USDA APHIS Tribal Nations Wild Cervid Chronic Wasting Disease Opportunities 2022 Cooperative Agreements | USDA APHIS 10028 WSNWRC00 22 0014

Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA APHIS 10028 WSNWRC00 22 0014

The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), through Wildlife Services (WS), offered the "USDA APHIS Tribal Nations Wild Cervid Chronic Wasting Disease Opportunities 2022 Cooperative Agreements" to support efforts that control and prevent chronic wasting disease (CWD) in wild cervid populations. The focus is on practical, on-the-ground work and capacity building for surveillance and response on lands owned or managed by Tribal entities. In plain terms, the program is meant to help Tribal governments strengthen their ability to detect CWD early, monitor its spread, and carry out actions that reduce risk to deer, elk, moose, and other susceptible wild cervids, while also improving readiness for an outbreak or expanding existing response efforts.

This opportunity was structured as a discretionary cooperative agreement (rather than a standard grant), meaning APHIS WS expected to have active involvement with awardees during the project. The funding was associated with CFDA 10.028 and listed under the Agriculture activity category. APHIS WS anticipated awarding about $400,000 total across selected projects. Eligible applicants were Federally recognized Native American Tribal governments, specifically those that have regulatory oversight or direct responsibility for wild cervids. The program allowed an eligible applicant to submit more than one proposal, with up to $75,000 requested per proposal, which effectively encouraged Tribes to propose separate, clearly defined projects (for example, one proposal focused on surveillance sampling and another focused on outreach, training, or response planning), as long as each proposal aligned with the overall goal of controlling and preventing CWD.

The core objective of the funding opportunity was straightforward: reduce the likelihood of CWD becoming established or spreading further in wild cervid populations, and improve the effectiveness of management once the disease is detected. APHIS WS sought collaborators to develop and implement CWD surveillance, testing, management, prevention, and response activities. That includes funding for the information, equipment, methods, or tools needed to support CWD control and prevention. Projects could involve building or expanding surveillance programs (such as designing sampling plans, collecting field samples, coordinating with labs for diagnostic testing, and improving data tracking), developing response and management approaches (including risk-based decision-making, targeted management actions, and coordination protocols), and strengthening prevention efforts (such as reducing human-assisted spread risks through education, carcass handling guidance, transport considerations, or hunter-focused outreach where appropriate). The description also notes that funds may be used to further develop and evaluate techniques and strategies for controlling CWD in wild cervids, leaving room for applied evaluation work that helps determine what approaches are most effective in Tribal land contexts.

A key administrative detail is what happens if the full amount is not awarded under this Tribal-specific opportunity. If funds remained unawarded, the notice stated those dollars would be redirected to support projects submitted under the broader "Wild Cervid Chronic Wasting Disease Management and Response Activities 2022" effort, specifically projects submitted by Federally recognized Tribal governments and Native American Tribal organizations representing Federally recognized Tribal governments. This indicates APHIS WS intended for the money to remain targeted toward Tribal needs and participation in CWD management work, even if the initial award slate did not use the entire allocation.

In terms of timing and identification, the opportunity was titled exactly as listed above, with Funding Opportunity Number USDA APHIS 10028 WSNWRC00 22 0014. It was created on April 14, 2022, and the original closing date for applications was June 14, 2022. Overall, the program was designed as a relatively flexible, project-based funding source for Tribal governments to plan, expand, or strengthen CWD surveillance and response activities on Tribal lands, with individual project requests capped at $75,000 and total anticipated awards around $400,000.

• The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service in the agriculture sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "USDA APHIS Tribal Nations Wild Cervid Chronic Wasting Disease Opportunities 2022 Cooperative Agreements" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.028.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2022-04-14.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2022-06-14. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

Apply for USDA APHIS 10028 WSNWRC00 22 0014

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