Cooperative Nursery Grant

The Cooperative Nursery Grant is administered by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) to support organizations participating in its Cooperative Nursery Program. This program is designed to enhance fish production capacity and aquatic habitat development across Pennsylvania through partnerships with local sponsor organizations. These sponsors operate cooperative nurseries that contribute to fish stocking efforts, and the grant program provides financial assistance to improve infrastructure and operational capabilities within those nurseries. The PFBC retains full discretion in determining project eligibility and funding decisions. The primary purpose of the grant is to fund capital improvements and equipment that directly support the operation and enhancement of cooperative nurseries. Eligible uses of funds include new construction, major additions or improvements to existing facilities, installation of water quality enhancement systems or monitoring equipment, construction of aquatic habitat structures, and the purchase of equipment used exclusively for nursery operations. The program explicitly excludes funding for operational costs such as salaries, stipends, utilities, fish feed, and general program expenses, as well as activities such as political engagement, loans, or advertising. While matching funds are not required, the PFBC expresses a strong preference for projects that include matching contributions, ideally at a 1:1 ratio. However, matching funds may be provided at any level and still be considered favorable during evaluation. It is important to note that in-kind labor, such as volunteer time, does not qualify as matching funds. For projects exceeding $10,000, applicants must include cost estimates from reputable businesses to support budget justification and assist in the review process. Eligibility is limited to organizations that are already approved sponsors within the PFBC Cooperative Nursery Program. Individual applicants are not eligible for funding. Applicants must complete a detailed application for financial support, which includes sections on project information, organizational details, project coordination, financial request and matching funds, project description, budget breakdown, and funding allocation. The application must align with PFBC requirements and include sufficient detail to demonstrate feasibility, cost accuracy, and expected outcomes. The application process is administered annually, with application materials distributed to eligible sponsors via memo in February or March. Completed applications must be submitted to the Cooperative Nursery Unit (CNU) by June 1 of the grant year. Following submission, CNU staff evaluate applications based on several criteria, including timeliness of submission, the applicant’s history of grant management and reporting compliance, attendance at required inspections, the level of matching funds, and the organization’s involvement in related activities such as fishing derbies. Projects may not begin until a formal grant agreement has been executed by the Pennsylvania Comptroller’s Office, which typically occurs between October and December of the grant year. Any expenses incurred prior to execution are not reimbursable. Depending on the grant type, project periods extend through June 30 of the following year for purchase grants or up to two years for construction grants. Final receipts and reports are due no later than October 1 following project completion. For assistance or additional information, applicants may contact the Cooperative Nursery Unit directly. The primary contact is Josh Keslar, Unit Leader, who can be reached by phone or email. Additional staff contacts are also available for technical support. The program operates on a recurring annual cycle, providing ongoing opportunities for eligible nursery sponsors to seek funding for improvements and expansion of their facilities.

Submit complete and timely applications; include matching funds when possible; provide detailed cost estimates especially for projects over 10000; ensure compliance with reporting and inspection requirements