State Wildlife Grants

The primary purpose of the State Wildlife Grant (SWG) Program is to help State, Territory, and District of Columbia fish and wildlife agencies design and implement strategic, proactive conservation programs. Formula SWG Program funds, pooled with rec

The State Wildlife Grant Program (both formula or F-SWG and competitive or C-SWG) provides funds for development and implementation of programs that benefit sensitive and imperiled wildlife and their habitats, especially species not hunted or fished referred to as "species of greatest conservation need."

Agencies from the 50 States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealths of Puerto Rico and the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Territories of Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and American Samoa with primary responsibility for fish and wildlife conservation may submit grant proposals for formula or competitive project grants to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service if they maintain a current, Service-approved State Wildlife Action Plan. The four regional Associations of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (NEAFWA, SEAFWA, MAFWA, and WAFWA) are eligible for competitive project grants at the discretion of recipient State fish and wildlife agencies.

General Public (While direct participation is limited to fish and wildlife agencies, the public will ultimately benefit from these wildlife conservation measures.)

Approved activities include developing and implementing programs or projects for the benefit of wildlife and their habitat, with emphasis on species that are not hunted or fished. In order to receive program funds, a State, Territory, or D.C. fish and wildlife agency must have an approved Wildlife Action Plan. Approved activities may focus on Wildlife Action Plan updates and revisions or project implementation that benefits recipient-identified Species of Greatest Conservation Need. Funds can be used for land acquisition or construction projects. Approximately 10 percent of annually appropriated funds are set aside for discretionary competitive project grants, but this ratio varies from year to year.

Approved activities include developing and implementing programs or projects for the benefit of wildlife and their habitat, with emphasis on species that are not hunted or fished. In order to receive program funds, a State, Territory, or D.C. fish and wildlife agency must have an approved Wildlife Action Plan. Approved activities may focus on Wildlife Action Plan updates and revisions or project implementation that benefits recipient-identified Species of Greatest Conservation Need. Funds can be used for land acquisition or construction projects. Approximately 10 percent of annually appropriated funds are set aside for discretionary competitive project grants, but this ratio varies from year to year.

Formula SWG funds are available for obligation for two years through approximately August of the next Federal fiscal year after the year in which they were apportioned. Contact the Regional office for each Region's specific deadline. Competitive SWG subprogram funds are not subject to this limitation. Regional Program officials obligate funds and GrantSolutions sends a notice of award to successful applicants. Recipients request funds in accordance with 2 CFR 200, Subpart E-Cost Principles. Any special payment terms and conditions are detailed in the notice of award.

Preapplication coordination is not required but is recommended. You may be required to submit environmental impact information for this program.

Formula and Competitive Grants: Proposals must address species and conservation actions identified in the Wildlife Action Plans. Project Grants (competitive): Applications are scored and ranked based on criteria, subfactors, and priorities published annually in the Funding Opportunity Announcement. The annual announcement is available on GrantSolutions and Grants.gov.

Formula Grants: The Regional Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or his or her designee approves or disapproves proposed projects. Regional offices are responsible for notifying recipients of grant approval. Project Grants (competitive): The Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or his or her designee approves or disapproves proposed projects, based on an objective scoring and ranking procedure as outlined in the Funding Opportunity Announcement. Regional offices are responsible for notifying recipients of grant approval.

Formula SWG Program Deadline: Contact the Regional Office of Conservation Investment for application deadlines, or search for the Service Region's SWG Funding Opportunity Announcement on Grants.gov (Assistance Listing Number 15.634). Competitive SWG Program Deadline: The Funding Opportunity Announcement is normally published in Grants.gov (Assistance Listing Number 15.634) in November with a February deadline.

SWG-Formula: Approximately 30-60 days. SWG-Competitive: Approximately 120 days.

SWG-Formula: Grantees may renew projects on an annual basis if justifiable and if funds are available. SWG-Competitive: Not applicable.

Regional Directors will consider differences of opinion concerning the eligibility of proposals. Final determination rests with the Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.