Fiscal Year 2020 Grants Now Open to U.S. Insular Areas

WASHINGTON – Doug Domenech, U.S. Department of the Interior Assistant Secretary, Insular and International Affairs, has announced three grant programs in the Office of Insular Affairs (OIA) that are open for applications for fiscal year 2020 funding: the Technical Assistance Program, the Maintenance Assistance Program, and the Coral Reef and Natural Resources Initiative. This funding is made available to support the U.S. territories of American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, as well as the freely associated states – the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau.

“We encourage as many applicants as possible to apply for fiscal year 2020 funding,” said Assistant Secretary Domenech. “I look forward to assisting each island area by supporting priority issues through the available funding.”

Technical Assistance Program funding is available for short-term projects intended to meet the immediate needs of the U.S. insular areas. Funding priorities include, but are not limited to, projects that foster development in the following categories: accountability, financial management, economic development, education, energy production, management control initiatives, disaster assistance, natural and cultural resources, capacity building, public safety/emergencies, information technology, health initiatives, and invasive species management.

Maintenance Assistance Program funding is used to support, develop, improve, and institutionalize infrastructure maintenance practices in the U.S. insular areas. Activities that support maintenance training to extend the life of island infrastructure, ensure the safety of maintenance technicians, and/or increase the capacity of infrastructure to withstand extreme events are encouraged.

Coral Reef and Natural Resources Initiative funding is available to improve the health of coral reef ecosystems and other natural resources in the U.S. insular areas for their long-term economic and social benefit. Priority will be given to projects that help address a variety of threats to coral reef ecosystems and to eradicating aquatic and terrestrial plant, insect, and animal invasive species.

Applications will be considered from insular government entities, educational institutions, or non-profit organizations whose grant proposals directly benefit the four U.S. territories or three freely associated states, in accordance with 2 CFR 200. Complete instructions for applications may be found on the OIA website.

To apply, visit grants.gov and use CFDA# 15.875.  The deadline for submissions is April 1, 2020, however, it is highly recommended that applications be submitted as early as possible. Applications will be reviewed beginning May 2020 once OIA receives full-year appropriations.

The Assistant Secretary, Insular and International Affairs, and the Office of Insular Affairs carry out the Secretary of the Interior’s responsibilities for the U.S. territories of American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Additionally, OIA administers and oversees federal assistance under the Compacts of Free Association to the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau.

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