White-nose Syndrome Grants

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The goal of the White-nose Syndrome Grants to States is to provide needed assistance to state agencies in addressing the spread of WNS and the resultant loss of cave bat populations. The Service acknowledges the key role of state agencies in addressing WNS, including responding to the public; collecting data to monitor disease progression; engaging in research activities; and implementing actions to curtail the spread of WNS. Congress appropriated $1.9 million in FY2010 to the Fish and Wildlife Service to respond to this rapidly spreading mortality in the northeastern and Appalachian states. The Region 5 Endangered Species Program responsible for the allocation of these funds has determined a portion of this funding should go to states in the epicenter of bat mortality (Area 1), those in the leading edge of the spread (Area 2), and those determined susceptible to WNS (Area 3). Area 1 states are: Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey; Area 2 states are: Virginia, West Virginia, Delaware, Maryland, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, and North and South Carolina; and Area 3 states are: Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida. Award Information: Up to $450,000 in funds are available during fiscal year 2010. Grant requests between $5,000 and $50,000 will be accepted. We expect to announce the awards in late April, 2010. Eligibility and Match Requirements: Eligible applicants for this competitive grant program include state fish and wildlife agencies in White-nose Syndrome geographic areas 1, 2, and 3. The Endangered Species program will be working with the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration programs in the Midwest, Southeast and Northeast Regions of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to competitively fund state agencies to meet their staffing, equipment, and outreach needs to address WNS. Factors to determine need may determine priority funding and may include: level of presence or threat of WNS in state, numbers of cave bat hibernacula and/or populations in state, and other funding sources. An eligible proposal is a plan of action supported by grant funds to address WNS in the applicant state and that contains a grant request between $5,000 and $50,000 with a target completion date within one year of the date of award. Grant awards may only be used for activities that begin after the grant agreement is signed - this grant program is not eligible for reimbursement of completed or ongoing projects; and documented by a signed letter of commitment from an authorized representative of the state. Link to Full Announcement: See “Application Instructions” under “Apply” If you have difficulty accessing the full announcement electronically, please contact: Judy Driscoll Grants Fiscal Officer Phone 413-253-8409 contact Synopsis Modification History There are currently no modifications for this opportunity.

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