F25AS00292 FY 2025 Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund Traditional Conservation Grants Program Region 7

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), through its Region 7 office, is offering the FY 2025 Traditional Conservation Grants Program under the Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund. The funding opportunity, identified as F25AS00292, is designed to assist U.S. State governments in developing and implementing conservation programs for federally listed, candidate, eligible unlisted, and recently delisted species under FWS jurisdiction. Funding is intended to directly support activities that prevent species extinction, aid in their recovery, or avoid the need for new listings under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The grants are available only to state agencies that have, or are able to secure within 30 days of the application deadline, a cooperative agreement with the FWS pursuant to Section 6(c) of the ESA. Only federally listed resident species included in a state's cooperative agreement are eligible for support. However, states may also monitor candidate, eligible unlisted, or recently delisted species. Allowable activities include management, research, species monitoring, public outreach, and habitat restoration. All work must be voluntary and conducted within the United States. Land acquisition is ineligible for funding. Additionally, federal funds and matching cost shares cannot be used to satisfy ESA regulatory obligations or other federal mitigation requirements. This opportunity will allocate an estimated total program funding of $115,513 for up to two awards, with an award floor of $1,000 and a ceiling equal to the total program funding. Matching funds are required, with a minimum 25% non-federal match. For projects involving two or more states, the non-federal match requirement decreases to 10%. Pre-award costs are allowable with prior written approval and if they would have been allowable post-award. The funds must be expended within a three-year project period, starting as early as September 30, 2025. A one-time, 12-month extension may be requested with proper justification. To apply, state agencies must register in SAM.gov and obtain a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). Applications are submitted through GrantSolutions.gov, and must include several mandatory forms including the SF-424, SF-424A, project abstract, budget narrative, and detailed project narrative. The project narrative must cover the statement of need, objectives, methods, compliance information, personnel, project location, and for continuation projects, a summary of past accomplishments. The budget narrative must detail costs, cost share, indirect costs, and any pre-award costs, with compliance to 2 CFR §200 Subpart E. Applications are due by September 19, 2025, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. Applications undergo an initial eligibility review followed by a merit review based on criteria such as species listing status, relevance to recovery plans, technical merit, and budget quality. Final selection is made by the Regional Director, considering factors such as state priorities, budget realism, partnerships, and geographic or taxonomic distribution of funding. Successful applicants will be notified electronically and must adhere to all post-award requirements including financial and performance reporting under 2 CFR 200 and DOI policy. For questions, applicants should contact Nichole Bjornlie at nichole_bjornlie@fws.gov or 907-786-3488. Detailed information and application materials are available at https://www.fws.gov/program/cooperative-endangered-species-conservation-fund. States are encouraged to coordinate with FWS early in the application process to ensure alignment with program goals and funding criteria.

States should coordinate with FWS early in the process to align with program priorities.