The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) requests interested entities to submit restoration, research and Regional Project proposals for the restoration of Great Lakes fish and wildlife resources, as authorized under the Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act (16 USC 941c). The purpose of the Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act (Act) is to provide assistance to States, Indian Tribes, and other interested entities to encourage cooperative conservation, restoration and management of the fish and wildlife resources and their habitats in the Great Lakes Basin. Regional Projects are authorized activities of the Service related to fish and wildlife resource protection, restoration, maintenance, and enhancement impacting the resources of multiple States or Indian Tribes with fish and wildlife management authority in the Great Lakes Basin. The Service will be responsible for accomplishing Regional Projects on behalf of the State and/or Tribal agencies submitting the Regional Project proposal. Supported in part by President Obama’s Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, a total of approximately $2.0 million is projected to be available to support projects this fiscal year. Available funding and project awards are subject to final Congressional appropriations for Fiscal Year 2011. Up to 33% of the total Congressional appropriation to the Act is eligible to fund Regional Projects. Successful restoration and research projects have ranged from $2,300 to $2,000,000 with the average project at $97,286.

Pre-proposals and Regional Project Proposals are due on December 13, 2010 by 10:00 PM EST. An email will be sent to confirm receipt of all proposals. Pre-proposals and Regional Project Proposals received after this deadline will not be considered.

Funding Instrument Type:     Cooperative Agreement/Grant

Category Explanation:     States, Federally Recognized Indian Tribal Governments, and Native American Treaty Organizations within the Great Lakes Basin are eligible. Local governments, non-governmental organizations, universities, and conservation organizations (either within or outside of the basin) may receive funding if sponsored by an institution listed above. Proof of sponsorship is not required at the pre-proposal stage, but is required during the review of full proposals to receive funding.

Estimated Total Program Funding:     $2,000,000

CFDA Number(s):     15.608  —  Fish and Wildlife Management Assistance
Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement:     Yes

Eligible Applicants
State governments
County governments
City or township governments
Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)
Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
Private institutions of higher education
Others (see text field entitled “Additional Information on Eligibility” for clarification)

Additional Information on Eligibility:
States, Federally Recognized Indian Tribal Governments, and Native American Treaty Organizations within the Great Lakes Basin are eligible. Local governments, non-governmental organizations, universities, and conservation organizations (either within or outside of the basin) may receive funding if sponsored by an institution listed above. Proof of sponsorship is not required at the pre-proposal stage, but is required during the review of full proposals to receive funding.