Great Apes Conservation Fu nd | F19AS00046

Opportunity Information: Apply for F19AS00046

The Great Apes Conservation Fund grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number F19AS00046) is a discretionary funding program run by the U.S. Department of the Interior through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). It sits within the USFWS International Affairs Program, which focuses on supporting targeted projects overseas that produce clear, measurable conservation outcomes for priority species and the habitats they depend on. In practical terms, the program is designed to channel U.S. funding into on-the-ground actions that protect great apes and strengthen the systems around them, including habitat protection and improved conservation management.

This opportunity is grounded in the Great Ape Conservation Act of 2000, a U.S. law created in response to major declines in ape populations across Africa and Asia. The Act authorizes support for conservation programs within the natural range countries of great apes and for projects led by people or organizations that can demonstrate real expertise in ape conservation. The emphasis is not just on general wildlife work, but on strategic, results-based efforts aimed specifically at conserving and protecting ape populations and their habitats. USFWS also highlights its collaborative approach, working closely with national governments, other U.S. government agencies, and a broad network of partners to ensure funded projects fit into larger conservation strategies and produce tangible conservation results.

Awards under this opportunity are offered through either grants or cooperative agreements, which means funding can be provided with varying levels of agency involvement depending on the specific project and award type. The activity categories tied to the opportunity are broad and include education, environment, natural resources, science and technology, and research and development, plus an "other" category as noted in the original listing. This broad framing suggests the fund can support a range of approaches as long as they contribute directly to great ape conservation outcomes, whether that involves field-based protection and monitoring, applied research that informs management decisions, community-focused conservation interventions, or education and capacity-building efforts that reduce threats to apes over time.

Eligibility is relatively open compared to many federal programs. Applicants may include 501(c)(3) nonprofits (excluding institutions of higher education), private institutions of higher education, individuals, for-profit organizations (including small businesses), and other applicants as clarified in the opportunity materials. The program is listed under CFDA number 15.629, which is the catalog identifier used for federal assistance programs of this type.

From a funding perspective, the opportunity listed an award ceiling of $300,000 and anticipated making about 45 awards. The posting was created on November 15, 2018, with proposals due by 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time on January 15, 2019. Overall, the Great Apes Conservation Fund is positioned as a competitive federal funding source aimed at delivering practical, field-relevant conservation impact for great apes by supporting qualified applicants who can implement well-designed projects aligned with national and regional conservation priorities in ape range countries.

• The Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service in the education, environment, natural resources, other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification), science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Great Apes Conservation Fu nd" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.629.
• This funding opportunity was created on Nov 15, 2018.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jan 15, 2019 Proposals must be submitted by 1159 PM EST on January 15, 2019.. (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 $300,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 45 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, Individuals, For profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for F19AS00046

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal: