---
kind: "section"
citation: "16 U.S.C. § 6303"
title: "16"
title_heading: "Conservation"
number: "6303"
heading: "Great ape conservation assistance"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/16/6303"
units:
  - "Chapter 82 — Great Ape Conservation"
---

# §6303. Great ape conservation assistance

- (a) **In general—** Subject to the availability of [funds](/usc/16/6302.md?p=3) and in consultation with other appropriate Federal officials, the [Secretary](/usc/16/6302.md?p=6) shall use amounts in the [Fund](/usc/16/6302.md?p=3) to provide financial assistance for [projects](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) for the [conservation](/usc/16/6302.md?p=2) of [great apes](/usc/16/6302.md?p=4) for which [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) proposals are approved by the [Secretary](/usc/16/6302.md?p=6) in accordance with this section.
- (b) **Project proposals—**
  - (1) **Eligible applicants—** A proposal for a [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) for the [conservation](/usc/16/6302.md?p=2) of [great apes](/usc/16/6302.md?p=4) may be submitted to the [Secretary](/usc/16/6302.md?p=6) by—
    - (A) any wildlife management authority of a country that has within its boundaries any part of the range of a [great ape](/usc/16/6302.md?p=4) if the activities of the authority directly or indirectly affect a [great ape](/usc/16/6302.md?p=4) population;
    - (B) the [CITES](/usc/16/6302.md?p=1) Secretariat; or
    - (C) any [person](/usc/16/450rr–1.md?p=b) or group with the demonstrated expertise required for the [conservation](/usc/16/6302.md?p=2) of [great apes](/usc/16/6302.md?p=4).
  - (2) **Required elements—** A [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) proposal shall include—
    - (A) a concise statement of the purposes of the [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4);
    - (B) the name of the individual responsible for conducting the [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4);
    - (C) a description of the qualifications of the individuals who will conduct the [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4);
    - (D) a concise description of—
      - (i) methods for [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) implementation and outcome assessment;
      - (ii) staff and community management for the [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4); and
      - (iii) the logistics of the [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4);
    - (E) an estimate of the [funds](/usc/16/6302.md?p=3) and time required to complete the [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4);
    - (F) evidence of support for the [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) by appropriate governmental entities of the countries in which the [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) will be conducted, if the [Secretary](/usc/16/6302.md?p=6) determines that such support is required for the success of the [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4);
    - (G) information regarding the source and amount of matching funding available for the [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4); and
    - (H) any other information that the [Secretary](/usc/16/6302.md?p=6) considers to be necessary for evaluating the eligibility of the [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) for funding under this chapter.
- (c) **Project review and approval—**
  - (1) **In general—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/6302.md?p=6) shall—
    - (A) not later than 30 days after receiving a [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) proposal, provide a copy of the proposal to other appropriate Federal officials; and
    - (B) review each [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) proposal in a timely manner to determine if the proposal meets the criteria specified in [subsection (d)](#d).
  - (2) **Consultation; approval or disapproval—** Not later than 180 days after receiving a [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) proposal, and subject to the availability of [funds](/usc/16/6302.md?p=3), the [Secretary](/usc/16/6302.md?p=6), after consulting with other appropriate Federal officials, shall—
    - (A) consult on the proposal with the government of each country in which the [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) is to be conducted;
    - (B) after [taking](/usc/16/3102.md?p=18) into consideration any comments resulting from the consultation, approve or disapprove the proposal; and
    - (C) provide written notification of the approval or disapproval to the [person](/usc/16/450rr–1.md?p=b) who submitted the proposal, other appropriate Federal officials, and each country described in [subparagraph (A)](#c-2-A).
- (d) **Criteria for approval—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/6302.md?p=6) may approve a [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) proposal under this section if the [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) will enhance programs for [conservation](/usc/16/6302.md?p=2) of [great apes](/usc/16/6302.md?p=4) by assisting efforts to—
  - (1) implement [conservation](/usc/16/6302.md?p=2) programs;
  - (2) address the conflicts between humans and [great apes](/usc/16/6302.md?p=4) that arise from competition for the same habitat;
  - (3) enhance compliance with [CITES](/usc/16/6302.md?p=1) and other applicable laws that prohibit or regulate the [taking](/usc/16/3102.md?p=18) or trade of [great apes](/usc/16/6302.md?p=4) or regulate the use and management of [great ape](/usc/16/6302.md?p=4) habitat;
  - (4) develop sound scientific information on, or methods for monitoring—
    - (A) the condition and health of [great ape](/usc/16/6302.md?p=4) habitat;
    - (B) [great ape](/usc/16/6302.md?p=4) population numbers and trends; or
    - (C) the current and projected threats to the habitat, current and projected numbers, or current and projected trends;
  - (5) promote cooperative [projects](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) on the issues described in [paragraph (4)](#d-4) among government entities, affected local communities, nongovernmental organizations, or other [persons](/usc/16/450rr–1.md?p=b) in the private sector; or
  - (6) address root causes of threats to [great apes](/usc/16/6302.md?p=4) in range [states](/usc/16/544.md?p=r), including illegal bushmeat trade, diseases, lack of regional or local capacity for [conservation](/usc/16/6302.md?p=2), and habitat loss due to natural disasters.
- (e) **Project sustainability—** To the maximum extent practicable, in determining whether to approve [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) proposals under this section, the [Secretary](/usc/16/6302.md?p=6) shall give preference to [conservation](/usc/16/6302.md?p=2) [projects](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) that are designed to ensure effective, long-term [conservation](/usc/16/6302.md?p=2) of [great apes](/usc/16/6302.md?p=4) and their habitats.
- (f) **Matching funds—** In determining whether to approve [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) proposals under this section, the [Secretary](/usc/16/6302.md?p=6) shall give preference to [projects](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) for which matching [funds](/usc/16/6302.md?p=3) are available.
- (g) **Project reporting—**
  - (1) **In general—** Each [person](/usc/16/450rr–1.md?p=b) that receives assistance under this section for a [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) shall submit to the [Secretary](/usc/16/6302.md?p=6) periodic reports (at such intervals as the [Secretary](/usc/16/6302.md?p=6) considers necessary) that include all information that the [Secretary](/usc/16/6302.md?p=6), after consultation with other appropriate government officials, determines is necessary to evaluate the progress and success of the [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) for the purposes of ensuring positive results, assessing problems, and fostering improvements.
  - (2) **Availability to the public—** Reports under [paragraph (1)](#g-1), and any other documents relating to [projects](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) for which financial assistance is provided under this chapter, shall be made available to the public.
- (h) **Limitations on use for captive breeding—** Amounts provided as a grant under this chapter—
  - (1) may not be used for captive breeding of [great apes](/usc/16/6302.md?p=4) other than for captive breeding for release into the wild; and
  - (2) may be used for captive breeding of a species for release into the wild only if no other [conservation](/usc/16/6302.md?p=2) method for the species is biologically feasible.
- (i) **Panel—**
  - (1) **Convention—** Not later than 1 year after March 12, 2019, and every 5 years thereafter, the [Secretary](/usc/16/6302.md?p=6) may convene a panel of experts on [great apes](/usc/16/6302.md?p=4) to identify the greatest needs and priorities for the [conservation](/usc/16/6302.md?p=2) of [great apes](/usc/16/6302.md?p=4).
  - (2) **Composition—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/6302.md?p=6) shall ensure that the panel referred to in [paragraph (1)](#i-1) includes, to the maximum extent practicable, 1 or more representatives—
    - (A) from each country that comprises the natural range of [great apes](/usc/16/6302.md?p=4); and
    - (B) with expertise in [great ape](/usc/16/6302.md?p=4) [conservation](/usc/16/6302.md?p=2).
  - (3) **Conservation plans—** In identifying the [conservation](/usc/16/6302.md?p=2) needs and priorities under [paragraph (1)](#i-1), the panel referred to in that paragraph shall consider any relevant [great ape](/usc/16/6302.md?p=4) [conservation](/usc/16/6302.md?p=2) plan or strategy, including scientific research and findings relating to—
    - (A) the [conservation](/usc/16/6302.md?p=2) needs and priorities of [great apes](/usc/16/6302.md?p=4);
    - (B) any regional or species-specific action plan or strategy;
    - (C) any applicable strategy developed or initiated by the [Secretary](/usc/16/6302.md?p=6); and
    - (D) any other applicable [conservation](/usc/16/6302.md?p=2) plan or strategy.
  - (4) **Funds—** Subject to the availability of appropriations, the [Secretary](/usc/16/6302.md?p=6) may use amounts available to the [Secretary](/usc/16/6302.md?p=6) to pay for the costs of convening and facilitating any meeting of the panel referred to in [paragraph (1)](#i-1).
  - (5) **Applicability of chapter 10 of title 5—** [Chapter 10](/usc/5/chptI/ch10.md) of title 5 shall not apply to a panel convened under [paragraph (1)](#i-1).
- (j) **Multiyear grants—**
  - (1) **Authorization—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/6302.md?p=6) may award to a [person](/usc/16/450rr–1.md?p=b) who is otherwise eligible for a grant under this section a multiyear grant of up to 5 years to carry out a [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) that the [person](/usc/16/450rr–1.md?p=b) demonstrates is an effective, long-term [conservation](/usc/16/6302.md?p=2) strategy for [great apes](/usc/16/6302.md?p=4) and the habitat of [great apes](/usc/16/6302.md?p=4).
  - (2) **Effect of subsection—** Nothing in this subsection precludes the [Secretary](/usc/16/6302.md?p=6) from awarding a grant on an annual basis.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 106–411, § 4, Nov. 1, 2000, 114 Stat. 1791; Pub. L. 109–363, title VII, § 701, Oct. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 2081; Pub. L. 116–9, title VII, § 7001(c)(2)(A), (B), Mar. 12, 2019, 133 Stat. 785; Pub. L. 117–286, § 4(a)(129), Dec. 27, 2022, 136 Stat. 4319; Pub. L. 118–159, div. E, title LIII, § 5306(a), Dec. 23, 2024, 138 Stat. 2446.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2024—Subsec. (j)(1). Pub. L. 118–159 inserted “of up to 5 years” after “multiyear grant”.

2022—Subsec. (i)(5). Pub. L. 117–286 substituted “chapter 10 of title 5” for “FACA” in heading and “Chapter 10 of title 5” for “The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 App. U.S.C.)” in text.

2019—Subsec. (i)(1). Pub. L. 116–9, § 7001(c)(2)(A)(i), added par. (1) and struck out former par. (1). Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “Every 2 years, the Secretary may convene a panel of experts to identify the greatest needs for the conservation of great apes.”

Subsec. (i)(2) to (5). Pub. L. 116–9, § 7001(c)(2)(A)(ii), (iii), added pars. (2) to (4) and redesignated former par. (2) as (5).

Subsec. (j). Pub. L. 116–9, § 7001(c)(2)(B), added subsec. (j).

2006—Subsec. (d)(6). Pub. L. 109–363, § 701(1), added par. (6).

Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 109–363, § 701(2), designated existing provisions as par. (1), inserted par. heading, substituted “may convene” for “shall convene”, and added par. (2).