National Wildlife Refuge System Enhancements
Active
- Assistance listing
- 15.654
- Agency
-
Fish and Wildlife Service
Department of the Interior
- Grant awards
- 630 $408,086,153 in federal obligations
Program facts
- Also known as
- Refuges and Wildlife
- Assistance types
-
- Cooperative Agreement
- Project Grant
- Treasury account
-
- 14-1611-0-1-302
- More information
Program details come from SAM.gov Assistance Listings. Updated . Grant award figures come from USAspending.gov.
About this program
The Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service funds habitat restoration, invasive species control, wildlife monitoring, visitor services, and infrastructure improvements on National Wildlife Refuge System lands under CFDA 15.654 as of February 2, 2026 (most recent award date). This program delivered 630 total federal grant awards totaling $408.1 million in combined federal obligation since 1999, with recent activity accelerating: 128 awards in 2024, 65 in 2025, and 6 year-to-date in 2026 through early February. The portfolio is predominantly Cooperative Agreements (88% of awards, 555 agreements) with a smaller share of Project Grants (12%, 75 awards). Funding concentrates heavily in Fish and Wildlife Service regional offices. The top five funders by federal dollars obligated account for 86% of total federal spend: Region 2 led with $124.8 million across 48 awards, followed by Region 9 Headquarters at $88.6 million (64 awards), Region 4 at $61.9 million (69 awards), Region 8 at $42.5 million (86 awards), and Region 3 at $34.4 million (67 awards). Recent awards span seed collection for native plant restoration, water control structure replacement, invasive species removal, wetland and stream restoration, pollinator habitat monitoring, environmental education programs, and seabird protection. Representative funded activities include Ducks Unlimited replacing a failing water control structure at Union Slough NWR in Iowa ($49,350), The Nature Conservancy administering longleaf pine restoration across nine states ($1.164 million), and the Well Done Foundation plugging abandoned oil wells on refuge lands ($19.27 million). The Wisconsin Headwaters to Coast Initiative (solicitation F24AS00365, due September 30, 2024) accepted cooperative agreement and grant applications from nonprofits, state and local governments, and tribal organizations for watershed conservation projects addressing habitat connectivity, water quality, and climate resilience. The Refuge System Enhancement programs (non-infrastructure solicitation F24AS00198 with extended August 2, 2024 deadline and infrastructure solicitation F24AS00176 with July 12, 2024 closure) invited partnerships to support habitat stewardship, visitor recreation, and facilities maintenance; applications required FWS site involvement and collaborative project development, with no separate funding pool at headquarters. No open solicitations were active as of October 2026.
Objective and description
- Objective
To provide technical and financial assistance to identify, conserve, manage, and enhance the natural, historical, and cultural resources and physical infrastructure of the National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS); deliver public access and high-quality
- Description
The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS) is the only federal government agency whose primary responsibility is to manage fish and wildlife resources for current and future generations of Americans. FWS is one of 11 bureaus within the Department of the Interior. Our employees work to fulfill our mission on more than 573 National Wildlife Refuges, 71 National Fish Hatcheries, and numerous regional and field offices on thousands of active conservation projects across the country.
Eligibility
- Applicant eligibility
State Government, County Government, City or Township Government, Special District Government, Regional Organization, U.S. Territory or Possession, Public/State Controlled Institution of Higher Education, Indian/Native American Tribal Government (Federally Recognized), Indian/Native American Tribal Government (Other than Federally Recognized), Indian/Native American Tribally Designated Organization, Nonprofit with 501C3 IRS Status (Other than institution of Higher Education), Nonprofit without 501C3 IRS Status ( Other than Institution of Higher Education), For-Profit Organization (Other than Small Business), Small Business, Private Institution of Higher Education, Hispanic Serving Institution, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions.
- Uses of assistance
Funds may be used for approved activities that support the objectives of the Department of the Interior (DOI) and the National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS). Awards issued under this program will support NWRS efforts to effectively engage with the visiting public, enhance visitor services, improve facilities, manage invasive species on and off NWRS managed lands, and support priority public uses such as hiking, fishing, boating, wildlife observation, and photography. Program awards endeavor to leverage funds with local industries and community organizations to conduct on-the-ground projects that support shared conservation goals and reduce barriers to outdoor recreation.
- Use restrictions
Funds may be used for approved activities that support the objectives of the Department of the Interior (DOI) and the National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS). Awards issued under this program will support NWRS efforts to effectively engage with the visiting public, enhance visitor services, improve facilities, manage invasive species on and off NWRS managed lands, and support priority public uses such as hiking, fishing, boating, wildlife observation, and photography. Program awards endeavor to leverage funds with local industries and community organizations to conduct on-the-ground projects that support shared conservation goals and reduce barriers to outdoor recreation.
- Length and time phasing of assistance
The release of assistance funds may vary depending upon the recipient. Regional Office staff can explain procedures for requiring either lump sum or quarterly payment methods. Typically funding will be spent within 1-3 years.
How to apply
- Criteria for selecting proposals
Applications will be scored and selected based on the following criteria: 1) Cost: demonstrated through cost presentation in Project Narrative and Budget; 2) Organizational Capacity: demonstrated ability/capacity to work cooperatively with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to identify, conserve, manage and enhance the physical and ecological infrastructure of the NWRS; 3) Unique qualifications: Demonstration of unique qualifications to engage in this partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Additional application criteria will be available in the applicable Directed Announcement in GrantSolutions.
- Award procedure
Notice of Grant Award (NGA) will be sent electronically to the recipient by GrantSolutions.
- Deadlines
07/01/2026
- Time to approval or disapproval
Awards should be issued within 90 days of application receipt in GrantSolutions.
- Renewals
Projects may be renewed as needed, if justified and depending on the availability of funds.
- Appeals
Contact the headquarters or regional office.
Grant opportunities
Show 40 more
Latest 50 listed here. See the rest on GovTribe.
Grant awards
Latest 10 of 630 listed here. See the rest on GovTribe.
Top recipients by federal obligations
| Rank | Recipient | Federal obligations | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ducks Unlimited, Inc. | $71,359,398 | 17% |
| 2 | Texas General Land Office | $37,241,000 | 9% |
| 3 | Ducks Unlimited Inc. | $28,957,030 | 7% |
| 4 | Department Of Conservation And Energy, State Of Louisiana | $27,466,028 | 7% |
| 5 | Coastal Bend Bays & Estuaries Program, Inc. | $22,418,000 | 5% |
| 6 | South Florida Water Management District | $19,291,912 | 5% |
| 7 | Well Done New Mexico LLC | $19,271,410 | 5% |
| 8 | National Fish And Wildlife Foundation | $14,935,111 | 4% |
| 9 | The Nature Conservancy | $13,653,955 | 3% |
| 10 | North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission | $11,000,000 | 3% |
10 of 317 recipients listed here. See the rest on GovTribe.
Federal obligations by fiscal year
| Fiscal year | Federal obligations |
|---|---|
| FY2026 | $760,676 |
| FY2025 | $121,229,939 |
| FY2024 | $75,745,477 |
| FY2023 | $34,270,602 |
| FY2022 | $24,778,617 |
| FY2021 | $22,232,421 |
| FY2020 | $36,845,729 |
| FY2019 | $77,728,242 |
| FY2018 | $4,376,725 |
| FY2017 | $3,984,543 |
| FY2016 | $1,462,816 |
| FY2015 | $4,110,850 |
| FY2014 | $1,586,724 |
| FY2013 | $416,453 |
| FY2012 | $962,963 |
| FY2008 | $5,000 |
Show all 16
Quick answers
What is Assistance Listing 15.654?
Assistance Listing 15.654 is National Wildlife Refuge System Enhancements, a federal grant program run by Fish and Wildlife Service (Department of the Interior).
What is the CFDA number for National Wildlife Refuge System Enhancements?
Its CFDA number is 15.654: Assistance Listing numbers were called CFDA numbers before 2018.
How much funding has Assistance Listing 15.654 awarded?
630 grant awards under 15.654 have obligated $408,086,153 in federal funds to 317 recipients.
Who receives the most funding from 15.654?
The recipients obligated the most under National Wildlife Refuge System Enhancements are Ducks Unlimited, Inc. ($71,359,398), Texas General Land Office ($37,241,000) and Ducks Unlimited Inc. ($28,957,030).
How much did 15.654 obligate in fiscal year 2025?
Grants under 15.654 obligated $121,229,939 in federal funds in fiscal year 2025.
Are there open grant opportunities under 15.654?
None of the latest 50 opportunities under 15.654 is open now. The latest, F24AS00365 Wisconsin Headwaters to Coast Initiative, was posted on July 2, 2024.
On GovTribe
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