Western Washington Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office Fisheries Restoration Opportunities | F17AS00223

Opportunity Information: Apply for F17AS00223

The Western Washington Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office Fisheries Restoration Opportunities grant (Funding Opportunity Number F17AS00223) is a discretionary funding opportunity from the U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service. It was created on May 19, 2017, with an original application closing date of August 31, 2017. The program is centered on fisheries restoration and broader aquatic resource stewardship in western Washington, with an emphasis on maintaining and rebuilding self-sustaining fish populations and protecting or improving the habitats those populations depend on, while also supporting high-quality recreational fishing opportunities. In practical terms, the opportunity is aimed at projects that blend conservation and management goals with on-the-ground restoration or research that benefits fish and aquatic ecosystems.

Funding is offered through multiple instrument types, including cooperative agreements, grants, and other mechanisms, which generally indicates the agency may either provide standard financial assistance (a grant) or take a more hands-on partnership role (a cooperative agreement) depending on the project needs and level of federal involvement. The activity focus spans education, environment, natural resources, and science and technology and other research and development, signaling that eligible projects may include field restoration work, monitoring and assessment, applied research, and potentially education or outreach components tied to fisheries and habitat conservation. The opportunity is listed under CFDA 15.608, a Fish and Wildlife Service assistance program code commonly associated with fish and wildlife management and restoration work.

The anticipated scale of awards is relatively modest and geared toward multiple projects rather than a single large effort. The award ceiling is $115,000, and the Fish and Wildlife Service expected to make around 10 awards. This structure suggests the program is designed to fund several targeted, actionable efforts across the region, such as habitat improvements, restoration planning and implementation, fish passage or spawning habitat enhancement, monitoring of restoration outcomes, or other fisheries-related conservation actions that align with the office's mission and priorities.

Eligibility is broad and includes most levels of government and a wide range of organizational types. Eligible applicants include state, county, city/township, and special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status; for-profit entities other than small businesses; and other applicants as clarified in the official eligibility language. This wide eligibility range reflects the reality that fisheries restoration often requires collaboration among state and local agencies, tribes, academic researchers, watershed groups, and other community or technical partners, and it leaves room for diverse project models and partnerships.

Overall, the opportunity can be read as an invitation to propose practical fisheries restoration and aquatic habitat projects in western Washington that help conserve and manage fish populations in a way that supports long-term ecological sustainability and maintains or improves recreational fishing. The Fish and Wildlife Service is positioning the Western Washington FWCO as a partner in advancing locally grounded, science-informed restoration and stewardship efforts that deliver measurable benefits to fish and their habitats.

• The Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service in the education, environment, natural resources, science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Western Washington Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office Fisheries Restoration Opportunities" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.608.
• This funding opportunity was created on May 19, 2017.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 31, 2017. (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 $115,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For profit organizations other than small businesses, Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for F17AS00223

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