F23AS00467-Promoting the long-term conservation of gorillas and chimpanzees in key landscapes in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Nigeria-Cameroon transboundary region.

Through this Notice of Funding Opportunity, issued by the Great Ape Conservation Fund – Africa, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, International Affairs, Division of International Conservation is seeking applications for projects designed to conserve four African great ape taxa: (a) Cross River gorillas (Gorilla gorilla diehli), (b) Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes ellioti), (c) Grauer’s gorillas (Gorilla beringei graueri), and (c) eastern chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii).Applications should address one of the two following focus areas:1.    Promoting the long-term conservation of Cross River gorillas and Nigeria-Cameron chimpanzees in their transboundary landscape.One award is anticipated for a total budget of up to USD$1.5 million over a period of three years.2.    Securing habitat to promote the long-term conservation of Grauer’s gorillas and eastern chimpanzees in the Democratic Republic of the CongoTwo awards are anticipated, each for a total budget of up to USD$1.5 million over a period of three years.A total of $4,500,000 is available to support this work.This assistance program is working towards three objectives in the indicated conservation areas:(1) reduction of threats to wildlife and habitat;Desired results may include, as appropriate, (1a) increased ape habitat under legal management status, (1b) improved connectivity of existing ape strongholds, (1c) reduction of illegal destructive extractive practices in ape habitat, (1d) reduction of apes in the bushmeat and live ape trade, and (1e) reduction of infectious disease threats to apes.(2) generation of scientific data to guide conservation action;Desired results may include, as appropriate, (2a) advanced understanding of ape distribution and abundance, (2b) determined effectiveness of specific conservation actions, and (3c) improved understanding of disease affecting apes through applied research.(3) strengthened individual and organizational conservation capacity;Desired results may include, as appropriate, (3a) improved capacity to manage community lands in ape habitat, (3b) the positive and negative effects/impacts of the project on local communities are understood and are reflected in project activities; (3c) robust monitoring and evaluation program is developed and implemented, and (3d) landscape-wide coordination and communication are strengthened.Application due date: October 4, 2023