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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 and makes its “priority list” recommendations to the USFWS, who can only fund projects from the Association's list and manages and monitors grant awards. Each year, up to $6,000,000 is available to fund MSCGP projects. Projects may be funded for one, two, or three years on a calendar year basis.
What are the Eligibility Requirements?
• Given that funding comes from the Sport Fish Restoration Account and the Wildlife Restoration Fund, projects must benefit sport fish, wild birds, or wild mammals.
• Projects must benefit (a) more than 26 states; (b) a majority of the states in a region of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; 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 nongovernmental organization; and (c) the USFWS only for the purpose of conducting the National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation.
• Any nongovernmental 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.
What is the Grant Selection Process?
• In March, the 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.
• Grant proposals are solicited by the Association in April and proposals are due in mid-June.
• The Association conducts a multi-tiered review process of grant proposals.
• At the Association's Annual Meeting in September, the state directors select a “priority list of projects,” which is submitted to the USFWS by October 1.
• The USFWS can only award grants for projects that are on the Association's “priority list.” Awards are typically announced in December, with grants starting January 1.
For more information about the Multistate Conservation Grants Program, contact Christina Zarrella at 202/624-7890 or czarrella@fishwildlife.org. |
