FY 2021 Alaska Native Organization Co-Management Funding Program | NOAA NMFS AK 2021 2006616

Opportunity Information: Apply for NOAA NMFS AK 2021 2006616

The FY 2021 Alaska Native Organization Co-Management Funding Program is a discretionary federal funding opportunity run by the Department of Commerce through NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). It is built around the idea that marine mammals are central to Alaska Native subsistence, culture, and community well-being, and that Alaska Native Organizations (ANOs) play a direct, practical role in conserving these species. Using authority provided under federal law (16 U.S.C. 1388), NMFS offers financial assistance to support co-management: shared stewardship in which ANOs and NMFS work together on conservation and on the responsible, sustainable subsistence use of marine mammals that fall under NMFS jurisdiction.

Funding is provided as cooperative agreements rather than standard grants, which generally means NMFS expects a more active partnership role during the project. Supported work can cover a wide range of conservation and co-management activities tied to subsistence species, including building or carrying out species management efforts, monitoring subsistence harvests, collecting and analyzing harvest samples, conducting scientific research, and delivering public education and outreach. Proposals are expected to align with established conservation priorities when they exist, especially priority actions in Endangered Species Act (ESA) Recovery Plans and Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) Conservation Plans, along with the priorities laid out in the funding announcement itself. A key boundary in the program is jurisdiction: projects focused on marine mammals managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are explicitly not eligible under this NMFS program.

Eligibility is intentionally narrow. Applicants must be Tribally-Authorized ANOs that already have a signed co-management agreement with NMFS and are considered in "good standing" at the time they apply. NMFS defines "good standing" in practical compliance and performance terms: the organization must have no pending enforcement actions under the MMPA or ESA; it must be current on required progress and financial reporting for any existing federal assistance awards; it must demonstrate satisfactory past performance, including completing prior project tasks and deliverables on time and as proposed; and it must be able to operate within the purpose and goals set out in its existing co-management agreement with NMFS. The announcement also makes clear that poor performance history, late reporting, or failure to meet prior objectives can lead to a proposal being rejected or scored lower during final funding recommendations.

The program also anticipates common administrative structures in Alaska Native governance and allows for partnerships and fiscal sponsorship arrangements, but with documentation requirements. If an ANO uses another entity as a fiduciary agent (meaning that other entity serves as the primary grant recipient managing funds on the ANO's behalf), the application must clearly identify the ANO's legal status and include a copy of the formal agreement between the ANO and the fiduciary agent. That agreement must spell out the relationship and responsibilities of each party, and the ANO still needs to be listed as the lead entity in the application, consistent with what the agreement says. Separately, an ANO that does not currently hold a co-management agreement with NMFS may still participate as a sub-recipient if it is otherwise in good standing; in that case, the eligible lead applicant would submit the proposal, and the application must include the ANO's legal status documentation and a sub-recipient agreement describing roles and responsibilities. In all cases, eligibility requirements must be satisfied at the time of application, not later in the process.

To verify an ANO's legal status, the announcement provides two main pathways. If the ANO board is a registered nonprofit, acceptable proof can include current IRS recognition under section 501(c)(3), a certification from a state taxing authority or state attorney general confirming nonprofit status and confirming that no net earnings benefit private individuals, or a certified incorporation document that clearly establishes nonprofit status. If a tribal government itself directly holds the co-management agreement with NOAA, a letter from an authorized tribal representative certifying that status is acceptable verification.

From the published opportunity metadata, the program is listed under CFDA 11.439 and uses the cooperative agreement instrument. The opportunity number is NOAA NMFS AK 2021 2006616. The application closing date shown is February 12, 2021. The award ceiling is listed as $800,000. The overall focus areas align with environment, natural resources, and science and technology research and development, reflecting the program's emphasis on applied conservation work that directly supports subsistence-focused marine mammal co-management in Alaska.

• The Department of Commerce in the environment, natural resources, science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY 2021 Alaska Native Organization Co-Management Funding 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 2020-10-20.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-02-12. (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 $800,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

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