FEDERAL AGENCY:

FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

AUTHORIZATION:

Great Ape Conservation Act of 2000, Public Law 106-411, 16 USC 6301.

OBJECTIVES:

To assist in the conservation of great apes by supporting and providing financial resources for the conservation programs of countries within the range of great apes and projects of persons with demonstrated expertise in the conservation of great apes.

TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:

Project Grants. Place Cursor Here for Definition

USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS:

Funds may be used for approved great ape conservation projects. Proposed projects should have the support of the local government(s) and have matching funds (cash) or in-kind support (salaries, equipment, etc.) provided by the organization receiving the grant or other partners. All non-governmental or private sector project proposals must contain evidence of support by local governmental entities of countries where the project is to be conducted.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicant Eligibility:   Applicants may be any Federal, State, and local government agencies, public or private organizations, non- governmental nonprofit organizations, public and private institutions of higher education, or any other entity with experience in great ape conservation.

Beneficiary Eligibility:   Federal, State, and local government agencies, public or private organization, non-governmental nonprofit organization, public and private institutions of higher education or any other entity with experience in great ape conservation.

Credentials/Documentation:   None.

Pre-application Coordination:   None. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure:   Submit a request for proposal package, which includes specific information on requirements, to the Chief, Division of International Conservation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Room 730, Arlington, Virginia 22203.

Award Procedure:   The Chief, Division of International Conservation (DIC), will select projects to be funded based on established criteria contained in 16 U.S.C. 6301. A grant agreement between the Fish and Wildlife Service and the grantee is drafted by DIC. The agreement is then submitted to the Office of Contracting and General Services (CGS) for processing. CGS then sends the grant agreement to the grantee for signature. Upon return to CGS, the grant agreement is signed by CGS, and is effective on the date of CGS signature.

Deadlines:   None.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:   Decisions on funding of project proposals must be made no later than 180 days after the receipt of the project proposal.

Appeals:   Not applicable.

Renewals:   A grant agreement can be modified, extended, or renewed at the discretion of the Chief, Division of International Conservation and the CGS Contracting Officer.

ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula and Matching Requirements:   To the extent possible, grant funds are matched by nonfederal funds. This program has no statutory formula.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:   Awarded funds must be spent during the approved Period of Performance of the grant agreement, and in accordance with DOI/FWS financial and reporting procedures.

POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Reports:   Progress and final reports are to be submitted in accordance with terms and conditions of the grant agreement and must all be submitted within the Period of Performance of the grant agreement.

Audits:   In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A- 133 (Revised, June 24, 1997), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $300,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $300,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133.

Records:   Records for grants awarded to State and Local Governments will be maintained in accordance with the provisions of 43 CFR Part 12, Subpart C, "Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments." Records for grants awarded to institutions of higher education and other nonprofit organizations will be maintained in accordance with the provisions of 43 CFR Part 12, Subpart F, "Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Agreements With Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and Other Nonprofit Organizations."

FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

Account Identification:   14-1652-0-1-303.

Obligations:   (Grants) FY 01 $668,000; FY 02 est $920,000; FY 03 est $920,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:   Variable amounts. Due to the limited funding available and the desire to support diverse projects, preference will be given to proposals requesting $30,000 or less; however, higher amounts may be requested.

Since 2001, the Service has awarded 27 grants in 14 countries. Highlights include: ground surveys for chimpanzee and western lowland gorilla populations and capacity building among local people surrounding a conservation area in northern Republic of Congo; ranger-based monitoring system for the long-term conservation of mountain gorillas in the afro-montane forests of northwestern Rwanda, eastern DRC, and southwestern Uganda; bonobo population surveys in Lac Tumba and Opala Regions, assessment of orangutan desities; range use, nutritional requirements and reproductive viability in and near a National Park in Indonesia; and, study to determine the impacts of hunting on Hoolock gibbon populations in Burma.

REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:

50 CFR Parts 13, 14, 17, 24, 7 CFR Part 355.

INFORMATION CONTACTS:

Regional or Local Office:   Not applicable.

Headquarters Office:  
Chief, Division of International Conservation U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Department of the Interior 5275 Leesburg Pike, MS:IA, Falls Church, Virginia 22041-3803 Email: MSCF_GreatApe@fws.gov Phone: (703) 358-1754 Fax: (703) 358-2115.

Web Site Address:  
http://www.fws.gov/international/wildlife-without-borders/great-ape-conservation-fund.html

EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS:

Projects have included studies to manage and conserve great ape populations, community conservation support, habitat disturbance studies, impacts of hunting, and development of curriculum for wildlife education.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS:

In determining whether to approve project proposals under this section, the Secretary shall give preference to projects for which matching funds are available. Proposals will be reviewed on the basis of criteria contained in 16 U.S.C. 6301, and evaluated for scope, significance, feasibility and cost effectiveness.