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Multistate Conservation Grant Program
The Multistate Conservation Grant Program (MSCGP) funds projects that address regional or national level priorities of state fish and wildlife agencies. It was established in 2000 by the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Programs Improvement Act, which amended the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act and the Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act.
The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) cooperatively administer the Multistate Conservation Grant Program. The Association solicits grant applications; makes “priority list” recommendations to the USFWS, which can only fund projects from the Association's list; and manages and monitors grant awards. Each year, up to $6 million is available to fund MSCGP projects. Projects may be funded for one, two or three years on a calendar year basis.
Eligibility Requirements
• Projects must benefit sport fish, wild birds or wild mammals since the funding comes from the Sport Fish Restoration Account and the Wildlife Restoration Fund.
• Projects must benefit (a) more than 26 states; (b) a majority of the states in a region of the USFWS; or (c) a regional association of state fish and wildlife agencies.
• A project must address a National Conservation Need (NCN), which are selected each year to establish the states' priorities for the grant program.
• Eligible grant recipients are (a) a state or group of states; (b) a non-governmental organization; and (c) the USFWS only for the purpose of conducting the National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation.
• Any non-governmental organization that applies for a grant is required to certify that grant funds will not be used to fund any activity, project or program that promotes or encourages opposition to the regulated hunting or trapping of wildlife, or to the regulated taking of fish.
Grant Selection Process
• In March, state directors of fish and wildlife agencies select National Conservation Needs (NCNs) from priorities proposed by the Association's Committees and the four Regional Associations of Fish and Wildlife Agencies.
• In early April, the Association distributes an Announcement of Opportunity to solicit Letters of Intent (LOIs) to address the selected NCNs. An LOI is a condensed version of the full proposal. LOIs are due in early May to the MSCGP Coordinator.
• Based upon submitted Letters of Intent, the most competitive applicants will be notified in June and invited to submit full proposals and the required federal forms, due in July.
• At the Association's Annual Meeting in September, state directors select a “priority list of projects,” which is submitted to the USFWS by October 1.
• The USFWS announces grant awards typically in December, with grant funding available starting January 1.
Important 2011 MSCGP Cycle Notices
Seventeen selected applicants have recently been invited to submit full proposals for funding consideration in the 2011 cycle of the Multistate Conservation Grant Program. These applicants have been asked to submit full proposals, along with the required federal forms, to the MSCGP Coordinator no later than Noon on Friday, August 13th, 2010. The Associations National Grants Committee will then meet in September to select those projects which will be recommended for funding through the US Fish & Wildlife Service beginning January 1st, 2011.
Please review the list below of “2011 National Conservation Needs” and the “Announcement of Opportunity” for proposal development and submittal instructions.
2011 NCNs and Announcement of Opportunity
Federal Register Notice
Schedule for the 2011 MSCGP Cycle
MSCGP Fact Sheet
Overview of the Multistate Conservation Grant Program
Multistate Conservation Grant Program FAQs
Ask questions and get the latest 2011 MSCGP Cycle updates on our new blog at http://fishwildlifemscgp.blogspot.com/
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