible in the text box. While they may be part of the general eligibility entity types listed above, specifically identifying them as eligible may reduce potential confusion for such applicants. Describe any eligibility factors for principal investigator or project director. Detail any criteria that makes any project ineligible. Refer to any funding restriction describe elsewhere in this Funding Opportunity that could affect eligibility (e.g., program does not fund land acquisition). Refer or link to any other factors that would disqualify an applicant or application (e.g., Eligibility Review criteria). Specify any limit on number of applications an applicant may submit, including clarification if that limit applies to the submitting entity or the individual investigator or program director (or both).

Applicants can be individuals; non-profit, non-governmental organizations; public and private institutions of higher education.

Author Instructions: Select the checkbox if the program will fund projects outside the United States.

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?

This field appears on both the Synopsis and the Announcement. User entry in any instance populates all instances. If not already populated, select Yes or No to indicate if cost sharing is required based on statute or regulation. When you select ‘Yes’, you must enter further information in the “Cost Sharing Explanation” field on the Announcement, Eligibility screen.Explain how cost sharing is calculated (e.g. percentage of total, ration to Federal share). In section “Application Contents and Format” you must state pre-award requirements for letters or other documentation verifying commitments to meet cost sharing requirements if an award is made. Required cost sharing is waived for awards to insular areas per 48 U.S.C. §1469a(d). Per E.O. 14112 (vi) Enhance accessibility by identifying any cost-sharing requirements that may make it difficult for Tribal Nations to access resources and remove these burdens when possible. Cost sharing not required by statute is strongly discourage for Tribal applicants. Any restrictions on the types of cost, such as in-kind contributions, acceptable as cost sharing should be addressed When you select ‘No’, you may enter any further explanation in the text field as needed.

No Include All Project Costs Your entire project may be funded only with this USFWS award, or it may include funding from other sources. If your project is funded by multiple sources, we describe that as cost sharing. Cost sharing refers to your project costs that are not covered by USFWS. In this program, cost sharing is not required, but you can offer it voluntarily.

If USFWS shares the costs of your project with other sources, you must report a full accounting of the entire project budget including those costs that are covered by non-USFWS sources. If you include cost sharing in your budget, the sources and values for cost sharing should be included in your detailed budget, along with a description or explanation. If you receive an award, you must keep written records to support all allowable costs claimed as contributions to the cost sharing, as well as costs covered by USFWS. Your financial records can be audited.

Voluntary Cost Share (as explained in 2 CFR 200.1) does not affect your eligibility, and including it will not give you a better chance of receiving funds.

· Your cost sharing should be necessary and reasonable to help achieve your project's goals.

· You must follow the rules about cost sharing in 2 CFR 200 Subpart E - Cost Principles.

· You can consider all types of cost sharing, including in-kind contributions and public-private partnerships.

· For example, using office space from other organizations, donated or borrowed supplies and equipment, travel costs sponsored by non-federal sources, waived indirect costs, and services provided by qualified volunteers like translations or consultations.

· You should assign each in-kind contribution a monetary value in U.S. dollars.

· Funds from another U.S. Federal Government agency or another USFWS grant cannot be counted as cost sharing.

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.

The FWS standard is to require applicants to register and submit applications in GrantSolutions. Programs that want to allow applicants to apply in either GrantSolutions or Grants.gov may do so. See also related author instructions in the Submission Instructions section.

GRANTSOLUTIONS

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

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Program Goals Briefly summarize in plain language the expected performance goals/outcomes the Federal agency expects to be advanced or achieved through the funding awarded under this Funding Opportunity. Also summarize the inputs and activities that will be used to achieve those goals/outcomes, along with outputs that will be measured. Include the indicators that will be used to measure those outputs and outcomes, along with the data that will be collected to support those indicators. Include baseline data and targets if applicable. These goals are transmitted to USASpending.gov with each award made under this Funding Opportunity. This field is limited to 4,000 characters, including spaces and punctuation. This field does not support bulleted, numbered, or indented text. This field does not support non-ASCII characters (will be rejected by USASpending.gov). Refer to PAN-0016 USASpending Award Description for further instructions.

· The long-term outcome of the USFWS Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Fund Asia is effective, long-term conservation of rhinoceros and tigers and their habitats in Asia.

· The intermediate outcomes of the USFWS Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Fund are 1) Species recovery and protection of habitat in the wild, 2) Safe passage for wildlife movement and dispersal between habitats, and 3) Effective conservation programs in range states.

· The short-term outcomes of the USFWS Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Fund are 1) Long-term conservation projects with stakeholder buy-in in each range state, 2) Effective implementation of conservation activities guided by the best available science and evidence, 3) Monitoring of range state conservation needs, habitat availability, connectivity, and threats to species' long-term viability, 4) Trust and collaboration between projects, USFWS, and wildlife authority personnel, and 5) Local capacity for conservation management and participation of range state nationals in project activities.

· The outputs of the Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Program are projects in range states, communications, education, networks and communities of practice.

· The inputs and activities that are used to achieve the long-term, intermediate and short-term outcomes of the USFWS Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Fund are 1) stewardship of the Multinational Species Conservation Funds, 2) convening people and supporting partnerships, 3) influencing conservation decision-making with data and evidence, and 4) mentorship and relationship building.

Program Description Describe in plain language the general purpose of the funding and what it is expected to achieve for the public good. Identify any agency funding priorities or focus areas supported by the funding. Describe how awards will contribute to achieving program goals and objectives. Describe how performance will be measured and outcomes evaluated. Describe any program-specific unallowable costs (e.g., construction, land acquisition, foreign travel, equipment not allowed, pre-award costs limited or not allowed, legal cap on or OMB-approved deviation from indirect or other costs). Describe any program-specific eligibility criteria for beneficiaries or program participants other than award recipients. 100,000 character limit, includes spaces and punctuation.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service works with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The purpose of USFWS is to protect the natural world so current and future generations can live with, live from, and find awe in lands, waters, and wildlife. USFWS envisions a future where people and nature thrive in an interconnected way and where every community feels part of and committed to the natural world around us. The USFWS International Affairs program works to coordinate domestic and international efforts to protect, restore, and enhance the world’s diverse wildlife and their habitats with a focus on species of international concern, including domestic species that range or migrate beyond our borders or are traded or trafficked internationally. We envision a world where all people value nature and conserve living resources for the well-being of life on Earth. The USFWS International Affairs program achieves its goals by providing financial support for important projects that achieve clear conservation results for key species and their habitats around the world. The USFWS Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Fund supports projects that implement sustainable conservation programs for the effective long-term conservation of rhinoceros and tigers and their habitats in Asia.

Tigers (Panthera tigris) used to live in many places but are now gone from about 95% of those areas. Today, wild tigers are found only in 13 countries, and their populations have dropped by 97% in the last 100 years. There are only about 4,500 wild tigers left. In the past 20 years, a few tiger populations have started to recover thanks to strong conservation efforts, such as protecting their habitats, stopping poachers, and ensuring there is enough food.

All Asian rhinoceros species are struggling, with some on the verge of extinction. The Javan rhino (Rhinoceros sondaicus) has fewer than 40 individuals left and is found only in Indonesia's Ujung Kulon National Park. The Sumatran rhino (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis) has about 80 individuals left, living in two small groups in Sumatra. The Indian one-horned rhinos (Rhinoceros unicornis), found in Nepal, India, and Bhutan, have made a strong recovery. There now number over 4,000, thanks to ongoing efforts by governments and conservation groups.

Congress passed the Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. §5301) in 1994 because they recognized the increasing threats to tigers and rhinoceros and the American people's commitment to conserving these iconic species. This law helps protect tigers and all rhinoceros species by supporting conservation programs in their habitats. The goal of the Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Fund (RTCF) is effective, long-term conservation of rhinoceros and tigers and their habitats. RTCF supports projects that have lasting benefits for Asian rhinoceros and tigers. RTCF funds projects that are designed to increase rhino and tiger populations, manage their habitats, create protected areas, involve local communities and Indigenous Peoples in conservation, deal with conflicts between people and wildlife, and educate the public about these animals.

This RTCF NOFO invites applications for conservation projects in Asia that have lasting benefits and:

· Support protected areas and restore habitats where rhinoceros and tigers live in Asia.

· Ensure strong protections to stop illegal killing and end the illegal trade in live tigers and rhinos, their products, and their body parts.

· Work with local communities to protect biodiversity, plan how land is used, and provide alternative ways to earn a living that have lasting benefits.

· Promote coexistence by reducing the negative impacts of humans on Asian rhinoceros and tigers and their habitats, tackling the root causes of conflicts between humans and these animals, and finding solutions to minimize such conflicts.

· Conduct research on Asian rhinoceros and tiger populations and their habitats, that informs conservation decision-making, including surveys and monitoring.

· Enforce CITES and other relevant treaties and laws that prohibit or regulate the taking or trade of rhinoceros and tigers or control how their habitats are used and managed.

· Eliminate the demand for illegal rhinoceros and tiger parts, products, and live animals in countries that consume them.

· Reintroduce Asian rhinoceros to places where they once lived.

· Improve cooperation between countries to promote conservation of tigers and Asian rhinoceros across borders.

Guidelines for Proposed Projects

· Your project should take place within the habitats of tigers and Asian rhinoceros. If any work is planned outside these areas, your application must clearly show how it relates to conserving wild tigers and Asian rhinoceros.

· If your project activities focus on collecting data and assessing the status of these animals you should explain how this information will lead to management actions and why the lack of information has been a major obstacle for management in the past.

· You must clearly state how the data collected from your project activities will be shared with the tiger and rhinoceros conservation community.

· If your project involves research you should focus on specific management needs, actions, and outcomes to inform conservation decision-making.

· If your project aims to address human-wildlife conflict (HWC) you should follow the key principles and best practices outlined in the IUCN SSC guidelines on human-wildlife conflict and coexistence. You should show that you have previously engaged meaningfully with impacted groups, such as local communities and other stakeholders.

· If your project aims to prevent damage from HWC you must prove that your methods are effective, ethically and culturally appropriate, realistic, and recognized as effective by the stakeholders involved, and that those stakeholders understand the limitations of the methods.

· Your application should identify specific conservation actions that are likely to create lasting benefits.

· Your application should explain how your actions will reduce threats to the species of concern.

Safeguarding Human Rights RTCF programs fund projects in complex, remote landscapes often inhabited by Indigenous Peoples, pastoralists, and local communities (IPLCs). In these areas, vulnerable IPLCs may experience instability, weakened rule of law, and may have histories of human rights abuses. It is important to recognize that certain activities could increase the risk of Gross Human Rights Violations (GHRVs) without strong social safeguard mechanisms. To mitigate this risk, you must include the social safeguard requirements outlined in this NOFO to support conservation partners and protect human rights. Additionally, there may be opportunities to develop organizational social safeguard mechanisms.

Describe for infrastructure projects subject to Build America, Buy America requirements, information on key items anticipated to be purchased under the program, and any related domestic sourcing concerns based on market research.

NA

Legislative Authority Insert the program’s primary legislative authority citation(s) for the statute(s) that authorize the program to issue financial assistance awards for the purpose and activities described in this NOFO. The statues listed here must also appear in the program’s SAM.gov Assistance Listing. If your program has a new authorizing statute that does not appear in the SAM.gov Assistance Listing, please contact the Bureau’s Assistance Listing Coordinator. Examples: The Yukon River Salmon Act (16 U.S.C. §55701 et seq.), Good Neighbor Authority (16 USC §2113a).

Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. §5301 et seq.)

Type of Award Projects will be funded through:

Funding Instrument This field appears on both the Synopsis and the Announcement. User entry in any instance populates all instances. If not already populated, select the type(s) of funding instruments the program will use to award funds. When you select ‘Cooperative Agreement’, the sentence ‘Recipient should expect the Federal agency to have substantial involvement in the project’ is inserted under the field on the Announcement and you will be required to enter further information in the related text field on the Announcement. When you select ‘Other’, you must provide further explanation in the related required text field on the Announcement.

G (Grant)

PREPARE YOUR APPLICATION

Application 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.

Use the table below to select all applicable forms. To remove a row/form, click into the cell and select the row icon from the pop-up. Once you click on the row icon you will have the ability to delete the row you are currently in. You will also have the ability to add additional rows for any other applicable forms.

SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance Note: If you are requesting more than $100,000 in Federal funds, the Authorized Representative’s signature (or electronic equivalent) on your Application for Federal Assistance form also represents your certification of the statements in Appendix A to 43 CFR 18-Certification Regarding Lobbying Required from all applicants. Must be signed and dated by the Authorized Representative of your organization. The person named as the Authorized Representative must have the authority to submit applications for U.S. Federal financial assistance on behalf of your organization. The signature of your Authorized Representative must match the name listed as Authorized Representative.

Project Abstract Summary (OMB 4040-0019).

Must include, in plain language:

Award purpose, Activities to be performed, Expected deliverables or outcomes, Intended beneficiaries, Sub-recipient activities (if known or specified at time of award) Required from all applicants

Project Narrative Specify project narrative requirements, which may include (as applicable to the program):

· Content and form or format requirements and limitations (e.g., length, paper size, file type).

· Overview information:

· project title,

· location details,

· description of entity(ies) undertaking the project,

· Information on key project personnel, including details on their expertise, skill, or significance to the project.

· needs statement,

· description of how project meets the program goals and objectives,

· activities,

· timeline,

· description of stakeholder coordination or involvement

· Monitoring and evaluation information:

· objectives,

· methods for data collection (performance monitoring, evaluation, and other reporting),

· expected outcomes,

· any expected deliverables beyond required financial and performance reporting

· Other:

· description of applicant needs for Federal substantial involvement or technical assistance,

· any information needed to support environmental compliance review requirements,

· If any requirement also requires submission of separate supporting documentation, describe those in the Other Documentation section below and cross reference them here.

Project Narrative Your project narrative should be no more than 15 pages long. Pictures, tables, maps, resumes, and any required forms do not count towards the 15-page limit. You can put any tables, charts, or flowcharts in the project narrative, not as separate attachments. Include your bibliography, if you have one, as an addendum and not in the main text of your application.

Project title

· Write a simple description of your project, including where it is and the country, in the title.

· If your project is a follow-up to a previously funded application, keep the same title and add a number to show that it is a new application.

Statement of Need Why is this project needed?

· Clearly identify the wildlife, habitat, or biodiversity that you want to protect, including any current estimates of population size, their locations, and distributions across the landscape.

· Describe the direct threats that impact the targeted species at your project site and the specific threats your project will reduce.

· Explain how your planned activities will help achieve your conservation goals, such as reducing threats or improving the conditions of species and habitats.

· Summarize any previous or ongoing efforts by you, your organization, or others that relate to your proposed project.

· Include how your project is different from past work, how it builds on previous efforts, and how you plan to learn from past successes and failures.

· If you have received funding in the past from USFWS for this specific project or site, please provide a summary of that funding.

· You should include details about the activities, products created, outcomes, and measurable conservation results.

· A table might be the easiest way to share this information. Your table may have columns for the donor, reference number, amount funded, year of activity, and bullet points for major activities, products, outcomes, and measurable conservation results.

· If your project has received funding from any other government source, or if it is eligible for other government funding, include a section that describes those activities and how USFWS support adds value.

· Make sure you explain how your project is different from or expands upon funding from other major sources.

· If you have received support from USFWS before, keep in mind that each application needs to be clear and stand alone. Not all people reviewing your application may be familiar with your past grants, so summarizing your activities and accomplishments will help everyone understand your application.

· Explain how your project is based on the best evidence available.

· You should explain and reference the research or other information that supports the main conservation activities in your application.

· 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. You can also use published studies, your experiences, Indigenous knowledge, or evidence reviews, as well as species information from the U.S. Endangered Species Act and the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

· Your project budget can include costs related to data and evaluation as described in 2 CFR §200.455.

Project Goals, Objectives, Activities, and Methods What do you want to achieve, and how will you do it?

· Describe the long-term goal(s) of your project.

· Your goal(s) should have objectives, which are the specific steps you will take to reach those goals.

· Your objectives should be things you can achieve during the project time frame.

· Your objectives should be clear, measurable, and achievable.

· Each of your objectives should have specific activities. Activities are the actions you will take to meet your objectives and achieve your overall goal(s).

· You should explain the activities in enough detail so that reviewers can see how they connect to the costs of the project.

· Each activity should:

· Include detailed methods needed to accomplish it

· Directly address a threat mentioned in your "Statement of Need" section

· Use the best scientific information and methods available

· Involve local partners, including participation from government and community members

· Have long-term benefits

Ineligible Activities The following activities are ineligible for funding. Regardless of your planned mitigation or use, we will not fund them. These ineligible activities include, but may not be limited to:

· Physical resettlement of people (voluntary or involuntary)

· Purchase of firearms or ammunition

· Gathering information by persons who conceal their true identity

· Purchase of intelligence, evidence or information, or paying informants

· Law enforcement operations that prompt the suspects to carry out illegal activities (entrapment)

· Any activity that will circumvent sanctions, laws, or regulations of either the U.S. or the country in which the proposed activity will take place

Project Timetable How long will your project activities take?

· Provide a timetable that shows when you expect to complete different activities or important steps in the project.

· Group your project activities by month. Do not provide specific dates.

Stakeholder Coordination and Involvement Who will you work with?

· For the purposes of this application, a stakeholder is defined as an individual, group, or organization that will be impacted by the project or may impact its success. Examples include government, non-government and academic organizations, local communities and Indigenous Peoples, companies, volunteer groups, and individuals.

· Describe stakeholders that are relevant to your project, their connection to the specific threats or target audiences you are addressing, and any previous work you have done with these stakeholders.

· Describe how you will coordinate with stakeholders in planning the project.

· Explain how stakeholders will participate in your project activities, share the project results, and use your findings or products in their own work.

· Include letters of support for your project from each organization that is working in the same area or are listed as a stakeholder in your application, include letters of support for your project from each partner organization. If your application is recommended for funding, USFWS may ask for more proof of your coordination with these organizations.

· Include letters of support from local communities or people who will benefit from the project if possible.

Sustainability What is your long-term plan for your project after the funding from USFWS ends?

· Describe what activities from your project will keep going after the proposed project period ends.

· Explain who will continue the work or act based on the results you achieved.

· Describe how you expect these future activities to be funded and at what level.

Project Monitoring and Evaluation How will you evaluate the progress and success of this project?

· Explain your plan for monitoring and evaluating your project.

· For each of your project objectives include an indicator (what you will measure) and a monitoring method (how you will measure the indicator).

· Your indicators should show a change in skills, human behavior, threats, or the status of the species you are trying to protect.

· If known, provide the current and desired status of your indicator.

· Outputs or products should not be used as indicators.

· Performance reports to the USFWS are not products or indicators.

· Your project budget can include costs related to evaluation as described in 2 CFR §200.455.

Budget Narrative 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).

Use this checkbox when the program has a mandated cap on indirect costs or approved rate deviation (e.g., CESU, CRUs).

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

Include the data and evaluation section for all programs except where there is a specific statutory or regulatory prohibition on using program funds for these purposes.

Describe any program-specific budget narrative requirements. Address content and form or format requirements and limitations (e.g., length, paper size, file type). If the program has any cost restrictions or caps, point to the Program Description section above where they should be detailed. If the program requires prior approval for how recipients can use program income according to 2 CFR 200.307, please explain those requirements clearly for applicants. Add any program-specific instructions for items of cost requiring prior approval per 2 CFR 200.407.

This program prefers your Budget Narrative to be written in a table format.

· This itemized budget table is an optional format that illustrates the type of information to include.

· Your budget table should be organized according to the object class categories listed on the SF-424A form, such as Personnel, Fringe Benefits, Travel, etc.

· Do not organize budget categories by project activities.

· Justifications for your project costs must provide sufficient information for reviewers to easily understand the costs and how they are calculated.

· For example, a cost of $3,300 for lodging should include the formula used to determine this cost, such as: Lodging for 20 nights x 11 people x $15 per night = $3,300.

· If your project is part of a larger program, please list any additional funds and resources you have or need to reach your goals.

· Provide the specific amounts of non-Federal cost sharing other sources will provide and explain what activities they will support.

· Discuss the overall cost-effectiveness and feasibility of your application, including how you will leverage other resources.

Specific Project Costs

· Salary and personnel

· Include the base salaries and the estimated percentage of time key personnel are dedicated to your project.

· List the individuals and their qualifications who will be paid a salary through this project in the section “Description of Entities Undertaking the Project.”

· Training and meetings

· Provide details regarding training events in the Activities section, include who will attend, anticipated number of attendees, curriculum, and how attendees will be selected, if applicable.

· For meetings, include participants, a draft agenda, and desired outcomes.

· 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.”

· Your budget narrative should explain the reason for purchasing or renting equipment.

· List any existing U.S. federally funded equipment for your project and its specific funding source.

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

· Supplies

· List items separately using the unit cost and the percentage of each unit cost being charged to the award, for instance, Telephone: $50/month x 50% x 12 months.

· Contractual

· Sub-awards: If your project will award funds to another organization, for each sub-award provide a detailed line-item breakdown of costs explaining specific services, including personnel, fringe benefits, travel, equipment, supplies, other direct costs, and indirect costs.

· Consultant Fees: For costs such as lecture fees, honoraria, travel, and per diem for speakers or independent evaluators, list the number of people and rates per day. These costs should be consistent with the level of experience of your consultant and based on a fair market value.

· Social Safeguards

· You can include costs 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).

· You are encouraged to seek help in building the ability of your organization to maintain these social safeguards over time.

· Expenses listed as “Miscellaneous” or “etc.” are unallowable.

· Expenses listed as “Contingencies” are unallowable, unless conditions listed under 2 CFR § 200.433 are applicable.

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

· There are restrictions on certain telecommunications and video surveillance equipment, including drones, these restrictions can be found at 2CFR § 200.216.

Unallowable Costs The following costs 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, which are expenses incurred before the specified dates of award period of performance, unless prior written approval is received

· Programs that advocate policy views or positions of foreign governments or a particular political faction

· Entertainment

· Alcoholic beverages

· Purchase of land

· Direct support or the appearance of direct support for individual or single-party electoral campaigns

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

· Expenses listed as “Miscellaneous” or “etc.”

Other Required Information Conflict of Interest and Unresolved Matters Disclosures: If any actual or potential conflict of interest exists related to this project at the time of application, the applicant must provide sufficient information to support a program determination of significance per 2 CFR 1402.112. Refer to 2 CFR 200.112 Conflict of Interest and 2 CFR 200.113.

Overlap or Duplication of Effort Statement:

Applicants must state in their application if the activities, costs, or time commitment of key personnel proposed in this application overlap with those in any other Federal proposal or award or not. If no overlap exists, include a statement to that effect. If any overlap exists, provide:

· Activities: Description any overlapping activities.

· Costs: Description of any overlapping costs.

· Time: Description of any overlapping key personnel time.

· A copy of any overlapping or duplicative proposal submitted to any other potential funding entity.

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