Species Recovery Grants to States

Background

In 2003, NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) instituted a grant program for States pursuant to section 6 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA), using funding provided by Congress.

Species Recovery Grants to States (formerly called "Protected Species Cooperative Conservation Grants") may support management, research, monitoring, and outreach activities that provide direct conservation benefits to listed species, recently de-listed species, and proposed and candidate species that reside within a given State. Projects focusing on Pacific salmon and steelhead are not considered under this grant program; State conservation efforts for these species may be supported through the Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund.

Who Can Apply

Eligible applicants are state agencies that have entered into an agreement with NMFS pursuant to section 6(c) of the ESA. Any state agency that enters into a section 6(c) agreement with NMFS by the grant proposal deadline is also eligible to apply. The terms "State" and "state agency" are used as defined in section 3 of the ESA. See the grant schedule below for the annual proposal deadline.

How to Apply

Proposals should be submitted through Grants.gov, the online portal to all Federal grant opportunities.

Detailed guidance on how to prepare proposals is provided in the Federal Funding Opportunity [pdf]. This document should be read carefully to ensure that proposals meet eligibility requirements and are complete upon submission. Complete instructions and forms for preparing and submitting proposals are also available through Grants.gov. 

For more information about Grants.gov and NOAA Grants, visit the NOAA Grants Management Division website.

When to Apply

The FY2013 submission period is closed. Submissions must have been received electronically or postmarked by Friday, October 12, 2012. The Section 6 grant schedule below provides additional information about the general timing of different stages of a typical grant cycle.

Marine Debris Photo: Florida Wildlife Research Institute  Ingestion of marine debris is a significant threat to neonate sea turtles; researchers in Florida are studying how various forms of marine debris are impacting listed sea turtles.

Schedule

2012

July: Announcement of Federal Funding Opportunity (FFO) posted to Grants.gov.

July - October: Submission period. Applications must be received by October 12.

October: Proposals screened for eligibility and required elements; reviewers solicited and assigned; proposals undergo merit review.

November/ December: Review panel meeting convened; funding recommendations made.

December-January: Pre-award negotiations with recommended applicants.

2013

January: Assistant Administrator for Fisheries reviews recommended proposals and makes final selections. NOTE: Delays from this point forward may occur depending on the status of the Federal appropriation process.

February: Completion of required environmental and legal reviews; submission of award files to NOAA Grants Management Division (GMD).

March-May (1-3 months): Awards finalized by GMD Grants Official.

Updated: October 12, 2012