State Wildlife Grants
Open Opportunities (1)
Live Grants.gov opportunities funded under this program — you can apply now.
- F26AS00051_FY 2026 Competitive State Wildlife Grant (C-SWG) Program_Funding Opportunity Announcement Deadline: Sep 18, 2026 · up to $1M
Program Funding
Annual program obligations reported to SAM.gov.
Who has received this funding
Organizations awarded under CFDA 15.634 (USAspending.gov).
- Department Of Environmental Conservation New York 2 awards $15,629,488
- Florida Fish And Wildlife Conservation Commission 2 awards $7,983,754
- Alaska Department Of Fish & Game $6,306,212
- Virginia Department Of Wildlife Resources $5,458,943
- Wildlife Resources Agency, Tennessee $3,962,264
- Commonwealth Of Massachusetts $3,190,856
- Inland Fishries Wildlife Department $2,728,897
- Department Of Game & Fish North Dakota $2,675,500
Funded Projects
Examples of what this program has supported.
Program Objective
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 recipient matching resources, enable these recipients to identify, study, and conserve species deemed most in need of conservation. Competitive SWG Program funds and matching resources typically support large-scale conservation projects involving many partners. Proactive approaches to species conservation help grant recipients, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and other conservation partners avoid more prescriptive Federal regulatory requirements associated with listing under the Endangered Species Act. A core principle of the SWG Program is the utilization of effective partnerships demonstrating cooperation and leveraging of resources to achieve shared conservation goals benefiting recipient-identified species of greatest conservation need.
Eligibility
Eligible Applicants
- Department/Agency of U.S. State
- Department/Agency of U.S. Territorial Gov
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.
How to Apply
Award Procedure
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.
SWG-Formula: Approximately 30-60 days. SWG-Competitive: Approximately 120 days.
Program details & compliance
Description
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.”
Mission Categories
Primary: Fish and Wildlife Preservation
Use of Funds
Allowed Uses
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.
Required Documentation
The State, Territory, or D.C. fish and wildlife agency must have a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service-approved Wildlife Action Plan to receive grant funds. The Wildlife Action Plan must consider the broad range of the recipient’s wildlife and associated habitats, with appropriate priority placed on identified species of greatest conservation need. 2 CFR 200, Subpart E - Cost Principles applies to this program.
Matching Requirements
Matching Requirements are mandatory. Formula planning grants - Federal share not to exceed 75% of total project costs. Formula implementation grants - Federal share not to exceed 65% of total costs. Competitive Project Grants - Federal share not to exceed 75% of total costs.
Reporting & Compliance
Applicable 2 CFR 200 Subparts
- Subpart B — General Provisions
- Subpart C — Pre-Federal Award Requirements
- Subpart D — Post-Federal Award Requirements
- Subpart E — Cost Principles
- Subpart F — Audit Requirements