Migratory Bird Monitoring, Assessment and Conservation

Working with others to conserve, enhance, and better understand the ecology and habitats of migratory bird species.

The Migratory Bird Monitoring, Assessment and Conservation assistance listing provides financial and technical support to improve the science, management, and long‑term conservation of migratory birds across the United States. This program serves federal, state, Tribal, territorial, and local natural resource agencies; nonprofit organizations; research institutions; and other partners dedicated to understanding and sustaining healthy bird populations. At its core, the program invests in high‑quality monitoring, research, assessments, and decision‑support tools that help resource managers identify population trends, address emerging conservation challenges, and evaluate the effectiveness of habitat management actions. Projects may include population and habitat monitoring, evaluation of conservation strategies, development of analytical methods, and studies addressing the ecological needs of priority migratory bird species and the landscapes they depend on. What makes this assistance unique is its focus on science‑based management and the integration of biological monitoring with applied conservation action. By supporting projects that combine rigorous data collection, analysis, and communication, the program helps ensure that agencies and partners use the best available information when making conservation decisions. The listing also plays an important role in supporting cross‑agency collaboration, especially when migratory birds are affected by broader land management, climate, or ecosystem‑level changes. Recipients use assistance under this listing to improve understanding of bird population dynamics, evaluate how natural or human‑caused environmental changes may affect species, and design or refine conservation strategies that sustain migratory birds for the long term. Ultimately, the program supports transparent, high‑quality science that benefits the public by informing responsible stewardship of the nation's migratory bird resources.

Federal; Interstate; Intrastate; State; Local; including Tribal Government; Public Nonprofit Institution/Organization; Other Public Institution/Organization; Federally Recognized Tribal Government; U.S. Territory or Possession; Institutions of Higher Education including Public Private, State College, University, Junior, and Community College; Individual/Family; Specialized Group; Small Business; Profit Organization; Private Nonprofit Institution/Organization; Quasi-Public Nonprofit Institution/Organization; Other Private Institution/Organization; or Native American Organization.

Federal; Interstate; Intrastate; State; Local; including Tribal Government; Public Nonprofit Institution/Organization; Other Public Institution/Organization; Federally Recognized Tribal Government; U.S. Territory or Possession; Institutions of Higher Education including Public Private, State College, University, Junior, and Community College; Individual/Family; Specialized Group; Small Business; Profit Organization; Private Nonprofit Institution/Organization; Quasi-Public Nonprofit Institution/Organization; Other Private Institution/Organization.

Grants and payments may be used for the conservation of any bird species protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Special emphasis will be placed on bird species listed in USFWS conservation and management priorities documents (e.g. USFWS Birds of Conservation Concern 2008, Focal Species list). Implementing national, regional, flyway Bird Conservation Region, and state-level bird conservation plans (e.g., Partners in Flight North American Landbird Conservation (http://www.partnersinflight.org), U.S. Shorebird Conservation Plan (https://www.fws.gov/birds/management/bird-management-plans/the-us-shorebird-conservation-plan.php) North American Waterbird Conservation Plan (https://www.fws.gov/birds/management/bird-management-plans/waterbird-conservation-for-the-americas.php) are among the Service's highest priorities. Projects related to the priorities identified in these plans will receive the greatest funding consideration. Projects should address one or more of the following activities: a) Population surveys and monitoring to determine the health, status, trends, and distribution of bird species and groups of concern. Emphasis will be placed on landscape-level applications of standardized inventory and monitoring protocols (e.g., Breeding Bird Atlases, national marshbird call playblack surveys). Local-scale monitoring (e.g., local land management units) activities will generally not be a focus of this program; b) Applied research, including but not limited to, studies of habitat requirements, limiting factors, and population responses to habitat conservation activities; development of new monitoring techniques and programs for poorly-surveyed species; use of Geographic Information Systems, bird habitat modeling, and similar tools to identify bird habitat focus areas and further bird conservation planning efforts; and investigation of avian mortality events and monitoring of health and disease problems; c) Compilation of technical information, such as status reviews of bird species of concern, development of habitat management and restoration guidelines, disseminating updates and providing training about current and emerging diseases which impact migratory bird populations, and other outreach and education programs including programs structured towards youth and connecting people with nature. Habitat management projects are generally not covered under this program. Additionally, construction or real property acquisition projects may not be funded under this program. For further information, please contact the regional office. Approximately 15% of program funding may be discretionary depending on annual appropriations and program priorities.

Grants and payments may be used for the conservation of any bird species protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Special emphasis will be placed on bird species listed in USFWS conservation and management priorities documents (e.g. USFWS Birds of Conservation Concern 2008, Focal Species list). Implementing national, regional, flyway Bird Conservation Region, and state-level bird conservation plans (e.g., Partners in Flight North American Landbird Conservation (http://www.partnersinflight.org), U.S. Shorebird Conservation Plan (https://www.fws.gov/birds/management/bird-management-plans/the-us-shorebird-conservation-plan.php) North American Waterbird Conservation Plan (https://www.fws.gov/birds/management/bird-management-plans/waterbird-conservation-for-the-americas.php) are among the Service's highest priorities. Projects related to the priorities identified in these plans will receive the greatest funding consideration. Projects should address one or more of the following activities: a) Population surveys and monitoring to determine the health, status, trends, and distribution of bird species and groups of concern. Emphasis will be placed on landscape-level applications of standardized inventory and monitoring protocols (e.g., Breeding Bird Atlases, national marshbird call playblack surveys). Local-scale monitoring (e.g., local land management units) activities will generally not be a focus of this program; b) Applied research, including but not limited to, studies of habitat requirements, limiting factors, and population responses to habitat conservation activities; development of new monitoring techniques and programs for poorly-surveyed species; use of Geographic Information Systems, bird habitat modeling, and similar tools to identify bird habitat focus areas and further bird conservation planning efforts; and investigation of avian mortality events and monitoring of health and disease problems; c) Compilation of technical information, such as status reviews of bird species of concern, development of habitat management and restoration guidelines, disseminating updates and providing training about current and emerging diseases which impact migratory bird populations, and other outreach and education programs including programs structured towards youth and connecting people with nature. Habitat management projects are generally not covered under this program. Additionally, construction or real property acquisition projects may not be funded under this program. For further information, please contact the regional office. Approximately 15% of program funding may be discretionary depending on annual appropriations and program priorities.

Assistance funding is from the Service's annual resource management appropriation and must be fully obligated by September 30 of its second year of availability.

Environmental impact information may be required and will be specified in program funding opportunity postings on Grants.gov.

See the funding opportunity posted on Grants.gov.

The Migratory Bird Program project officer reviews and approves conservation projects based on proposals meeting the objectives and in consultation with appropriate leadership. Once a proposal is accepted and mutually agreed upon deliverables and funding are approved, a formal agreement is written. Upon signing both parties, work can begin.

Decisions on funding a proposal are usually made no later than 180 days after receipt of the proposal. However, funding opportunities may present themselves at a later opportunity at which time projects may be reconsidered.

An award may be modified at the discretion of the issuing Regional or National office.