Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program

(WHIP)
CFDA 10.914 Active Cooperative Agreement Other Financial Assistance
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Program Funding

Annual program obligations reported to SAM.gov.

Latest annual funding (estimated)
$2.3M FY2026
$75K
FY24
$128K
FY25
$2.3M
FY26*
* estimated

Program Objective

To help participants protect, restore, develop or enhance habitat for upland wildlife, wetland wildlife, threatened and endangered species, fisheries, and other types of wildlife.

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants

  • Unrestricted by Entity Type
  • Unrestricted by Individual Type

Applicant must meet Highly Erodible Land and Wetland Conservation (HEL/WC) requirements, Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) requirements, verification that applicant will be in control of land for the duration of a contract.

How to Apply

Award Procedure

NRCS may designate a wildlife habitat type or a region of special wildlife habitat concern as a priority. The priorities are designated by the State Conservationist based on recommendations of local working groups which are convened by the local conservation district with recommendations from the State Technical Committee. NRCS will give special consideration to applicants who have WPOs that address wildlife habitat concerns consistent with National and state priorities. Applications will be ranked and selected for funding.

Program details & compliance

Description

Technical assistance is provided to develop a WHIP Plan of Operation (WPO) for eligible participants. Cost-share payments may be made to implement fish and wildlife habitat conservation practices. Up to seventy-five percent cost-share is available from NRCS to reimburse participants for installing conservation practices beneficial to wildlife.

Mission Categories

Primary: Agriculture Stabilization and Conservation

Other categories:
ForestrySustainable Agricultural Systems

Use of Funds

Restrictions

non-eligibility for land already under other USDA conservation programs (e.g., CRP), ineligibility of federal land, and requirements for a developed WHIP plan of operations (WPO).

Required Documentation

Evidence that applicant has control over land to be entered into contract and submits an acceptable Wildlife Habitat Development Plan for the land unit of concern that incorporates needed wildlife habitat conservation practices.

Reporting & Compliance

Records Retention
10 years

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

Formula

No additional information.

Contacts

Myron Taylor, Branch Chief, Programs Branch, Financial Assistance Programs Division
202-609-2191
1400 Independence Ave. SW Room 4534-S, Washington, DC 20250
Data from SAM.gov Federal Assistance Listings. Source published: 2026-02-04. Spec v2.0. Last synced: 2026-05-29 05:35:45.