Endangered Species Conservation and Recovery Grant Program

The Endangered Species Conservation and Recovery Program Grant, administered by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), supports critical conservation efforts for federally listed threatened and endangered species in California. This grant program is funded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) through the Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund, known as Section 6 of the Endangered Species Act. The program targets inland fish, wildlife, terrestrial and freshwater invertebrates, and plant species, and aims to support their recovery through scientifically sound and impactful projects. The 2026 solicitation outlines a collaborative model where proposals must be submitted and led by CDFW staff, though external partners such as nonprofits, tribal entities, academic institutions, and public agencies are encouraged to collaborate through payable grants or contracts. The 2026 grant cycle emphasizes several strategic themes. Priority is given to projects that directly support the de-listing of federally listed species, benefit species protected under both the federal and California Endangered Species Acts, implement land or species management strategies, or increase resilience to climate stressors such as wildfires and drought. Eligible project activities include habitat enhancement, species introduction or propagation, monitoring, surveys, research on population genetics and ecology, and public education when tied to federal Recovery Plan actions. Notably, for species categorized as candidates, recently delisted, or eligible unlisted species, only monitoring projects are accepted. All proposals must be developed in consultation with both CDFW and USFWS biological staff to ensure alignment with federal recovery priorities and technical standards. To be eligible for funding, the proposal must identify a CDFW sponsor, include necessary match commitments, and secure appropriate permissions for land access and environmental compliance. A minimum 25% non-federal match is required, which may come from in-kind services, volunteer labor, non-federal funding, or other qualifying contributions. Projects may request funding up to $400,000, and those seeking larger amounts must include scalable alternatives or phased plans. Funding is generally limited to a three-year performance period, and project timelines must include time buffers for agreement execution and close-out processes. Projects involving translocation or captive propagation must adhere to CDFW policy bulletins and obtain necessary approvals. The application window for the 2026 cycle opened on February 26, 2026, with a hard deadline of April 6, 2026, at 5:00 PM Pacific Time. Proposal packages must be submitted by CDFW staff using designated templates and uploaded to an internal state drive. Only complete applications that meet all administrative requirements will advance to technical review. The evaluation process consists of administrative screening, scoring by a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) based on need, alignment with recovery plans, and project design, and a management review that considers past performance, funding distribution, and program priorities. Final decisions are made by the CDFW Director and submitted to USFWS, which conducts its own merit review before awarding funds. Applicants selected for funding will begin working with CDFW and the Federal Assistance Program to develop federal assistance packages, which are submitted to USFWS for approval. Funds are expected to be available in early 2027. Final approval from the U.S. Department of the Interior is required before any sub-awards or contracts can be executed. All grant recipients will be required to submit deliverables in accessible formats, comply with data-sharing agreements, and report raw media and metadata when applicable. For additional information about the grant or scoring criteria, interested parties may contact Daniel Applebee at [email protected]. This grant is part of a recurring annual funding opportunity. Based on the current cycle's April 6, 2026 closing date and its stated recurrence, the next expected due date will be April 6, 2027. Applicants and collaborators are advised to begin early engagement and consultation well before the next cycle opens. The program remains a critical tool in California’s coordinated efforts with the federal government to halt species extinction and promote ecological resilience statewide.

Coordinate early with USFWS staff; Incomplete or late applications will not be considered; Projects must align with recovery priorities and include match and access documentation.