Endangered Species Conservation – Wolf Livestock Loss Compensation and Prevention
🏛 Fish and Wildlife Service (DOI-FWS)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Oct 21, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for states and federally recognized tribes managing wolf depredation on livestock. Applicants must designate a state or tribal government agency to administer the program and establish dedicated accounts for grant funds. Eligible activities include both preventive measures (fencing, livestock guardians, range riders) and compensation for confirmed or probable wolf-caused livestock losses. Programs may operate on federal, state, private, or tribal lands.
Livestock producers are the ultimate beneficiaries, but must work through their state or tribal government. Applicants must demonstrate commitment to working with livestock producers and supporting continued grazing operations consistent with applicable law. Annual reporting to Fish and Wildlife Service is required, including claims summaries and expenditure documentation.
⚖️ Cost sharing / matching required — applicants must contribute their own funds.
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Program description
The Wolf Livestock Loss Demonstration Project Grant Program, authorized under Subtitle C of the Omnibus Public Lands Management Act of 2009, provides federal financial assistance to states and tribes for two primary purposes: depredation prevention and depredation compensation.
Depredation prevention funding supports livestock producers in implementing proactive, nonlethal strategies to reduce the risk of livestock losses from wolf depredation. Eligible activities include, but are not limited to, installing fencing, employing livestock-guarding dogs, and using range riders to patrol areas where livestock are vulnerable to wolf activity.
Depredation compensation funding reimburses livestock producers for losses resulting from confirmed or probable wolf depredation events. Eligible livestock include cattle, swine, horses, mules, sheep, goats, and livestock-guarding animals.
States and tribes may apply for reimbursement of livestock losses and/or funding for preventive management activities occurring on Federal, state, private, or tribal lands, including land owned by or held in trust for a tribe.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- Application form (likely SF-424 or agency-specific form)
- Project Narrative describing prevention and/or compensation activities
- Budget and Budget Narrative justifying costs and cost-share
- Evidence of agency designation and account establishment
- Cost-share verification and matching fund documentation
- Proposed claims management and documentation procedures
- Annual reporting plan
Program contact
- 👤 Fish and Wildlife Service
- 📧 kelly_niland@fws.gov
- 📞 22041-3803
Funding track record
No recent recipient data available for CFDA 15.666 in our database.
This can happen for newer programs, programs that use non-standard award types (loans, direct payments, fellowships), or those funded through sub-agencies under different codes.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 15.666). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $276,675 | |
| 2025 | $863,062 | |
| 2026 est. | $900,000 |
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
States and federally recognized tribes with a designated government agency to administer the program. Individual livestock producers cannot apply directly; they work through their state or tribal government.
What activities are eligible for funding?
Prevention activities like fencing, livestock-guarding dogs, and range riders. Compensation for confirmed or probable wolf-caused losses of cattle, sheep, horses, swine, goats, and livestock-guardian animals. Both can be funded by a single applicant.
Is cost-sharing required?
Yes, applicants must provide matching funds and document all expenditures. Receipts and proof of matching funds must be retained for reporting to Fish and Wildlife Service.
What's the typical funding range?
Awards range from $10,000 to $675,000 per grant. Total program funding is $1.35 million, so competitive applications are important.
When is the deadline?
The deadline is January 15, 2027. This is a fixed deadline; there is no rolling acceptance or multiple deadlines.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Clearly explain how your state or tribe will support livestock producers. Show your agency has established processes for managing claims and maintaining documentation.
- Distinguish between prevention and compensation funding in your proposal. Explain which activities you'll prioritize and why they match your region's wolf-livestock conflicts.
- Document your cost-share plan upfront. Specify sources of matching funds and how you'll track them. Cost-share is mandatory and reviewers verify feasibility.
- Demonstrate working relationships with livestock producers. Include letters of support or evidence of stakeholder engagement in your application.
- Propose realistic reporting systems. Outline how you'll track claims, maintain evidence, submit annual reports, and measure program effectiveness for Fish and Wildlife Service.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Failing to designate a lead agency or establish separate grant accounts before applying. Underestimating cost-share requirements or proposing unrealistic matching fund sources. Submitting vague depredation documentation procedures without showing how you'll verify claims and protect evidence.
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