F26AS00051_FY 2026 Competitive State Wildlife Grant (C-SWG) Program_Funding Opportunity Announcement
🏛 Fish and Wildlife Service (DOI-FWS)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 15, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for State, Territory, and District of Columbia fish and wildlife agencies, plus four regional associations of fish and wildlife agencies (NEAFWA, SEAFWA, MAFWA, and WAFWA). Only these entities can apply. Projects must address species of greatest conservation need identified in State and Territory Wildlife Action Plans.
Academic institutions, nonprofits, for-profit organizations, private landowners, and local government units cannot apply directly. Eligible agencies design and implement conservation programs benefiting wildlife and habitats.
The program prioritizes proactive conservation approaches that avoid Endangered Species Act regulatory requirements. Projects operate at state, territory, or regional scales.
⚖️ Cost sharing / matching required — applicants must contribute their own funds.
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Program description
The Competitive State Wildlife Grant (C-SWG) Program provides Federal cost-sharing awards that help the State, Territory, and District of Columbia fish and wildlife agencies and their regional associations design and implement proactive conservation programs benefiting wildlife and their habitats. Proactive approaches to conservation help these recipients and their conservation partners avoid more prescriptive Federal regulatory requirements associated with species listing under the Endangered Species Act.The C-SWG Program prioritizes implementation of conservation actions described in the State and Territory Wildlife Action Plans (Plans). Projects must benefit one or more species of greatest conservation need or their habitats as identified in the Plans.This announcement provides complete information on preparing and submitting an application, including details on award tiers, partnership requirements, and the maximum Federal share of an award. The award tiers and related requirements are intended to encourage partnerships dedicated to cross-jurisdictional conservation efforts supporting landscape-scale conservation.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- Application form (likely SF-424 and agency-specific forms)
- Project narrative describing conservation goals and activities
- Budget and budget narrative
- Evidence of cost-sharing commitments
- Alignment documentation with State/Territory Wildlife Action Plan
- Evidence of partnership agreements (if applicable)
Program contact
- 👤 Fish and Wildlife Service
- 📧 nicholas_popoff@fws.gov
- 📞 22041-3803
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 15.634 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$9,661,440
-
$6,306,212
-
$5,968,048
-
$5,458,943
-
$4,643,784
-
$3,962,264
-
$3,339,970
-
$3,190,856
-
$2,728,897
-
$2,675,500
Top States by Funding
- NY 4 awards $19.2M
- FL 8 awards $13.7M
- AK 4 awards $9.4M
- PA 7 awards $6.3M
- OH 4 awards $6.3M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 15.634). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $62,400,000 | |
| 2025 | $66,700,000 | |
| 2026 est. | $64,833,112 |
FAQ
Who can apply?
Only State and Territory fish and wildlife agencies, the District of Columbia fish and wildlife agency, and four regional fish and wildlife associations (NEAFWA, SEAFWA, MAFWA, WAFWA) are eligible. No nonprofits, universities, or other organizations can apply directly.
What projects does this fund?
Projects that benefit species of greatest conservation need or their habitats, as identified in State and Territory Wildlife Action Plans. Proactive conservation programs are prioritized.
What is the funding range?
Awards range from $50,000 to $1,000,000. The program prioritizes partnerships and landscape-scale conservation efforts.
When is the deadline?
The fixed deadline is September 18, 2026.
Is cost-sharing required?
Yes, cost-sharing is required. The federal share varies by award tier, with partnerships receiving more favorable federal match percentages.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Align projects with your State or Territory Wildlife Action Plan's species of greatest conservation need priorities. Applications that don't reference the Plan will be less competitive.
- Partner across jurisdictions when possible. The program rewards cross-jurisdictional and landscape-scale conservation partnerships with higher federal match percentages.
- Clearly document how your project avoids triggering ESA regulatory requirements. Frame proactive conservation benefits in the narrative.
- Budget conservatively and plan for required cost-sharing from the start. Know your maximum federal share based on award tier and partnership level.
- Start early on establishing partnerships and securing match funds. Multi-partner projects require more coordination time than single-agency efforts.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications fail to reference or align with State/Territory Wildlife Action Plan priorities. Projects proposing reactive rather than proactive conservation approaches lose points. Applicants underestimate cost-sharing requirements and submit budgets without confirmed match commitments.
Similar grants
- ROLLING C-SWG – Competitive State Wildlife Grants (FY26) — Illinois Department of Natural Resources
- ROLLING C-SWG – Competitive State Wildlife Grants (FY25) — Illinois Department of Natural Resources
- ROLLING SWG – State Wildlife Grants (FY25) — Illinois Department of Natural Resources
- CLOSED F27AS00009 2027 Multistate Conservation Grant Program Announcement — Fish and Wildlife Service
- ROLLING SWG – State Wildlife Grants (FY26) — Illinois Department of Natural Resources