Recovery Implementation | F20AS00073

Recovery Implementation Grant (FON F20AS00073) - FAQs

What is the Recovery Implementation grant opportunity (F20AS00073)?

The Recovery Implementation grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number F20AS00073) is a competitive federal funding program administered by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). It supports practical, on-the-ground and science-based projects intended to help recover endangered and threatened species managed by FWS within the United States.

What is the main purpose of this funding program?

The program is designed to move species closer to recovery goals under the Endangered Species Act by funding projects that directly support recovery priorities, reduce extinction risk, and strengthen the habitats and ecosystems those species rely on.

Which species does this program focus on?

This opportunity focuses on endangered and threatened species managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service within the United States.

Does a project have to be tied to a recovery plan?

Yes. A key requirement is that proposed projects must be tied to actions already identified in an approved recovery document for a species. The intent is to fund implementation of established recovery plan actions rather than unrelated or purely exploratory conservation work.

What kinds of projects are considered eligible under this opportunity?

Examples of eligible project types include:

• Securing critical scientific information needed for recovery (such as surveys, monitoring, or research that fills identified recovery information gaps)
• Habitat restoration or habitat management actions intended to improve survival and reproduction
• Other implementation activities that stabilize populations, prevent further decline, or advance measurable progress toward delisting

Is purely exploratory research eligible?

The opportunity emphasizes implementing actions already identified in an approved recovery document, and it highlights filling recovery information gaps as an eligible example. Projects that are unrelated to recovery plan actions or purely exploratory are not the focus of this program based on the description provided.

Does the program support work that prevents species from being listed?

Yes. The broader intent includes work that can avert the need to list candidate species by addressing threats early, as well as work that conserves ecosystems that support imperiled species.

What types of awards can be made (grant vs. cooperative agreement)?

Awards may be made either as a grant or a cooperative agreement. This indicates that some projects may involve more direct federal involvement or coordination depending on which award structure is used.

Is this a competitive funding opportunity?

Yes. It is described as a competitive federal funding program.

Is this discretionary or mandatory funding?

The opportunity is listed as discretionary funding.

What is the CFDA number associated with this program?

The opportunity is associated with CFDA number 15.657.

What category does this opportunity fall under?

The program is categorized under Environment and Natural Resources.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is described as broadly open (unrestricted) to a wide range of applicants, including state governments, other federal agencies, landowners, educators, nonprofit organizations, researchers, and other partners. Applicants are advised to review the official notice for any additional eligibility clarifications.

Is there a maximum award amount?

Yes. The maximum award amount listed is $1,000,000.

How many awards are expected to be made?

The posting showed an expected awards figure of 0 at the time of publication. This typically indicates that the agency did not specify a set number of awards in advance, rather than indicating that awards will not be made.

When was the application closing date for the listed cycle?

The original closing date for that cycle was September 4, 2020, and applications were due by that date.

Can applications be submitted outside the closing date?

The notice indicates that applications may be submitted throughout the year, but funding decisions are tied to the FWS budget cycle. This means the timing of submission and the agency's available appropriations can influence when and whether awards are made.

How does the FWS budget cycle affect funding decisions?

Because funding decisions are tied to the FWS budget cycle, the availability of appropriations and when an application is submitted can affect both the timing of decisions and whether an award can be made.

What makes a strong proposal for this opportunity?

Based on the description provided, strong proposals are those that clearly point to a specific endangered or threatened species recovery plan (or other approved recovery document), propose clear and implementable actions from that plan, include a strong rationale, describe measurable conservation outcomes, and provide direct benefits to recovery of FWS-managed listed species or prevention of further decline.

Does this program fund ecosystem or habitat-level conservation work?

Yes. In addition to species-focused recovery implementation, the broader intent includes work that conserves the ecosystems that support imperiled species, particularly where this strengthens habitats and reduces extinction risk.

What does "on-the-ground and science-based" mean in this context?

In this opportunity, the emphasis is on practical implementation work (such as habitat restoration or management actions) along with scientific efforts (such as surveys, monitoring, or research) that address recovery needs already identified in an approved recovery document.

Where do I find the official identifier for this opportunity?

The official identifier provided is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON) F20AS00073.