Fiscal Year 2017 Recovery Implementation Grants | F17AS00005

Opportunity Information: Apply for F17AS00005

The Fiscal Year 2017 Recovery Implementation Grants opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number F17AS00005) is a competitive funding program run by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) through its Ecological Services Program. The core purpose is to provide federal financial assistance for practical, recovery-focused work that helps endangered and threatened species move toward recovery under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). In plain terms, the program is meant to fund projects that generate useful conservation science, carry out on-the-ground recovery actions, and support ecosystem conservation in ways that directly benefit listed species or keep vulnerable species from needing to be listed in the first place.

A key feature of this opportunity is that it is specifically targeted to species managed by the FWS, not species managed by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), even though both agencies share ESA responsibilities for certain groups. Sea turtles are used as the clearest example: FWS generally handles sea turtles when they are on land, while NMFS (within NOAA Fisheries at the Department of Commerce) is responsible when they are in the water. Because of that split, projects that fall under NMFS-managed species are explicitly not part of this funding opportunity, and applicants are expected to align proposals with FWS jurisdiction and priorities.

The program is designed to support applicants from a wide range of sectors. Eligibility is described as unrestricted, meaning it is open to states, other federal agencies, landowners, educators, nonprofit organizations, researchers, and other conservation partners, as long as any additional eligibility clarifications in the full notice are followed. This wide eligibility reflects how recovery work often requires partnerships across agencies, universities, tribes and local entities (when applicable), NGOs, and private landowners, especially for species whose habitats span mixed ownership and management.

Project scope is intentionally narrow in one important way: the proposed work must tie directly to established, official recovery guidance for a particular species. Funded projects must carry out actions that are already described in an approved recovery plan or its implementation schedule, or that are recommended in a completed 5-year status review, or that are included in a spotlight species action plan. In addition, the opportunity allows projects that document a species response to climate change, and proposals in this climate-response category are stated to receive additional consideration. This means the program is not intended for general conservation activity that is only loosely related to ESA recovery; it is geared toward work that is clearly traceable to recognized recovery needs and identified recovery actions.

The types of activities envisioned include both research and implementation, as long as they contribute to recovery outcomes. Examples referenced in the description include securing scientific information about endangered or threatened species (such as data needed to address limiting factors, refine management decisions, or improve monitoring) and implementing restoration actions that can lead to delisting, prevent extinction, or otherwise accelerate recovery. In practice, this could cover efforts like targeted habitat restoration, threat reduction measures, improved survey and monitoring protocols, or applied studies that directly inform recovery actions identified in the recovery planning documents. The emphasis is on measurable contribution to recovery, not purely academic inquiry without a clear management or recovery link.

From an administrative standpoint, this is listed as a discretionary opportunity under the environment and natural resources activity category (CFDA/Assistance Listing number 15.657). The notice indicates multiple potential funding instruments may be used, including cooperative agreements, grants, and procurement contracts, which signals that the agency may choose the instrument type based on how closely it expects to be involved in the project and the nature of the work being funded. The award ceiling is $100,000. The posting lists expected awards as 0, which usually reflects that the number of awards is not predetermined in the notice or depends entirely on available appropriations and internal allocation decisions rather than a fixed target.

Regarding timing, the opportunity was created on October 18, 2016, and applications were due by July 31, 2017, but the notice also states that applications may be submitted throughout the year. Even with rolling submission language, the practical reality is that selection and funding decisions ultimately depend on the FWS budget cycle, so applicants would need to consider when funds are actually available and how proposals align with internal scheduling and priorities. Overall, the opportunity is best understood as a focused recovery implementation funding stream for FWS-managed listed species, prioritizing projects that implement already-identified recovery actions and giving extra weight to work that helps species cope with or respond to climate change.

• The Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service in the environment, natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Fiscal Year 2017 Recovery Implementation Grants" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.657.
• This funding opportunity was created on Oct 18, 2016.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Applications are due by July 31, 2017. However, you may submit applications throughout the year. Consideration of applications ultimately will be based on the FWS budget cycle.. (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 $100,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.

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