Endangered Species Recovery Implementation

Active

Assistance listing
15.657
Agency
Grant awards
2,360 $460,451,032 in federal obligations

Program facts

Assistance types
  • Cooperative Agreement
  • Project Grant
  • Formula Grant
  • Block 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 distributes federal financial assistance under the Endangered Species Recovery Implementation program (CFDA 15.657) to fund habitat restoration, species monitoring, captive breeding, invasive species removal, and other recovery actions for federally endangered and threatened species, with the most recent award issued April 1, 2026.

Grant activity remains robust but slowing. The program has disbursed 2,360 awards since 1997, with an average of 171 awards per year over the past five years, though the pace dropped to 58 awards in 2025 and only 1 award year-to-date in 2026 (as of April). The portfolio has grown to $460.5 million in combined federal obligation across 11 funding agencies. Awards are predominantly Cooperative Agreements (59% of awards) with a smaller share of Project Grants (41%), plus minimal Formula and Block Grant activity.

The Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service dominates the funding base, accounting for 88% of awards by count through its regional and headquarters offices. The largest regional funders by federal dollars are Region 4 ($110.9 million across 418 awards), Region 9 Headquarters ($98.5 million across 33 awards), and Region 1 ($93.7 million across 418 awards). The remaining funder concentration spans multiple Interior regional offices and other agencies in smaller shares.

Typical awards range from $10,000 to $300,000+, though some megaprojects exceed $1 million. Representative recent awards include a $1.9 million ten-year cooperative agreement with Golden Triangle to implement recovery actions for threatened Suwannee moccasinshell and endangered Ochlockonee moccasinshell, a $2.8 million five-year award to expand native seed collection and banking in Hawaii, a $1.4 million cooperative agreement for dwarf lake iris population monitoring and habitat protection in Michigan, and a $295,733 award to University of Montana for grizzly bear research and monitoring across six recovery zones in the northern Rockies. Smaller awards support targeted surveys, genetic analysis, and invasive species management—for example, $45,000 to Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources for rusty patched bumble bee habitat and population surveys.

Recent opportunities have passed their application deadlines. The most recent open NOFO was F24AS00431 (Recovery Implementation), which closed December 31, 2024. Prior cycles posted at annual intervals, with F24AS00078 (Recovery Challenge Fund) closing December 19, 2023. FWS Regional Field Offices coordinate application timelines and regional funding availability; the program encourages advance outreach to local Field Offices to align project proposals with current recovery priorities and budget cycles.

Objective and description

Objective

Recovery Implementation: To provide federal financial assistance to secure endangered or threatened species information, undertake restoration actions that will lead to delisting of a species; help prevent extinction of a species, or aid in the recov

Description

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) Recovery Implementation Program offers competitive financial assistance to States, landowners, universities, non-profit organizations, non-governmental organizations, and other partners. This program funds projects that implement recovery actions for FWS-managed endangered and threatened species, as specified in a species' approved recovery document. Project types may include, but are not limited to, surveys and monitoring, habitat restoration, invasive species removal, captive rearing programs, and reintroductions or translocations. Implementing recovery actions improves the status of endangered and threatened species so that these species could be considered for removal from the Endangered Species List.

Eligibility

Applicant eligibility

Eligible applicants include state, local, and tribal governments, nonprofit organizations, academic institutions, private landowners, businesses, and individuals with relevant biological expertise. Applicants should demonstrate knowledge of the species and ecosystems with which they propose to work.

Beneficiary eligibility

State and local government agencies, institutions of higher education, including public, private, state colleges and universities, nonprofits, Native American tribal organizations (other than recognized tribal governments), city, county or township governments, individuals, Native American tribal governments (federally-recognized), for-profit organizations, and small businesses.

Uses of assistance

Eligible applicants include state, local, and tribal governments, nonprofit organizations, academic institutions, private landowners, businesses, and individuals with relevant biological expertise. Applicants should demonstrate knowledge of the species and ecosystems with which they propose to work.

Use restrictions

Eligible applicants include state, local, and tribal governments, nonprofit organizations, academic institutions, private landowners, businesses, and individuals with relevant biological expertise. Applicants should demonstrate knowledge of the species and ecosystems with which they propose to work.

Length and time phasing of assistance

Depending on funding availability, assistance is available throughout the year; funding must be spent with 3 years of award.

How to apply

Preapplication coordination

FWS Regional and Field Office contacts can provide specific information on the amount of funding available, as well as Regional recovery priorities. We encourage you to contact the appropriate FWS Regional and Field Office contacts to discuss potential projects. If funding is available and the potential project addresses a high priority Regional recovery need, then the Regional contact will refer the potential applicant of the appropriate FWS Ecological Services Field Office for further coordination.

Criteria for selecting proposals

The criteria for selecting proposals are outlined in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).

Award procedure

Awards will be announced via letters sent directly to the applicants. No work may begin on a project until the appropriate legal contracting or procurement documents, and the required environmental compliance documents, have been signed by the authorized Service official. Unsuccessful applicants with be notified either by letter, fax, email or by telephone.

Deadlines

Contact FWS Regional Representatives located in the NOFO based on your project's location.

Time to approval or disapproval

Consideration of applications will ultimately be based on the FWS budget cycle. We encourage partners (especially existing partners who already have a working relationship with local FWS Field Offices) to talk to the local FWS Field Offices about possible project ideas and submittal timeframes.

Renewals

Project applicants are not prohibited from submitting applications for consideration for subsequent funding for multi-year projects though there is no governmental guarantee that multiple years of the project will be funded.

Grant opportunities

Opportunity Status Posted Applications due
F24AS00078 FY24 Recovery Challenge Fund F24AS00078 Closed
F24AS00431 FY24 Recovery Implementation F24AS00431 Closed
F23AS00124 FY23 Recovery Implementation F23AS00124 Closed
F23AS00310 FY22/23 Recovery Challenge Fund F23AS00310 Closed
FY22 Recovery Implementation F22AS00093 Closed
Recovery Challenge Fund F21AS00447 Closed
Endangered Species Recovery Implementation F21AS00155 Closed
Recovery Challenge F20AS00072 Closed
Recovery Implementation F20AS00073 Closed
Endangered Species Conservation - Recovery Implementation Funds F19AS00399 Closed
Design and Implement Status Survey for Cape Fear Shiner F19AS00361 Closed
Springs Preserve Refugia Ponds for Pahrump Poolfish and Relict Leopard Frogs F19AS00341 — —
Endangered Species Conservation Recovery Implementation Funds F19AS00356 Closed
Recovery of the Florida Grasshopper Sparrow F19AS00333 Closed
Endangered Species Conservation - Recovery Implementation Funds F19AS00330 Closed
Endangered Species Conservation and Recovery Implementation Funds F19AS00310 Closed
Coastal Prairie Restoration for Listed Oregon Silverspot Butterfly at Nestucca Bay NWR F19AS00264 Closed
White-nose Syndrome Research Grants - FY2019 F19AS00231 Closed
Surveys for at-risk plant taxa to inform listing decisions F19AS00230 Closed
Quino checkerspot butterfly augmentation project F19AS00196 Closed
California least tern nesting site preparation F19AS00184 Closed
Maintenance and Funding Transition of the Captive Flocks at the Alaska SeaLife Center F19AS00093 Closed
Mariana Crow Monitoring F19AS00174 Closed
Recovery Challenge F19AS00161 Closed
White-Nose Syndrome Grants to States and Tribes - FY19 F19AS00167 Closed
Quino Checkerspot Butterfly Augmentation Project F19AS00166 Closed
Recovery Implementation F19AS00165 Closed
Least Bell's Vireo monitoring and cowbird trapping F19AS00135 Closed
California Condor, Incubation and Chick Rearing Facility F19AS00108 Closed
State of the Birds Grant: Piping Plover F19AS00058 Closed
Endangered Species Conservation & Recovery Implementation Funds F19AS00030 Closed
Lower Keys Marsh Rabbit Post-Hurricane Assessment and Recovery F18AS00377 Closed
Sea Turtle Recovery Project at Sandy Point NWR F18AS00373 Closed
Endangered Species Conservation â¿¿ Recovery Implementation Funds F18AS00370 Closed
Endangered Species Conservation - Recovery Implementation Funds F18AS00359 Closed
Florida grasshopper sparrow recovery F18AS00356 — —
Endangered Species Conservation â¿¿ Recovery Implementation Funds F18AS00221 Closed
Endangered Species Conservation â¿¿ Recovery Implementation Funds F18AS00222 Closed
FY 2018 Recovery Challenge F18AS00269 Closed
Endangered Species Conservation - Recovery Implementation Funds F18AS00263 Closed
Monitoring and outplanting of salt marsh bird's beak F18AS00187 Closed
Least Bell's Vireo surveys and cowbird trapping F18AS00186 Closed
Habitat restoration for Amargosa vole F18AS00185 Closed
Project Tracking Site for Compliance F18AS00163 Closed
White-Nose Syndrome Research Grants FY18 F18AS00119 Closed
White-Nose Syndrome Grants to State Willidfe Management Agencies. Endangered Species Conservation Recovery Implementation F18AS00111 Closed
Endangered Species Conservation Recovery Implementation F18AS00070 Closed
Fiscal Year 2018 Recovery Implementation Fund Grants F18AS00059 Closed
Endangered Species Conservation - Recovery Implementation Funds F18AS00040 Closed
Endangered Species Conservation â¿¿ Recovery Implementation Funds F18AS00030 Closed
Show 40 more

Latest 50 listed here. See the rest on GovTribe.

Grant awards

Award Recipient Federal obligations Awarded
This project addresses recovery goals and actions for federally listed plant species dwarf lake iris in michigan action… F26AC00468 Michigan State University $39,992
The united states fish and wildlife service (service) grizzly bear recovery program has been CO located at the… F25AC01931 University Of Montana $295,733
Conduct field work in order to improve population estimates for all age classes of desert tortoises. The U.S. Fish… F25AC02440 Lonesome Desert, LLC $131,750
Huron pines is partnering with camp grayling joint maneuver training center in order to set the stage for bringing fire… F25AC02489 Huron Pines Resource Conservation And Development Council Inc. $41,677
The US fish and wildlife service new jersey field office service and the conserve wildlife foundation of new jersey CWF… F25AC01423 Conserve Wildlife Foundation Of New Jersey, Inc. $109,756
The shortnose sucker (chasmistes brevirostris) and the lost river sucker (deltistes luxatus) are endemic to… F25AP02305 Redband Resources, LLC $10,000
Previous research in europe has shown that morphological and behavioral differences may lead to nichedifferentiation in… F25AP01474 Wisconsin Department Of Natural Resources $45,000
The pensacola BAY living shoreline project is a large living shoreline to be constructed within the lower pensacola BAY… F25AC01936 County Of Escambia $1,399,920
The goal of this project is to assess the feasibility of using drones to better monitor and manage mazama pocket… F25AC00951 Texas A&M Agrilife Research $116,005
The minnesota zoos pollinator conservation initiative has played a central role in the conservation of the U.S… F25AP00919 State Of Minnesota - MN Zoological Gardens $185,000

Latest 10 of 2,360 listed here. See the rest on GovTribe.

Top recipients by federal obligations

10 of 675 recipients listed here. See the rest on GovTribe.

Federal obligations by fiscal year

Fiscal year Federal obligations
FY2026 $387,852
FY2025 $91,761,514
FY2024 $52,489,626
FY2023 $44,057,938
FY2022 $44,610,283
FY2021 $59,543,807
FY2020 $27,471,775
FY2019 $21,999,652
FY2018 $12,634,288
FY2017 $17,391,582
FY2016 $17,204,462
FY2015 $20,069,042
FY2014 $16,177,286
FY2013 $12,846,495
FY2012 $8,094,322
FY2010 $1,550,833
FY2009 $434,396
Show all 17

Quick answers

What is Assistance Listing 15.657?

Assistance Listing 15.657 is Endangered Species Recovery Implementation, a federal grant program run by Fish and Wildlife Service (Department of the Interior).

What is the CFDA number for Endangered Species Recovery Implementation?

Its CFDA number is 15.657: Assistance Listing numbers were called CFDA numbers before 2018.

How much funding has Assistance Listing 15.657 awarded?

2,360 grant awards under 15.657 have obligated $460,451,032 in federal funds to 675 recipients.

Who receives the most funding from 15.657?

The recipients obligated the most under Endangered Species Recovery Implementation are National Fish And Wildlife Foundation ($67,866,511), American Association Of Zoological Parks And Aquariums, Inc. ($30,000,000) and Zoological Society Of San Diego ($25,668,399).

How much did 15.657 obligate in fiscal year 2025?

Grants under 15.657 obligated $91,761,514 in federal funds in fiscal year 2025.

Are there open grant opportunities under 15.657?

None of the latest 50 opportunities under 15.657 is open now. The latest, F24AS00078 FY24 Recovery Challenge Fund, was posted on October 19, 2023.

On GovTribe

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