Deadline: May 6, 2009

The Multistate Conservation Grant Program (MSCGP) is soliciting Letters of Intent for the 2010 cycle of this competitive grant program. Up to $6,000,000 is available each calendar year for one to three year projects (CFDA Number 15-628). Projects must benefit at least 26 states, or the majority of states in a USFWS region or a regional association of state fish and wildlife agencies. Projects must also benefit sport fish, wild birds and/or wild mammals.

The MSCGP is intended to address regional or national level priorities of state fish and wildlife agencies. It was established in 2000 by the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Programs Improvement Act, which amended the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act and the Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act.

The MSCGP will fund projects in 2010 that address these seven National Conservation Needs (NCNs):

Subject 1 Integration of fish and wildlife needs as the conservation provisions of the 2008 Farm Bill are implemented. (Submitted by the Agricultural Conservation Committee)

Subject 2: Outdoor heritage - participation, recruitment, and retention in hunting, fishing, and conservation related recreational activities. (Submitted by the Angler/Boating Participation and Hunting and Shooting Sports Committees)

Subject 3: Regional Climate Change Workshops for State Fish & Wildlife Managers on current information and tools for management of fish and wildlife. (Submitted by the Climate Change Committee and The Midwestern Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies)

Subject 4: State Fish and Wildlife Agency Coordination and Administration. (Submitted by the Executive Committee)

Subject 5: A National Fish and Wildlife Health Initiative. (Submitted by the Fish & Wildlife Health Committee)

Subject 6: Formation and Operations of Fish Habitat Partnerships to Facilitate National Fish Habitat Action Plan Implementation. (Submitted by the Fisheries/Water Resources Policy Committee)

Subject 7: Protect State Wildlife Agencies' Authority to Sustainably Manage Wildlife Resources in Concert with Federal Actions Required by International Treaties and Conventions (Submitted by the International Relations Committee)

The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (Association) and the USFWS cooperatively administer the Multistate Conservation Grant Program. The Association solicits Letters of Intent and invites full proposals from eligible applicants and recommends to the USFWS a "priority list" of projects to be funded. The USFWS selects projects from the "priority list" and awards and manages grants.

Organizations eligible to apply include: a state or group of states, a non-governmental organization, or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) for the purpose of conducting the National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation.

Based upon submitted Letters of Intent, the most competitive applicants will be invited to submit full proposals. Projects will be selected in September at the Association's Annual Meeting and recommended to USFWS for funding by October 1, 2009. Funds for selected projects will be available starting January 1, 2010.

For more information, contact Christina Zarrella, MSCGP Coordinator at 202-624-7821 or visit 2010 Multistate Conservation Grant Program.