F26AS00006 2026 Multistate Conservation Grant Program Announcement
Closed Posted
- Opportunity number
- F26AS00006
- Agency
-
Fish and Wildlife Service
Department of the Interior
- Applications due
- Award size
- Up to $1,000,000
Opportunity facts
- Assistance listings
- Funding instrument
- Grant
- Category
-
- Natural Resources
- Eligible applicants
-
- Higher Education Inst. (Public)
- Other
- State Governments
- Non-501(c)(3) Nonprofits
- 501(c)(3) Nonprofits
- Points of contact
-
- Karen A. Bennett karen_bennett@fws.gov (703) 615-3226
Opportunity details come from Grants.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking grant proposals for the 2026 Multistate Conservation Grant Program (MSCGP) to support wildlife restoration, sport fish restoration, and recruitment, retention, and reactivation (R3) projects. The program aims to fund collaborative initiatives that address regional or national priority needs beyond the capabilities of a single state, focusing on wildlife research, habitat conservation, and public engagement in outdoor activities. Eligible applicants include state governments, public higher education institutions, and both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. Proposals must address one of the 2026 Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA) Strategic Priorities and demonstrate benefits for a majority of states or states within a specific U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Region. The application process involves a two-stage submission, with an initial Grant Proposal due by September 22, 2025, and full Grant Applications to be submitted through GrantSolutions.gov in mid to late November 2025.
The grant program will distribute $11 million across approximately 45 expected awards, divided into two funding categories: Traditional Multistate Conservation Grants (T-MSCG) with $6 million available and a per-application ceiling of $625,000, and R3 Multistate Conservation Grants (R3-MSCG) with $5 million available and a per-application ceiling of $1 million. Selected projects are anticipated to start on January 1, 2026, and conclude by December 31, 2026. The review process will involve technical review, scoring, and approval by both AFWA and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, with a focus on projects that demonstrate multi-state impact and align with conservation and wildlife management objectives.
Synopsis
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 (Service), and the Service and AFWA work cooperatively to manage the MSCG program.
Files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| Foa_Content_of_F26AS00006.pdf |
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