Program Descriptions
Program Number
15.635
Title
Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation
Federal Agency
FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Authorization
Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act of 2000, Public Law 106-247, 16 U.S.C. 6101.
Status
Active
Objectives
To assist in the conservation of neotropical migratory birds by providing financial resources for the projects of partnerships in countries within the ranges of neotropical migratory birds.
Types of Assistance
Project Grants.
Uses and Use Restrictions
Funds may be used for approved neotropical migratory bird conservation projects. Projects must: enhance the conservation of neotropical bird species in the U.S., Latin America, or the Caribbean; ensure adequate local public participation in project development and implementation; be implemented in consultation with relevant wildlife management authorities and other appropriate government officials with jurisdiction over the resources addressed by the project; be sensitive to local historic and cultural resources and comply with applicable laws; promote sustainable effective, long-term programs to conserve neotropical migratory birds; and other requirements the Secretary considers to be necessary. The Act requires that not less than 75 percent of the amounts made available each fiscal year shall be expended for projects outside of the U.S. Projects are approved for up to a 2-year period of time.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
An individual, corporation, partnership, trust, association, or other private entity; an officer, employee, agent, department, or instrumentality of the Federal Government, of any State, municipality, or political subdivision of a State, or of any foreign government; a State municipality, or political subdivision of a State; or any other entity subject to the jurisdiction of the United States or of any foreign country; or international organization with an interest in neotropical migratory bird conservation.
Beneficiary Eligibility
An individual, profit organization, other private institution/organization, public nonprofit institution/organization, an officer, employee, agent, department, or instrumentality of the Federal Government, of any State, municipality, or political subdivision of a State, or of any foreign government; a State municipality, or political subdivision of a State; or any other entity subject to the jurisdiction of the United States or of any foreign country; or international organization with an interest in neotropical migratory bird conservation.
Credentials/Documentation
None. Outside the U.S., circulars and regulations are applicable only to the extent U.S. Federal law provides.
Application and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
None. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.
Application Procedure
Grant application, including Standard Form 424, Application for Federal Assistance, is to be submitted electronically to the address referenced on the website, at http://www.fws.gov/birdhabitat/grants/nmbca Information may also be accessed through http://www.grants.gov If unable to access the website, request a proposal package, which includes specific requirement information, from the Chief, Division of Habitat Conservation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Mail Stop MBSP 4075, 4401 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22203; Telephone: (703)358-1784. Instructions are available in English, Portuguese and Spanish.
Award Procedure
Proposals are reviewed by a panel of experts from the Fish and Wildlife Service, who make funding recommendations to the Director. After projects are selected for funding, a grant agreement between the Fish and Wildlife Service and the grantee is drafted by the Division of Bird Habitat Conservation (DBHC). The agreement is then processed by DBHC and sent to the recipient. The agreement is considered to be executed on the date of receipt by the recipient, as evidenced by return of registered mail receipt to DBHC. Other than the registered mail signature, an agreement signature is not required of the recipient.
Deadlines
Application submittal dates are announced on a yearly basis; dates set are for the latest date that an application may be postmarked and still be accepted for funding consideration.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Decisions on funding of project proposals are usually made no later than 180 days after the receipt of the project proposal.
Appeals
None. Proposals not funded may be resubmitted.
Renewals
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
In determining whether to accept projects for funding approval, applicants must guarantee a 3:1 match amount. That is, the applicant must match each Act dollar with 3 non-Federal dollars. Federal dollars refers to U.S. Federal dollars. Federal dollars of non-U.S. governments are eligible. In the U.S., match must be in cash; outside of the U.S., match may either be in cash or in-kind.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Unless the project is extended, awarded funds must be spent during the approved Period of Performance of the grant agreement, and in accordance with financial and reporting procedures specified in the grant agreement.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Progress and final reports are to be submitted in accordance with terms and conditions of the grant agreement.
Audits
In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations," nonfederal entities that receive financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133.
Records
Records for grants awarded to State and Local Governments will be maintained in accordance with the provisions of 43 CFR Part 12, Subpart C, "Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments." Records for grants awarded to institutions of higher education and other nonprofit organizations will be maintained in accordance with the provisions of 43 CFR Part 12, Subpart F, "Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Agreements With Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and Other Nonprofit Organizations."
Financial Information
Account Identification
14-1696-0-1-303.
Obligations
(Grants) FY 07 $3,822,915; FY 08 est. $4,296,906; and FY 09 est. not available.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
Variable amounts. Awards have ranged from about $2,000 to about $250,000, with an average of about $88,000. For FY 2006, the maximum award may not exceed $250,000.
Program Accomplishments
Between 2002 and 2007, the program supported 225 projects, coordinated by partners in 44 U.S. states/territories and 34 countries. More than $21 million from NMBCA grants have leveraged about $97 million in partner contributions. Projects involving land conservation have affected about 3 million acres of bird habitat. In 2007, 37 projects were approved for funding.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
NMBCA Grant Application Instructions; U.S. Grant Administration Standards (for grants within the U.S.); 43 CFR Part 12 and 49 CFR Part 24.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
None.
Headquarters Office
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Department of the Interior. Contact: Chief, Division of Bird Habitat Conservation, Mail Stop MBSP 4075, 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Arlington, Virginia 22203. Telephone: (703) 358-1784. Fax: (703) 358- 2282.
Web Site Address
http://www.fws.gov/birdhabitat/grants/nmbca
Related Programs
15.623, North American Wetlands Conservation Fund
Examples of Funded Projects
Conservation projects that have as their focus enhancement and/or protection of neotropical migratory birds and their habitats, and that encourage and incorporate local jurisdictional and public participation in the project planning and execution process.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Proposals will be screened and selected for funding primarily on the basis of criteria contained in 16 U.S.C. 6101. However, proposals will also be evaluated on: scope and significance of effort; importance of resource values; relationship of project to other efforts locally/regionally; feasibility and cost-effectiveness.
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