F25AS00288 FY 2025 Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund Traditional Conservation Grants Program Region 4

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), under the Department of the Interior, administers the Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund’s Traditional Conservation Grants Program to support the conservation and recovery of threatened and endangered species in the United States. This opportunity, focused on Region 4, provides federal financial assistance to State agencies with cooperative agreements under Section 6(c) of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The goal of the program is to empower States in implementing high-priority recovery actions and prevent the extinction or future listing of species by funding eligible conservation efforts. Funding may be used for a wide range of activities including species management, research, monitoring, habitat enhancement, and public outreach. Eligible species include federally listed resident species in the State's cooperative agreement, candidate and certain unlisted species, and species delisted due to recovery within the past five years. Priority is given to actions aligned with a final or draft recovery plan, recovery implementation strategy, or similar conservation strategy. While land acquisition is ineligible, allowable costs may include habitat restoration, species surveys, propagation efforts, and genetic research, among others. Funding is competitive and awarded through a merit review process evaluating project relevance, technical merit, cost realism, and alignment with recovery goals. Applicants must be State agencies that either currently maintain or enter into a cooperative agreement within 30 days of the deadline. Non-State organizations can participate as subgrantees if they collaborate with an eligible State agency. A cost share is required: 25% of total project cost for single-State projects, or 10% for multi-State collaborations. Non-Federal match can include both cash and in-kind contributions. Projects must take place in the United States and be consistent with recovery plans. Expenses must occur within the performance period unless approved pre-award costs are included in the proposal. Applications are submitted through GrantSolutions.gov and require SAM.gov registration. Components include SF-424 forms, a detailed project narrative, budget narrative, and environmental compliance documentation. Key narrative sections include the statement of need, purpose, objectives, methods, timetable, and expected outcomes. Evaluators will also assess budget clarity and cost effectiveness. Project performance reports and financial reports will be required post-award, with performance periods of up to three years and potential for a one-time extension. The FY 2025 cycle is currently open, with applications due by December 5, 2025, at 11:59 PM ET. The estimated total program funding is $3,366,779, with a maximum possible individual award of the same amount. Approximately 75 awards are expected. Projects selected for funding will be notified by FWS Regional Offices, and final award notices will be issued via GrantSolutions. This program is recurring, and based on past application patterns and federal timing, the next expected cycle will open in August 2026.

Coordinate early with the program contact and ensure cooperative agreements are in place before submission. Provide detailed responses to budget and technical merit criteria to facilitate scoring.