Opportunity Information: Apply for NOAA NMFS AK 2025 29367
The Alaska Native Organization Comanagement Grant Program is a NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) funding opportunity that supports Alaska Native-led conservation and comanagement work for marine mammals that are important for subsistence and fall under NMFS jurisdiction. The program is grounded in federal authority (16 U.S.C. 1388) and is designed to strengthen cooperative, government-to-organization partnerships that conserve marine mammal populations while supporting lawful Alaska Native subsistence use. Funding is provided through cooperative agreements, which typically means NMFS expects an active partnership role during the project rather than a hands-off pass-through award.
Projects funded under this program can cover a broad range of on-the-ground and community-based activities tied to conserving subsistence marine mammals. Examples include developing or implementing species management approaches, monitoring subsistence harvests, collecting harvest samples, conducting scientific research, and delivering public education and outreach. A key expectation is that proposed work lines up with priority actions already identified in relevant Endangered Species Act Recovery Plans or Marine Mammal Protection Act Conservation Plans (when those plans apply), as well as the priorities laid out in the notice itself. Proposals that focus on marine mammals managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are specifically excluded and will not be considered under this NMFS program.
Eligibility is intentionally narrow. Applicants must be tribally authorized Alaska Native Organizations (or in the process of renewing that tribal authorization) that already have a signed comanagement agreement with NMFS for marine mammals. If an ANO uses a fiduciary agent to manage funds, the application must include a written agreement describing the relationship and each party's responsibilities, and the ANO must still be shown as the lead entity on the application. ANOs that do not currently hold a comanagement agreement with NMFS cannot apply as the primary applicant, but they may participate as subrecipients under an eligible lead applicant; in that case, the application must include documentation of the subrecipient arrangement and clearly explain roles and responsibilities.
Applicants also have to document the ANO's legal status at the time they apply. If the ANO board is a nonprofit, acceptable proof includes current IRS recognition of 501(c)(3) status (or equivalent evidence that donations are tax deductible), a certification from a state taxing authority or the state attorney general confirming nonprofit status and that net earnings do not benefit private individuals, or incorporation documents that clearly establish nonprofit status. If a tribal government directly holds the comanagement agreement with NOAA, a letter from an authorized tribal representative confirming that status can be used as verification.
Administratively, this is a discretionary opportunity run by the Department of Commerce, NOAA (NMFS). The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement, the CFDA number listed is 11.439, and the eligible applicant type shown is federally recognized Native American tribal governments (with the program narrative emphasizing tribally authorized ANOs with NMFS comanagement agreements). The opportunity number is NOAA NMFS AK 2025 29367, the original closing date is 2025-02-25, and the listed award ceiling is $1,500,000. The notice also flags that some details have changed from the prior year, so applicants are expected to read the full announcement closely and follow the updated requirements, especially around eligibility, documentation, and partner or fiduciary arrangements.Apply for NOAA NMFS AK 2025 29367
- The DOC NOAA - ERA Production in the environment, natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Alaska Native Organization Comanagement Grant Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 11.439.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2024-12-26.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-02-25. (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 $1,500,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized).
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Alaska Native Organization Comanagement Grant Program (NOAA NMFS) - FAQs
What is the Alaska Native Organization Comanagement Grant Program?
The Alaska Native Organization Comanagement Grant Program is a NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) funding opportunity that supports Alaska Native-led conservation and comanagement work for marine mammals that are important for subsistence and fall under NMFS jurisdiction.
Which federal agency runs this funding opportunity?
This is a Department of Commerce opportunity administered by NOAA, specifically the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS).
What is the legal authority for this program?
The program is grounded in federal authority at 16 U.S.C. 1388.
What is the overall purpose of the program?
The program is designed to strengthen cooperative, government-to-organization partnerships that conserve marine mammal populations while supporting lawful Alaska Native subsistence use.
What kind of funding instrument is used (grant vs. cooperative agreement)?
Funding is provided through cooperative agreements.
What does it mean that this is a cooperative agreement?
A cooperative agreement typically means NMFS expects an active partnership role during the project, rather than a hands-off, pass-through award.
What types of activities can be funded under this program?
Funded projects can cover a broad range of on-the-ground and community-based activities tied to conserving subsistence marine mammals. Examples listed in the opportunity include:
- Developing or implementing species management approaches
- Monitoring subsistence harvests
- Collecting harvest samples
- Conducting scientific research
- Delivering public education and outreach
Do projects need to align with specific conservation plans or priorities?
Yes. A key expectation is that proposed work aligns with priority actions identified in relevant Endangered Species Act (ESA) Recovery Plans or Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) Conservation Plans (when applicable), as well as priorities laid out in the notice itself.
Are projects related to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service-managed marine mammals eligible?
No. Proposals that focus on marine mammals managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are specifically excluded and will not be considered under this NMFS program.
Who is eligible to apply as the primary applicant?
Eligibility is narrow. Applicants must be tribally authorized Alaska Native Organizations (ANOs) (or in the process of renewing that tribal authorization) that already have a signed comanagement agreement with NMFS for marine mammals.
Can an Alaska Native Organization apply if it does not have a comanagement agreement with NMFS?
ANOs that do not currently hold a comanagement agreement with NMFS cannot apply as the primary applicant.
Can organizations without an NMFS comanagement agreement participate in a project at all?
Yes. An ANO that does not hold a comanagement agreement with NMFS may participate as a subrecipient under an eligible lead applicant. In that case, the application must include documentation of the subrecipient arrangement and clearly explain roles and responsibilities.
What is required if an ANO uses a fiduciary agent to manage the funds?
If a fiduciary agent is used, the application must include a written agreement describing the relationship and each party's responsibilities. The ANO must still be shown as the lead entity on the application.
Does the ANO still need to be the lead if a fiduciary agent is involved?
Yes. Even if a fiduciary agent manages funds, the ANO must be shown as the lead entity on the application.
What documentation is required for subrecipient participation?
When an entity participates as a subrecipient (including ANOs that are not eligible to apply as the lead), the application must include documentation of the subrecipient arrangement and clearly explain roles and responsibilities.
What must applicants document about the ANO at the time of application?
Applicants must document the ANO's legal status at the time they apply.
What documentation can prove nonprofit status if the ANO board is a nonprofit?
Acceptable proof includes one of the following (as described in the opportunity):
- Current IRS recognition of 501(c)(3) status (or equivalent evidence that donations are tax deductible)
- A certification from a state taxing authority or the state attorney general confirming nonprofit status and that net earnings do not benefit private individuals
- Incorporation documents that clearly establish nonprofit status
What documentation can verify status if a tribal government directly holds the comanagement agreement with NOAA?
If a tribal government directly holds the comanagement agreement with NOAA, a letter from an authorized tribal representative confirming that status can be used as verification.
Is this a discretionary funding opportunity?
Yes. The opportunity is identified as discretionary.
What is the CFDA number for this program?
The CFDA number listed for this opportunity is 11.439.
What is the opportunity number?
The opportunity number is NOAA NMFS AK 2025 29367.
What is the application closing date?
The original closing date listed is 2025-02-25.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The listed award ceiling is $1,500,000.
Do applicants need to pay attention to changes from the prior year?
Yes. The notice flags that some details have changed from the prior year. Applicants are expected to read the full announcement closely and follow the updated requirements, especially regarding eligibility, documentation, and partner or fiduciary arrangements.
What applicant type is shown as eligible in the administrative listing?
The eligible applicant type shown is federally recognized Native American tribal governments, with the program narrative emphasizing tribally authorized Alaska Native Organizations with NMFS comanagement agreements.
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