Opportunity Information: Apply for F15AS00004
Apply for F15AS00004
- The Fish and Wildlife Service in the environment natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "The Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.631 Partners for Fish and Wildlife.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jan 30, 2015 and posted on Oct 7, 2014.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Sep 30, 2015 For the full program announcement and applications, please click the Full Announcement link above.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $52,000,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $500,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 5,000 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education City or township governments Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments) Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Small businesses Public and State controlled institutions of higher education For profit organizations other than small businesses State governments Individuals Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) County governments Private institutions of higher education.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Partners for Fish and Wildlife (PFW) Program is a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service grant opportunity focused on restoring and conserving fish and wildlife habitat through voluntary, incentive-based partnerships, especially with private landowners. The program provides two main types of support: hands-on technical assistance from Service staff and financial assistance awarded through cooperative agreements. The underlying purpose is to improve habitat conditions in ways that benefit federal trust resources (species and habitats the federal government has specific responsibilities to protect), while also promoting broader biological diversity. Projects supported under this program are expected to be grounded in sound science and designed to produce real, on-the-ground habitat outcomes rather than purely planning or administrative activities.
A defining feature of PFW is how it is organized and delivered. The program operates nationally with more than 250 full-time staff working across all 50 states and U.S. territories. Those staff members work closely with partners, local stakeholders, and other Fish and Wildlife Service programs to identify geographic focus areas where the program will prioritize effort and funding. Within these focus areas, the program sets habitat conservation priorities, and individual project work plans are developed strategically with substantial involvement from Service field staff. In practical terms, that means applicants are not working in isolation; the program expects coordination, alignment with regional priorities, and early communication with the relevant PFW office to ensure proposed work fits the program mission and targeted landscapes.
Funding is offered as discretionary support using a cooperative agreement instrument (rather than a standard grant), which typically implies a higher level of federal involvement during project implementation. The opportunity listed an estimated total funding amount of $52,000,000 and anticipated a very large number of awards (expected awards: 5,000), indicating many projects are relatively small to moderate in scale, although larger projects are possible. The award ceiling is $500,000, and the stated award floor is $0, meaning award sizes can vary widely depending on the project scope and regional priorities. There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement stated for this opportunity, which can reduce barriers for applicants who may not have significant non-federal matching funds available.
Eligibility is broad and includes individuals; private landowners (implied by the program design even if not listed as a category); nonprofit organizations (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3)); small businesses; for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); institutions of higher education (public/state-controlled and private); and multiple levels of government including city/township, county, and state governments. Tribal eligibility includes both federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations. This wide eligibility reflects the program's partnership model, where restoration and conservation projects may be led by many different entities as long as they align with PFW priorities and are implemented in coordination with the Service.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to review the PFW Program strategic plan because those strategic plans shape what types of projects are most likely to be funded in a given region and focus area. The announcement also explicitly advises contacting the regional PFW Program office before applying, which suggests that pre-application consultation can help applicants confirm fit, refine scope, and better align their proposal with current conservation priorities. The funding opportunity is identified as Funding Opportunity Number F15AS00004 under CFDA 15.631 (Partners for Fish and Wildlife). The posting timeline in the notice shows it was posted October 7, 2014, with an original and current closing date of September 30, 2015, and an archive date of October 7, 2015. Additional details and application materials were directed to Grants.gov, and a contact was provided for access issues: Michael Murray at 703-358-2031 or michaelmurray@fws.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Partners for Fish and Wildlife (PFW) Program
1) What is the Partners for Fish and Wildlife (PFW) Program?
The Partners for Fish and Wildlife (PFW) Program is a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service funding opportunity that supports restoration and conservation of fish and wildlife habitat through voluntary, incentive-based partnerships. It is especially oriented toward working with private landowners and other partners to produce real, on-the-ground habitat improvements.
2) What kinds of support does PFW provide?
PFW provides two primary forms of support: (1) hands-on technical assistance from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service staff and (2) financial assistance awarded through cooperative agreements.
3) What is the main purpose of this funding opportunity?
The purpose is to improve habitat conditions in ways that benefit federal trust resources (species and habitats the federal government has specific responsibilities to protect) while also promoting broader biological diversity.
4) Does PFW fund planning-only or administrative projects?
Projects are expected to be grounded in sound science and designed to produce tangible habitat outcomes on the ground. The program description emphasizes outcomes rather than purely planning or administrative activities.
5) What is meant by a "voluntary, incentive-based partnership" approach?
The program is designed to work cooperatively with partners (including private landowners and other eligible entities) through voluntary participation, supported by technical assistance and/or financial assistance to encourage habitat restoration and conservation work.
6) How is the PFW Program organized and delivered?
PFW operates nationally with more than 250 full-time staff across all 50 states and U.S. territories. Service staff work with partners and stakeholders to identify geographic focus areas where effort and funding are prioritized.
7) What are geographic focus areas, and why do they matter?
Geographic focus areas are landscapes identified through coordination among Service staff, partners, and stakeholders. Within these areas, PFW prioritizes certain habitat conservation needs, and proposed projects are expected to align with these priorities.
8) Do applicants need to coordinate with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service staff?
Yes. The program description emphasizes that applicants are not expected to work in isolation. It expects coordination, alignment with regional priorities, and early communication with the relevant PFW office so proposed work fits the program mission and targeted landscapes.
9) Is pre-application contact with the regional PFW office recommended?
Yes. The announcement explicitly advises contacting the regional PFW Program office before applying, indicating that consultation can help confirm program fit and better align a proposal with conservation priorities.
10) What funding instrument is used (grant vs. cooperative agreement)?
Funding is provided using a cooperative agreement (rather than a standard grant). The description notes that this typically implies a higher level of federal involvement during project implementation.
11) How much total funding is estimated to be available?
The opportunity lists an estimated total funding amount of $52,000,000.
12) How many awards are expected?
The opportunity anticipates a very large number of awards, with expected awards listed as 5,000.
13) What is the maximum award amount (ceiling)?
The award ceiling is listed as $500,000.
14) What is the minimum award amount (floor)?
The award floor is listed as $0, indicating award sizes can vary widely depending on project scope and regional priorities.
15) Is cost sharing or matching required?
No cost-sharing or matching requirement is stated for this opportunity.
16) Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes individuals; nonprofit organizations (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3)); small businesses; for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); institutions of higher education (public/state-controlled and private); and government entities at city/township, county, and state levels. Tribal eligibility includes federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations.
17) Are private landowners eligible?
The program is described as especially focused on partnerships with private landowners. While private landowners are not listed as a separate eligibility category in the summary provided, the design and stated emphasis of the program implies they can be key partners and participants.
18) What types of projects are most likely to be competitive?
Projects are expected to align with PFW geographic focus areas and habitat conservation priorities, be grounded in sound science, and deliver real habitat outcomes. The notice also encourages reviewing the PFW Program strategic plan, which shapes regionally relevant priorities.
19) Why should applicants review the PFW Program strategic plan?
Applicants are strongly encouraged to review the strategic plan because it helps define which project types and habitat priorities are most likely to be funded in a given region and focus area.
20) Where can applicants find application materials?
The notice directs applicants to Grants.gov for additional details and application materials.
21) What is the Funding Opportunity Number and CFDA number?
The Funding Opportunity Number is F15AS00004. The CFDA number is 15.631 (Partners for Fish and Wildlife).
22) What were the posting and closing dates listed in the notice?
The notice indicates the opportunity was posted on October 7, 2014. The original and current closing date shown is September 30, 2015. The archive date is October 7, 2015.
23) Who can be contacted for Grants.gov access issues?
The notice provides a contact for access issues: Michael Murray at 703-358-2031 or michaelmurray@fws.gov.
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Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (F15AS00004) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| The Coastal Program Apply for F15AS00005 Funding Number: F15AS00005 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment Natural Resources Funding Amount: $500,000 |
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| Yosemite Valley Merced River Restoration Develop In Channel Structures to Restore River Function Apply for P15AS00005 Funding Number: P15AS00005 Agency: National Park Service Category: Environment Natural Resources Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Water conservation Field Services Program LCRO Apply for R15AS00016 Funding Number: R15AS00016 Agency: Bureau of Reclamation Category: Environment Natural Resources Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Water Conservation Field Services Program SCAO Apply for R15AS00017 Funding Number: R15AS00017 Agency: Bureau of Reclamation Category: Environment Natural Resources Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Water Conservation Field Services Program YAO Apply for R15AS00018 Funding Number: R15AS00018 Agency: Bureau of Reclamation Category: Environment Natural Resources Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Water Conservation Field Services Program PXAO Apply for R15AS00020 Funding Number: R15AS00020 Agency: Bureau of Reclamation Category: Environment Natural Resources Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Fiscal Year 2015 Recovery Implementation Fund Apply for F15AS00038 Funding Number: F15AS00038 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment Natural Resources Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Fiscal Year 2015 Candidate Conservation Action Funds Apply for F15AS00039 Funding Number: F15AS00039 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment Natural Resources Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Develop business plan Apply for F15AS00044 Funding Number: F15AS00044 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment Natural Resources Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| Region 2 Firearm and Bow Hunter Safety and Education Program (Section 10 Hunter Education Program) (TO STATE FISH AND GAME AGENCIES ONLY in Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas) Apply for F15AS00047 Funding Number: F15AS00047 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment Natural Resources Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Region 2 Sport Fish Restoration Grant Program (TO STATE FISH AND GAME AGENCIES ONLY in Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas) Apply for F15AS00048 Funding Number: F15AS00048 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment Natural Resources Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Region 2 Wildlife Restoration Grant Program (TO STATE FISH AND GAME AGENCIES ONLY in Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas) Apply for F15AS00049 Funding Number: F15AS00049 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment Natural Resources Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| FY15 Pacific Brant mid winter ground surveys in Mexico Apply for F15AS00057 Funding Number: F15AS00057 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment Natural Resources Funding Amount: $118,600 |
| Migratory Bird Joint Ventures Program USFWS Southwest Region, Sonoran Joint Venture FY 2015 Awards Program Apply for F15AS00078 Funding Number: F15AS00078 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment Natural Resources Funding Amount: $10,000 |
| Migratory Bird Joint Ventures Program USFWS Southwest Region, Playa Lakes Joint Venture Base Operations FY 2015 Apply for F15AS00083 Funding Number: F15AS00083 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment Natural Resources Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Wildlife Without Borders Latin America and the Caribbean (Central America) Apply for F15AS00098 Funding Number: F15AS00098 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment Natural Resources Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| 2015 State Interstate Aquatic Nuisance Species Management Plan Program Apply for F15AS00108 Funding Number: F15AS00108 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment Natural Resources Funding Amount: $40,000 |
| National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Apply for F15AS00113 Funding Number: F15AS00113 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment Natural Resources Funding Amount: $98,694 |
| Wildlife Without Borders Latin America and the Caribbean (South America) Apply for F15AS00118 Funding Number: F15AS00118 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment Natural Resources Funding Amount: $50,000 |
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