Adaptive Science

CFDA 15.670 Active Grant
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Program Funding

Annual program obligations reported to SAM.gov.

Latest annual funding (estimated)
$10M FY2026
$26.6M
FY24
$24.6M
FY25
$10M
FY26*
* estimated

Funded Projects

Examples of what this program has supported.

FY2025 Program received 35 applications and issued 17 awards.
FY2026 Program anticipates receiving 75 applications and issuing 35 awards.

Program Objective

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) uses a science-based, adaptive framework for setting and achieving broad-scale conservation objectives that strategically address the problems fish and wildlife will face in the future. This framework, called Strategic Habitat Conservation, is based on the principles of adaptive management and uses population and habitat data, ecological models, and focused monitoring and assessment efforts to develop and implement strategies that result in measurable fish and wildlife population outcomes. This process uses the best available scientific information to predict how fish and wildlife populations will respond to changes in the environment, thus enabling the USFWS to focus habitat conservation and other management activities where they will be most effective. In addition, the USFWS needs focused, applied science directed at high impact questions surrounding threats to fish and wildlife resources for which management and/or mitigation is required to maintain species at healthy, sustainable, desired levels. USFWS must base its decisions on the best science available, in order to defend its regulatory decisions, biological opinions and species conservation recommendations to land managers.

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants

  • Unrestricted by Entity Type

Support will be provided to communicate science information, tools, assessments, and other products. This program is administered in compliance with the Federal Grants and Cooperative Agreements Act of 1977, as amended. These funds may not be used towards training U.S. Federal Government personnel or purchase of real property. 100% of funding is discretionary.

Beneficiaries

  • Unrestricted by Entity Type

Support will be provided to communicate science information, tools, assessments, and other products. This program is administered in compliance with the Federal Grants and Cooperative Agreements Act of 1977, as amended. These funds may not be used towards training U.S. Federal Government personnel or purchase of real property. 100% of funding is discretionary.

How to Apply

Award Procedure

The USFWS Directorate identifies priority needs. Applications for funding will be reviewed and approved by USFWS staff based on the project-specific review criteria to be detailed in the funding opportunity posting. USFWS staff will notify applicants of review results by either issuing a fully executed Award either electronically or through the mail, or by sending written notification to the applicant that the application will not be funded.

Typically within 180 days of proposal receipt.

Program details & compliance

Description

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) uses a science-based, adaptive framework for setting and achieving broad-scale conservation objectives that strategically address the problems fish and wildlife will face in the future. This framework, called Strategic Habitat Conservation, is based on the principles of adaptive management and uses population and habitat data, ecological models, and focused monitoring and assessment efforts to develop and implement strategies that result in measurable fish and wildlife population outcomes. This process uses the best available scientific information to predict how fish and wildlife populations will respond to changes in the environment, thus enabling the USFWS to focus habitat conservation and other management activities where they will be most effective. In addition, the USFWS needs focused, applied science directed at high impact questions surrounding threats to fish and wildlife resources for which management and/or mitigation is required to maintain species at healthy, sustainable, desired levels. USFWS must base its decisions on the best science available, in order to defend its regulatory decisions, biological opinions and species conservation recommendations to land managers.

Mission Categories

Primary: Fish and Wildlife Preservation

Use of Funds

Allowed Uses

Support will be provided for science projects: to include species risk and vulnerability assessments, inventory and monitoring, population and habitat assessments, biological planning and conservation design, ecosystem services, indigenous knowledge management evaluation and research, decision support, data management, and conservation genetics; to identify and implement landscape-scale conservation solutions to such issues as adaptation, land use change, invasive species spread, and fire frequency changes; and to address high impact questions surrounding threats to fish wildlife, and plants, providing answers needed to manage species to healthy, sustainable, desired levels. Support will provided for science projects and collaborative partnerships that identify and address shared conservation priorities and science needs; inform landscape-scale planning and tools that support decision-making for at-risk and listed fish and wildlife species and their habitats; and link science to coordinated, efficient resource management actions.
Support will be provided to communicate science information, tools, assessments, and other products. This program is administered in compliance with the Federal Grants and Cooperative Agreements Act of 1977, as amended. These funds may not be used towards training U.S. Federal Government personnel or purchase of real property. 100% of funding is discretionary.

Restrictions

Support will be provided to communicate science information, tools, assessments, and other products. This program is administered in compliance with the Federal Grants and Cooperative Agreements Act of 1977, as amended. These funds may not be used towards training U.S. Federal Government personnel or purchase of real property. 100% of funding is discretionary.

Reporting & Compliance

Records Retention
3 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

Contacts

Anthony Hewitt — Science Applications
(612) 505-8162
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior, 5275 Leesburg Pike MS: SA, Falls Church, VA 22041-3803
Data from SAM.gov Federal Assistance Listings. Source published: 2026-07-07. Spec v2.0. Last synced: 2026-07-08 03:01:31.