R2 State Wildlife Grant Program (TO STATE GAME AND FISH AGENCIES ONLY) | F16AS00053

R2 State Wildlife Grant Program (F16AS00053) - FAQs

What is the R2 State Wildlife Grant Program (F16AS00053)?

The R2 State Wildlife Grant Program (F16AS00053) is a mandatory federal grant opportunity administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (CFDA 15.634). It supports state-led wildlife conservation work that benefits wildlife and wildlife habitat, including species that are not hunted or fished.

Which federal agency administers this grant?

This grant is administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

What is the CFDA number for this program?

The CFDA number listed for the program is 15.634.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants are state governments. In practice, the opportunity is directed to state game and fish agencies. Eligibility also includes the District of Columbia, U.S. Commonwealths, and U.S. territories.

Is this grant intended for local governments, nonprofits, or individuals?

Based on the information provided, the eligible applicant category specified is state governments (including DC, U.S. Commonwealths, and U.S. territories). No other applicant types are listed in the excerpt.

What kinds of projects does the program fund?

The program funds work that benefits wildlife and wildlife habitat, including species that are not hunted or fished. Supported projects fall into two broad categories: planning and implementation.

What is the difference between planning and implementation activities under this grant?

Planning activities must directly contribute to the development, revision, or modification of the applicant jurisdiction's current Wildlife Action Plan. Implementation activities are on-the-ground or programmatic actions a state proposes to carry out to execute an approved Wildlife Action Plan.

What is required for planning activities to be eligible?

Planning activities must tie clearly and directly to developing, revising, or modifying the current Wildlife Action Plan for the applicant jurisdiction. Planning funds are not described as being available for general strategy or outreach work unless it directly contributes to the plan itself. The Wildlife Action Plan must be approved by the Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

What is required for implementation activities to be eligible?

Implementation activities must be anchored in the jurisdiction's approved Wildlife Action Plan and advance the priorities identified in that plan. These are described as the on-the-ground or programmatic steps to carry out the plan.

Does the Wildlife Action Plan need to be approved?

Yes. The information provided states that the Wildlife Action Plan must be approved by the Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

What is the program's main conservation emphasis?

A major emphasis is directing funds toward "species of greatest conservation need." Applicants are expected to prioritize those species and consider the relative level of funding available for their conservation.

What does it mean to "prioritize species of greatest conservation need"?

Based on the description, applicants should focus proposed work and funding decisions on species with the greatest conservation needs, consider existing funding gaps, and target grant dollars where they can make a meaningful difference for at-risk wildlife and the habitats they depend on.

Does this program support conservation for non-game species?

Yes. The program explicitly includes benefiting species that are not hunted or fished, and this is described as a central purpose of State Wildlife Grants and a way the program complements traditional, game-focused conservation funding.

Are wildlife education activities eligible for funding?

Wildlife education activities are generally considered ineligible. The main exception described is when an education element is minor or incidental and can be justified as critical to the success of an otherwise eligible project.

Are law enforcement activities eligible for funding?

Law enforcement activities are generally considered ineligible. The main exception described is when a law enforcement element is minor or incidental and can be justified as critical to the success of an otherwise eligible project.

Can an application include a small education or enforcement component?

Yes, but only if the education or law enforcement element is minor or incidental and can be justified as critical to the success of an otherwise eligible project.

What is the funding instrument for this opportunity?

The funding instrument is a grant.

What is the funding activity area?

The listed funding activity area is Environment and Natural Resources.

When was this opportunity created?

The posting indicates the opportunity was created on December 15, 2015.

What was the original closing date for the opportunity?

The original closing date shown in the excerpt is September 30, 2016.

Is there an award ceiling (maximum award amount) listed?

The listing shows an award ceiling of 0. The description notes this typically indicates the ceiling is not specified in the summary field rather than meaning no funding is available.

How many awards are expected?

The number of expected awards is not provided in the excerpt.

Where can I find additional program information online?

Additional program information is referenced through the Fish and Wildlife Service State Wildlife Grants webpage: wsfrprograms.fws.gov/Subpages/GrantPrograms/SWG/SWG.htm.

What if an applicant does not have internet access?

The notice indicates that applicants without internet access can request materials by mail by contacting the Service point of contact listed in the agency contacts section of the full announcement.

Is this grant described as "mandatory"?

Yes. The opportunity is described as a mandatory federal grant opportunity.

What is the core expectation for funded work?

The core expectation is that funded work is anchored in the jurisdiction's Wildlife Action Plan and advances the priorities identified in that plan.