The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service has launched a call for proposals for the U.S. Standard Grants Program to support public-private partnerships.

The Standard Grants Program began supporting projects in all three countries in 1990, shortly after the North American Wetlands Conservation Act of 1989 was passed. Each fiscal year, available funds have been distributed among projects in the three countries according to a pre-determined percentage within the range of percentages allowable under the Act.

Principles

As you write your proposal, think carefully about how you will implement your project if it is approved for funding. Keep the following basic principles in mind as you plan your project and complete your application.

• Partners must match their grants request at no less than a 1-to-1 ratio. For example, partners requesting a $1 million grant would need to also contribute at least $1 million in partner funds (from nonfederal sources) towards the project.
• There is no difference in grant and match for grant administration purposes. Generally, laws and requirements that apply to activities funded with NAWCA dollars also apply to items funded with match dollars or provided as in-kind match (i.e., real property interests)
• Each grant and match dollar, except for indirect costs, must be linked to an acre acquired, restored, enhanced, and/or established.
• Grantees are held accountable for both match dollars and acres, as defined in the proposal and grant agreement. Without prior approval and agreement modification, accomplishing less than 100 percent of match dollars and acres will result in a reduction of the award amount.

For more information, visit FWS.