F23AS00302 - Migratory Bird Conservation in the Midwest | F23AS00302

Opportunity Information: Apply for F23AS00302

F23AS00302, "Migratory Bird Conservation in the Midwest," is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (CFDA 15.647) that funds work focused on conserving migratory birds protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act that are not listed as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act. The program is aimed at producing real, measurable conservation benefits for migratory bird populations tied to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Region 3 footprint, which includes Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, and Wisconsin. Projects can either take place within these Region 3 states (especially during the non-breeding season) or be broader-scale efforts outside the region as long as they clearly and tangibly benefit birds that breed in, move through, or otherwise depend on Region 3 states.

A key feature of this opportunity is that it is structured around the Strategic Habitat Conservation (SHC) business model used by the Midwest Migratory Bird Conservation Program. In practice, this means proposals are expected to fit into a more disciplined conservation framework that links biological planning and priority setting to landscape design, on-the-ground conservation delivery, and then monitoring and evaluation. The intent is to fund projects that do not just "do work," but also generate information and feedback that can guide future decisions, improve effectiveness over time, and demonstrate outcomes for birds.

For 2023, the program indicates it will consider proposals aligned with three main themes. The first theme emphasizes improving understanding of migration and survival dynamics for birds that move within or through the Midwest, including migratory connectivity, migration-related threats, wintering ecology, annual survival, and even local post-fledging movements of birds-of-the-year between hatching and dispersal or migration. Within that theme, proposals that address focal or priority species identified by Midwest Joint Venture partnerships are preferred, with special interest in grassland-dependent species, shorebirds, and aerial insectivores. Applicants are pointed to Joint Venture planning resources (Upper Mississippi/Great Lakes Joint Venture, Central Hardwoods Joint Venture, and Prairie Pothole Joint Venture) as a way to align proposals with established regional priorities.

The second theme focuses on capacity building for the sustainable conservation and monitoring of Neotropical migrants during the non-breeding season. This is essentially support for efforts that strengthen long-term ability to conserve and track migratory songbirds and other Neotropical migrants when they are not on their breeding grounds, including the kind of monitoring systems, partnerships, and field capacity needed to keep conservation actions and data collection going beyond a single short-term project.

The third theme targets assessment work for Great Lakes waterbirds and shorebirds, specifically projects that evaluate trends, status, limiting factors, and/or causes of decline. Examples of focal Great Lakes waterbirds listed include King Rail, Yellow Rail, Herring Gull, Caspian Tern, Common Tern, and Black Tern, and example shorebirds include Lesser Yellowlegs, Pectoral Sandpiper, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Short-billed Dowitcher, and Dunlin. This theme is geared toward understanding what is driving population changes and what ecological or human-related factors may be constraining recovery or stability.

A practical and unusual requirement is that applicants must consult with Migratory Bird (MB) staff before submitting an application, and the notice provides staff contacts matched to the themes. For themes 1 and 2, contacts include Andrew Forbes (Andrewforbes@fws.gov), Sarah Kendrick (sarahkendrick@fws.gov), Michael Wells (michaelwells@fws.gov), Kelly VanBeek (Kellyvanbeek@fws.gov), and Rachael Pierce (rachaelpierce@fws.gov). For theme 3, the listed contacts are Rachael Pierce (rachaelpierce@fws.gov) or Michael Wells (michaelwells@fws.gov). This pre-application consultation is positioned as mandatory, so applicants should plan for early coordination to confirm fit, refine scope, and ensure alignment with program priorities.

In terms of who can apply, eligibility is broad and includes state, county, and local governments; special districts; independent school districts; public and state-controlled colleges and universities; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations; public housing authorities; and nonprofits both with and without 501(c)(3) status. The funding instrument is a grant, the award ceiling is $150,000, and the original closing date listed for this cycle is May 31, 2023 (created March 9, 2023). Overall, the opportunity is best suited for organizations that can tie their work to Midwest migratory bird priorities, articulate clear conservation outcomes, and demonstrate how their project fits into an SHC-style cycle of planning, action, and measurable learning.

• The Fish and Wildlife Service in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "F23AS00302 - Migratory Bird Conservation in the Midwest" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.647.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2023-03-09.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2023-05-31. (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 $150,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, 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, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education.

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