Endangered Species Recovery Implementation

CFDA 15.657 Active Project Grants (Discretionary)
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Program Funding

Annual program obligations reported to SAM.gov.

Latest annual funding (estimated)
$24.2M FY2026
$4M
FY17
$10M
FY18
$22.1M
FY19
$9.6M
FY20
$22.5M
FY21
$30.9M
FY22
$28.4M
FY23
$52.1M
FY24
$83.5M
FY25*
$24.2M
FY26*
* estimated

Funded Projects

Examples of what this program has supported.

FY2024 Received 220 applications and 173 issued awards (153 Recovery Implementation, 17 Recovery Challenge and three for State of the Birds.)
FY2025 Recovery Implementation: Varies by Region. IRA funding included for FY 2025 NFWF project 57.5M. Recovery Challenge/SOTB: No applications or new projects are anticipated this fiscal year. Approximately $5M will be issued for incrementally funded awards already ongoing, subject to elevated DOI approval.
FY2026 Recovery Implementation: Varies by Region. Recovery Challenge/SOTB: In FY 2026, we anticipate funding ongoing Recovery Challenge awards and 15 new awards (subject to congressional appropriations and DOI approvals).

Program 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 recovery of species. Recovery Challenge: To provide federal financial assistance to eligible, non-Federal longstanding and new partners working on high priority recovery actions as identified by the Service in recovery plans, recovery strategies, or recovery outlines for Endangered Species Act endangered and threatened species. State of the Birds: To provide federal financial assistance to address the crises and challenges confronting birds in every part of the country by funding projects supporting the recovery of bird species listed under the Endangered Species Act.

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants

  • State governments
  • Local governments
  • Public nonprofits
  • Federally recognized tribes
  • For-profit organizations
  • Native American organizations
  • Private nonprofits

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.

Beneficiaries

  • 13
  • 14
  • 16
  • 20
  • 4
  • 5
  • 7
  • 9

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.

How to Apply

Application Procedure

Recovery Implementation NOFO only for FY 2025 (subject to DOI approval).

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.

Decision Timeline

  • Approval: From 90 to 120 days

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.

Program details & compliance

Use of Funds

Allowed Uses

Recovery Implementation:
This opportunity is limited to projects carrying out actions described in a species' approved recovery plan, in the implementation schedule of a species' approved recovery plan, or in a species’ recovery outline. The percentage of funds set aside for discretionary activities varies each year.

Recovery Challenge:
This opportunity is limited to projects carrying out actions described in a species' approved recovery plan, in the implementation schedule of a species' approved recovery plan, or in a species’ recovery outline. The amount of funds available is dependent on Congressional appropriations.

State of the Birds:
This opportunity is limited to projects carrying out actions implementing the recovery of bird species listed under the Endangered Species Act. The amount of funds available is dependent on Congressional appropriations.

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

Contacts

Amanda Murnane
(703) 358-2469
Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior, 5275 Leesburg Pike (MS:ES), Falls Church, VA 22041
Data from SAM.gov Federal Assistance Listings. Source published: 2025-09-02. Spec v1.0. Last synced: 2026-05-30 02:37:21.