Fish and Wildlife Service Grants

Fish and Wildlife Service

Great Lakes Restoration Initiative –Joint Venture Habitat Restoration and Protection

Fish and Wildlife Service

The goal of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative is to target the most significant environmental problems in the Great Lakes ecosystem by funding and implementing projects that address these problems. As part of this initiative, the two bird habitat joint ventures that operate in the Great Lakes watershed – the Upper Mississippi / Great Lakes Joint Venture and the Atlantic Coast Joint Venture – will work with the Office of Conservation Investment program in the Midwest and Northeast Regions of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to competitively fund partner projects for long-term habitat protection, restoration, or enhancement, to conserve habitats that support native Great Lakes fish and wildlife populations, particularly migratory birds. Proposed activities must align with the operating principles of GLRI Action Plan IV and meet the objectives of GLRI Action Plan IV Focus Area 4 (https://www.glri.us/action-plan-iv/habitats-and-species). Proposed actions should address the habitat goals of the Upper Mississippi / Great Lakes Joint Venture Implementation Plan (https://umgljv.org/planning/joint-venture-plans/) or the Lower Great Lakes/St. Lawrence Plain (BCR 13) Bird Conservation Region Plan (https://acjv.org/planning/bird-conservation-regions/bcr-13/), and/or other relevant bird conservation plans including tribal plans and/or State Wildlife Action Plans (https://www.fishwildlife.org/afwa-informs/state-wildlife-action-plans and https://www.mlimidwest.org/midwest-regional-species-of-greatest-conservation-need/) and should clearly describe how proposed activities will benefit bird species identified in the above plan(s).Proposed projects must address declining or at-risk habitat types including wetlands, grasslands, and forests, and projects must fall within the Great Lakes coastal zone, as defined by NOAA (https://coast.noaa.gov/czm/act/sections/#304). Projects that lie adjacent to or in close proximity (within 15 miles) of Great Lakes coastal waters will be viewed favorably. Additionally, proposed projects should describe how activities or outcomes will use existing science and decision support tools to inform proposed activities and how proposed activities will benefit habitats and identified species in the future.Eligible applicants are any organization, except for-profit entities or businesses, who can demonstrate the importance of their project for wildlife habitat and Great Lakes conservation and be able to justify that the GLRI investment property will be managed properly for wildlife habitat into the future.

Fish and Wildlife Service

The goal of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative is to target the most significant environmental problems in the Great Lakes ecosystem by funding and implementing projects that address these problems. As part of this initiative, the two bird habitat joint ventures that operate in the Great Lakes watershed the Upper Mississippi / Great Lakes Joint Venture and the Atlantic Coast Joint Venture will work with the Office of Conservation Investment program in the Midwest and Northeast Regions of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to competitively fund partner projects for long-term habitat protection, restoration, or enhancement, to conserve habitats that support native Great Lakes fish and wildlife populations, particularly migratory birds. Proposed activities must align with the operating principles of GLRI Action Plan IV and meet the objectives of GLRI Action Plan IV Focus Area 4 (https://www.glri.us/action-plan-iv/habitats-and-species). Proposed actions should address the habitat goals of the Upper Mississippi / Great Lakes Joint Venture Implementation Plan (https://umgljv.org/planning/joint-venture-plans/) or the Lower Great Lakes/St. Lawrence Plain (BCR 13) Bird Conservation Region Plan (https://acjv.org/planning/bird-conservation-regions/bcr-13/), and/or other relevant bird conservation plans including tribal plans and/or State Wildlife Action Plans (https://www.fishwildlife.org/afwa-informs/state-wildlife-action-plans and https://www.mlimidwest.org/midwest-regional-species-of-greatest-conservation-need/) and should clearly describe how proposed activities will benefit bird species identified in the above plan(s).Proposed projects must address declining or at-risk habitat types including wetlands, grasslands, and forests, and projects must fall within the Great Lakes coastal zone, as defined by NOAA (https://coast.noaa.gov/czm/act/sections/#304). Projects that lie adjacent to or in close proximity (within 15 miles) of Great Lakes coastal waters will be viewed favorably. Additionally, proposed projects should describe how activities or outcomes will use existing science and decision support tools to inform proposed activities and how proposed activities will benefit habitats and identified species in the future.Eligible applicants are any organization, except for-profit entities or businesses, who can demonstrate the importance of their project for wildlife habitat and Great Lakes conservation and be able to justify that the GLRI investment property will be managed properly for wildlife habitat into the future.

Fish and Wildlife Service

The National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program supports the long‐term conservation of coastal wetland ecosystems for the benefit of coastal communities, fish and wildlife and their habitats, and the recreating public. The Program provides designated State and Territory agencies with cost sharing awards for projects that protect and restore valuable coastal wetland resources. Projects may include the acquisition of real property interests in a coastal wetland ecosystem and the restoration, enhancement, or management of coastal wetlands.Coastal wetlands are valued because they protect against flooding, help maintain water quality, and provide habitats for fish and wildlife. Coastal environments are also important economically, generating billions of dollars annually through recreational and commercial fishing, boating, and tourism.The Program is co-administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Coastal Program and the Office of Conservation Investment. For more information, visit the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grants Home Page.

Fish and Wildlife Service

F27AS00007 FY 2027 National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program Notice of Funding Opportunity

Fish and Wildlife Service

The National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program supports the long term conservation of coastal wetland ecosystems for the benefit of coastal communities, fish and wildlife and their habitats, and the recreating public. The Program provides designated State and Territory agencies with cost sharing awards for projects that protect and restore valuable coastal wetland resources. Projects may include the acquisition of real property interests in a coastal wetland ecosystem and the restoration, enhancement, or management of coastal wetlands.Coastal wetlands are valued because they protect against flooding, help maintain water quality, and provide habitats for fish and wildlife. Coastal environments are also important economically, generating billions of dollars annually through recreational and commercial fishing, boating, and tourism.The Program is co-administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Coastal Program and the Office of Conservation Investment. For more information, visit the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grants Home Page.

Fish and Wildlife Service

Multistate Conservation Grants (MSCG) are authorized under 16 U.S.C. 669h-2 and 16 U.S.C. 777m, providing funding for wildlife restoration and sport fish restoration projects and recruitment, retention and reactivation (R3) projects that address regional or national priority needs of State fish and wildlife agencies and their partners that are beyond the scale, scope, and capabilities of a single State. The priority needs, also known as Strategic Priorities, are identified annually by the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA) with input from State fish and wildlife agencies and their partners. Recipients awarded Traditional Multistate Conservation Grants (T-MSCG) may use the funds for wildlife or sport fish projects involving research, restoration, conservation and management of wild birds, wild mammals, sport fish, and their habitats. These funds may also be used for projects providing for public use and benefit from these resources, including hunter safety and education, aquatic education, and recruitment, retention and reactivation (R3) projects and other purposes consistent with the enabling legislation. Recipients awarded R3 Multistate Conservation Grants (R3-MSCG) may use the funds for hunting and target shooting R3 projects that promote a national hunting and target shooting recruitment program, including related communication and outreach activities. Multistate Conservation Grants are awarded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), and the FWS and AFWA work cooperatively to manage the grant program.

Fish and Wildlife Service

F27AS00009 2027 Multistate Conservation Grant Program Announcement

Fish and Wildlife Service

Multistate Conservation Grants (MSCG) are authorized under 16 U.S.C. 669h-2 and 16 U.S.C. 777m, providing funding for wildlife restoration and sport fish restoration projects and recruitment, retention and reactivation (R3) projects that address regional or national priority needs of State fish and wildlife agencies and their partners that are beyond the scale, scope, and capabilities of a single State. The priority needs, also known as Strategic Priorities, are identified annually by the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA) with input from State fish and wildlife agencies and their partners. Recipients awarded Traditional Multistate Conservation Grants (T-MSCG) may use the funds for wildlife or sport fish projects involving research, restoration, conservation and management of wild birds, wild mammals, sport fish, and their habitats. These funds may also be used for projects providing for public use and benefit from these resources, including hunter safety and education, aquatic education, and recruitment, retention and reactivation (R3) projects and other purposes consistent with the enabling legislation. Recipients awarded R3 Multistate Conservation Grants (R3-MSCG) may use the funds for hunting and target shooting R3 projects that promote a national hunting and target shooting recruitment program, including related communication and outreach activities. Multistate Conservation Grants are awarded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), and the FWS and AFWA work cooperatively to manage the grant program.

Fish and Wildlife Service

The Butte Creek Sutter Bypass West Borrow Canal (WBC) Weir #1 is a dilapidated weir structure and is no longer able to be used as a weir for the purposes of diverting and delivering water for agricultural use and to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Sutter National Wildlife Refuge (Sutter NWR). The USFWS seek the design and permitting required for the partial removal of the weir and construction of a rock ramp that will maintain water surface elevations adequate to provide reliable water diversion rates and flows sufficient for fish passage. A feasibility study and report for Weir 1 has already been completed; final design and permitting are the next logical step in addressing the conditions at the weir. The flows required for diversion and passage should be consistent with minimum flow agreement requirements (M&T Ranch Agreement Decree Diversion 50) as well as flows through the fish passage structure at the Giusti Weir, located approximately 3.75 mile upstream. The flows of Butte Creek are diverted past the natural outlet to the Sacramento River (known as the Butte Slough Outfall Gates and under most conditions are directed downstream through the Butte Slough. The Butte Slough is bifurcated at a point just upstream of the State Route 20 bridge crossing, identified as the East-West Diversion Weir. The East-West Diversion splits the flows of Butte Slough to approximately 60% to the East and 40% to the West side borrow canals. Butte Slough above the East-West Diversion Weir is capable of handling a flow of approximately 2,000 cfs within its natural banks (Jones & Stokes 2002).The mission of the USFWS is "working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people". Fish and Aquatic Conservation is integral program within the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and supports the mission by working with partners to achieve benefits for aquatic species and their habitats. This project helps meet FWS Fish and Aquatic Conservation goals of a program working together to deliver resilient habitats, healthy fish, connected people, and strong partnerships. More information can be found at https://www.fws.gov/program/fish-and-aquatic-conservation.

Fish and Wildlife Service

Butte Creek/Sutter Bypass Weir 1 Improvement Design and Permitting Project

Fish and Wildlife Service

The Butte Creek Sutter Bypass West Borrow Canal (WBC) Weir #1 is a dilapidated weir structure and is no longer able to be used as a weir for the purposes of diverting and delivering water for agricultural use and to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Sutter National Wildlife Refuge (Sutter NWR). The USFWS seek the design and permitting required for the partial removal of the weir and construction of a rock ramp that will maintain water surface elevations adequate to provide reliable water diversion rates and flows sufficient for fish passage. A feasibility study and report for Weir 1 has already been completed; final design and permitting are the next logical step in addressing the conditions at the weir. The flows required for diversion and passage should be consistent with minimum flow agreement requirements (M&T Ranch Agreement Decree Diversion 50) as well as flows through the fish passage structure at the Giusti Weir, located approximately 3.75 mile upstream. The flows of Butte Creek are diverted past the natural outlet to the Sacramento River (known as the Butte Slough Outfall Gates and under most conditions are directed downstream through the Butte Slough. The Butte Slough is bifurcated at a point just upstream of the State Route 20 bridge crossing, identified as the East-West Diversion Weir. The East-West Diversion splits the flows of Butte Slough to approximately 60% to the East and 40% to the West side borrow canals. Butte Slough above the East-West Diversion Weir is capable of handling a flow of approximately 2,000 cfs within its natural banks (Jones & Stokes 2002).The mission of the USFWS is "working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people". Fish and Aquatic Conservation is integral program within the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and supports the mission by working with partners to achieve benefits for aquatic species and their habitats. This project helps meet FWS Fish and Aquatic Conservation goals of a program working together to deliver resilient habitats, healthy fish, connected people, and strong partnerships. More information can be found at https://www.fws.gov/program/fish-and-aquatic-conservation.

Fish and Wildlife Service

The Clean Vessel Act Grant Program (CVA) provides cost sharing awards to designated agencies of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the U.S. Virgin Islands to provide recreational boaters with facilities to prevent waste disposal into public waterways and improve recreational boating opportunities. Funding for CVA comes from the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund and is authorized by the Clean Vessel Act of 1992 (33 U.S.C. 1322 Note) and the Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 777 et seq.), as amended. More information is available at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's CVA Home Page.

Fish and Wildlife Service

F26AS00013 FY 2026 Clean Vessel Act (CVA) Notice of Funding Opportunity

Fish and Wildlife Service

F26AS00062: Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act FY 2026

Fish and Wildlife Service

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) requests interested entities to submit research, restoration, and Regional Project proposals for the restoration of the Great Lakes Basin fish and wildlife resources, as authorized under the Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act (16U.S.C. 941c). The purpose of the Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act (GLFWRA) is to provide assistance to States, Indian Tribes, and other interested entities to encourage cooperative conservation, restoration, research, and management of the fish and wildlife resources and their habitats in the Great Lakes Basin. Supported in part by the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, we expect approximately $3.5 million to support proposals this fiscal year. Available funding and proposal awards are subject to final Congressional appropriations for Fiscal Year 2026. Up to 33 and one-third percent of the total Congressional appropriation to the GLFWRA is eligible to fund Regional Project proposals. Expected award funding for Regional Project proposals is between $200,000 to $500,000. Successful restoration and research proposals have ranged from $2,000 to $500,000 with the average proposal at $217,843. Expected award funding for restoration and research proposals is between $10,000 and $250,000. Selected restoration and research proposals and Regional Project proposals will be awarded funding for the duration of the proposal via a grant or cooperative agreement between the recipient and the Service. Funding will be made available once the official award letter has been received by the successful applicant and the performance period has started. Continuation of proposals funded in previous fiscal years are eligible but will be considered and reviewed as a new proposal. Restoration and research proposals will be awarded a grant agreement and Regional Project proposals will be awarded a cooperative agreement under this announcement. Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESU) Network partners that submit Regional Project proposals that qualify as CESU proposals will be subject to the CESU indirect cost rate cap. Regional Projects are authorized activities of the Service related to fish and wildlife resource protection, restoration, maintenance, and enhancement impacting the resources of multiple States or Indian Tribes with fish and wildlife management authority in the Great Lakes Basin. The two-page restoration and research pre-proposals and Regional Project proposals are submitted to the Service to determine eligibility and the Proposal Review Committee (PRC) scores and ranks the proposals using GLFWRA Review Criteria (Review Criteria). Successful restoration and research pre-proposal applicants are invited to submit full proposals, which are scored and ranked by the PRC using the Review Criteria. The PRC recommends the restoration and research full proposals and Regional Project proposals for funding to the Service"s Midwest Region 3 Regional Director for approval. Successful restoration and research and Regional Project proposal applicants can anticipate receiving an official grant or cooperative agreement award letter between January and March 2027.

Fish and Wildlife Service

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) requests interested entities to submit research, restoration, and Regional Project proposals for the restoration of the Great Lakes Basin fish and wildlife resources, as authorized under the Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act (16U.S.C. 941c). The purpose of the Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act (GLFWRA) is to provide assistance to States, Indian Tribes, and other interested entities to encourage cooperative conservation, restoration, research, and management of the fish and wildlife resources and their habitats in the Great Lakes Basin. Supported in part by the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, we expect approximately $3.5 million to support proposals this fiscal year. Available funding and proposal awards are subject to final Congressional appropriations for Fiscal Year 2026. Up to 33 and one-third percent of the total Congressional appropriation to the GLFWRA is eligible to fund Regional Project proposals. Expected award funding for Regional Project proposals is between $200,000 to $500,000. Successful restoration and research proposals have ranged from $2,000 to $500,000 with the average proposal at $217,843. Expected award funding for restoration and research proposals is between $10,000 and $250,000. Selected restoration and research proposals and Regional Project proposals will be awarded funding for the duration of the proposal via a grant or cooperative agreement between the recipient and the Service. Funding will be made available once the official award letter has been received by the successful applicant and the performance period has started. Continuation of proposals funded in previous fiscal years are eligible but will be considered and reviewed as a new proposal. Restoration and research proposals will be awarded a grant agreement and Regional Project proposals will be awarded a cooperative agreement under this announcement. Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESU) Network partners that submit Regional Project proposals that qualify as CESU proposals will be subject to the CESU indirect cost rate cap. Regional Projects are authorized activities of the Service related to fish and wildlife resource protection, restoration, maintenance, and enhancement impacting the resources of multiple States or Indian Tribes with fish and wildlife management authority in the Great Lakes Basin. The two-page restoration and research pre-proposals and Regional Project proposals are submitted to the Service to determine eligibility and the Proposal Review Committee (PRC) scores and ranks the proposals using GLFWRA Review Criteria (Review Criteria). Successful restoration and research pre-proposal applicants are invited to submit full proposals, which are scored and ranked by the PRC using the Review Criteria. The PRC recommends the restoration and research full proposals and Regional Project proposals for funding to the Service"s Midwest Region 3 Regional Director for approval. Successful restoration and research and Regional Project proposal applicants can anticipate receiving an official grant or cooperative agreement award letter between January and March 2027.

Fish and Wildlife Service

Tribal Wildlife Grants provide technical and financial assistance to federally recognized Tribes for the development and implementation of programs that benefit fish and wildlife and their habitats. Funding may be used for conserving any plant or animal species of interest to a Tribe, including those of Native American cultural or traditional importance. The grants are an adaptable resource supporting tribal conservation priorities. Species targeted in a project are not restricted to those that are hunted, fished, or gathered, listed as threatened or endangered, or identified in a conservation plan.Activities may include but are not limited to:planning for wildlife and habitat conservationfish and wildlife conservation and management actionsfish- and wildlife-related laboratory and field researchnatural history studieshabitat mappingfield surveys and species population monitoringhabitat protection and enhancementconservation educationFunding may be used for salaries, equipment, consultant services, subawards, materials, and travel costs.For more information, visit the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service"s Tribal Wildlife Grants Home Page (https://www.fws.gov/service/tribal-wildlife-grants).

Fish and Wildlife Service

F26AS00040_Fiscal Year 2026_Tribal Wildlife Grants (TWG)_NOFO

Fish and Wildlife Service

F26AS00068 Partners for Fish and Wildlife FY26

Fish and Wildlife Service

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) Partners for Fish and Wildlife (PFW) Program helps private landowners restore and protect habitats for fish and wildlife. It offers both technical assistance and financial support, mainly through cooperative agreements.The PFW Program has approximately 220 staff working in all 50 states and territories. They work together with project partners and stakeholders to find key areas for conservation and set habitat goals. These focus areas guide the program on where to direct resources for conserving important habitats for federal trust species. The Program also has strategic plans that help determine which projects receive funding.Since it began in 1987, the PFW Program has successfully assisted many landowners. When choosing projects, the Program aims to support specific priorities set by the Secretary of the Interior and identified in regional strategic habitat conservation plans. All projects will promote the goals of the Program, the Department of the Interior, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. These goals focus on using sound biological principles and voluntary partnerships to accomplish the mission of the Service to work with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.Applicants seeking technical or financial assistance from the PFW Program are required to consult with a local Program office BEFORE developing or submitting an application by visiting our website.

Fish and Wildlife Service

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) Partners for Fish and Wildlife (PFW) Program helps private landowners restore and protect habitats for fish and wildlife. It offers both technical assistance and financial support, mainly through cooperative agreements.The PFW Program has approximately 220 staff working in all 50 states and territories. They work together with project partners and stakeholders to find key areas for conservation and set habitat goals. These focus areas guide the program on where to direct resources for conserving important habitats for federal trust species. The Program also has strategic plans that help determine which projects receive funding.Since it began in 1987, the PFW Program has successfully assisted many landowners. When choosing projects, the Program aims to support specific priorities set by the Secretary of the Interior and identified in regional strategic habitat conservation plans. All projects will promote the goals of the Program, the Department of the Interior, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. These goals focus on using sound biological principles and voluntary partnerships to accomplish the mission of the Service to work with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.Applicants seeking technical or financial assistance from the PFW Program are required to consult with a local Program office BEFORE developing or submitting an application by visiting our website.

Fish and Wildlife Service

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) Coastal Program provides technical and financial assistance to partners to support projects that protect and restore fish and wildlife habitats on public and private lands in priority coastal ecosystems. This support is provided through cooperative agreements with conservation partners and landowners, including state and Tribal agencies. Coastal Program staff work with partners, stakeholders, and other Service programs in important areas for conservation. They implement regional strategic plans that identify priority species and habitats for conservation in these focus areas.Applicants seeking technical or financial assistance from the Coastal Program are required to contact a local Program office BEFORE developing or submitting an application. You can find this information in the current strategic plan at this link or by contacting your local Coastal Program office at https://www.fws.gov/program/coastal/contact-us.Projects are developed collaboratively by partners and Service field staff. All Coastal Program projects must align with the missions of the U.S. Department of the Interior, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Coastal Program. They are also based on sound biological principles and the best available science.

Fish and Wildlife Service

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) Coastal Program provides technical and financial assistance to partners to support projects that protect and restore fish and wildlife habitats on public and private lands in priority coastal ecosystems. This support is provided through cooperative agreements with conservation partners and landowners, including state and Tribal agencies. Coastal Program staff work with partners, stakeholders, and other Service programs in important areas for conservation. They implement regional strategic plans that identify priority species and habitats for conservation in these focus areas.Applicants seeking technical or financial assistance from the Coastal Program are required to contact a local Program office BEFORE developing or submitting an application. You can find this information in the current strategic plan at this link or by contacting your local Coastal Program office at https://www.fws.gov/program/coastal/contact-us.Projects are developed collaboratively by partners and Service field staff. All Coastal Program projects must align with the missions of the U.S. Department of the Interior, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Coastal Program. They are also based on sound biological principles and the best available science.