F24AS00232-Great Lakes Restoration Initiative – Joint Venture Habitat Restoration and Protection | F24AS00232

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): F24AS00232 - Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) - Joint Venture Habitat Restoration and Protection

What is the funding opportunity F24AS00232?

F24AS00232 is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under CFDA 15.637. It supports on-the-ground habitat conservation in the Great Lakes basin, with an emphasis on measurable, tangible habitat outcomes.

What is the main goal of this grant?

The core goal is to fund projects that protect, restore, or enhance habitat for migratory birds (and associated wildlife) in the Great Lakes basin. Success is measured in direct habitat delivery, such as acres directly benefited by GLRI investment.

What types of projects are a good fit for this program?

Projects that directly deliver habitat outcomes are the best fit, including habitat restoration, habitat enhancement, and habitat protection through acquisition. Proposals should be ready to implement and produce measurable habitat benefits within the required timeline.

What conservation plans or priorities must projects align with?

Projects are intended to implement established bird conservation priorities, including the Upper Mississippi/Great Lakes Joint Venture Implementation Plan and the Lower Great Lakes/St. Lawrence Plan for Bird Conservation Region 13. Other relevant bird conservation plans and State Wildlife Action Plans may also apply.

Where must the project be located to be eligible?

The project must be located within the U.S. watershed of the Great Lakes as defined by the EPA, and it must be within a Great Lakes-bordering state: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, or Wisconsin.

How should applicants demonstrate that their project is in the eligible geography?

Proposals need to clearly show that the project site is within the EPA-defined Great Lakes basin boundaries and that the work supports habitat objectives for migratory birds and associated wildlife in that landscape.

What activities are eligible for funding?

Eligible activities focus on direct habitat conservation actions, including habitat restoration and enhancement (such as wetlands, grasslands, coastal systems, or other priority habitats) and habitat protection through acquisition.

Does this grant fund land acquisition?

Yes. Habitat protection through acquisition is eligible, including fee title purchase, permanent conservation easements, and donations of real property interests, as long as the outcome is durable habitat conservation consistent with joint venture priorities.

Does this grant fund research, monitoring, or stand-alone assessments?

No. Research or monitoring as stand-alone project work is not funded because it is not considered direct habitat delivery for the purposes of the joint venture plans. Any monitoring or assessment would generally need to be clearly secondary and tied to implementing the habitat work rather than being the central purpose of the request.

What is the minimum and maximum amount that can be requested?

Requests must be between $25,000 and $300,000 in federal funding. The maximum (ceiling) request amount is $300,000.

Is matching funding required?

Yes. Applicants must provide matching contributions of at least 25 percent of the federal share requested. The match package must be credible and may include cash and/or allowable in-kind contributions (as applicable).

How long can the project last?

The anticipated completion date must be no more than 24 months from the date of award. Projects should be structured for near-term implementation and completion within a two-year window.

Can the grant reimburse work that has already started or been completed?

No. The grant cannot reimburse completed or currently ongoing work. Only activities that begin after the grant agreement is signed are eligible to be charged to the award.

Are pre-planning costs allowed in the project budget?

Yes, certain pre-planning costs (such as engineering, soil testing, land surveying, and similar site evaluations) may be included in the proposed budget if they are clearly identified and quantified.

Are pre-award costs guaranteed to be reimbursed?

No. Applicants are cautioned that pre-award costs are not guaranteed to be reimbursed unless they are explicitly authorized under an approved award. Planning work can be part of the proposal, but applicants should not assume they will be repaid for costs incurred before the award is fully executed.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility includes state, county, and city/township governments; special district governments; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribal governments; tribal organizations; and 501(c)(3) nonprofits (excluding universities in that nonprofit category).

Are nonprofits eligible, and are there any limitations mentioned?

Yes, 501(c)(3) nonprofits are eligible. The notice specifies that universities are excluded from the 501(c)(3) nonprofit category (even though public and state-controlled institutions of higher education are listed separately as eligible).

What if an applicant is not primarily a conservation-based organization?

Applicants that are not explicitly conservation-based organizations are expected to clearly explain how their mission and priorities align with GLRI and the joint ventures, and how the benefits of the GLRI-funded work will be maintained over time.

What does the program mean by "durable" habitat conservation?

Durable habitat conservation refers to outcomes that persist over time, especially for protection projects (like acquisitions or easements) and restoration projects that require ongoing management to keep habitat functioning as intended.

What are the key performance expectations for funded projects?

The program emphasizes measurable habitat outcomes, such as acres directly benefited by GLRI investment, and expects projects to deliver direct habitat conservation consistent with joint venture priorities.

When was this opportunity created and when did it close?

The opportunity was created on January 18, 2024, and the original application closing date was March 18, 2024.

What does "applications must be complete" mean in this context?

Applications must include all required documentation described in the notice. Submissions are expected to be complete as required by the funding announcement.

What is the overall profile of a strong project for this opportunity?

A strong project is one that can deliver measurable habitat acres in the Great Lakes basin within 24 months, includes the required match of at least 25 percent of the federal request, starts work only after the agreement is signed, and is tightly aligned to joint venture and regional bird conservation priorities rather than being research-driven.