Theme: Increasing capacity for monitoring and management of bats affected by white-nose syndrome
Proposals Due: February 16, 2026
Project Completion Deadline: February 28, 2027
The Wildlife Management Institute (WMI) is pleased to announce the 2026 White-nose Syndrome Small Grants Program Request for Proposals (RFP) to support monitoring and management of bats affected by white-nose syndrome (WNS).
The objective of this funding opportunity is to support training costs as well as the purchase of supplies, equipment, and material goods that contribute to monitoring WNS-impacted species and increase data contributions to the North American Bat Monitoring Program (NABat). Please review this RFP in its entirety, including the Frequently Asked Questions, and ensure you consider all closing dates and purchase deadlines before submitting an application. This funding opportunity is open to the wildlife and natural resource programs of federally recognized Tribal Nations, federal contract-eligible Indian entities, and state governmental agencies responsible for wildlife. State and provincial agencies in Canada and Mexico are also eligible. This RFP is NOT open to U.S. Federal government agencies. The Program is authorized under the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act of 1958, as amended; Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) # 15.657 Endangered Species Conservation – Recovery Implementation Funds (F22AC01974).
Background
White-nose syndrome is a fungal disease of hibernating bats caused by the fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd), which was first discovered in North America in 2007. As of January 2026, WNS or Pd has been reported in 47 states and ten Canadian provinces, and it continues to spread. North American hibernating bat species have been impacted by the disease, often with high mortality rates, and there is need for broader engagement to understand bat population trends and take appropriate management action.
The WNS Response and NABat programs provide organizational foundations for local to international partnerships, management, and monitoring for collaborative conservation of bats. Established through actions of the Conservation and Recovery Working Group of the WNS National Response, NABat standardizes and aggregates comparable data across jurisdictions and supports effective conservation decision-making for bats across the continent. Importantly, these programs establish coordinated efforts and objectives for bat conservation.
In collaboration with WMI, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has allocated funding to support the purchase of supplies, materials and equipment, develop technical expertise for bat population monitoring and management, and contribute data to NABat, all in support of the WNS Response. Grants up to $15,000 will be awarded to purchase supplies and equipment and/or participate in training in areas where data and skills in bat monitoring are most needed. Up to $210,000 will be awarded for this grant program in 2026.
All awarded funds must be fully spent and invoiced by February 28, 2027.
RFP Priorities
Priorities for this funding opportunity were developed by the USFWS WNS Program. Eligible projects must directly address one or both of the priorities identified below,
Priority topic 1: Equip and prepare eligible applicants to use standard population survey and monitoring methods to address gaps in knowledge of life history and ecology of bats relevant to WNS response. For example, a successful proposal will demonstrate the applicant’s ability to enhance monitoring of hibernating bat species, advance knowledge of the distribution and abundance of hibernating bat species, and provide a plan to contribute data in accordance with NABat protocols. We are seeking proposals that demonstrate a commitment by the applicant to continue collecting and contributing data to NABat beyond the scope of the project.
Eligible expenses include but are not limited to the following:
- Cost of acoustic detectors, software, and associated supplies to conduct mobile and/or stationary acoustic surveys.
- Supplies and equipment used for locating and monitoring important roosts or habitat for WNS-affected bat species.
Priority Topic 2: Build expertise in bat survey and management methods through participation in virtual or in-person training or workshops. Requested funds to attend training must include personnel costs for the trainee (not to exceed 40 hours) and registration cost, course materials, and/or travel expenses, as applicable. Priority will be given to applications that demonstrate a commitment for trained staff to have an ongoing role supporting related work for bat conservation with their organization.
Abstract of Guidelines
- Proposal Deadline: 11:59 PM EST on February 16, 2026. Proposals received after this deadline will not be considered.
- Funding: Up to a total of $210,000 is available for projects. Proposals may request no less than $5,000 and no more than $15,000 from this program.
- Reimbursement Program and Purchase Requirements: All expenses must be incurred no later than February 28, 2027. No exceptions or extensions will be allowed. A copy of the invoice with proof of purchase will be required before the reimbursement payment is made.
- Non-Federal Match: Matching funds are not required.
- Special Reporting Requirements: Grant recipients will be required to submit a brief final report as well as invoices for all expenses. Data collected in conjunction with awarded funding and associated with purchased supplies and equipment is expected to be submitted to NABat, as applicable.
- Project Term: Anticipated start date is April 1, 2026, and all purchases/training must be completed no later than February 28, 2027. Final reports and all invoices must be submitted to WMI no later than March 31, 2027. Extensions will not be allowed, and any unused funds remaining on this date or the completion date of the project (if earlier) will be forfeited by the recipient. Invoices submitted for reimbursement after this date will not be paid.
- Only one proposal per organization or entity will be eligible to receive an award. If more than one application is submitted by the same entity, only the first application received will be considered eligible.
Download the full RFP for submission instructions, evaluation criteria, special conditions and provisions and answers to frequently asked questions.
To Apply:
Submit proposals via email to:
Meghan Gilbart
Wildlife Management Institute
mgilbart@wildlifemgt.org
office: 802.563.2087
mobile: 603.770.4494
With technical questions, contact:
Christina Kocer
Northeast Regional White-nose Syndrome Coordinator
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Christina_Kocer@fws.gov
office/mobile: 413.335.4482
