Deadline: 17-May-24
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is seeking applications for its Refuge System Enhancement/ Infrastructure initiative to enable local communities to play a more active role in increasing outdoor recreation opportunities on refuge lands and waters, to be more focused and deliberate in using partnerships to help FWS address infrastructure repair and improvement needs such as proactive maintenance and the maintenance backlog, and to enhance wildlife habitat.
The National Infrastructure Partnerships initiative of the US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) encourages National Wildlife Refuge System field stations to partner with local, regional, and national nonprofit organizations, other land management groups, state and tribal partners, and others to accomplish projects that:
- promote the stewardship of Refuge System resources through habitat maintenance, restoration, and improvement, and
- support the operation and maintenance of the Refuge System through constructing, operating, maintaining, or improving the facilities and services of the Refuge System.
Additionally, this initiative can help address multiple FWS priorities as a catalyst for:
- Economic and Conservation Enhancement
- Career Training and Mentoring Opportunities for Youth and Adults
- Equity and Inclusion in Conservation and Recreation
- Climate and Wildlife Resilience
- Community Health
Successful projects will address identified FWS priorities or projects at FWS sites that enhance the visitor experience, promote wildlife-dependent outdoor recreation, provide sustainable wildlife habitat, provide career training and mentoring opportunities, and engage the community in opportunities to participate in wildlife-dependent outdoor recreation on FWS lands and waters.
Funding Information
- Estimated Total Funding: $50,000,000
- Maximum Award: $50,000,000
- Minimum Award: $5,000
- Expected Award Funding: $25,000
- Expected Number of Awards: 20
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants:
- State governments
- County governments
- City or township governments
- Special district governments
- Independent school districts
- Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
- Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
- Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities
- Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)
- Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
- Additional Information on Eligibility
- Be a state or local government entity, the governing body of any Indian tribe, a nonprofit organization, or an accredited institution of higher education.
- Have financial policies and procedures that reflect generally accepted accounting principles.
- Have risk management policies that reflect industry standards and are proactive and thorough in mitigating and managing risk.
- Contribute a minimum of 50% of the total costs of the project, either as cash or qualified third-party in-kind contributions which can include donations of items considered a reasonable expense of the project such as labor, materials, supplies, or equipment loans.
- Other Organizations that have an established Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with FWS such as 501(c) 4 or 501(c) 5 nonprofit organizations that are labor unions, neighborhood associations, or other types of eligible organizations, including those that reach or represent potentially underserved communities.
For more information, visit Grants.gov.