FWS Public Land Stewardship – Youth Corps

This program seeks to partner with qualified non-profit organizations including Youth or Conservation Corps, States and State Conservation Corps, Indian Tribes, Universities, and veteran serving organizations to carry out appropriate natural and cult

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is the main federal agency focused on conserving fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the American public. Established in 1871 as the U.S. Fish Commission, FWS manages public land programs that support conservation and recreational uses of public lands through initiatives like the FWS Youth Corps under the Authority of the Public Lands Corps Act.

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), 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.

Funds are provided for Public Lands Corps Act projects that perform, in a cost-effective manner, appropriate conservation projects on eligible lands where such projects will not be performed by existing government employees. Projects will: assist in performing research and public education tasks associated with natural and cultural resources on eligible lands, expose young people to public service while furthering their understanding and appreciation of the Nation's natural and cultural resources, stimulate interest among the Nation's youth in the FWS and conservation careers by exposing them to conservation, scientific research, and other professionals in the FWS, and offer them the opportunity to receive non-competitive hiring eligibility for Federal positions for which they qualify upon meeting program requirements.

Funds are provided for Public Lands Corps Act projects that perform, in a cost-effective manner, appropriate conservation projects on eligible lands where such projects will not be performed by existing government employees. Projects will: assist in performing research and public education tasks associated with natural and cultural resources on eligible lands, expose young people to public service while furthering their understanding and appreciation of the Nation's natural and cultural resources, stimulate interest among the Nation's youth in the FWS and conservation careers by exposing them to conservation, scientific research, and other professionals in the FWS, and offer them the opportunity to receive non-competitive hiring eligibility for Federal positions for which they qualify upon meeting program requirements.

The typical project period of performance is four weeks to 12 months. Funding must be spent within the project period of performance.

2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal awards applies to this program.

Applications for funded projects (cooperative agreements) must meet the Directed Announcement deadline. Timely applications undergo an initial review to confirm eligibility, completeness, and alignment with program objectives. The sponsoring office provides a statement of Unique Qualification under FWS policy 516 FW6 that is reviewed and approved or rejected by a FWS Grants Management Officer. For selected applications, the budget is reviewed in detail, and all documentation is retained in the official file for transparency and accountability. Additional and revised Merit review and selection process information will be available upon issuance of the 2026 NOFO.

Proposals for collaboratively developed projects received in response to Directed Announcements on https://www.grantsolutions.gov are reviewed based on a competitive, merit-based review process stated in the announcements. Award amounts vary depending upon funding availability.

Awards should be issued within 90 days of application receipt in GrantSolutions.

Awards can be renewed through a new cooperative agreement.