F23AS00257_FY 2023_Tribal Wildlife Grants (TWG) Program_Funding Opportunity Announcement | F23AS00257

Opportunity Information: Apply for F23AS00257

The FY 2023 Tribal Wildlife Grants (TWG) Program (Funding Opportunity Number F23AS00257) is a competitive grant program run by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to help federally recognized Tribal governments develop and carry out projects that conserve wildlife and wildlife habitat. A defining feature of the program is that it supports species that matter to Tribes culturally or traditionally, including species that are not hunted or fished, alongside broader fish and wildlife conservation priorities. While TWG sits within the broader State and Tribal Wildlife Grant (STWG) framework authorized under the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 and the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, Congress directed FWS (beginning in FY 2002 appropriations) to set aside funding for a separate, competitive Tribal program that is not bound by all the same requirements that apply to STWG. In practice, TWG is designed to expand and strengthen Tribal leadership in conservation, particularly on Tribal lands that are often near or connected to Department of the Interior managed lands, creating on-the-ground benefits that can extend beyond reservation boundaries.

The program funds a wide range of conservation work that either initiates, develops, or implements activities benefiting wildlife and habitat. Examples of eligible project types include conservation planning; hands-on conservation management actions; field and laboratory research tied to fish and wildlife resources; natural history studies; fish passage work; habitat mapping and evaluation; field surveys and population monitoring; habitat restoration; invasive species management; and public education that is directly relevant to the proposed project. The opportunity also notes that TWG projects can complement Endangered Species Act (ESA) efforts by supporting actions that help prevent new listings, or contribute to downlisting and delisting where appropriate. Many projects are also described as helping increase fish and wildlife populations, which can expand hunting and fishing opportunities both on and off Tribal lands.

For tracking and accountability, the announcement references Wildlife TRACS (Tracking and Reporting Actions for the Conservation of Species), the reporting system used by the FWS Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration program area to capture actions, performance, and accomplishments funded by federal awards. TRACS serves as an electronic repository for performance and accomplishment reporting. Under this announcement, Tribes may use TRACS for entering grant and project statement information and reporting, but participation in TRACS is optional for Tribes.

A major policy emphasis in FY 2023 is an added "second-tier" funding approach aligned with Executive Order 14008 and Department of the Interior priorities, subject to appropriations. This second-tier process is meant to increase Tribal fish and wildlife management capacity, especially for Tribes that have not received TWG funding in the past, and to help address threats to tribally identified species, including climate change related threats. Importantly, the announcement states that this approach does not change the standard review procedures or scoring criteria; all applications are reviewed the same way. The difference is that, if funding allows, FWS may recommend for approval a portion of the highest-ranking proposals submitted by first-time TWG recipients. Final selections are made by the Service Director.

Eligibility is limited to federally recognized Tribal governments listed in the official Federal Register Notice of Indian Entities Recognized and Eligible to Receive Services from the United States Bureau of Indian Affairs (the most recent notice cited is 88 FR 2112, dated January 12, 2023). Tribal organizations and other non-Tribal entities can be involved, but only as subrecipients or contractors under an eligible federally recognized Tribal government applicant.

The announcement also places strong emphasis on grant management compliance. Tribes must be current on administrative and fiscal reporting for any open TWG grants to be eligible to apply for new funds. After a proposal is received, the applicant will be notified within five business days if there are outstanding reporting issues, and the Tribe then has 30 days to bring past-due reports up to date (such as interim or final performance reports or financial reports). If those reports are not brought into compliance within the 30-day window, the proposal is deemed ineligible and removed from consideration for the FY 2023 cycle. In addition, if a Tribe applies while already holding two or more active TWG projects, FWS will review whether there are correctable implementation problems with the existing awards before moving forward. Tribes showing effective use of funds are not penalized, but Tribes that have taken no significant action on any one of multiple active awards may be found ineligible to receive additional TWG funds until the issue is resolved, which could include demonstrating progress, correcting the record, or canceling an inactive grant so funds can be recovered for future cycles.

From a funding and competition standpoint, the opportunity is categorized as a discretionary grant in the natural resources area (CFDA 15.639). The award ceiling is listed as $200,000. The opportunity anticipates a competitive field in FY 2023, estimating roughly 50 to 100 proposals and about 20 to 40 awards. The program has a long track record: since 2003, TWG has awarded over $111.6 million across more than 626 Tribal conservation projects. Applicants are encouraged to coordinate with FWS staff while developing proposals and to ensure the application addresses the scoring criteria described in the announcement. Key dates provided include a posting/creation date of February 23, 2023, and an original closing date of June 23, 2023. Additional program information is referenced at http://www.fws.gov/nativeamerican/grants.html.

• The Fish and Wildlife Service in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "F23AS00257_FY 2023_Tribal Wildlife Grants (TWG) Program_Funding Opportunity Announcement" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.639.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2023-02-23.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2023-06-23. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $200,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized).

Apply for F23AS00257

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