White-nose Syndrome National Response Implementation

The goal of White-nose Syndrome National Response Implementation is to conserve and recover bat species affected by the fungal disease white-nose syndrome (WNS) through partnership driven management, research and communication. WNS Grants to States a

The White-nose Syndrome National Response provides the framework for a broad partnership of government and non-government entities engaged in bat conservation and management. The partnership comprises federal, state, tribal, provincial agencies and non-government organizations and institutions across North America and beyond contributing to cross-border coordination, research, pathogen and disease surveillance, disease management, information sharing, and public engagement. A primary federal role is to provide funding for State wildlife management agencies to address bat conservation and WNS-related needs. WNS Grants to States and Tribes provide funding to wildlife agencies and departments conducting research and management of hibernating bat species. Funding through this opportunity supports local management of bats with cross-jurisdiction coordination to leverage efforts among partners. This grant program helps partners maintain staff dedicated to management of bats and supports their completion of projects that have lasting benefits to bat species and reduce the potential for federal regulatory action in the future. Cooperative agreements and WNS Research for Conservation Grants support high impact research needed to develop, test, inform and use management tools and disease treatments that improve survival of bats affected by WNS.

Eligibility varies by funding opportunity.

Funds must be used for projects that align with and support the WNS National Response Plan, including the priorities and efforts identified within that context. Such actions include management activities of state and tribal wildlife and natural resource agencies and departments working to combat the disease and conserve species affected by it. Congress appropriated these funds to the Service for the purpose of implementing the National Response to White-nose Syndrome, through which the North American Bat Monitoring Program was formed. The Service will identify any restrictions on use of the assistance under this program in the Funding Opportunity Announcements posted in GrantSolutions and Grants.gov, as applicable. 100% of program funds are discretionary.

Funds must be used for projects that align with and support the WNS National Response Plan, including the priorities and efforts identified within that context. Such actions include management activities of state and tribal wildlife and natural resource agencies and departments working to combat the disease and conserve species affected by it. Congress appropriated these funds to the Service for the purpose of implementing the National Response to White-nose Syndrome, through which the North American Bat Monitoring Program was formed. The Service will identify any restrictions on use of the assistance under this program in the Funding Opportunity Announcements posted in GrantSolutions and Grants.gov, as applicable. 100% of program funds are discretionary.

Program funding is appropriated each year and is obligated within 2 years. Specific funding opportunities may require shorter or longer timeframes for obligation. Assistance is available throughout the year depending on issuance of Funding Opportunity Announcements, which will accept applications for at least 60 calendar days from the date they are posted. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: Program obligates funds and sends a notice of award to successful applicants in a competitive process. Recipients request funds in accordance with 2 CFR 200, Subpart E-Cost Principles. Program will include any special payment terms and conditions in the notice of award.

The criteria for selecting proposals are specific to the different funding opportunities posted to GrantSolutions and Grants.gov. Specific criteria are outlined in the Funding Opportunity Announcement. In general, these criteria include project relevance and need, cost efficiency, alignment with Federal and Departmental priorities, and management-related criteria outlined in the notice. Cooperative agreements will be considered using the same criteria as well as effectiveness in leveraging contributions and participation of industry other private partnerships.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's National Coordinator for White-nose Syndrome or his or her designee recommends proposals for funding, and the Service is responsible for final funding decisions. Regional Offices are responsible for notification of grant approval to the grantee. Awards will be announced via letters sent directly to the applicants via email, and notifications are sent through GrantsSolutions. No work may begin on a project until the required environmental compliance documents are complete and the award notice is signed by the authorized Service official, unless conditioned by the program on a case-by-case basis. Unsuccessful applicants will be notified either by letter, fax, email or telephone, generally within 90 days from the deadline for submission of proposals.

Funding opportunities are announced through GrantSolutions and Grants.gov with deadlines specific to each announcement.

Recipients may request period of performance and/or reporting due date extensions and must submit such requests in advance of the period of performance end date or report due date. Current recipients may seek funding in subsequent years to continue similar actions or lines of research by submitting a new application in response to an open competitive Funding Opportunity Announcement. The program will evaluate such applications according to the priorities, requirements, and criteria identified in the funding opportunity.