Species Recovery Grants to Tribes | NOAA NMFS PRPO 2024 2008088

Opportunity Information: Apply for NOAA NMFS PRPO 2024 2008088

Species Recovery Grants to Tribes is a discretionary federal funding opportunity offered by the Department of Commerce through NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). The program is built around the idea that many marine and anadromous species protected under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) hold deep cultural, subsistence, and ecological importance to tribal nations, and that tribes are often leaders in on-the-ground stewardship. Through this program, NMFS provides financial assistance to support tribal conservation efforts for species that NMFS manages under the ESA, using either grants or cooperative agreements as the funding mechanism. The overall purpose is to help advance recovery and long-term conservation outcomes for protected species while supporting tribal capacity and tribal-led conservation priorities.

Funding can be used for a range of conservation work tied to ESA-listed species (endangered or threatened), as well as candidate species or species proposed for listing. The opportunity also allows support for post-delisting monitoring, which is the work needed to track a species after it has recovered and been removed from the ESA list, helping ensure populations remain stable and threats do not re-emerge. NMFS makes clear that funded projects may include developing or carrying out management plans, scientific research and monitoring activities, and public education or outreach efforts, which can be important for building community support, improving compliance, and strengthening local conservation partnerships.

NMFS also highlights that proposals benefiting certain high-priority endangered species are especially encouraged under its Species in the Spotlight initiative. Those highlighted species are the Gulf of Maine distinct population segment of Atlantic salmon, white abalone, the Cook Inlet distinct population segment of beluga whales, Hawaiian monk seals, Pacific leatherback sea turtles, North Atlantic right whales, and the southern resident distinct population segment of killer whales. While projects do not have to be limited to these species, aligning a proposal with one of these priorities may strengthen its relevance to current NMFS recovery emphasis.

Eligibility is limited to federally recognized tribes and to organizations of federally recognized tribes that have delegated authority to represent a tribe on matters related to ESA-listed, candidate, or proposed species. The notice provides an example of an eligible tribal organization in the Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission model. In practical terms, this means applicants must be able to demonstrate formal standing and authority to act on behalf of a federally recognized tribe in the ESA context, not simply an informal community group or a non-tribal nonprofit.

A key restriction is that proposals focused on listed, candidate, or proposed Pacific salmon or steelhead are not eligible under this particular grant program. NMFS notes that those types of projects may instead be supported through a different funding stream, the Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund. This is an important screening point for applicants because it narrows the scope of what NMFS will consider under this solicitation, even if salmon or steelhead work would otherwise be ESA-relevant.

For the FY 2024 cycle described in the announcement, the opportunity is identified as NOAA NMFS PRPO 2024 2008088, with CFDA number 11.472. The funding instrument types are grant and cooperative agreement, the activity categories include environment, natural resources, and science and technology research and development, and the agency anticipated making about three awards. The stated award ceiling is $300,000 per award. The opportunity record lists an original closing date of October 31, 2023, and it notes that applicants should read the full document carefully because some proposal preparation and submission details changed compared to prior years, along with an explanation of how NMFS will evaluate proposals and decide which ones to fund.

• The Department of Commerce in the environment, natural resources, science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Species Recovery Grants to Tribes" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 11.472.
• This funding opportunity was created on Aug 01, 2023.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Oct 31, 2023. (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 $300,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 3 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments).

Apply for NOAA NMFS PRPO 2024 2008088

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