Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Fund

 

To provide financial assistance for projects for the effective long-term conservation of rhinoceros and tigers. This program supports projects that focus on one or more of the following areas: Enhanced protection of at-risk rhinoceros and tiger populations; protected area/reserve management in important rhinoceros and tiger range; Veterinary care for wild populations; habitat conservation and management; reintroduction to former range; restoration of habitat; wildlife inspection, law enforcement, and forensics skills; conservation education and community outreach; efforts to decrease human-rhinoceros and human-tiger conflicts; strengthening local capacity to implement conservation programs; transfrontier rhinoceros and tiger conservation; applied research on rhinoceros and tiger populations and their habitats, including surveys and monitoring; development and execution of rhinoceros and tiger conservation management plans; and compliance with applicable treaties and laws that prohibit or regulate the taking or trade of rhinoceros and tigers or regulate the use and management of their habitat.

Active 15.619 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of The Interior B - Project Grants Fiscal Year 2017 The program anticipates receiving 90 applications and issuing 60 awards. The program received 80 applications, and issued 49 awards.
Fiscal Year 2018 The program received 80 applications and issued 49 awards.
Fiscal Year 2019 ASIA- In FY19 the program received 48 application and issues 30 awards. AFRICA- In FY19 the program received 23 applications and issued 14 awards.
Fiscal Year 2020 No projects have been selected for 2020.
Fiscal Year 2021 In FY21 the program received 23 applications and issued 14 awards for Rhinos. For Tigers 70 applications received, 43 applications approved, and 40 draft awards created.
Fiscal Year 2022 In FY22 the program received 0 applications and issued 41 awards.
Fiscal Year 2023 In FY23 the program anticipates receiving 0 applications, issuing 0 awards, and issuing 20 financial amendments to existing awards.
Fiscal Year 2024 In FY24 the program anticipates receiving 40 applications and issuing 15 awards. Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Act, 16 U.S.C. §5301 et seq. Applications may be submitted by any government agency responsible for the conservation and protection of rhinoceroses and/or tigers and any other organization, multi-national secretariat or individual with demonstrated experience in rhinoceros and/or tiger conservation may submit proposals to this Fund. Any government agency responsible for conservation and protection of rhinoceros and/or tigers and any other organization or individual with demonstrated experience in rhinoceros or tiger conservation. Not applicable. Preapplication coordination is not applicable. 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. No NOFO will be posted in FY23. The program announcement and application instructions for this program can be found at the Grants.gov website: http://www.grants.gov. The Notice of Funding Availability and Application Instructions are also located on this program's website at https://www.fws.gov/international/grants-and-reporting/how-to-apply.html If you are unable to access the Internet, hard copies are available upon request from the Branch of Near East, South Asia & Africa, Division of International Conservation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041. A proposal will not be considered complete if all required elements are not submitted as instructed. U.S. applicants must submit (among other elements) a complete, signed Standard Form 424 "Application for Federal Assistance." Projects are competitively selected for funding using criteria from the Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Act (16 USC 5301 et seq.). Review criteria can be found in the application information at https://www.fws.gov/international/grants-and-reporting/how-to-apply.html. Once a proposal has been selected for funding, an Assistance Award between the Fish and Wildlife Service and the Recipient is executed by an FWS approving official. Fully executed Awards are sent to the Recipient either electronically or through the mail. The Division of International Conservation then administers all other aspects of the Assistance Award. June 4, 2023 Deadlines do not apply for tiger projects. For rhino projects, contact the headquarters for application deadlines. Anticipate posting NOFO for FY2023 and future NOFO in FY2025. From 120 to 180 days. Not applicable. Not applicable. Proposals will be reviewed on the basis of criteria developed from the requirements of the Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. 5301 et. seq.). Additional details on the selection criteria can be found in the Rhinoceros and Tiger Notice of Funding Availability and Application Instructions http://www.fws.gov/international/grants-and-reporting/how-to-apply.html. Hard copies of the criteria are available upon request from the Division of International Conservation. Proposed project work should occur within the rhinoceros or tiger range, or, if work is to be conducted outside of the range, the proposal should show clear relevance to rhinoceros or tiger conservation. If the project includes research, the applicant must provide a convincing argument that the results will address management needs or threats from disease and climate change and will result in management actions. Funds provided under this program will not be used for: the purchase of firearms or ammunitions; buying intelligence information or paying informants; gathering information by persons who conceal their true identity; law enforcement operations that, to arrest suspects, prompt them to carry out illegal activities (entrapment); any activity that would circumvent sanctions, laws or regulations of either the U.S. or the country of proposed activity; material support or resources to individuals, entities, or organizations of countries that the U.S. Department of State has identified as state sponsors of terrorism. These countries are: Cuba, Iran, Sudan and Syria (exceptions may be allowed with clearance from U.S. Department of State). Performance Reports: Performance reports are required. Recipients must monitor and report on project performance in accordance with the requirements in 2 CFR 200.329. A final performance report is due within 120 calendar days of the award period of performance end date, unless the awarding program approves a due date extension. The FWS details all reporting requirements including frequency and due dates in Notices of Award. Not applicable. Recipients will maintain records in accordance with 2 CFR 200. Program-specific legislation/regulation may dictate additional records retention requirements. Program will detail all non-standard records retention requirements in the notice of award. Statutory formula is not applicable to this assistance listing.

Matching requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing. Awarded funds must be spent during the performance period that is approved for each Assistance Award, and in accordance with program financial and performance reporting procedures. Program obligates funds and sends a notice of award to successful applicants. Recipients request funds in accordance with 2 CFR 200, Subpart E-Cost Principles, unless otherwise dictated by program-specific legislation or special award terms. Program will include any special payment terms and conditions in the notice of award. None/Not specified. Chief
Division of International Conservation
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Department of the Interior,
5275 Leesburg Pike, MS: IA
Falls Church, VA 22041-3803 US
MSCF_RhinoTiger@fws.gov
Phone: (703) 358 1754
Fax: (703) 358 2115 https://www.fws.gov/program/rhinoceros-and-tiger-conservation-fund 14-1652-0-1-302 (Project Grants) FY 22$4,786,151.00; FY 23 est $5,092,534.00; FY 24 est $5,351,365.00; - (Cooperative Agreements) FY 22 FY 23 est $499,999.00; FY 24 - Variable amounts. Largely $50,000 or less. Higher amounts may be requested. Acceptance of a grant or cooperative agreement from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service carries with it the responsibility to be aware of and comply with the terms and conditions of award. FWS Award Terms and Conditions are available at https://www.fws.gov/grants/atc.html. Acceptance is defined as the start of work, drawing down funds, or accepting the award via electronic means. Awards are based on the application submitted to and approved by the Service. Awards from the Service are subject to the terms and conditions incorporated into the award either by direct citation or by reference to the following: Federal regulations; program legislation or regulation; and special award terms and conditions. The Service financial assistance award terms and conditions flow down to subrecipients and contractors, unless a particular award term or condition specifically indicates otherwise. Fiscal Year 2017 Program anticipates funding projects that are effective for the long-term conservation of rhinos and tigers, and those that are similar in scope to FY 2016. This program supported: 1) A project to mitigate Human-Tiger Conflicts through Stakeholder Participation in Uttar Pradesh, India; 2) a project to support informed and effective enforcement on illegal trade of rhinoceros products in China; 3) a project to provide a reliable water supply and security for a rhino sanctuaries expanding population of black rhino in Tanzania; 4) a project that enhances black rhinoceros monitoring and protection in Serengeti National Park, Tanzania; 5) a project focused on dehorning and translocating rhino throughout Namibia for biological management and security reasons.
Fiscal Year 2018 Projects funded in FY18: 1. Kenya-Support for black rhino monitoring and protection and improvement of communication between wildlife authorities and community wildlife management areas and Masai Mara National Reserve. 2. Malaysia- Support for the Spatial Monitoring Tool (SMART) based patrol team of a non-profit research group to help evaluate the effectiveness of law enforcement interventions over time and eradicate poaching threats in tiger hotspots. 3. India- Support for Andhra Pradesh Forest Department, for identifying and mapping threats to tigers and prey species and to provide scientific aid in consolidating tiger habitats within tiger reserves by promoting government schemes.
Fiscal Year 2019 Projects funded in FY 19: AFRICA 1. Tanzania-support improvements in protection and monitoring abilities including provision of necessary equipment for security, continuation of an annual rhino tagging effort, strengthening law enforcement capacity, and aerial surveillance for a key population of Eastern black rhino in Serengeti National Park, which is under significant threat due poaching. 2 Namibia- reduce rhino poaching of desert-adapted black rhino in the Kunene Region and Etosha, Mangetti, and Waterberg National Parks by increasing rhino monitoring and improving anti-poaching efforts by fitting rhinos with monitoring technology in high risk areas, ear notching and DNA collection, and facilitating data analysis in order to ensure security of rhino population, support law enforcement efforts, and inform biological management decisions. ASIA 1. India-Carry out an occupancy survey for tigers and prey in the corridor connecting Melghat Tiger Reserve with Satpuda Tiger Reserve, and deploy camera traps for estimating minimum tiger population and tiger distribution in buffer zone of Melghat Tiger Reserve. 2. Nepal-project in Chitwan and Bardia National Parks to understand the distribution, status and habitat use of tigers in the Churia Hill forests between Chitwan and Bardia National Parks and identify critical areas for tiger conservation, assess the tiger dispersal through genetic analysis, enhance habitat quality and increase prey density in critical areas and reduce threats to tigers by raising the local awareness.
Fiscal Year 2020 Program did not select any projects for funding.
Fiscal Year 2021 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s African rhinoceros conservation program prioritizes projects involving direct site-based conservation actions for Key 1 and Key 2 populations and other populations that are important to the survival of critically endangered species of rhinoceros. Funding decisions consider the significance of the particular population to the survival of the species. Project work occurs within rhinoceros range, or if work is conducted outside of the range, the project shows clear relevance to rhinoceros field conservation actions. Projects identify immediate threats to rhinoceros survival and support direct conservation activities to eliminate or reduce those threats. Biological management of rhinoceros populations is considered. Projects demonstrate how they address regional and/or national rhinoceros management plans. For Tigers and Leopards the purpose of projects is to increase and strengthen engagement and participation of local community representatives, including youth, in conflict management and other conservation activities; and significantly reduce tiger and leopard attacks on people in four prioritized high conflict villages in the landscape. The purpose of this project is to ensure long term survival and sustain the population growth of the world’s second largest population of the greater one-horned rhinoceros and globally significant tiger population in Chitwan-Parsa complex. The objectives are as follows: (1) Reduce poaching threats through community engagement: turning poachers into the conservationists; (2) Improve rhino habitat through active grassland and wetland management; (3) Increase the growth rate through biological management and close surveillance of rhinos; and (4) Strengthen wildlife health capacity in Nepal for understanding the rhino population health and causes of increased rhino mortality in recent years. The purpose of this project is to sustain the recovery of tigers, co-predators and their prey across Transboundary Manas Conservation Area of India. The objectives and associated activities are as follows: (1) Identifying the recovery potential for tigers, co-predators and prey recovery in Manas Tiger Reserve; Activities: (1.1) Set baselines for population and community structure of tigers, co-predators and prey in the Manas Tiger Reserve in India; (1.2) Build field and analytical capacity amongst park management and grassroots NGO volunteers to conduct and analyze biological monitoring information for sustained recovery; (2) Developing a collaborative conservation action plan to secure future tiger, co-predator and prey populations; Activities: (2.1) Develop a tiger, co-predators and prey recovery road map in collaboration with the Manas Tiger Reserve management; (3) Experimenting with community-led habitat restoration practices to sustain species recovery in Manas Tiger Reserve, India; Activities: (3.1) Develop and implement experimental habitat restoration plots across the Manas Tiger Reserve; (3.2) Monitor and evaluate restoration activities to identify the best practices of habitat restoration in Manas Tiger Reserve.
Fiscal Year 2022 Project 1) The purpose of this project is to (1) Reduce removal (capture) of tigers and leopards as a result of conflict situations through an efficient and proactive response mechanism and trained frontline staff; (2) Increase and strengthen engagement and participation of local community representatives, including youth, in conflict management and other conservation activities; and (3) Significantly reduce tiger and leopard attacks on people in four prioritized high conflict villages in the landscape. Project 2) The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s African rhinoceros conservation program prioritizes projects involving direct site-based conservation actions for Key 1 and Key 2 populations and other populations that are important to the survival of critically endangered species of rhinoceros. Funding decisions consider the significance of the particular population to the survival of the species. Project work occurs within rhinoceros range, or if work is conducted outside of the range, the project shows clear relevance to rhinoceros field conservation actions. Projects identify immediate threats to rhinoceros survival and support direct conservation activities to eliminate or reduce those threats. Biological management of rhinoceros populations is considered. Projects demonstrate how they address regional and/or national rhinoceros management plans. Project 3) The purpose of this project is to sustain the recovery of tigers, co-predators and their prey across Transboundary Manas Conservation Area of India. The objectives and associated activities are as follows: (1) Identifying the recovery potential for tigers, co-predators and prey recovery in Manas Tiger Reserve; Activities: (1.1) Set baselines for population and community structure of tigers, co-predators and prey in the Manas Tiger Reserve in India; (1.2) Build field and analytical capacity amongst park management and grassroots NGO volunteers to conduct and analyze biological monitoring information for sustained recovery; (2) Developing a collaborative conservation action plan to secure future tiger, co-predator and prey populations; Activities: (2.1) Develop a tiger, co-predators and prey recovery road map in collaboration with the Manas Tiger Reserve management; (3) Experimenting with community-led habitat restoration practices to sustain species recovery in Manas Tiger Reserve, India; Activities: (3.1) Develop and implement experimental habitat restoration plots across the Manas Tiger Reserve; (3.2) Monitor and evaluate restoration activities to identify the best practices of habitat restoration in Manas Tiger Reserve.
Fiscal Year 2023 Citizen Action for Tigers (CAT): engaging people to value and protect tigers and their habitats in Malaysia - 3 : This project aims to foster greater conservation stewardship through citizen actions with the following three-pronged approach: Expanding wildlife and habitat protection through Community Ranger (CR) and Citizen Action for Tigers (CAT) Walk patrols, which are foot patrols in tiger habitat, with added adaptive strategies; Increasing public involvement in tiger conservation through CAT Walks; and Fostering an organic and active conservation focused community within CAT Walk alumni. The project has the following objectives and activities: (1) Ensure tiger, wildlife and habitat are protected against any illegal activities surrounding the Sungai Yu Corridor with (a) Targeted and coordinated patrols in key areas with supporting patrols in less accessible zones; (b) Conduct joint patrols, and outreach with the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP), Royal Malaysian Police (RMP), and state Forest Department; (c) Operation of Wildlife Crime Hotline and coordination with the DWNP and RMP; and (2) Increased conservation stewardship and expansion of CAT Walks by (a) Expanding number of CAT Walks tapping into local conservation networks, social media, wildlife enthusiast groups, and especially the eco-tourism market network both nationally, regionally, and on a global scale; (b) Identifying, training, and mentoring new volunteer leaders for CAT Walks; (c) Identifying new areas to expand CAT Walks into; and (d) Fostering conservation stewardship beyond CAT Walks. Projects provide direct site-based conservation for significant populations of black rhinoceros that are critical to the survival of the species. Project work supports increasing rhinoceros protection; providing equipment and resources for aerial and ground protection; monitoring to individually identify and regularly check on black rhinoceros populations; managing rhinoceros populations in order to optimize growth, expand their range, and maintain genetic diversity; estimating ecological carrying capacity; ensuring consistent water supply, coordinating and collaborating on effective project management with private and community conservancies as a contribution to national black rhino action plans, supporting regional conservation efforts to guide and facilitate the conservation of viable rhinoceros populations across African range states and providing needed data to CITES, and/or training and capacity development of rhino range state representatives.
Fiscal Year 2024 Genetic analysis of Sumatran and Javan rhinoceros by Indonesian researchers II: The purpose of this project is to conduct a broad sampling for dung samples for both species, and to develop novel methods to improve DNA preservation from dung, better identify distinct maternal lineages, and identify sire lineages. Grantee will initiate a project to store and grow cells, to allow for extraction of high-quality DNA and to enable in vitro and genomic studies on a longer-term basis. The project expects for each species: (1) Widespread sampling of dung from wild rhinos; (2) Development of improved dung collection methods; (3) High throughput sequencing (HTS) to be used on DNA from dung samples; (4) Maternal lineages identified more accurately and precisely by extracting full mitogenomes from HTS (the HTS reads will also identify diet and pathogens); and (5) Novel Y-chromosome haplotype markers developed and used to identify paternal lineages. The next-generation sequences from dung samples will permit rhinoceros diet and intestinal parasites to be examined. The results of this study will contribute to a growing body of genomic references of Southeast Asian flora, which will be shared with ecological researchers and provide vital information to habitat restoration efforts locally. Projects provide direct site-based conservation for significant populations of black rhinoceros that are critical to the survival of the species. Project work supports increasing rhinoceros protection; providing equipment and resources for aerial and ground protection; monitoring to individually identify and regularly check on black rhinoceros populations; managing rhinoceros populations in order to optimize growth, expand their range, and maintain genetic diversity; estimating ecological carrying capacity; ensuring consistent water supply, coordinating and collaborating on effective project management with private and community conservancies as a contribution to national black rhino action plans, supporting regional conservation efforts to guide and facilitate the conservation of viable rhinoceros populations across African range states and providing needed data to CITES, and/or training for staff working to conserve rhinoceros.