Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund: Habitat Conservation Plan Land Acquisition Grants
🏛 Fish and Wildlife Service (DOI-FWS)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Oct 18, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for State and Territorial agencies with active Cooperative Agreements under Section 6(c) of the Endangered Species Act. Applicants must propose land acquisition that benefits at least one Federally listed species on an active Section 10(a)(1)(B) permit. Parcels must be specifically identified on SF-429 forms to be eligible. Counties and conservation organizations may participate as subgrantees working with an eligible State agency.
⚖️ Cost sharing / matching required — applicants must contribute their own funds.
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Program description
Established by Congress in fiscal year (FY) 1997, the Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) Land Acquisition Grant program was designed to reduce conflicts between the conservation of listed species and competing land uses on specific parcels of land associated with approved and permitted HCPs. Under this program, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) provides matching grants to State agencies in support of land acquisition projects that will conserve species habitat in perpetuity through fee simple acquisition or the acquisition of permanent conservation easements. FWS considers the use of Federal acquisition dollars by States for habitat protection associated with HCPs to be an important and effective mechanism to promote species recovery, prevent extinction, and preclude the need to list species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in the future. All land acquired through these grants complements, but does not replace, the mitigation, minimization, and/or monitoring commitments of the HCP. Thus, this work is additive to the conservation commitments entered into when HCPs are permitted and serves as a meaningful way to leverage non-Federal investment in species recovery and connect conservation lands across the landscape.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424
- SF-429 (Land Description Form)
- SF-429-B (Parcel Schedule)
- State agency Section 6(c) Cooperative Agreement documentation
- Proof of annual renewal/reconfirmation of Cooperative Agreement
- Project narrative demonstrating species benefit
- HCP permit documentation
- Cost-sharing plan and commitment letters
Program contact
- 👤 Fish and Wildlife Service
- 📧 Kelly_Niland@fws.gov
- 📞 22041-3803
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 15.615 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$10,000,000
-
$8,804,150
-
$7,788,428
-
$7,000,000
-
$6,620,694
-
$6,606,303
-
$6,400,000
-
$5,244,000
-
$5,155,500
-
$4,928,107
Top States by Funding
- CA 31 awards $78.9M
- WA 17 awards $32.8M
- HI 25 awards $26.8M
- AL 10 awards $23.6M
- UT 2 awards $10.1M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 15.615). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $86,900,000 | |
| 2026 est. | $40,162,000 |
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
Only State and Territorial agencies with active Section 6(c) Cooperative Agreements can apply directly. Counties and conservation organizations can participate as subgrantees under a State agency.
What land qualifies for funding?
Land must benefit at least one Federally listed species covered by an active Section 10(a)(1)(B) permit. Specific parcels must be identified on SF-429 forms or described as similar habitat types if not yet identified.
Is cost sharing required?
Yes, applicants must provide non-Federal matching funds. The grant uses a cost-sharing/matching model.
What activities are funded?
Grants support fee simple land acquisition or permanent conservation easement acquisition. All land must conserve habitat in perpetuity and complement existing Habitat Conservation Plan commitments.
When is the deadline and what are funding amounts?
The deadline is October 30, 2026. Awards range from $10,000 to $26,000,000 depending on project merit and available funding.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Ensure your State agency has an active Section 6(c) Cooperative Agreement and renewal confirmation before submitting.
- Identify specific parcels early and describe them thoroughly on SF-429 forms for eligibility consideration.
- Demonstrate how acquired land directly benefits listed species covered by an active HCP permit.
- Clearly show your non-Federal cost share commitment and how it leverages additional conservation investment.
- Align your acquisition project with existing Habitat Conservation Plan commitments as complementary, not replacement, conservation work.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applicants fail to document that their State agency has an active Section 6(c) Cooperative Agreement. Proposed parcels are not specifically identified on required SF-429 forms, making them ineligible. Applications don't clearly demonstrate how the land benefits listed species on an active Section 10(a)(1)(B) permit.
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