F24AS00202 FY 2024 Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund Traditional Conservation Grants Program Region 7 | F24AS00202

Opportunity Information: Apply for F24AS00202

Funding opportunity F24AS00202 is the FY 2024 Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund Traditional Conservation Grants Program for Region 7, administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). It is a discretionary grant program (CFDA 15.615) focused on helping states build and carry out effective conservation programs that conserve and recover threatened and endangered species under FWS jurisdiction. The core aim is practical, on-the-ground progress: projects need to show a clear connection between the proposed work and measurable benefits to a species or the habitat it depends on, either advancing recovery for species already listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) or reducing the likelihood that a species will need to be listed in the first place.

The funding is intended to support projects with direct conservation value for federally listed species, as well as candidate species, at-risk species, and species that have been recently delisted. Eligible activities are broad as long as they are tied to real conservation outcomes. Proposals may include management actions (for example, habitat restoration or invasive species control where it benefits a target species), research designed to fill key knowledge gaps that limit recovery actions, monitoring to track population trends or habitat conditions (including for candidate, at-risk, and recently delisted species), and outreach efforts that directly support conservation goals. The strongest applications are expected to be specific about what will be done, where it will occur, which species will benefit, and how the work will contribute to recovery objectives or help prevent future ESA listing.

Eligibility is limited to state governments, specifically state agencies that have entered into a cooperative agreement with the Service under ESA section 6(c). A state agency must already have this agreement in place or must enter into or reconfirm the agreement within 30 days of the application deadline to be considered eligible. FWS also notes that it cannot obligate federal funds until a complete, signed cooperative agreement is in place, consistent with the cited federal regulations (50 CFR 81.3, 50 CFR 81.5, and 43 CFR 12.50(b)(3)). While only states can receive awards directly, the program allows for partnerships: counties, nonprofits, conservation organizations, and other groups can participate and carry out parts of the work as subgrantees by working through an eligible state agency.

Key administrative details include an application deadline of May 24, 2024, an award ceiling of $120,203, and a posting/creation date of November 30, 2023. Overall, the program is best understood as a targeted funding source for state-led conservation efforts where the proposal can clearly demonstrate direct, tangible benefits to federally protected species or their habitats, backed by a cooperative framework between the state and the Fish and Wildlife Service.

• The Fish and Wildlife Service in the environment sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "F24AS00202 FY 2024 Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund Traditional Conservation Grants Program Region 7" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.615.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2023-11-30.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-05-24. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $120,203.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: State governments.

Apply for F24AS00202

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