Science Applications/National Priority Initiative for Monarchs | F17AS00464

Opportunity Information: Apply for F17AS00464

The grant opportunity titled "Science Applications/National Priority Initiative for Monarchs" (Funding Opportunity Number F17AS00464) is a discretionary cooperative agreement offered by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), Midwest Region. The main purpose is to support monarch butterfly conservation planning and on-the-ground coordination across a large, multi-jurisdictional landscape covered by the Midwest Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (MAFWA), which includes thirteen U.S. states and three Canadian provinces. Rather than funding a broad set of projects through an open competition, the Service indicates it intends to make a single-source award, meaning the funding is directed to one specific partner without competing proposals.

The focus of the award is to fund a coordinating role described as a "State Monarch Conservation Liaison." This position is meant to help organize and align monarch conservation work happening across the MAFWA region, where multiple agencies, organizations, and partners may be conducting parallel efforts. By funding a dedicated liaison, the Service is aiming to strengthen collaboration, reduce duplication, and accelerate implementation of consistent regional strategies for monarch conservation, especially in places considered most important for the species.

A key reason this opportunity exists is that, through its Species Status Assessment process, the Fish and Wildlife Service has identified monarch butterfly conservation units within the United States. For the eastern monarch population in particular, the Service has defined priority areas described as North Core and South Core Conservation Units. The opportunity highlights that these units represent a newer emphasis in monarch conservation: concentrating planning and action in geographic areas where conservation measures are likely to have the greatest benefit. Because these conservation units cross state (and in this case international) boundaries, the Service is calling for a more coordinated and expanded regional approach to conservation planning and implementation within those priority areas.

Administratively, the opportunity is categorized under Natural Resources (CFDA 15.669) and uses a cooperative agreement funding instrument, which generally implies substantial involvement by the federal agency during the project rather than a hands-off grant. The award ceiling listed is $96,635, with one expected award. The eligible applicant types listed include nonprofit organizations, including both 501(c)(3) nonprofits and non-501(c)(3) nonprofits (excluding institutions of higher education). However, the description makes clear the Service's intent to award noncompetitively to MAFWA as the single recipient, reflecting that MAFWA is positioned to coordinate across the region and work directly with state and provincial fish and wildlife agencies.

The timeline in the posted notice reflects a short window: the opportunity was created on September 18, 2017, with an original closing date of September 22, 2017. Overall, the funding is designed less as a general call for monarch habitat projects and more as targeted support for regional leadership and coordination, centered on the newly identified monarch conservation units and the need to unify planning and implementation across the Midwest and adjacent areas covered by MAFWA.

• The Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Science Applications/National Priority Initiative for Monarchs" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.669.
• This funding opportunity was created on Sep 18, 2017.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Sep 22, 2017. (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 $96,635.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.

Apply for F17AS00464

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