FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
AUTHORIZATION:
Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Act of 1994, Public
Law 103-391, 108 Stat. 4094 et seq., 16 U.S.C. 5301 et seq., as amended by the
Rhino and Tiger Product Labeling Act of 1998, Public Law 105-312, 112 Stat.
2956 et seq., 16 U.S.C. 5301 et seq.
To increase conservation of rhinoceros and tigers
through strengthening habitat/ecosystem management; surveys and monitoring;
conservation education; wildlife inspection, law enforcement and forensic
skills; protected area/reserve management; sustainable development in buffer
zones surrounding tiger/rhinoceros habitat; management of human behavior and
livestock to decrease conflicts with tigers/rhinoceros; and the use of
substitutes for tiger/rhinoceros products in oriental medicine. Projects which
provide training to strengthen capabilities in these areas will receive
priority.
TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:
Project Grants. Place Cursor Here for Definition
USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS:
Funds may be used for approved rhinoceros and tiger conservation projects.
Projects proposed 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 government 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 an private institutions of
higher education, or any other entity with experience in conservation.
Projects must provide direct benefits to support research, conservation,
management and protection of rhinoceroses and tigers.
Beneficiary Eligibility: Any Federal, State or
local government agencies, public or private organizations, non-governmental
nonprofit organizations, public and private institutions of higher education,
or any other entity.
Pre-application Coordination: None. This program is
excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.
Application Procedure: Submit requests for
proposal packages that contain specific information on the requirements and
format to the Chief, Division of International Conservation, U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, 4401 North Fairfax Drive, ARLSQ 730, Arlington, VA
22203-1622 USA. Telephone: (703) 358-1754; Fax: 703-358-2849.
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. 5301. 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: None.
Renewals: A grant agreement can be modified,
extended, or renewed at the discretion of the Chief of Division of
International Conservation and the CGS Contracting Officer.
ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:
Formula and Matching Requirements: This program has
no statutory formula. To the extent possible, grant funds are matched by
nonfederal funds.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance: Award
funds must be spent during the approved budget period and in accordance with
DOI/FWS financial and reporting procedures.
POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Reports: Progress and final reports are due in
accordance with terms and conditions of the award.
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: 14-5199-0-2-303.
Obligations: (Grants) FY 01 $725,000; FY 02 est
$970,000; and 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 but higher amounts may be requested.
During 2001, the Service awarded 23 grants in 10 range countries.
REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:
Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Act of 1994, Public Law 103-391, 108 Stat.
4094 et seq., 16 U.S.C. 5301 et seq., as amended by the Rhino and Tiger
Product Labeling Act of 1998, Public Law 105-312, 112 Stat. 2956 et seq., 16
U.S.C. 5301 et seq.
INFORMATION CONTACTS:
Regional or Local Office: Not applicable.
Headquarters Office: U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, U.S. Department of the Interior. Contact: Chief, Division of
International Conservation, 4401 North Fairfax Drive, ARLSQ 730, Arlington,
Virginia 22203. Telephone: (703) 358-1754, fax (703) 358-2849.
Web Site Address: http://international.fws.gov/grants/grants.html.
EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS:
Projects generally strengthen habitat and ecosystem management, help create
protected areas, assist local communities in buffer zones surrounding rhino
and tiger habitat, and support monitoring and law enforcement activities. For
example, a grant of $32,400 was awarded to the Asian Rhino Specialist Group to
establish and operate three rhino protection units for one year in Way Kambas
National Park, Sumatra, for the protection of the Sumatran rhino population of
the park.
CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS:
Proposals will be reviewed and evaluated for scope, significance to rhinoceros
and tiger conservation, feasibility and cost-effectiveness.
