Shell Marine Habitat Program

The Shell Marine Habitat Program is a cooperative effort between Shell and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) to create a fund for conservation of the Gulf of Mexico marine and estuarine environment.
 
Operated by the NFWF, the program is designed to further our understanding of the dynamics between estuaries, oceans, and man's use of and involvement with them. Resources are required to support projects to conserve, protect, and enhance the Gulf of Mexico ecosystem. By leveraging Shell's $5 million commitment through a competitive challenge grant program, the NFWF will be able to multiply the value of the initial investment and fund important conservation projects to enhance fish, wildlife, and habitat in the Gulf of Mexico.

About NFWF

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation is a nonprofit organization that was established by an Act of Congress in 1984. Dedicated to promoting improved conservation and sustainable use of our nation's natural resources, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation's goals are to continuously improve environmental education, natural resource management, habitat protection, ecosystem function, and public policy. The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation has funded domestic grants in all fifty states, the District of Columbia, the commonwealth of Puerto Rico, U.S. territories, and in 33 other countries.

For more information, visit the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation web site at http://www.nfwf.org - opens in new window.

Challenge grants will be provided through a competitive, peer-reviewed, matching fund program. The NFWF will solicit proposals twice a year and the proposals will be reviewed by a panel of marine experts. Final funding decisions will be made by the NFWF.

What is a Challenge Grant?

All grants provided through the Shell Marine Habitat Program are challenge grants and will require the applicant to identify matching funds to be eligible to receive an award. Any source of additional funds will be acceptable, except those whose original source is Shell Oil Company.

Eligibility

Nonprofit organizations classified by the Internal Revenue Service as tax exempt under section 501(c)(3) and not a private foundation under section 509(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as amended are eligible for grants under this program. Entities that are subdivisions of government (federal, state, county/parish, or city) are also eligible. Individuals are not eligible for grants under this program. Applicants must be based in the United States. With very limited exceptions, the program funds only US projects.

Funding Guidelines

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation will accept project applications in any of the following classifications such as:

• habitat protection and restoration: wetlands, hypoxia, barrier islands, marine debris, and exotic species
• species conservation--applied conservation: coral reefs, shellfish and fish
• applied research: red and brown tides conservation education
   

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation will not fund:

• political advocacy, lobbying or litigation of any kind
• shortfalls in government agency budgets
• general administrative overhead or indirect costs of any kind
• multi-year grants (applicant may reapply)
• basic research

Applying for a Shell Marine Habitat Program grant
A grant application can be obtained from the Shell Marine Habitat Program page of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation web site at http://www.nfwf.org  - opens in new windowor by writing the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation at the following address:

Shell Marine Habitat Program
Attention: Suzanne Sessine, Assistant Director, Southeast
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
1120 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 900
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: (202) 857-0166
E-mail: Suzanne.Sessine@nfwf.org

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation manages the Shell Marine Habitat Program and all inquiries should be directed to the following contact:

Shell Marine Habitat Program
Attention: Suzanne Sessine, Assistant Director, Southeast
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
1120 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 900
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: (202) 857-0166
E-mail: Suzanne.Sessine@nfwf.org