2025 White-nose Syndrome Grants to States and Tribes | F25AS00296

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the 2025 White-nose Syndrome Grants to States and Tribes opportunity?

This is a discretionary grant program from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) titled "2025 White-nose Syndrome Grants to States and Tribes" (Funding Opportunity Number F25AS00296). It supports on-the-ground and science-based responses to white-nose syndrome (WNS) in hibernating bats.

What problem is this program trying to address?

The program focuses on responding to white-nose syndrome (WNS), a disease affecting hibernating bats that is caused by the invasive fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd). WNS has driven major bat population declines in some areas, while impacts remain uncertain in other places and for other species, particularly regions newly exposed (or not yet exposed) to Pd/WNS.

Which federal agency is offering this grant?

The grant is offered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS).

What is the CFDA number for this program?

The CFDA listing provided for this program is 15.684.

Who is eligible to apply?

Funding is intended specifically for U.S. State wildlife and natural resource agencies (including the District of Columbia) and federally recognized Tribal governments that are engaged in, or seeking to engage in, bat management and conservation.

Is the District of Columbia eligible?

Yes. The opportunity explicitly includes State wildlife/natural resource agencies, including the District of Columbia.

What types of activities can this grant fund?

Projects may include a range of practical and capacity-building activities, including:

• Implementing direct conservation actions for bats
• Conducting or supporting scientific data collection to better understand bat status and WNS impacts
• Training local personnel to build and maintain expertise
• Managing WNS and the Pd fungus where feasible
• Monitoring bat populations, including hibernating species and affected sites

What is the overall purpose of the funding?

The central purpose is to provide financial assistance so eligible state and tribal partners can implement conservation and disease-management actions appropriate to local conditions, while contributing to broader regional and national coordination for WNS response.

Does the grant emphasize coordination with national efforts?

Yes. A major emphasis is active participation in the National Response to WNS and alignment with the WNS National Plan, along with engagement in the North American Bat Monitoring Program (NABat).

What is NABat and why is it referenced?

The North American Bat Monitoring Program (NABat) is described as a shared framework for tracking bat populations and trends over time. The funding opportunity values engagement in NABat to support coordinated monitoring and comparable data across jurisdictions.

What does “on-the-ground and science-based responses” mean in this context?

Based on the notice description, this refers to practical conservation and management actions in the field (such as monitoring and site-based actions) combined with scientific data collection and analysis to understand bat status and WNS/Pd impacts and to guide effective management decisions.

Are projects only for places where WNS is already present?

No. Competitive applications are expected to match the applicant location’s current situation, whether WNS is already affecting bats, Pd has recently arrived, or the jurisdiction is not yet exposed but is preparing for potential arrival.

What species are affected by WNS according to the opportunity description?

The notice states that WNS has been confirmed in 12 bat species in North America, including species with federal protections (three listed as endangered and one proposed for listing).

What kinds of outcomes is the program trying to achieve?

The program is designed to help close key information gaps, strengthen management capacity, and improve coordinated conservation outcomes across jurisdictions for bat species threatened by WNS.

What does the program mean by “capacity-building”?

The notice highlights building and maintaining expertise through activities like training local personnel and supporting sustained institutional knowledge within state and tribal agencies. The goal is to keep skilled staff and consistent monitoring and response capabilities over time.

What makes an application “competitive” under this opportunity?

Competitive applications are expected to present a clear, efficient plan of action that fits local WNS conditions and context-specific conservation needs. Proposals should show how activities will:

• Benefit hibernating bat species in the United States
• Advance the priorities of the funding opportunity and the WNS National Plan
• Build upon or meaningfully advance the existing state of knowledge about bats and disease dynamics

Is monitoring an eligible or encouraged use of funds?

Yes. Monitoring bat populations is explicitly listed as eligible work, including monitoring of hibernating species and affected sites. Engagement in NABat is also emphasized as part of coordinated monitoring.

Can the grant support work related to managing the fungus Pd?

Yes. The opportunity lists “managing WNS and the Pd fungus where feasible” as eligible work.

Does the program allow training and workforce development activities?

Yes. Training local personnel to build and maintain expertise is listed as an eligible activity, and the program specifically values sustained institutional knowledge within agencies.

What are the performance expectations for applicants with prior federal grants?

To be considered, applicants must be in good standing on previously awarded federal grant agreements. The notice describes expectations that include:

• Meeting proposed objectives and required deliverables
• Avoiding preventable performance delays
• Responding promptly and effectively to USFWS communications when issues arise
• Demonstrating responsible and successful use of prior USFWS WNS program funds

What if an applicant previously relinquished or surrendered WNS funds?

The notice states that applicants who previously relinquished or surrendered WNS funds are expected to show that the outcome was not avoidable and that they took all reasonable steps to prevent it.

Can an applicant with an active WNS award apply for more funding?

Yes, but the notice states that applicants who already hold active WNS financial assistance awards must show meaningful progress toward completing their current funded objectives to qualify for additional awards.

What is the maximum amount that can be awarded per grant?

The award ceiling is $75,000 per award.

When is the application due?

The application closing date is September 12, 2025.

What geographic scope does the program focus on?

The funding is intended for U.S. State agencies (including the District of Columbia) and federally recognized Tribal governments, and proposals should demonstrate benefits to hibernating bat species in the United States while supporting coordinated regional and national WNS response efforts.

What is meant by aligning with the WNS National Plan?

Based on the notice language, alignment means proposed activities should support the priorities and coordinated approach described in the WNS National Plan and contribute to the broader National Response to WNS.

Why does the opportunity stress “closing key information gaps”?

The notice explains that while WNS has caused major declines in some areas, impacts remain uncertain for other species and regions, especially areas newly exposed or not yet exposed. The program supports data collection and monitoring to generate actionable information and improve conservation decisions.