F26AS00051_FY 2026 Competitive State Wildlife Grant (C-SWG) Program_Funding Opportunity Announcement | Apply Online

FY 2026 Competitive State Wildlife Grant (C-SWG) Program (F26AS00051) FAQs

What is the FY 2026 Competitive State Wildlife Grant (C-SWG) Program?

The FY 2026 Competitive State Wildlife Grant (C-SWG) Program is a discretionary grant program run by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that provides federal cost-sharing support for proactive wildlife conservation. It focuses on strategic conservation actions that improve conditions for wildlife and their habitats before species decline to the point that Endangered Species Act (ESA) listing becomes necessary.

What is the main purpose of this funding opportunity?

The program is designed to prevent species from needing ESA protections by funding earlier conservation work that reduces threats, stabilizes or increases populations, and protects or restores key habitats. The emphasis is on proactive, measurable conservation outcomes rather than broad or general wildlife programming.

What is the funding opportunity number?

The Funding Opportunity Number is F26AS00051.

Who administers this grant program?

The program is run by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

What type of funding instrument is offered?

The Funding Instrument Type is a Grant.

What is the activity category for this opportunity?

The activity category is Natural Resources.

What is the CFDA/Assistance Listing number?

The CFDA/Assistance Listing number is 15.634.

Who is eligible to apply as the applicant of record?

Eligibility is limited to: (1) state, territory, and District of Columbia fish and wildlife agencies, and (2) the four regional associations of fish and wildlife agencies: NEAFWA, SEAFWA, MAFWA, and WAFWA.

Which organizations are not eligible to apply directly?

Universities, non-profits, for-profits, private landowners, individuals, and local governments are explicitly ineligible to apply directly and cannot serve as the applicant of record for this program.

Can ineligible organizations still be involved in a project?

Yes. Organizations that are not eligible to apply directly may still participate as partners or collaborators under an eligible applicant, but they cannot be the applicant of record.

What kinds of projects are expected to be competitive under this program?

Projects are expected to be clearly tied to on-the-ground conservation actions that advance priorities in State and Territory Wildlife Action Plans. The program prioritizes measurable outcomes that benefit Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) or the habitats those species rely on, and it encourages collaborative, cross-jurisdictional, landscape-scale approaches.

Is alignment with a Wildlife Action Plan required?

Yes. A central requirement is that funded projects align with and help implement State and Territory Wildlife Action Plans (Wildlife Action Plans). Proposals are expected to show a clear connection to priorities established in the applicable plan(s).

What are Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) in the context of this opportunity?

Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) are species identified in State and Territory Wildlife Action Plans as conservation priorities. Funded projects must benefit one or more SGCN identified in those plans, or directly benefit the habitats those species depend on.

Do projects have to benefit a species directly, or can they focus on habitat?

Projects may either benefit one or more Species of Greatest Conservation Need directly or directly benefit the habitats those species rely on, as identified in the relevant Wildlife Action Plan(s).

Does this opportunity emphasize partnerships and multi-state work?

Yes. The opportunity emphasizes partnerships and cross-jurisdictional, landscape-scale conservation. It is designed to encourage multi-partner and multi-area approaches, especially where conservation needs span state lines or require coordination across larger ecological regions.

Are there award tiers or partnership requirements?

Yes. The announcement references award tiers and related partnership requirements intended to encourage broader collaborations and work across boundaries. The specific tier structure and maximum federal share rules are described in the full announcement.

What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?

The award ceiling is $1,000,000.

How many awards are expected to be made?

The program expects to make approximately 16 awards.

Is this a competitive program?

Yes. The C-SWG Program is positioned as a competitive, cost-shared funding source for high-priority conservation work tied to Wildlife Action Plans.

Is cost-sharing part of this program?

Yes. The program provides federal cost-sharing support. Details such as maximum federal share rules are contained in the full announcement.

When was this funding opportunity created?

The opportunity was created on 2026-07-14.

What is the application closing date?

The application closing date is 2026-09-18.

What is the overall conservation goal behind the program?

The overall goal is to accelerate proactive, strategic conservation actions that reduce threats and improve conditions for wildlife and habitats so species do not decline to the point where ESA listing becomes necessary.

What geographic areas does this program cover?

The program is aimed at state, territory, and District of Columbia fish and wildlife agencies, and it encourages cross-jurisdictional efforts, including projects that span multiple states or broader ecological regions.

What level of outcomes does the program emphasize?

The program emphasizes measurable conservation outcomes tied to recognized statewide or territory-wide priorities, with a clear link to Wildlife Action Plan implementation and benefits to SGCN or their habitats.