Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation

To provide funds for Neotropical migratory bird conservation projects in the Western Hemisphere to benefit bird populations that occur in the United States.

The Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act (NMBCA) purpose is to maintain healthy populations of Neotropical migratory birds in the U.S. by providing grants that conserve these species through international cooperation throughout the U.S., Canada, Latin America, and the Caribbean. It is the only Federal grant program designed to benefit the 390 bird species that breed in the continental U.S. or Canada and migrate or spend the winter outside the U.S. It serves the American public by protecting migratory birds and strengthening America's outdoor recreation economy, as well as U.S. agriculture and forestry because these birds play a vital role in controlling pests and pollinating plants, which helps farmers and forest owners reduce costs and increase productivity.

An individual, corporation, partnership, trust, association, or other private entity; an officer, employee, agent, department, or instrumentality of the Federal Government, of any State, municipality, or political subdivision of a State, or of any foreign government; a State municipality, or political subdivision of a State; or any other entity subject to the jurisdiction of the United States or of any foreign country; or international organization with an interest in neotropical migratory bird conservation.

Funds may be used for approved neotropical migratory bird conservation projects. Projects must: enhance the conservation of neotropical migratory bird species in the U.S., Canada, Latin America, or the Caribbean; ensure adequate local public participation in project development and implementation; be implemented in consultation with relevant wildlife management authorities and other appropriate government officials with jurisdiction over the resources addressed by the project; be sensitive to local historic and cultural resources and comply with applicable laws; promote sustainable effective, long-term programs to conserve neotropical migratory birds; and other requirements the Secretary considers to be necessary. The Act requires that not less than 75 percent of the amounts made available each fiscal year shall be expended for projects outside of the U.S. Projects are approved for up to a 2-year period of time. For further information, please contact the headquarters office.

Funds may be used for approved neotropical migratory bird conservation projects. Projects must: enhance the conservation of neotropical migratory bird species in the U.S., Canada, Latin America, or the Caribbean; ensure adequate local public participation in project development and implementation; be implemented in consultation with relevant wildlife management authorities and other appropriate government officials with jurisdiction over the resources addressed by the project; be sensitive to local historic and cultural resources and comply with applicable laws; promote sustainable effective, long-term programs to conserve neotropical migratory birds; and other requirements the Secretary considers to be necessary. The Act requires that not less than 75 percent of the amounts made available each fiscal year shall be expended for projects outside of the U.S. Projects are approved for up to a 2-year period of time. For further information, please contact the headquarters office.

Projects are awarded for 2-3 year terms, upon which time all funds must be spent or returned to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Proposals will be screened and selected for funding primarily on the basis of criteria contained in 16 U.S.C. 6101. However, proposals will also be evaluated on: scope and significance of effort; importance of resource values; relationship of project to other efforts locally/regionally; and feasibility and cost-effectiveness. Selection criteria are available on the program website.

Proposals are reviewed and competitively selected for funding using criteria developed on the requirements of the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act. Review criteria can be found in the application information on the program website. Proposals are reviewed by a panel of experts from the Fish and Wildlife Service and other government agencies, who make funding recommendations to the Director. After projects are selected for funding, a grant agreement between the Fish and Wildlife Service and the grantee is drafted by the Division of Bird Habitat Conservation (DBHC). The agreement is then processed by DBHC and sent to the recipient. The agreement is considered to be executed on the date of signature by the Chief of DBHC.

Decisions on funding of project proposals are usually made no later than 180 days after the receipt of the project proposal.

Proposals are funded on a project-specific basis. Requests for future funding must compete with other requests for project funding. A grant agreement can be modified or extended at the discretion of the Division of Bird Habitat Conservation.

None. Proposals not funded may be resubmitted.