Tribal Grant Opportunity from National Marine Fisheries Service

The *National Marine Fisheries Service* [ http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/aboutus.htm ] (NMFS) recognizes the unique importance of many protected species to tribes, and it values ongoing efforts by tribal nations to conserve and protect species under NMFS' jurisdiction. NMFS is authorized to provide federal assistance to tribes to support conservation programs for marine and anadromous species under its jurisdiction. These grants can be used to support conservation of endangered, threatened, and candidate or proposed species, as well as post-delisting monitoring of recovered species. (NMFS is part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA, which is part of the U.S. Commerce Department.)

Funded activities may include development and implementation of management plans, scientific research, and public education and outreach. Proposals should address priority actions identified in an Endangered Species Act (ESA) Recovery Plan or address a NMFS-identified regional priority or need. Only federally recognized tribes and organizations of federally recognized tribes, such as the Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission, that have delegated authority to represent a federally recognized tribe on matters relating to ESA listed, candidate, or proposed species, are eligible to apply. (Proposals focusing on listed, candidate, or proposed species of Pacific salmon or steelhead will not be considered for funding under this grant program, but such projects may be supported through the Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund.)

*All applications must be postmarked by Friday, November 7, 2014*

To learn all the details, please visit *http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=262508* [ http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=262508 ].

Successful applications will be those that demonstrate a direct conservation benefit to the species or its habitat. Proposals involving management activities should demonstrate a high probability of contributing to recovery of the species, especially through mitigation of existing threats or factors inhibiting recovery of the species. Proposals involving scientific research should demonstrate a high probability of providing information that can be used to recover, manage or improve current management strategies for a given species. Proposals involving public education and outreach projects should demonstrate a high probability of improving or increasing public understanding and participation in conservation activities.

Up to approximately $300,000 may be available for distribution under this program in FY 2015 for new awards or to supplement existing awards. While there is no set minimum or maximum amount for any award, most awards are expected to be in the range of $10,000 to $100,000 per year.

There is no limit on the number of applications that can be submitted by the same tribe. Multiple applications by the same applicant must, however, clearly identify distinct projects. Project periods may extend up to a maximum of three years. For multi-year proposals, applicants must include project plans and budgets for each year of the project. Multi-year projects may be funded in one-year increments or in their entirety depending on available funds.