Atlantic Flyway Shorebird Initiative Grant

Overview

Overview

Each year, shorebirds undertake some of the longest migrations of any species on earth. Within the Atlantic Flyway, many shorebird species breed on the Canadian Arctic tundra and winter along the eastern shores of South America, stopping over at several critical migratory sites, particularly along the east coast of the United States. As they travel, Atlantic Flyway shorebirds are exposed to a diverse set of human-induced threats across this network of stopover locations.

While the nature and severity of threats vary, each stopover site plays a critical role in shorebird survival and effective conservation requires a holistic approach to identify and mitigate these threats. This approach includes coordinated research, conservation and management efforts of stakeholders across geographic boundaries and consolidated resources to undertake efficient conservation activities.

Funding Priorities

The Atlantic Flyway Shorebird Initiative funds the following conservation actions:

* Address human disturbance, predation and habitat and management protection for American oystercatcher throughout the U.S. Atlantic coast (from Massachusetts to Florida)

* Address hunting threats in the Caribbean and northern South America (including Barbados, Caribbean French Overseas Territories, Suriname, French Guyana, and northern Brazil)
* Support planning efforts to protect and conserve critical staging areas for red knot (with a focus on staging areas that have completed WHSRN site assessments)
* Fill key information gaps on species populations that will result in improved monitoring and management, particularly for red knot and whimbrel

Eligibility

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Application Details

ATLANTIC FLYWAY SHOREBIRD INITIATIVE
2025 REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
Full Proposal Due Date: Monday, November 4, 2024, by 11:59 PM Eastern Time
OVERVIEW
Migratory birds link habitats, people, and cultures, offering an extraordinary opportunity to connect
people across a hemisphere. Shorebirds undertake some of the longest migrations of any animals on
earth. The great distances and routes travelled each year – referred to as “flyways” – also expose
shorebirds to multiple threats. These threats include habitat loss, human disturbance, predation,
harvest pressure, and conflicting resource management objectives. In addition, the relatively small
population numbers for many species make them vulnerable to both anthropogenic and
environmental impacts. Consequently, shorebirds are one of the North American bird guilds
undergoing the steepest population declines.
NFWF and partners developed and implemented a single-species shorebird initiative in 2008 that
helped reverse the decline of American oystercatcher along the U.S. east coast. This oystercatcher
effort laid the groundwork for NFWF’s Atlantic Flyway Shorebird Initiative, a multispecies
business plan drafted in 2018. The goal of this plan is to increase populations of three focal species
– American oystercatcher (short-distance migrant), whimbrel (mid-distance migrant), and red knot
(long-distance migrant) – by improving the function and condition of habitat at critical sites these
migratory species depend on at various stages of their lifecycles. Conservation actions to address
threats to each of the focal species is expected to provide ancillary impacts to dozens of other
shorebird species. This request for proposals will award up to $1,050,000 in federal and
private funding.
GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS
This initiative focuses on priority shorebird sites along the U.S. Atlantic seaboard, the gulf coast
and priority wintering sites for the focal species, including portions of the Caribbean and South
America.
PROGRAM PRIORITIES
All proposals must address how projects will directly and measurably contribute to the Atlantic
Flyway Shorebird Business Plan goals. Overall, NFWF is interested in advancing full lifecycle
conservation and monitoring for focal species. In 2025, the Atlantic Flyway Shorebird Initiative
seeks projects that will address at least one of the following priorities:

1. Focal species:
NFWF seeks proposals that advance American oystercatcher, red knot and whimbrel focal
species goals. In 2025, we seek site-based projects that continue reproductive success
monitoring for American oystercatcher and population monitoring for red knot & whimbrel.
NFWF also seeks projects that fill gaps and evaluate threats for non-breeding red knots
using the SE US coast as well as the long-distance population that stage and winter in Brazil,
Argentina, and Chile (this includes north and south bound migration). NFWF is also
interested in projects that increase coordination of whimbrel conservation efforts, address
whimbrel staging areas, juvenile survival and recruitment knowledge gaps (survival rates,
movement patterns) and assess/address threats during the non-breeding period. NFWF will
also consider projects that reduce or mitigate the threat of hunting focal species.
2. Improve habitat management:
NFWF seeks projects that improve habitat management at breeding, staging and/or
wintering sites for American oystercatcher, red knot and whimbrel. Activities include
advancing efforts to address long-term resilience of nesting oystercatchers vulnerable to
inundation and flooding, as well as efforts to implement, and evaluate best management
practices developed by AFSI working groups to reduce human disturbance and predation by
working with local community groups or networks of local organizations/practitioners.
3. Conserve habitat:
NFWF seeks projects that lead to the designation of new WHSRN sites and/or complete site
assessments for locations which support important populations of red knot, whimbrel, and
American oystercatchers within priority geographies of the United States and for Tier 1*
sites in Latin America and the Caribbean.
4. Monitoring and assessing progress:
NFWF seeks proposals to expand the monitoring infrastructure in key Atlantic flyway
locations (e.g., Motus systems, ISS) as well as species specific tracking projects and analysis
of movement data that amplify understanding of habitat use, threats and key wintering,
staging, foraging and breeding locations of focal species.
* Tier 1 sites are listed in the Business Plan Annex.
PROJECT METRICS
To better gauge progress on individual grants and to ensure greater consistency of project data
provided by multiple grants, the Atlantic Flyway Shorebird Initiative has a list of metrics in
Easygrants for applicants to choose from for future reporting. We ask that applicants select only the
most relevant metrics from this list for their project (all possible program metrics are shown in the
table below). If you think an applicable metric has not been provided, please contact Scott Hall
(Scott.Hall@nfwf.org) to discuss acceptable alternatives.
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Project Activity Recommended Metric Additional Guidance
Habitat Site protection - # of sites with Enter the number of Tier 1 sites designated
Conservation enhanced protection by land management authorities - the target
is formal agreement for a site's protection
(e.g. NWRs, state refuges, private owners,
other)
Habitat Beach habitat quality Enter the # miles of beach restored. In the
Restoration improvements - Miles restored metrics notes, please also include the
equivalent acres restored (if available).
Habitat Beach habitat quality Enter the # of acres of shorebird habitat
Restoration improvements - Acres restored restored, including shell rakes or nesting
islands.
Habitat BMP implementation to Enter the number of acres where Atlantic
Management mitigate recreational Flyway, community-based social marketing,
disturbance – Acres with BMPs or other disturbance reduction BMPs are
implemented. If using this metric in
combination with acres under improved
management, please detail any acreage
overlap in the metrics notes.
Habitat BMP implementation to Enter the number of miles where Atlantic
Management mitigate recreational Flyway, community-based social marketing,
disturbance – Miles with BMPs or other disturbance reduction BMPs are
implemented. For implementation of BMP's
to reduce disturbance PLEASE fill out both
the miles and acres metrics.
Habitat Improved management Enter the number of acres with shorebird
Management practices - Acres under habitat improvement practices implemented,
improved management including predation management,
disturbance reduction, vegetation
management, etc. If using this metric in
combination with acres with disturbance
reduction BMPs, please detail any acreage
overlap in the metrics notes.
Planning, BMP development - # BMP Enter the number of best management
Research, recommendations developed practice documents or tools developed for
Monitoring the Atlantic Flyway or a focal geography
therein, such as for human disturbance,
coastal engineering, or predation
management.
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Planning, Monitoring - # sites being Enter the number of site assessments
Research, monitored completed in focal geographies using the
Monitoring WHSRN Site Assessment Tool.
Planning, Research - # studies used to Enter the number of studies completed
Research, inform mgmt whose findings are used to adapt
Monitoring management/ inform management decisions.
Planning, Tool development for decision- Enter the number of Motus towers
Research, making - # tools developed operational as a result of the project (include
Monitoring in narrative number of nanotags deployed
through the project); also include narrative
on number of other tracking devices
deployed through the project.
Capacity, Outreach/ Education/ Technical Enter the number of people reached by
Outreach, Assistance - # people reached outreach, training, or technical assistance
Incentives activities on shorebird conservation issues
like human disturbance and incompatible
management practices.
ELIGIBILITY
Eligible and Ineligible Entities
• Eligible applicants include non-profit 501(c) organizations, state government agencies, local
governments, municipal governments, Tribal Governments and Organizations, educational
institutions, and international organizations.
• Ineligible applicants include businesses, unincorporated individuals and U.S. federal
government agencies.
Ineligible Uses of Grant Funds
• Equipment: Applicants are encouraged to rent equipment where possible and cost-effective
or use matching funds to make those purchases. NFWF acknowledges, however, that some
projects may only be completed using NFWF funds to procure equipment. If this applies to
your project, please contact the program staff listed in this RFP to discuss options.
• Federal funds and matching contributions may not be used to procure or obtain equipment,
services, or systems (including entering into or renewing a contract) that uses
telecommunications equipment or services produced by Huawei Technologies Company or
ZTE Corporation (or any subsidiary or affiliate of such entities) as a substantial or essential
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component, or as critical technology of any system. Refer to Public Law 115-232, section
889 for additional information.
• NFWF funds and matching contributions may not be used to support political advocacy,
fundraising, lobbying, litigation, terrorist activities or Foreign Corrupt Practices Act
violations.
• NFWF funds may not be used to support ongoing efforts to comply with legal requirements,
including permit conditions, mitigation and settlement agreements. However, grant funds
may be used to support projects that enhance or improve upon existing baseline compliance
efforts.
FUNDING AVAILABILITY AND MATCH
The Atlantic Flyway Shorebird program has approximately $1,050,000 to award in funding for
grants this year. The majority of awards under this program will fall in the $75,000 to $250,000
range. However upper or lower limits to award size are not specified. A minimum of a 1:1 non-
Federal match of cash and/or in-kind services is required and will be considered in application
review. Projects may extend from one to three years.
EVALUATION CRITERIA
All proposals will be screened for relevance, accuracy, completeness and compliance with NFWF
and funding source policies. Proposals will then be evaluated based on the extent to which they
meet the following criteria.
Program Goals and Priorities – Project contributes to the Program’s overall habitat and species
conservation goals, and has specific, quantifiable performance metrics to evaluate project success.
Project addresses one or more of the program priorities.
Technical Merit – Project is technically sound and feasible, and the proposal sets forth a clear,
logical and achievable work plan and timeline. Project engages appropriate technical experts
throughout project planning, design and implementation to ensure activities are technically-sound
and feasible.
Spatial Data – Project spatial data submitted to NFWF’s online mapping tool accurately represents
the location(s) conservation activity(ies) at the time of proposal submission. Successful projects will
be required to submit improved spatial data for each conservation activity within the period of
performance as necessary.
Partnership and Community Impact – The applicant organization partners and engages
collaboratively with diverse local community members, leaders, community-based organizations,
and other relevant stakeholders to develop and implement the proposed project. This ensures long-
term sustainability and success of the project, integration into local programs and policies, and
community acceptance of proposed restoration actions. Non-traditional partners or communities are
enlisted to broaden the sustained impact from the project. Describe the community characteristics of
the project area, identify any communities impacted, describe outreach and community engagement
activities and how those will be monitored and measured. Use demographic data to support
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descriptions and submit letters of support from community partners and/or collaborators
demonstrating their commitment to the project and engagement in project activities as proposed.
Cost-Effectiveness – Cost-effectiveness analysis identifies the economically most efficient way to
meet project objectives. Project includes a cost-effective budget that balances performance risk and
efficient use of funds. Cost-effectiveness evaluation includes, but is not limited to, an assessment of
effective direct/indirect costs across all categories in the proposed budget according to the type, size
and duration of project and project objectives. Project budgets will be compared to similar projects
to ensure proposed costs across all budget categories are reasonable for the activities being
performed and the outcomes proposed.
Transferability – Project has potential and plans to transfer lessons learned to other communities
and/or to be integrated into government programs and policies.
Communication – Project includes a detailed plan to communicate information about the project to
appropriate audiences.
Funding Need – Project establishes a clear need for the funds being requested and demonstrates
that activities would not move forward absent funding.
Conservation Plan and Context – The project advances an existing conservation plan or strategy.
Monitoring – Project includes a plan for monitoring progress during and after the proposed project
period to track project success and adaptively address new challenges and opportunities as they
arise.
Long-term Sustainability – Project will be maintained to ensure benefits are achieved and
sustained over time. This should include how future funding will be secured to implement necessary
long-term monitoring and maintenance activities.
Past Success – Applicant has a proven track record of success in implementing conservation
practices with specific, measurable results.
Partnership – An appropriate partnership exists to implement the project and the project is
supported by a strong local partnership that leverages additional funds and will sustain it after the
life of the grant. Identify proposed partners, if known (including potential or contemplated
subawards to third party subrecipients of the applicant), the roles they will play in implementing the
project, and how this project will build new or enhance existing partnerships. (Note: a project
partner is any local community, non-profit organization, tribe, and/or local, state, and federal
government agency that contributes to the project in a substantial way and is closely involved in the
completion of the project.)
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OTHER
Applicant Demographic Information – In an effort to better understand diversity in our
grantmaking, NFWF is collecting basic demographic information on applicants and their
organizations via a voluntary survey form (available in Easygrants). This information will not be
shared externally or with reviewers and will not be considered when making grant decisions. For
more details, please see the tip sheet and the Uploads section of Easygrants.
Budget – Costs are allowable, reasonable and budgeted in accordance with NFWF’s Budget
Instructions cost categories. Federally-funded projects must be in compliance with OMB Uniform
Guidance as applicable.
Environmental Services – NFWF funds projects in pursuit of its mission to sustain, restore and
enhance the nation's fish, wildlife, plants and habitats for current and future generations. NFWF
recognizes that some benefits from projects may be of value with regards to credits on an
environmental services market (such as a carbon credit market). NFWF does not participate in,
facilitate, or manage an environmental services market nor does NFWF assert any claim on such
credits.
Intellectual Property – Intellectual property created using NFWF awards may be copyrighted or
otherwise legally protected by award recipients. NFWF may reserve the right to use, publish, and
copy materials created under awards, including posting such material on NFWF’s website and
featuring it in publications. NFWF may use project metrics and spatial data from awards to estimate
societal benefits that result and to report these results to funding partners. These may include but are
not limited to habitat and species response, species connectivity, water quality, water quantity, risk
of detrimental events (e.g., wildfire, floods), carbon accounting (e.g., sequestration, avoided
emissions), environmental justice, and diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Matching Contributions – Matching Contributions consist of cash, contributed goods and services,
volunteer hours, and/or property raised and spent for the Project during the Period of Performance.
Larger match ratios and matching fund contributions from a diversity of partners are encouraged
and will be more competitive during application review.
Procurement – If the applicant chooses to specifically identify proposed Contractor(s) for Services,
an award by NFWF to the applicant does not constitute NFWF’s express written authorization for
the applicant to procure such specific services noncompetitively. When procuring goods and
services, NFWF recipients must follow documented procurement procedures which reflect
applicable laws and regulations.
Publicity and Acknowledgement of Support – Award recipients will be required to grant NFWF
the right and authority to publicize the project and NFWF’s financial support for the grant in press
releases, publications and other public communications. Recipients may also be asked by NFWF to
provide high-resolution (minimum 300 dpi) photographs depicting the project.
Receiving Award Funds – Award payments are primarily reimbursable. Projects may request
funds for reimbursement at any time after completing a signed agreement with NFWF. A request of
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an advance of funds must be due to an imminent need of expenditure and must detail how the funds
will be used and provide justification and a timeline for expected disbursement of these funds.
Compliance Requirements – Projects selected may be subject to requirements under the National
Environmental Policy Act, Endangered Species Act (state and federal), and National Historic
Preservation Act. Documentation of compliance with these regulations must be approved prior to
initiating activities that disturb or alter habitat or other features of the project site(s). Applicants
should budget time and resources to obtain the needed approvals. As may be applicable, successful
applicants may be required to comply with additional Federal, state or local requirements and obtain
all necessary permits and clearances.
Quality Assurance – If a project involves significant monitoring, data collection or data use,
grantees will be asked to prepare and submit quality assurance documentation
(www.epa.gov/quality). Applicants should budget time and resources to complete this task.
Permits – Successful applicants will be required to provide sufficient documentation that the
project expects to receive or has received all necessary permits and clearances to comply with any
Federal, state or local requirements. Where projects involve work in the waters of the United
States, NFWF strongly encourages applicants to conduct a permit pre-application meeting with the
Army Corps of Engineers prior to submitting their proposal. In some cases, if a permit pre-
application meeting has not been completed, NFWF may require successful applicants to complete
such a meeting prior to grant award.
Federal Funding – The availability of federal funds estimated in this solicitation is contingent upon
the federal appropriations process. Funding decisions will be made based on the level of funding
and timing of when it is received by NFWF.
TIMELINE
Dates of activities are subject to change. Please check the program page of the NFWF website for
the most current dates and information: Atlantic Flyway Shorebird Initiative.
Full Proposal Due Date November 4, 2024, by 11:59 PM EST
Review Period November 2024 – January 2025
Awards Announced March 2025
HOW TO APPLY
All application materials must be submitted online through National Fish and Wildlife
Foundation’s Easygrants system.
1. Go to easygrants.nfwf.org to register in our Easygrants online system. New users to the system
will be prompted to register before starting the application (if you already are a registered user, use
your existing login). Enter your applicant information. Please disable the pop-up blocker on your
internet browser prior to beginning the application process.
2. Once on your homepage, click the “Apply for Funding” button and select this RFP’s “Funding
Opportunity” from the list of options.
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3. Follow the instructions in Easygrants to complete your application. Once an application has been
started, it may be saved and returned to at a later time for completion and submission.
APPLICATION ASSISTANCE
A Tip Sheet is available for quick reference while you are working through your application. This
document can be downloaded here.
Additional information to support the application process can be accessed on the NFWF website’s
Applicant Information page.
For more information or questions about this RFP, please contact:
Scott Hall (Scott.Hall@nfwf.org)
For issues or assistance with our online Easygrants system, please contact:
Easygrants Helpdesk
Email: Easygrants@nfwf.org
Voicemail: 202-595-2497
Hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm ET, Monday-Friday.
Include: your name, proposal ID #, e-mail address, phone number, program you are applying to,
and a description of the issue.
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