Funder: Fish and Wildlife Service
Due Dates: September 30, 2025 (11:59 PM ET)
Funding Amounts: Estimated total program funding: $500,000 | Number and size of awards vary by region; typical project duration up to 3 years
Summary: Supports proactive, voluntary conservation actions for at-risk and candidate species to prevent their decline and avoid Endangered Species Act (ESA) listing.
Key Information: Awards are made on a rolling basis by region; applicants are encouraged to contact their local FWS office before applying.
Description
This opportunity from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) funds projects that proactively conserve candidate and at-risk species and their habitats, aiming to prevent the need for federal listing under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The program supports research, habitat restoration, monitoring, and outreach activities that address threats to species, improve their status, and contribute to biodiversity conservation. Projects should demonstrate clear conservation benefits and ideally help preclude the need for ESA listing.
Due Dates
- Application Deadline: September 30, 2025, 11:59 PM ET
- Applications are reviewed and awards are made on a rolling basis throughout the fiscal year, based on regional priorities and available funding.
Funding Amount
- Estimated Total Program Funding: $500,000
- Number and Size of Awards: Approximately 20 awards; award amounts and number vary by region.
- Project Duration: Up to 3 years per project.
- Cost Sharing: Not required.
- Note: No regular recurring funding; applicants should contact their local FWS office for regional details.
Eligibility
Eligible applicants include:
- State, county, city, and township governments
- Special district governments
- Independent school districts
- Public and private institutions of higher education
- Native American tribal governments (federally recognized and other tribal organizations)
- Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities
- Nonprofits (with or without 501(c)(3) status, except institutions of higher education)
- Individuals
- Small businesses and other for-profit organizations
- Others as specified in the full announcement
Additional Requirements:
- Applicants must demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the biology and ecosystem of the candidate or at-risk species, preferably with field experience.
- Projects outside the U.S. must comply with all local and U.S. regulations; certain countries are ineligible due to U.S. sanctions.
Application Process
- Contact FWS: Applicants are strongly encouraged to consult their local FWS Ecological Services field office or regional contact before applying.
- Register: All applicants (except individuals) must register in SAM.gov and obtain a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI).
- Apply Online: Applications must be submitted through GrantSolutions.gov.
- Some applicants (e.g., requesting ≤$200,000, not a state or large nonprofit, project ≤3 years) may be eligible for simplified application procedures—contact FWS to confirm.
- Required Documents:
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- SF-424A (Budget Information)
- Project Abstract Summary
- Project Narrative (including need, objectives, methodology, timeline, location, coordination, and key personnel)
- Budget Narrative
- Required statements (conflict of interest, overlap/duplication, etc.)
- Additional supporting information as needed (e.g., permits, maps)
- Review: Applications are screened for eligibility, technical merit, applicant qualifications, budget detail, and potential for leveraging funds.
- Award Notification: Notices of Federal Award are sent electronically; awards are made on a rolling basis.
Additional Information
- Program Priorities: Projects that prevent ESA listing, remove threats, improve species status, or provide critical information on species’ response to environmental changes are prioritized.
- Eligible Species: Includes species that are candidates for ESA listing, on the FWS National Listing Workplan, or otherwise identified as priority at-risk species. See FWS Candidate Species List and National Listing Workplan.
- Ineligible Activities: Land acquisition or easement purchase is not allowed. Projects for NMFS-managed species are excluded.
- Reporting: Recipients must submit financial and performance reports as specified in the award terms.
External Links
Contact Information
| Region/State(s) | Contact Name | Email | Phone |
|---|
| Hawaii, Pacific Territories | Lindsy Asman | lindsy_asman@fws.gov | (808) 348-3394 |
| Idaho | Shannon Brinkman | shannon_brinkman@fws.gov | (208) 510-55 |
| Oregon | Jennifer Siani | jennifer_siani@fws.gov | (503) 231-6915 |
| Washington | Rose Agbalog | rose_agbalog@fws.gov | (564) 200-2124 |
| AZ, NM, OK, TX | Vanessa Burge | vanessa_burge@fws.gov | (505) 248-5420 |
| Midwest (IL, IN, IA, MI, MN, MO, OH, WI) | Erik Olson | erik_olson@fws.gov | (612) 713-5488 |
| Southeast (AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, SC, TN, PR, VI) | Rebecca Harrison | rebecca_harrison@fws.gov | (470) 925-5310 |
| Northeast (CT, DE, DC, ME, MD, MA, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VT, VA, WV) | Sarah A. Furtak | sarah_furtak@fws.gov | (413) 326-4687 |
| Mountain-Prairie (CO, KS, MT, NE, ND, SD, UT, WY) | Angela Burgess | angela_burgess@fws.gov | (303) 236-4263 |
| Alaska | Nichole Bjornlie | nichole_bjornlie@fws.gov | (907) 786-3523 |
| California, Nevada | Ashleigh Blackford | ashleigh_blackford@fws.gov | (321) 474-5967 |
General FWS Contact: