The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is pleased to announce the availability of financial assistance to state wildlife agencies for issues related directly to the management of white-nose syndrome (WNS).

This opportunity is only open to state wildlife management agencies.

Priority

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will be given to proposed activities where WNS or the causative fungus, Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd) has been detected.

However all states are encouraged to apply.

For a current list of states and species affected by WNS, see www.whitenosesyndrome.org The Service has targeted up to $1 million for this funding opportunity in 2016 to help build state capacity that will assist with the management and control of WNS.

Available funds are from internally directed funds for Fiscal Year 201 6. These grant awards are made under CFDA Number 1 5. 657, Endangered Species Conservation â¿¿ Recovery Implementation Funds.

2016 PRIORITIES The purpose of this funding opportunity is to help our state partners build or expand WNS management programs.

We intend to award funds that assist state agencies to 1) implement actions to curtail the spread of WNS; 2) support WNS-related research activities; 3) monitor bat populations and WNS progression; 4) conduct outreach on WNS and bats, and 5) participate in the Serviceâ¿¿s 2017 annual WNS Workshop.

The Service will fund proposals that address the following objectives:
⿏ Increase survival of bats and persistence of colonies facing WNS; ⿏ Stop or slow the spread of Pd; ⿏ Prevent the arrival and establishment of Pd in non-affected areas while preparing for its potential arrival; ⿏ Maintain and support populations of bats in the regions where the WNS is now endemic.