Opportunity Information: Apply for F21AS00344
The Migratory Bird Conservation in the Midwest grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number F21AS00344) is a discretionary U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) grant program focused on conserving native migratory birds that are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, but are not listed as Endangered or Threatened under the Endangered Species Act. In practical terms, this funding is aimed at improving outcomes for a wide range of migratory bird species that still need targeted conservation attention even though they are not formally ESA-listed.
Projects must be relevant to USFWS Region 3, which covers Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, and Wisconsin. The program is especially interested in work that addresses key non-breeding season needs within this region (for example, habitat use, threats, and survival during migration stopovers or winter periods). It also allows proposals that occur outside the eight-state footprint if the work clearly supports Region 3 breeding populations, such as research or conservation actions in important non-breeding areas used by birds that breed in Region 3, or broad-scale actions that deliver tangible benefits to birds in these states.
A core feature of the opportunity is that proposals are expected to align with the Strategic Habitat Conservation (SHC) framework used by USFWS. SHC is a structured, science-driven approach that links biological planning and priority setting with on-the-ground conservation delivery, then uses monitoring and evaluation to learn what worked and adjust future actions. Applicants are essentially being asked to propose work that fits into a cycle of planning, implementation, measurement, and adaptive improvement, rather than standalone activities with limited follow-through.
For the 2021 funding cycle, the Midwest Migratory Bird Conservation Program highlighted three main proposal themes. The first theme focuses on improving understanding of migration and year-round population dynamics, including migratory connectivity (how breeding, stopover, and wintering areas are linked), migratory threats, wintering ecology, and annual survival. This theme also explicitly includes the local movements of birds-of-the-year between hatching and dispersal or migration, which is a period that can strongly affect survival and recruitment but is often under-studied. Within this theme, preference is given to projects that target focal or priority species identified by Midwest Joint Venture partnerships, with particular interest in grassland-dependent birds, shorebirds, and aerial insectivores. The opportunity points applicants to Joint Venture planning resources (https://umgljv.org/planning/joint-venture-plans/) to help ensure projects are aligned with established regional priorities.
The second theme emphasizes capacity-building for sustainable conservation and monitoring of Neotropical migrants during the non-breeding season. This is less about a single dataset or one-off field season and more about establishing durable capability, such as local partnerships, training, monitoring frameworks, or systems that can continue producing conservation value over time in the places and seasons that matter for these long-distance migrants.
The third theme targets population-level assessment work for specific groups: Great Lakes waterbirds and certain shorebirds. The program calls for proposals that assess trends, status, limiting factors, and/or causes of decline. Example Great Lakes waterbirds mentioned include Herring Gull, American White Pelican, Common Tern, and Black Tern. Example shorebirds include Lesser Yellowlegs, Pectoral Sandpiper, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Short-billed Dowitcher, and Dunlin. The intent here is to fill critical knowledge gaps about what is driving declines or constraining recovery, which can then guide better-targeted management actions.
In terms of administrative basics, the funding instrument is a grant, and the activity category is Natural Resources under CFDA/Assistance Listing 15.647. Eligible applicants are broad and include special district governments, independent school districts, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments), and nonprofits both with and without 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not institutions of higher education). For this opportunity, the posted award ceiling is $99,000, the opportunity was created on March 11, 2021, and the original closing date was May 10, 2021.Apply for F21AS00344
- The Fish and Wildlife Service in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "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 2021-03-11.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-05-10. (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 $99,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, 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.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Migratory Bird Conservation in the Midwest (F21AS00344)
What is the Migratory Bird Conservation in the Midwest grant (F21AS00344)?
This is a discretionary U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) grant program that supports conservation of native migratory birds protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) that are not listed as Endangered or Threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
Which bird species does this program focus on?
The opportunity targets a wide range of native migratory bird species protected by the MBTA, specifically those that still need targeted conservation attention but are not formally ESA-listed (not Endangered or Threatened).
What is the primary purpose of this funding in practical terms?
The funding is intended to improve outcomes for migratory bird species through projects that support meaningful conservation action and/or produce knowledge that can guide better management, particularly where there are clear conservation needs despite the lack of ESA listing.
What geographic area must projects be relevant to?
Projects must be relevant to USFWS Region 3, which covers Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, and Wisconsin.
Can a project take place outside of the Region 3 states?
Yes. Proposals may occur outside the eight-state Region 3 footprint if the work clearly supports Region 3 breeding populations. Examples include research or conservation actions in important non-breeding areas used by birds that breed in Region 3, or broad-scale actions that deliver tangible benefits to birds in the Region 3 states.
Is the program especially interested in a particular season or life stage?
Yes. The program is especially interested in work addressing key non-breeding season needs in Region 3, such as habitat use, threats, and survival during migration stopovers or winter periods.
What framework are proposals expected to align with?
Proposals are expected to align with the USFWS Strategic Habitat Conservation (SHC) framework, a structured, science-driven approach linking biological planning and priority setting with conservation delivery, then using monitoring and evaluation to learn what worked and improve future actions.
What does it mean to align a project with Strategic Habitat Conservation (SHC)?
Based on the opportunity description, alignment with SHC means proposing work that fits into a cycle of planning, implementation, measurement (monitoring/evaluation), and adaptive improvement rather than a standalone activity with limited follow-through.
What were the main proposal themes highlighted for the 2021 funding cycle?
For 2021, the program highlighted three themes: (1) improving understanding of migration and year-round population dynamics, (2) capacity-building for sustainable conservation and monitoring of Neotropical migrants during the non-breeding season, and (3) population-level assessment work for Great Lakes waterbirds and certain shorebirds.
What types of research or information-building projects fit Theme 1?
Theme 1 includes projects that improve understanding of migration and year-round population dynamics, including migratory connectivity (linking breeding, stopover, and wintering areas), migratory threats, wintering ecology, and annual survival. It also includes research on local movements of birds-of-the-year between hatching and dispersal or migration.
Does Theme 1 include studying young birds (birds-of-the-year)?
Yes. Theme 1 explicitly includes local movements of birds-of-the-year between hatching and dispersal or migration, noting this period can strongly affect survival and recruitment but is often under-studied.
Are certain species or groups preferred under Theme 1?
Yes. Preference is given to projects that target focal or priority species identified by Midwest Joint Venture partnerships, with particular interest in grassland-dependent birds, shorebirds, and aerial insectivores.
Where can applicants find Joint Venture planning resources referenced by the opportunity?
The opportunity points to Joint Venture planning resources at: https://umgljv.org/planning/joint-venture-plans/
What kinds of projects fit Theme 2 (capacity-building)?
Theme 2 emphasizes capacity-building for sustainable conservation and monitoring of Neotropical migrants during the non-breeding season. The focus is on establishing durable capability (such as partnerships, training, monitoring frameworks, or systems) that can continue producing conservation value over time.
Is Theme 2 intended for one-off field seasons or single datasets?
No. Theme 2 is described as being less about a single dataset or one-off field season and more about building lasting capacity and systems for ongoing conservation and monitoring.
What kinds of projects fit Theme 3 (population-level assessments)?
Theme 3 targets population-level assessment work for Great Lakes waterbirds and certain shorebirds, including assessing trends, status, limiting factors, and/or causes of decline to fill knowledge gaps that can guide better-targeted management actions.
Which Great Lakes waterbird species were mentioned as examples for Theme 3?
Example Great Lakes waterbirds listed in the opportunity include Herring Gull, American White Pelican, Common Tern, and Black Tern.
Which shorebird species were mentioned as examples for Theme 3?
Example shorebirds listed include Lesser Yellowlegs, Pectoral Sandpiper, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Short-billed Dowitcher, and Dunlin.
What is the funding instrument for this opportunity?
The funding instrument is a grant.
What is the activity category and Assistance Listing (CFDA) number?
The activity category is Natural Resources. The CFDA/Assistance Listing number is 15.647.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants include special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments); and nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not institutions of higher education).
Are nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status eligible?
Yes. Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status are included as eligible applicants, provided they are not institutions of higher education.
Are Native American tribal organizations eligible?
Yes. Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments) are listed as eligible applicants.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The posted award ceiling for this opportunity is $99,000.
When was this opportunity created and when did it close?
The opportunity was created on March 11, 2021. The original closing date was May 10, 2021.
What types of conservation outcomes does the program seem designed to support?
Based on the description, the program is designed to support outcomes such as improved understanding of migratory connectivity and threats, improved knowledge of wintering ecology and survival, strengthened long-term monitoring and conservation capacity for Neotropical migrants, and population-level assessments that identify limiting factors and causes of decline for targeted waterbird and shorebird groups.
Is the program limited to breeding-season work?
No. The program especially highlights non-breeding season needs (migration stopovers and winter periods) and also allows work outside Region 3 if it supports Region 3 breeding populations through non-breeding season research or conservation actions.
What makes a proposal more aligned with program priorities?
Based on the stated preferences, proposals are more aligned when they are clearly relevant to Region 3, address non-breeding season needs and/or Region 3 breeding population benefits, fit within the SHC cycle (planning, delivery, monitoring/evaluation, adaptive improvement), and for Theme 1, target Midwest Joint Venture focal/priority species (with particular interest in grassland birds, shorebirds, and aerial insectivores).
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Natural Resources
Next opportunity: Adapting Immunotherapy and Gene Editing Based Strategies for Targeting HIV Reservoirs in the CNS: Potential Benefits and Risks (R21 Clinical Trial Optional)
Previous opportunity: NEA Mayor's Institute on City Design (MICD), FY2021
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for F21AS00344
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (F21AS00344) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Department of the Interior - Bureau of Land Management Oregon/Washington Youth Conservation Opportunities on Public Lands Apply for L21AS00304 Funding Number: L21AS00304 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Department of the Interior - Bureau of Land Management Alaska Wildlife Resource Management Apply for L21AS00409 Funding Number: L21AS00409 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $60,000 |
| Seaplane Invasive Species Risk Analysis Apply for F21AS00406 Funding Number: F21AS00406 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $140,000 |
| Tribal Wildlife Grants (TWG) Program - Fiscal Year 2021 Apply for F21AS00354 Funding Number: F21AS00354 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Department of the Interior – Bureau of Land Management Alaska Plant Conservation and Restoration Management Apply for L21AS00410 Funding Number: L21AS00410 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $20,000 |
| Department of the Interior – Bureau of Land Management Idaho Plant Conservation and Restoration Management Apply for L21AS00341 Funding Number: L21AS00341 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Department of the Interior - Bureau of Land Management Idaho Recreation and Visitor Services Apply for L21AS00396 Funding Number: L21AS00396 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Department of the Interior - Bureau of Land Management Idaho Cultural and Paleontological Resource Management Apply for L21AS00397 Funding Number: L21AS00397 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $25,000 |
| Department of the Interior - Bureau of Land Management Idaho Wildlife Resource Management Apply for L21AS00381 Funding Number: L21AS00381 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| Department of the Interior - Bureau of Land Management Idaho Threatened and Endangered Species Apply for L21AS00390 Funding Number: L21AS00390 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Multistate Conservation Grant (MSCG) Program Apply for F22AS00011 Funding Number: F22AS00011 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Department of the Interior – Bureau of Land Management Idaho Fisheries and Aquatic Resource Management Apply for L21AS00391 Funding Number: L21AS00391 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Department of the Interior – Bureau of Land Management Idaho Invasive and Noxious Management Apply for L21AS00392 Funding Number: L21AS00392 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $60,000 |
| NAWCA 2022 Mexico Standard Grant Apply for F22AS00008 Funding Number: F22AS00008 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Department of the Interior - Bureau of Land Management Utah Youth Conservation Opportunities on Public Lands Apply for L21AS00330 Funding Number: L21AS00330 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Department of the Interior – Bureau of Land Management Montana/Dakotas Fuels Management and Community Fire Assistance Program Activities Apply for L21AS00385 Funding Number: L21AS00385 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Department of the Interior - Bureau of Land Management Montana/Dakotas Cultural and Paleontological Resource Management Apply for L21AS00394 Funding Number: L21AS00394 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $30,000 |
| Department of the Interior – Bureau of Land Management Montana/Dakotas Forests and Woodlands Resource Management Apply for L21AS00371 Funding Number: L21AS00371 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Department of the Interior - Bureau of Land Management Montana/Dakotas Recreation and Visitor Services Apply for L21AS00372 Funding Number: L21AS00372 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Department of the Interior - Bureau of Land Management California Cultural and Paleontological Resource Management Apply for L21AS00442 Funding Number: L21AS00442 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $100,000 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "F21AS00344", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.