How To Apply

Request for Proposals

Application Guidelines
Important Deadlines
Budget Preparation
Changes for the 2009 Funding Cycle
2009 Awards Program Funding Priorities
Other Helpful Hints

Application Guidelines
SJV Awards applications should be 3-5 pages in length, excluding cover sheet, maps, and letters of support. Applications must be submitted electronically to both Robert Mesta and Carol Beardmore by 1 February 2009. The Request for Proposals contains further details about format and content.

If you have further questions about the application process or the Awards Program, contact Carol Beardmore.

Budget Preparation
Some of the most common mistakes in proposals are arithmetic errors in the budget. Please check and double-check your math to ensure that your numbers are correct.

The SJV does not require matching funds; however, proposals that include them are strongly encouraged. Matching funds may be cash or in-kind partner contributions. Matching funds can be from any source and need not be solely non-federal. There is no required match ratio between SJV and partner contributions.

Funds requested for salaries must be tied directly to deliverable products, such as plans, databases, reports, on-the-ground work, etc. that addresses SJV objectives. Salaries of permanent employees coordinating projects may be used for match.

Changes for the 2009 Funding Cycle
In addition to the coversheet, proposal, budget, and any letters of support from project partners, all Awards applicants must also submit the following forms:

• Standard Form 424
• Standard Form 424A
• Standard Form 424B
• Certifications for Federal Grants and Cooperative Agreements

Email a PDF or fax these forms to Carol Beardmore at 602-242-2513 (applicants should keep the originals). All applicants must submit these four forms even if they have previously received an Award from the Sonoran Joint Venture.

Each of these forms has a page of instructions that should help to answer any questions about how to fill them out. Click here to see an example of SF-424 and click here to see an example of SF-424. Contact Carol Beardmore with any remaining questions.

2009 Awards Program Funding Priorities
In an effort to focus the Awards Program, the SJV Technical Committee has identified priorities by SJV ecological region for Awards Seekers. Proposals that address these priority habitats and project types are encouraged. Priority bird species can be found in the SJV Conservation Plan.

Arid Borderlands
Priority Habitats:
(1) riparian wetlands
(2) desert grasslands
(3) desert scrub

Priority Actions (for all habitats):
(1) habitat management, protection, and/or restoration
(2) monitoring; and
(3) environmental education and outreach

Mexican Highlands
Priority Habitats and Actions:
Riparian: (1) habitat management/restoration; (2) monitoring; and (3) private landowner outreach--provide discussions of management options and cultivate a cooperative atmosphere to promote easements and other tools.

Desert Grasslands: (1) private landowner outreach--provide discussions of management options and cultivate a cooperative atmosphere to promote easements and other tools; and (2) habitat management/restoration.

Mixed Conifer/Pine-Oak:  (1) community-based conservation programs; (2) inventory and monitoring; and (3) habitat management, including silviculture, treatments, and monitoring.

California Coasts and Mountains
Priority Habitats:
(1) coastal sage scrublands
(2) grasslands
(3) riparian and freshwater wetlands

Priority Actions (for all habitats)
(1) Private landowner outreach (provide discussions of management options and cultivate a cooperative atmosphere to promote easements and other tools); and
(2) Monitoring programs to gather baseline information for conservation groups and landowners to assist in determining management options.

Pacific Lowlands
Priority Habitats
(1) Tropical deciduous forest (scrub deciduous forest)
(2) Coastal Wetlands
(3) Islands
(4) Riparian

Priority Actions (for all habitats):
(1) Monitoring and surveys to determine population size, distribution and relative abundance of priority species.
(2) Landowner outreach to preserve existing or restore degraded habitat. 

Other Helpful Hints
Partnerships are not required, but are strongly encouraged. Partnerships that include new partners to the SJV, as well as those that include nontraditional partners, are especially encouraged. Partners may include those contributing funds, in-kind services, land base, technical assistance, coordination, etc.

Proposals must address the bird conservation goals and objectives of the four major bird initiatives (the SJV Conservation Plan (including species, habitat, and focus area priorities), the North American Waterfowl Management Plan, the Partners in Flight Landbird Conservation Plan, the National Shorebird Conservation Plan, and the North American Waterbird Conservation Plan). Grant seekers should refer to these publications for more details about priority bird species and recommended actions. Proposals addressing multiple species are encouraged over single species projects. However, single species projects that address a specific SJV or bird initiative objective will be considered.

Projects that address the quantity or quality of priority habitats or threats that impact the distribution and abundance of priority species are encouraged.

Projects or segments of projects that include other SJV goals such as monitoring, outreach and/or education, involvement of indigenous or local communities, avitourism, and professional training are encouraged.

Projects that have little or no overhead or administrative costs are preferred.

See "Frequently Asked Questions" for more information about the application process or download the Request For Proposals for complete details.