Opportunity Information: Apply for F17AS00046
The Coastal Program - Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (Funding Opportunity Number F17AS00046) is a Department of the Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service opportunity that supports on-the-ground conservation work in Great Lakes coastal areas. Its purpose is to help restore and protect fish and wildlife habitat by offering both technical support and financial assistance to coastal communities and landowners. The program is voluntary and incentive-based, meaning it is designed to encourage partnerships and practical habitat improvements on both public and private lands rather than relying on regulatory approaches.
A key feature of this opportunity is that it does not operate like a typical competitive grant program that publishes a standard request for proposals and waits for applicants to submit standalone project ideas. Instead, projects are shaped through strategic planning and close coordination with partners, with substantial involvement from Fish and Wildlife Service field staff. In practice, that means proposed work plans are expected to align closely with Service priorities and to be developed collaboratively, rather than being entirely applicant-driven. Projects funded under this program must advance the Service mission, promote biological diversity, and be grounded in sound scientific biological principles, emphasizing measurable ecological outcomes and credible technical design.
Funding is tied specifically to Great Lakes Restoration Initiative support and is geographically limited to coastal areas within the U.S. portion of the Great Lakes basin. Eligible locations include parts of Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York. While projects across the basin may be supported, the notice highlights that special consideration will be given to coastal wetland proposals in several priority areas: Saginaw Bay, Lake St. Clair, the Detroit River, and Western Lake Erie. This indicates a strong interest in wetland-focused restoration or protection work in these locations, likely due to their ecological significance and restoration needs within the Great Lakes system.
From an administrative standpoint, the opportunity is categorized as discretionary and uses a cooperative agreement as the funding instrument, which typically reflects the hands-on collaboration described in the program overview. The funding activity category is Environment and Natural Resources, and it is associated with CFDA number 15.662. Eligibility is listed as unrestricted (open to any type of entity), subject to any additional clarifications in the full opportunity text, which suggests a wide range of potential partners could participate as long as they can support the program goals and work effectively with Service staff.
The opportunity was created on December 6, 2016, with an original closing date of April 5, 2017. The maximum award amount listed is $200,000, and the agency expected to make approximately 12 awards. Overall, the opportunity is best understood as a collaborative habitat restoration and protection effort in the Great Lakes coastal region, where successful projects are those developed jointly with Fish and Wildlife Service personnel, aligned with mission-driven biological priorities, and backed by solid ecological science, with an extra emphasis on priority coastal wetland areas in and around Saginaw Bay, Lake St. Clair, the Detroit River, and Western Lake Erie.Apply for F17AS00046
- The Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service in the environment, natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Coastal Program - Great Lakes Restoration Initiative" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.662.
- This funding opportunity was created on Dec 06, 2016.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 05, 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 $200,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 12 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Coastal Program - Great Lakes Restoration Initiative opportunity (F17AS00046)?
It is a Department of the Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service funding opportunity that supports on-the-ground conservation work in Great Lakes coastal areas. The program focuses on restoring and protecting fish and wildlife habitat through technical support and financial assistance to coastal communities and landowners.
What is the main purpose of this funding?
The purpose is to help restore and protect fish and wildlife habitat in Great Lakes coastal areas. The program emphasizes practical habitat improvements and partnership-based conservation actions on both public and private lands.
Is this a regulatory program?
No. The program is described as voluntary and incentive-based, meaning it is intended to encourage partnerships and habitat improvements rather than relying on regulatory approaches.
Does this opportunity function like a typical competitive grant with an open request for proposals?
No. The notice explains that it does not operate like a standard competitive grant program that publishes a typical request for proposals and then waits for applicants to submit standalone project ideas.
How are projects developed under this program?
Projects are shaped through strategic planning and close coordination with partners, with substantial involvement from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service field staff. Work plans are expected to be developed collaboratively and align closely with Service priorities.
How much involvement does U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service staff have in projects?
The opportunity anticipates substantial involvement from Fish and Wildlife Service field staff, consistent with the collaborative approach and the use of a cooperative agreement as the funding instrument.
What kinds of outcomes are expected from funded projects?
Funded projects are expected to emphasize measurable ecological outcomes and credible technical design. The work must be grounded in sound scientific biological principles.
What mission or conservation goals must projects support?
Projects must advance the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service mission, promote biological diversity, and be based on sound scientific biological principles, with an emphasis on habitat restoration and protection for fish and wildlife.
What is the geographic area eligible for this funding?
Funding is geographically limited to coastal areas within the U.S. portion of the Great Lakes basin.
Which states are included in the eligible Great Lakes coastal area?
Eligible locations include parts of Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York, as long as the work is in coastal areas within the U.S. portion of the Great Lakes basin.
Are any locations identified as priorities for special consideration?
Yes. The notice highlights that special consideration will be given to coastal wetland proposals in several priority areas: Saginaw Bay, Lake St. Clair, the Detroit River, and Western Lake Erie.
Does the opportunity prioritize wetlands?
The notice indicates a strong interest in coastal wetland proposals, particularly in the named priority areas (Saginaw Bay, Lake St. Clair, the Detroit River, and Western Lake Erie).
What funding source is tied to this opportunity?
The opportunity is tied specifically to Great Lakes Restoration Initiative support.
What type of funding instrument is used?
The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement, which typically reflects hands-on collaboration between the agency and project partners.
Is this opportunity discretionary?
Yes. The opportunity is categorized as discretionary.
What is the funding activity category?
The funding activity category is Environment and Natural Resources.
What is the CFDA number associated with this program?
The opportunity is associated with CFDA number 15.662.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is listed as unrestricted (open to any type of entity), subject to any additional clarifications in the full opportunity text. In general, partners must be able to support the program goals and work effectively with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service staff.
Is the program limited to public lands, or can it support work on private lands as well?
The program is described as supporting practical habitat improvements on both public and private lands.
What is the maximum award amount for this opportunity?
The maximum award amount listed is $200,000.
How many awards were expected to be made?
The agency expected to make approximately 12 awards.
When was this funding opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on December 6, 2016.
What was the original closing date?
The original closing date was April 5, 2017.
What makes a project a strong fit for this opportunity?
Based on the notice, strong-fit projects are those that are developed jointly with Fish and Wildlife Service personnel, align with Service mission-driven biological priorities, use sound ecological science, and deliver measurable habitat-related ecological outcomes. Coastal wetland proposals in Saginaw Bay, Lake St. Clair, the Detroit River, and Western Lake Erie are noted as receiving special consideration.
Do applicants submit fully independent project ideas, or are projects expected to align with existing Service plans?
Projects are expected to align closely with Service priorities and be developed through strategic planning and coordination with partners, rather than being entirely applicant-driven.
What does "voluntary and incentive-based" mean in the context of this program?
It means participation is intended to be encouraged through partnership, technical support, and financial assistance to achieve practical habitat improvements, instead of using regulatory requirements.
What is the official name and Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?
The official name is Coastal Program - Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, and the Funding Opportunity Number is F17AS00046.
Which federal agency is offering this opportunity?
The opportunity is offered by the Department of the Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
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| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Fiscal Year 2017 Candidate Conservation Action Funds Apply for F17AS00066 Funding Number: F17AS00066 Agency: Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, Partners for Fish and Wildlife 2017 Apply for F17AS00067 Funding Number: F17AS00067 Agency: Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $25,000 |
| Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund Apply for F17AS00096 Funding Number: F17AS00096 Agency: Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
| Freshwater Mussel and Host Fish Exposure to Contaminants of Emerging Concern: Health and Reproductive Evaluations Apply for F17AS00098 Funding Number: F17AS00098 Agency: Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $326,688 |
| CWT--CITIES Apply for F17AS00102 Funding Number: F17AS00102 Agency: Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $25,000 |
| BLM-WO, Support for the Sustainable Water Resources Roundtable (SWRR) Apply for L17AS00020 Funding Number: L17AS00020 Agency: Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management Category: Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program Apply for F17AS00108 Funding Number: F17AS00108 Agency: Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Notice of Intent to Award: Support and Sponsorship of Greater Everglades Ecosystem Restoration Conferences Apply for P17AS00068 Funding Number: P17AS00068 Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service Category: Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $90,000 |
| Restoring and Protecting Piping Plover Nesting Habitat in the St. Louis River Estuary - Phase III Apply for F17AS00106 Funding Number: F17AS00106 Agency: Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $60,000 |
| Toussaint East and West Land Acquisition and Habitat Restoration Project Apply for F17AS00111 Funding Number: F17AS00111 Agency: Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $2,228,090 |
| State of Michigan Statewide Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leuocepholus) Productivity Flight Survey Apply for F17AS00119 Funding Number: F17AS00119 Agency: Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $66,234 |
| Service Training and Technical Assistance (Generic Training) Apply for F17AS00122 Funding Number: F17AS00122 Agency: Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Rice Creek Floodplain Restoration Project (Enbridge 2010 Oil Spill Kalamazoo River NRDAR) Apply for F17AS00120 Funding Number: F17AS00120 Agency: Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Evaluation of Legacy and Contaminants of Emerging Concern on the Health and Nutritional Status of Double Crested Cormorants Apply for F17AS00123 Funding Number: F17AS00123 Agency: Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $50,272 |
| 2017 State Interstate Aquatic Nuisance Species Management Plan Program Apply for F17AS00128 Funding Number: F17AS00128 Agency: Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| Notice of Intent to Award No Applicaitons Will Be Accepted For This Notification. Apply for P17AS00099 Funding Number: P17AS00099 Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service Category: Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $40,000 |
| Biological Monitoring and Management of Federally Threatened and State Endangered Beach Nesting Birds on E.B. Forsythe NWR Apply for F17AS00143 Funding Number: F17AS00143 Agency: Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Urban EE Scholarships and Military Action Summit Apply for F17AS00153 Funding Number: F17AS00153 Agency: Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $40,000 |
| Yukon River Salmon Panel Apply for F17AS00164 Funding Number: F17AS00164 Agency: Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $170,000 |
| Practical Methods for Conducting Threat Assessments for Reef Managers at Corales del Rosario y de San Bernardo National Natural Park Apply for P17AS00130 Funding Number: P17AS00130 Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service Category: Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $27,754 |
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