Background: The National Fish Habitat Partnership (NFHP) is pleased to announce that the competitive grant application period for the new Bass Pro Shops US Open National Bass Fishing Amateur Team Championships grants program is open effective, March 25, 2022. This grant program is funded by proceeds from the Bass Pro Shops US Open National Bass Fishing Amateur Team Championships. To date, the championships have dedicated nearly $1.6 million to NFHP that were earned through a combination of entrance fees and generous matching donations from tournament sponsors Bass Pro Shops and Toyota.

Grant Structure: The grant program funds will be administered by Beyond the Pond, the 501c3 organization established to manage private NFHP financial donations. Higher priority will be given for projects specifically designed to improve aquatic habitat within reservoirs and by doing so support enhanced angling conditions and opportunities. Funding may also be used to conserve natural lake habitats and interconnected tributary flows that also impact lake and reservoir habitat conditions and recreational fish production. Examples of on-the-ground conservation could include riparian and underwater vegetation planting, shoreline native habitat planting, bank sloping and shaping in tributaries, and habitat structure placement or other habitat conservation actions that ensure adequate amounts of clean water will be available to sustain aquatic productivity and within these important habitats.

Eligibility Criteria: To help applicants put forward the best possible projects, NFHP and Beyond the Pond have established a set of criteria that will be used to determine by which projects are eligible for funding and prioritization. Applicants should address these criteria in their project applications. All grant projects meeting these criteria will be considered regardless of the amount of funding requested. There is no funding match requirement for grant eligibility. All funding request levels for eligible project proposals will be considered. Successfully funded projects must successfully complete and use all grant funds allocated by 12/1/2023. The deadline to submit a project application under this initial grant cycle for the Bass Pro Shops US Open National Bass Fishing Amateur Team Championships Grants Program is May 16, 2022. Contact Ryan Roberts, Program Manager at rroberts@fishwildlife.org with grant application-related questions.

NFHP/Bass Pro Shops US Open National Bass Fishing Amateur Team Championships Grants Program:
Application Review/Ranking Criteria for Applicant Reference

Project Eligibility Screening*
1.Does this project specifically benefit on-the-ground habitat conservation work? (Y/N)
2.Does this project conserve habitat in Reservoirs, Natural Lakes, or Tributaries that connect Reservoirs or Lakes? (Y/N)
3.Does this project support the objectives/measures below? (Y/N) If yes, which ones?
a.fulfills a local or regional priority that is directly linked to the strategic plan of the Partnership is consistent with the mission and goals for NFHP, and is consistent with the purpose of this grant program;
b.addresses one of more of the national habitat conservation priorities established by the National Fish Habitat Board (Board);
c.is supported by the findings of the habitat assessment of the Partnership or the Board, and aligns or is compatible with other conservation plans;
d.identifies appropriate monitoring and evaluation measures;
e.provides a well-defined budget linked to deliverables and scheduled outcomes;
f.leverages other funds to implement the project;
g.addresses the causes, factors, or processes behind the decline of fish or fish habitat;
h.includes an outreach or education component that includes the local or regional community and other stakeholders;
i.will increase fish populations in a manner that leads to improved recreational fishing opportunities;
4.increases public access to land or water for both fish and wildlife-dependent recreational opportunities; Is this project implemented through one of the FHPs under the NationalFish Habitat Partnership? (Y/N) If yes which ones
5.Will this project be completed within 18 months of the funding being received? (Y/N)

* If a project does meet all five stated criteria, it will not be considered for potential funding

Please apply online for this grant opportunity, at: https://form.jotform.com/220734963436056