To provide support for projects that build human and institutional capacity for biodiversity conservation and management in Mexico through training associated with Mexican nature reserves.

Of interest are projects that provide training in biodiversity conservation or natural resource management

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associated with federal, state, or local nature reserves, or areas in the process of acquiring protection status, as well as other priority biodiversity areas designated by the Government of Mexico.

In FY07 the Service awarded 17 Assistance Awards for projects in Mexico. A summary of each of those projects can be found at the programs webpage at http://www.fws.gov/international/DICprograms/mexico.htm.

Uses and Use Restrictions

Funding will be provided for training projects, including short-term (2-3 week) on-the-job courses certified by an educational institution (Diplomados), workshops, personnel exchanges, training provided through on-the-ground practices, among other delivery mechanisms, with the following objectives: (1) develop specific conservation/management skills of resources managers by addressing critical gaps in formal and informal training in Mexico while increasing the number of personnel trained; (2) promote training that links sound management practices in nature reserves to the creation of economic opportunities for buffer zone communities; and (3) raise the level of awareness and capacity of key stakeholder groups to deliver conservation.

Applicants should be proposing work to be conducted in Mexico.

If work is to be conducted in the United States, the proposal must show a clear connection to capacity building for biodiversity conservation in Mexico to be eligible for funding.

Funds provided under this program will not be used for the following activities: the purchase of firearms or ammunitions; buying of intelligence information or paying informants; gathering information by persons who conceal their true identity; law enforcement operations that prompt suspects to carry out illegal activities so they may be arrested (entrapment); or any activity that would circumvent sanctions, treaties, laws or regulations of either the U. S. or Mexico.

Funds may not be used to provide material support or resources to individuals, entities, or organizations of countries that have been identified by the U. S. Department of State as state sponsors of terrorism.

The countries currently identified are: Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan and Syria.

This program is administered in compliance with the Federal Grants and Cooperative Agreements Act of 1977, as amended.

These funds may not be used towards training U. S. Federal Government personnel.

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Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

Participation is limited to Federal, State and local governments, non-profit, non-governmental organizations; public and private institutions of higher education; and any other organization or individual with demonstrated experience deemed necessary to carry out the proposed project.

Beneficiary Eligibility

Federal, State and local government; public nonprofit institution/organizations; public and private institutions of higher education; and any other organization or individual with demonstrated experience deemed necessary to carry out the proposed project.

Credentials/Documentation

None.

Aplication and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

None.

This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.

12372.

Application Procedures

The program announcement and application instructions for this program can be found at the Grants.gov website. The Notice of Funding Availability and Application Instructions are also located on this programs website athttp://www.fws.gov/international/DICprograms/mexico.htm. If you are unable to access the Internet, hard copies are available upon request from the Branch of Mexico, Division of International Conservation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Room 100, Arlington, VA 22203.

Award Procedures

Projects are simultaneously reviewed by a panel convened by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and a panel convened by the Mexican Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT). Final funding decisions are made jointly by representatives of the Service and SEMARNAT based on the recommendations of the two review panels. Review criteria can be found in the application information at http://www.fws.gov/international/DICprograms/mexico.htm. Once a proposal has been selected for funding, an Assistance Award between the Fish and Wildlife Service and the Recipient is drafted by the Division of International Conservation. The draft Award is then submitted to the Division of Contracting and Facilities Management (CFM) where it is executed by an FWS Contracting Officer. 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.

Deadlines

Proposals must be submitted to both the Fish and Wildlife Service and SEMARNAT on or before October 1 each year.

Authorization

Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended, 16 U.S.C. 1531-43.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

Decisions on funding of project proposals are normally made no later than 180 days after the receipt of the project proposals.

Appeals

Not applicable.

Renewals

None. However, at the discretion of the Division of International Conservation awards can be modified, e.g.; extended for time or budget changes made.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

Applicants and/or other project partners must contribute funds to the project, which may include cash or in-kind contributions. In determining whether to approve project proposals, preference is given to projects for which matching funds are available.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Upon approval, the project may be extended or the agreement modified. Awarded funds must be spent during the period of performance indicated on the Assistance Award, and in accordance with the financial and performance reporting procedures specified in the Assistance Award document.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

Financial and performance reports are to be submitted in accordance with the terms and conditions established in the Assistance Award.

Complete reporting requirements can be found at this programs web page at http://www.fws.gov/international/DICprograms/mexico.htm.

For financial reporting, Domestic Recipients with no program income to report shall use Standard Form 269a.

Domestic recipients with program income to report shall use Standard Form 269.

Non-domestic Recipients shall submit a financial status report that follows the same format of the original project proposal budget table, itemizes expenditures for the reporting period any describes any deviations from the approved project budget.

Audits

In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular A-133 (Revised June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations", nonfederal entities that expend $500,000 or more in Federal awards shall have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in OMB Circular A-133.

Records

Recipient will maintain records in accordance with the provisions of 43 CFR part 12, Subpart C, "Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments" and 43 CFR Part 12, Subpart F, "Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and other Nonprofit Organizations".

Financial Information

Account Identification

14-1611-0-1-303.

Obigations

(Grants) FY 07 $630,000; FY 08 $697,000; and FY 09 est $425,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

Variable amounts. Due to the limited funding available and the desire to support diverse projects, preference will be given to proposals requesting less than $50,000.00. Higher amounts may be requested with appropriate justification.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature

Grants will be administered in conformance with the Assistance Award Guidelines established by the Division of International Conservation, which uses as its source all applicable award terms and conditions found at http://www.doi.gov/pam/TermsandConditions.html. The Assistance Award Guidelines can be found on-line at http://www.fws.gov/international/DICprograms/mexico.htm or in hard copy by contacting the Division of International Conservation at (703) 358-1754.

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

Not applicable.

Headquarters Office

Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior. Contact: Chief, Division of International Conservation, 4401 North Fairfax Drive, Room 100, Arlington, VA 22203-1622. Telephone: (703) 358-1754. FAX: (703) 358-2115. E-mail: WWB_Mexico@fws.gov.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Due to the limited funding available and the desire to support diverse projects, preference will be given to proposals requesting less than $50,000.00. A complete list of the criteria used to select projects under this program can be found in the Wildlife Without Borders-Mexico Notice of Funding Availability and Application Instructions, located on line at http://www.fws.gov/international/DICprograms/mexico.htm. Hard copies can be obtained by contacting the Division of International Conservation at (703) 358-1754.