Opportunity Information: Apply for F17AS00003
The Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act (GLFWRA) grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number F17AS00003, CFDA 15.608) is a discretionary grant program run by the U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Its core aim is to support cooperative conservation work across the Great Lakes Basin by funding projects that restore, conserve, and manage fish and wildlife resources and the habitats those species depend on. The program is grounded in statutory authority at 16 USC 941c and is designed to bring together states, Tribal partners, and other entities to address basin-wide ecological challenges through practical restoration actions and applied research.
The opportunity supports three main types of efforts: restoration projects, research projects, and "Regional Projects." Restoration and research awards are intended to directly improve fish and wildlife populations and habitat conditions in the Great Lakes Basin or generate science and information that can be used to guide management and restoration decisions. Regional Projects are a distinct category: they are Service-authorized activities focused on protection, restoration, maintenance, or enhancement of fish and wildlife resources that affect multiple states or multiple Indian Tribes with fish and wildlife management authority in the basin. For these Regional Projects, the Fish and Wildlife Service itself is responsible for carrying out the work on behalf of the state and/or Tribal agencies that submit the proposal, meaning the project delivery structure differs from a typical pass-through grant where the applicant implements all work directly.
Funding for the cycle described is projected at roughly $1.56 million and is noted as being supported in part by the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. The final amount available, and the amount of individual awards, depends on final Congressional appropriations for the relevant fiscal year. The notice also states that up to 33 percent of the total GLFWRA Congressional appropriation may be used for Regional Projects, which effectively sets a programmatic cap on how much of the overall funding pool can be directed to that multi-jurisdictional project type.
Cost sharing depends on the project category. Restoration and research projects require a 25 percent non-federal match, which means applicants must bring cash or eligible in-kind contributions from non-federal sources to cover one-quarter of the total project cost. Regional Projects may be exempt from cost sharing if the Service's Midwest Region Director determines that the project authorization does not require a non-federal cost share, making Regional Projects potentially more accessible when match is a barrier, though that exemption is conditional and tied to Service determination.
The application process is staged. Applicants first submit a short, two-page pre-proposal (and Regional Project proposals are also submitted to the Service for review). After this initial screening, successful restoration and research applicants are invited to submit full proposals. Full proposals are then reviewed and ranked by a Proposal Review Committee, which implies a competitive, comparative evaluation process rather than first-come, first-served funding. The original closing date listed for this opportunity was December 12, 2016, and the notice directs applicants to the NOFO (Notice of Funding Opportunity) for specific application instructions and requirements.
Eligibility is broad and includes most public-sector and community-based organizations that work in conservation and natural resources, as well as academic and private-sector participants. Eligible applicants include state governments; local governments (county, city/township); special districts; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Tribal governments and other Tribal organizations; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status; individuals; and small businesses. This wide eligibility suggests the Service is seeking a mix of on-the-ground implementers, researchers, and partners that can contribute technical expertise, community engagement, and cross-jurisdictional coordination.
Award size can vary significantly based on project scope. The notice lists an award ceiling of $515,000 and anticipates around 8 awards, but it also notes that historically successful restoration and research projects have ranged from about $2,300 to $2,000,000, with an average project size of $121,806. Taken together, that range indicates the program can accommodate both smaller, targeted efforts and larger, more complex initiatives, with actual award amounts depending on available appropriations, project design, and review outcomes.Apply for F17AS00003
- The Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service in the environment, natural resources, science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.608.
- This funding opportunity was created on Oct 12, 2016.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Dec 12, 2016 See NOFO for application instructions.. (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 $515,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 8 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: 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, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, Individuals, Small businesses.
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Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act (GLFWRA) Grant Opportunity FAQs
What is the Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act (GLFWRA) grant program?
The Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act (GLFWRA) grant opportunity is a discretionary grant program administered by the U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). It supports cooperative conservation projects across the Great Lakes Basin that restore, conserve, and manage fish and wildlife resources and the habitats those species depend on.
What is the funding opportunity number and CFDA number for this program?
The Funding Opportunity Number is F17AS00003 and the CFDA number is 15.608.
What is the statutory authority for the program?
The program is grounded in statutory authority at 16 USC 941c.
What geographic area is covered by eligible projects?
Projects are intended to support conservation work across the Great Lakes Basin, with the goal of improving fish and wildlife resources and habitat conditions in that basin.
What types of projects does this opportunity fund?
The opportunity supports three main types of efforts: (1) restoration projects, (2) research projects, and (3) Regional Projects.
What is considered a restoration project under this opportunity?
Restoration awards are intended to directly improve fish and wildlife populations and habitat conditions in the Great Lakes Basin through practical restoration actions.
What is considered a research project under this opportunity?
Research awards are intended to generate science and information that can be used to guide management and restoration decisions affecting fish and wildlife resources and their habitats in the Great Lakes Basin.
What are "Regional Projects" and how are they different from typical grants?
Regional Projects are Service-authorized activities focused on the protection, restoration, maintenance, or enhancement of fish and wildlife resources that affect multiple states or multiple Indian Tribes with fish and wildlife management authority in the basin. For Regional Projects, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is responsible for carrying out the work on behalf of the state and/or Tribal agencies that submit the proposal, which differs from a standard structure where the applicant implements the work directly.
How much funding is expected to be available in this funding cycle?
Projected funding for the cycle described is roughly $1.56 million. The notice also indicates the program is supported in part by the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.
Does the final funding amount depend on Congressional appropriations?
Yes. The final amount available for the program, as well as the amount of individual awards, depends on final Congressional appropriations for the relevant fiscal year.
Is there a cap on how much of the program can be used for Regional Projects?
Yes. The notice states that up to 33 percent of the total GLFWRA Congressional appropriation may be used for Regional Projects, which sets a programmatic limit on how much of the overall funding pool can go to that category.
Is cost sharing (match) required for restoration and research projects?
Yes. Restoration and research projects require a 25 percent non-federal match. This means applicants must provide cash or eligible in-kind contributions from non-federal sources equal to one-quarter of the total project cost.
Are Regional Projects required to provide a cost share?
Regional Projects may be exempt from cost sharing if the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Midwest Region Director determines that the project authorization does not require a non-federal cost share. The exemption is conditional and depends on that Service determination.
What is the application process for this opportunity?
The application process is staged. Applicants first submit a short, two-page pre-proposal. After an initial screening, successful restoration and research applicants are invited to submit full proposals. Full proposals are then reviewed and ranked by a Proposal Review Committee.
Is a pre-proposal required?
Yes. The opportunity describes an initial requirement to submit a short, two-page pre-proposal. Regional Project proposals are also submitted to the Service for review as part of this staged process.
How are full proposals evaluated?
Full proposals are reviewed and ranked by a Proposal Review Committee, indicating the program uses a competitive, comparative review process rather than first-come, first-served funding.
What was the closing date listed in the notice?
The original closing date listed for this opportunity was December 12, 2016.
Where should applicants look for the detailed application instructions and requirements?
The notice directs applicants to the NOFO (Notice of Funding Opportunity) for specific application instructions and requirements.
Who is eligible to apply for GLFWRA funding?
Eligibility is broad and includes: state governments; local governments (county, city/township); special districts; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Tribal governments and other Tribal organizations; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status; individuals; and small businesses.
Does this program allow participation from academic institutions?
Yes. Both public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education are listed as eligible applicants.
Are Tribes and Tribal organizations eligible to apply?
Yes. Federally recognized Tribal governments and other Tribal organizations are listed as eligible applicants. The Regional Project category also specifically references projects affecting multiple Indian Tribes with fish and wildlife management authority in the basin.
Are nonprofits eligible even if they do not have 501(c)(3) status?
Yes. The eligibility list includes nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status.
Can individuals and small businesses apply?
Yes. Individuals and small businesses are included in the eligibility list.
How many awards are anticipated?
The notice anticipates around 8 awards.
What is the award ceiling listed for this opportunity?
The notice lists an award ceiling of $515,000.
What range of award amounts has been typical historically for restoration and research projects?
The notice indicates that historically successful restoration and research projects have ranged from about $2,300 to $2,000,000, with an average project size of $121,806.
Why do the listed award ceiling and the historical award range appear different?
The information provided includes both a stated award ceiling of $515,000 and a historical range for restoration and research projects from about $2,300 to $2,000,000. This indicates award sizes can vary significantly based on appropriations, project design, scope, and review outcomes, and that the program has accommodated both small and very large efforts over time.
Is this program intended to support multi-partner, basin-wide conservation work?
Yes. The program is described as supporting cooperative conservation work across the Great Lakes Basin and is designed to bring together states, Tribal partners, and other entities to address basin-wide ecological challenges through practical restoration actions and applied research.
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