F23AS00310 FY22/23 Recovery Challenge Fund

The purpose of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) is to conserve endangered and threatened species and the ecosystems upon which they depend, and to take appropriate steps to achieve the purposes of treaties and conventions set forth in the ESA. Section 2(a)(5) of the ESA authorizes the use of Federal financial assistance to encourage the States and other interested parties to develop and maintain conservation programs to safeguard the Nation's heritage in fish, wildlife and plants for the benefit of all citizens. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) Ecological Services Program provides Federal financial assistance on a competitive basis to states, other Federal agencies, landowners, educators, non-profit organizations, researchers, and other potential partners to secure information about endangered or threatened species, to aid in the recovery of these species under the ESA, and to help conserve the ecosystems upon which these species depend. The Recovery Challenge funding opportunity specifically provides a unique financial assistance opportunity for eligible, non-Federal longstanding and new partners working on high priority recovery actions as identified by the Service for ESA endangered and threatened species. Recovery Challenge Congressional Appropriations Language Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022-Administrative Provisions (Pub. L. 117-103 [H.R. 2471-305]) authorizes funding for the Recovery Challenge funding opportunity. The overall goal of Recovery Challenge is to enhance and increase partnerships with agencies and organizations implementing high priority recovery actions, in particular for genetically-sound breeding, rearing, and reintroduction programs, as well as to develop or update recovery plans. This opportunity also addresses the Presidential priority articulated in Executive Order 14008: Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad by supporting biodiversity efforts. Funding limitations are subject to change based on the final FY2023 budget appropriations. Recovery Challenge matching grants must implement high priority recovery actions as prescribed in recovery plans.