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Species Recovery Grants to Tribes

Agency: Department of Commerce

Assistance Listings
  • 11.472 -- Unallied Science Program

Archived opportunityLast Updated: May 13, 2026

View version history on Grants.gov

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) recognizes the unique importance of many protected species to tribes and values ongoing efforts by tribal nations to conserve and protect species listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), 16 U.S.C. 1535. NMFS is authorized to provide Federal assistance to tribes to support conservation programs for listed marine and anadromous species under its jurisdiction. This assistance, provided in the form of grants or cooperative agreements, can be used to support conservation of endangered, threatened, and candidate species or species proposed for listing, as well as post-delisting monitoring of recovered species. Proposals that address the recovery of one of the following endangered species are also encouraged as part of the agency’s Species in the Spotlight initiative: Gulf of Maine distinct population segment (DPS) of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), white abalone (Haliotis sorenseni), Cook Inlet DPS of beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas), Hawaiian monk seals (Neomonachus schauinslandi), Pacific leatherback sea turtles (Dermochelys coriacea), North Atlantic right whales (Eubalaena glacialis), and southern resident DPS of killer whales (Orcinus orca). Funded activities may include development and implementation of management plans, scientific research, and public education and outreach. Only federally recognized tribes and organizations of federally recognized tribes, such as the Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission, that have delegated authority to represent a federally recognized tribe on matters relating to ESA listed, candidate, or proposed species, are eligible to apply. Proposals focusing on listed, candidate, or proposed species of Pacific salmon or steelhead will not be considered for funding under this grant program; such projects may be supported through the Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund. This document describes how to prepare and submit proposals for funding in fiscal year (FY) 2023 and how NMFS will determine which proposals will be funded. This document should be read in its entirety as some information has changed from previous announcements.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants

Government

  • Federally recognized Native American tribal governments

Nonprofit

  • Other Native American tribal organizations

Additional information

Eligible applicants are federally recognized tribes defined under the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act (Public Law 103-454; for list see https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2022-01789) or presidential executive order. Organizations of federally recognized tribes, such as the Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission, that have delegated authority to represent federally recognized tribes on matters relating to listed, candidate, or proposed species, are also eligible to apply. Organizations of federally recognized tribes are required to provide supporting documentation demonstrating that they do have delegated authority from tribal officials and that the delegated authority is for the type of activity being proposed in the application. Federal agencies or institutions are not eligible to receive Federal assistance under this notice. In addition, no Federal employee (or agency) shall provide assistance by writing or editing any part of an application, write letters of support for any application, or otherwise confer any unfair advantage on a particular application. However, proposed activities can involve collaboration with current NMFS programs or NMFS employees, and NMFS employees can submit letters verifying that they would collaborate on a particular project if funded. Applicants must contact the Federal Program Officer listed in Section VII, Agency Contacts, prior to submission for guidance if collaborating with a NMFS program or NMFS employee. The level of collaboration may dictate whether the funding is awarded through a grant or cooperative agreement. Applicants not meeting these eligibility criteria will not be considered for funding under this solicitation.

Grantor contact information

Description

Heather Austin Species Recovery Grants Federal Program Officer Phone 301-427-8422

Email

Work Email

Heather.Austin@noaa.gov

Documents

File nameDescriptionLast updated
NOAA-NMFS-PRPO-2023-2007505_NOFO_Report_formatted.pdf
Full NOFO Pdf
Aug 1, 2022 12:38 PM UTC

Link to additional information

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Archived: November 30, 2022

Application process

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Award

$300,000

Program Funding

3

Expected awards

$--

Award Minimum

$300,000

Award Maximum

Funding opportunity number:

NOAA-NMFS-PRPO-2023-2007505

Cost sharing or matching requirement:

No

Funding instrument type:

Grant

Cooperative agreement

Opportunity Category:

Discretionary

Opportunity Category Explanation:

--

Category of Funding Activity:

Natural resources

Environment

Science technology and other research and development

Category Explanation:

--

History

Version:

1

Posted date:

August 1, 2022

Archive date:

November 30, 2022

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