2025 Proposal Narrative Template - Endangered Species Act Traditional Section 6 Grant Program - FY2025 Project Narrative

Sep 1, 2026

Template for preparing the FY2025 project narrative for the Endangered Species Act Traditional Section 6 grant program. Provides required submission format and clearance steps through CDFW Federal Assistance Services, specifies that all eligibility and evaluation criteria be addressed in an organized manner, and emphasizes removing italic instructional text. Includes guidance on narrative content elements, plain-language project abstract expectations, and the level of detail needed for environmental review under NEPA, ESA, NHPA, and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, plus an application package checklist.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryForms

FormatDOCX

Pages11

Reading Time4 min

AccessFree to download

Proposal Submission Requirements

Narrative Requirements and Format

Clearance and Signature Process

Match Documentation and Letters

Application Package Checklist

Project Narrative Content

Required Elements Overview

Approach Detail for Environmental Review

Plain-Language Project Abstract

2025 PROPOSAL NARRATIVE TEMPLATE Endangered Species Act Traditional Section 6 Grant Program IMPORTANT The 2025 USFWS Grant Opportunity announcement for the Traditional Section 6 program has not yet been released. Until it is released, please refer to the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s (USFWS) HYPERLINK "https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.grants.gov%2Fsearch-results-detail%2F351256&data=05%7C01%7Cdaniel.applebee%40wildlife.ca.gov%7Cdfd24e9bb9bb478a4b7e08dbf503cdb3%7C4b633c25efbf40069f1507442ba7aa0b%7C0%7C1%7C638373169058026156%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=0%2BM8F%2B76RwoR%2FOYzX%2BYmcJB1cJ0dbj8LfSh%2FT6eUtT0%3D&reserved=0" 2024 Grant Opportunity announcement for additional guidance. Note that minor changes to the 2024 Guidance may be made for the 2025 grant cycle. Applicants will have the opportunity to address changes to federal requirements subsequent to the CDFW proposal deadline below. This narrative template was created by CDFW’s Federal Assistance Services (FAS) to incorporate all USFWS Grant Opportunity requirements. Where further guidance is needed, please refer to the 2024 Grant Opportunity announcement, which contains comprehensive instructions for each section/criterion. Do not make any changes to or add any sections to the narrative template Proposal narratives must be submitted in Microsoft Word format. Proposals need to be submitted to the relevant CDFW Regional Manager or Branch Chief for review and signature prior to submission to FAS. Proposals that have not been cleared by a CDFW Regional Manager or Branch Chief (or delegate) will not be accepted. For all non-state match contributions, match commitment letters need to be signed by an individual with the authority to commit funds on behalf of the entity. The letter(s) need to include a match percentage and the corresponding match dollar amount, and should state that the match funds have no federal nexus and are directly related to the objectives of the project. Application Package Checklist: Narrative Budget Maps HYPERLINK "https://intranet.wildlife.ca.gov/portal/BusinessOperations/FederalAssistance/Section6TraditionalGrantInformation/tabid/2768/Default.aspx" Match donation letter(s) (CDFW intranet link) Supporting information as appropriate (e.g., maps, protocols, publications, access letters, CVs) CDFW HYPERLINK "https://intranet.wildlife.ca.gov/portal/BusinessOperations/FederalAssistance/Section6TraditionalGrantInformation/tabid/2768/Default.aspx" Match Certification Forms (CDFW intranet link) HYPERLINK "https://intranet.wildlife.ca.gov/portal/BusinessOperations/FederalAssistance/Section6TraditionalGrantInformation/tabid/2768/Default.aspx" DFW 869 Grant Transmittal Form (CDFW intranet link) Endangered Species Act Traditional Section Grant Program FY2025 Project Narrative NOTE: All instructive text in italics should be removed prior to submission This template is not intended to be a substitute for the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards; Final Rule (2 CFR 200), the Section 6 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), 50 CFR 80.13, or the Fish and Wildlife Manual. The most current USFWS Notice of Funding Opportunity should be read carefully before submitting a final application package for funding consideration. The project narrative must contain each of the elements listed below. Narratives that clearly address all stated eligibility and evaluation criteria in an organized manner will facilitate application review and scoring. Use 12-point font and be as concise as possible while being sure to provide sufficient detail about the proposed activities, particularly in the Approach section, to allow the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to complete the environmental review required under NEPA, ESA, National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), and the Bald and Go

FAQs

What is the submission format required for the FY2025 proposal narrative?

Proposal narratives must be submitted in Microsoft Word format. All instructive text in italics should be removed prior to submission.

Who must review and sign the proposal before submission to CDFW Federal Assistance Services?

Proposals must be submitted to the relevant CDFW Regional Manager or Branch Chief for review and signature prior to submission to FAS. Proposals not cleared by the appropriate approver (or delegate) will not be accepted.

What should the project abstract include for the award description?

The abstract must briefly describe the proposed scope of work in plain language, including purpose, targeted species, locations, activities and who performs them, deliverables and expected outcomes, intended beneficiaries, and subrecipient activities. It must avoid personally identifiable, sensitive, or proprietary information and be limited to 4,000 characters.

Sep 1, 2026

Upload by Caleb Sterling