F23AS00028 National Outreach and Communication Program

Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service

15.653 -- National Outreach and Communication

Archived opportunityLast Updated: May 13, 2026

Description

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is seeking proposals from applicants to implement the National Outreach and Communication Program (NOCP) for sportfishing and boating. The National Outreach and Communication Program was established by the Sportfishing and Boating Safety Act of 1998 (Public Law 105-178) to reverse declining trends in participation rates in angling and boating in the early 1990’s. Everyone deserves access to clean, safe, and healthy recreational fishing and boating opportunities. Fishing and boating participation are important to our nation’s economy and fund much of our...

nation’s aquatic resource conservation through the sale of state fishing licenses and the grant programs funded from the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund. Proposals must address the primary purposes of the NOCP, which are to: Improve communications with anglers, boaters, and the general public regarding angling and boating opportunities. Reduce barriers to access and participation in angling and boating activities. Advance the adoption of sound angling and boating practices in the U.S. Promote conservation and the responsible use of the nation’s aquatic resources. Further safety in angling and boating. Successful proposals will present a data-driven, consensus-based national outreach strategy that reduces barriers, improves communication, advances sound practices, and promotes conservation and safety. Not all of the purposes of the NOCP must be addressed equally, but they should all be taken into consideration. A data-driven, consensus-based approach should consider the full landscape of potential stakeholders – including state and federal agencies, industry, non-governmental organizations, community groups, and the angling and boating community. Proposals should be sure to thoughtfully consider the needs of underserved and underrepresented communities. In 1998 the Sport Fishing and Boating Partnership Council (Council) developed a National Outreach and Communication Program Strategic Plan (Strategic Plan) to enhance recreational fishing and boating opportunities and heighten public awareness about the need to protect and conserve the nation's aquatic resources. That plan identified five program objectives that could be used to achieve the goals of the NOCP: Create a top-of-mind campaign to develop awareness, trial and continued participation. Educate people as to how and where to boat and fish. Target market segments and create messages which address each segment’s specific needs. Educate stakeholders on marketing, outreach and implementation of strategies to targeted user groups. Make availability of and access to boating and fishing locations easy and simple. References to “you” or “your” in this announcement refer to applicants completing the application and any potential subgrantee, if applicable. References to “we” or “us” in this announcement typically refer to the Service.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants

Miscellaneous

Unrestricted

Additional information

Organizations with experience in addressing one or more of the primary purposes of the NOCP and objectives identified in the Strategic Plan are encouraged to apply. You must include documentation of your organization’s previous experience with all of the following: Planning and executing in major national marketing and outreach campaigns. Identifying and communicating with targeted audiences to achieve increased awareness, participation, and behavior change in outdoor recreation, aquatic conservation, fishing, and boating activities. The documentation must be adequate for proposal reviewers to verify as accurate and focused on the NOCP purpose or Strategic Plan objectives.

Grantor contact information

Description

Christy Vigfusson christy_vigfusson@fws.gov

Email

christy_vigfusson@fws.gov

Documents

File name	Description	Last updated
Final__NOCP_NOFO_F23AS00028.pdf	Final _NOCP NOFO_F23AS00028.pdf	Aug 30, 2022 07:38 PM UTC

Link to additional information

Archived: November 1, 2023

Application process

This site is a work in progress. Go to www.grants.gov to apply, track application status, and subscribe to updates.

Award

$70,000,000

Program Funding

Expected awards

$5,000,000

Award Minimum

$70,000,000

Award Maximum

Funding opportunity number:

F23AS00028

Cost sharing or matching requirement:

Funding instrument type:

Cooperative agreement

Opportunity Category:

Discretionary

Opportunity Category Explanation:

Category of Funding Activity:

Other

Category Explanation:

The Service will work closely with the award recipient(s) to implement the NOCP as a cooperative agreement. Under a cooperative agreement, there is a participatory relationship between the Service and the recipient during the award, with shared performance responsibilities. More specifically, cooperative agreements require substantial involvement of the Service with the award recipient. As appropriate, the Service will: Participate and collaborate with the recipient in carrying out agreed upon purposes of the NOCP and provide guidance on the development of programs and initiatives; Participate in relevant recipient(s) work teams and work groups; Consult with the recipient on development of annual workplans and priorities; and Closely monitor progress toward collaboratively established goals on a quarterly basis. Substantial Service involvement does NOT include functions such as: awarding funds, assigning a project officer, reviewing, and approving reports, processing payments, monitoring to ensure project is completed on time, performing any other routine administrative or monitoring activities.

History

Version:

Posted date:

August 30, 2022

Archive date:

November 1, 2023