Opportunity Information: Apply for F12AS00039
Apply for F12AS00039
- The Fish and Wildlife Service in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Wildlife Restoration Grant Program R5" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.611 Wildlife Restoration and Basic Hunter Education.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jan 26, 2012 and posted on Jan 25, 2012.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 31, 2013. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 50 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: State governments.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Wildlife Restoration Grant Program (often referred to as Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration) is a long-running federal funding program created under the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act of 1937 (16 U.S.C. 669-669k). It was designed to help states and territories pay for wildlife conservation work that benefits the public, including restoring and improving wildlife habitat, conducting wildlife management research, completing population surveys and inventories, acquiring land for wildlife purposes, and sharing the results of those efforts through public information and outreach tied directly to project outcomes. In 1970, Congress expanded the Act to also support hunter education and safety, including the development, operation, and maintenance of public firearm and archery ranges.
The program is administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) through the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration (WSFR) program and provides grant funding to state, commonwealth, and territorial fish and wildlife agencies. Eligible projects are broad but must align with the Act's purposes. In addition to core wildlife restoration work, the program explicitly supports hunter education and safety under Section 4(c). Those Section 4(c) activities can include training on safe firearms and archery handling, hunter responsibilities and ethics, survival skills, basic wildlife management and identification, and building or maintaining public shooting ranges. The overall intent of hunter education projects is to deliver a structured course of instruction with clear goals and measurable objectives that produce safer, more responsible hunters and support the agency's mission.
Funding comes from excise taxes on firearms, ammunition, handguns, and archery equipment. The Act splits certain excise tax revenues so that a portion is dedicated to hunter education and safety, while the remaining portion supports broader wildlife restoration purposes. Grant amounts are not set as a single competitive pool in this notice; instead, funds are apportioned by formula to states and territories, and final apportionment tables are published by USFWS. For Section 4(c) hunter education funds, apportionments are based largely on a state's share of the national population using the most recent census data, with statutory minimums and maximums: no state may receive more than 3 percent or less than 1 percent of total Hunter Education funds, and certain territories (including American Samoa, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands) and the Commonwealths of Puerto Rico and the Northern Mariana Islands are capped at up to one sixth of 1 percent. For general Wildlife Restoration apportionments, the formula is split evenly between land area (50 percent) and the number of paid hunting license holders (50 percent). For this portion, no state may receive more than 5 percent or less than one half of 1 percent of the total apportionment, with separate caps for Puerto Rico and the territories similar to those described above. States must certify their number of paid hunting license holders each year as part of administering the formula.
A key operational detail is that Wildlife Restoration grants function as a cost-reimbursement program rather than an upfront advance. The state agency typically pays project costs first and then requests reimbursement through WSFR. The federal share can reimburse up to 75 percent of eligible project costs, meaning the state must provide at least a 25 percent non-federal match. That match can include qualifying non-federal sources such as hunter license fees. For Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands, and certain territories, the match requirement may be reduced or waived at the Regional Director's discretion, and federal law requires waiver of the first $200,000 of match for each project for Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands. Allowable costs, matching rules, and cost principles are governed by cited federal regulations including 50 CFR 80 and parts of 43 CFR (including provisions covering cost sharing and allowable costs).
The program also includes time limits on the use of funds. Wildlife Restoration funds are generally available to a state for two years; if a state does not obligate the funds within that period, they revert to USFWS and are redirected under the Migratory Bird Conservation Act. Separately, interest accumulated from the Act is directed to the North American Wetland Conservation program. While only state and territorial fish and wildlife agencies may apply for and receive these grants, the program encourages partnerships with local governments and non-governmental organizations, typically as cooperators or partners supporting on-the-ground implementation.
To apply, the state agency submits a standard federal grant application package. Core components include SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance) signed by an authorized representative, plus either SF-424B (assurances for non-construction) or SF-424D (assurances for construction). Applicants must provide a project narrative that explains the need for the project, sets discrete and measurable objectives within a defined time period, describes expected benefits, and outlines the approach, schedule, key staff, and cooperators. The narrative must also include enough detail for USFWS to evaluate compliance with major federal environmental and cultural resource requirements, including NEPA, Endangered Species Act Section 7, and National Historic Preservation Act Section 106, and it must identify the project location (maps may be attached). A budget narrative is required as well, showing estimated costs by activity and cooperator, documenting any in-kind match and how it was valued, and explaining any program income and whether it will be treated as additive or deductive. Optional budget forms (SF-424A for non-construction or SF-424C for construction) may also be included.
Applications in this announcement were due to the appropriate WSFR Regional Office by August 31, 2013, and could be submitted either through Grants.gov or by mail. Electronic submission requires Grants.gov registration, including setting up an Authorized Organization Representative account, and submitting the standard forms plus narrative attachments (Word, PDF, or Excel). Mail submissions use forms available through the WSFR toolkit and are sent to the relevant USFWS Regional Office serving the state or territory. The program is also subject to Executive Order 12372 intergovernmental review in states that participate, meaning applicants may need to coordinate with their State Single Point of Contact and document that coordination on SF-424.
There are clear restrictions and compliance expectations. Projects must provide public benefits, and the announcement identifies enforcement activities and public relations activities as ineligible. Before approving a grant, USFWS requires compliance with applicable environmental and cultural resource laws (ESA, NEPA, NHPA). Administrative requirements include having a DUNS number (as required by OMB policy at the time), maintaining active federal registration (the notice references CCR, a predecessor to later systems), and participating in the Automated Standard Application for Payments (ASAP) system for payment processing. Award decisions are made by the USFWS Regional Director or designee, and recipients must follow federal reporting and recordkeeping rules for financial and performance reports and for retention and access to records. Finally, the notice emphasizes that no project is financially guaranteed until an authorized USFWS financial officer signs the award, even if a proposal is otherwise recommended or tentatively approved.
Wildlife Restoration Grant Program (Pittman-Robertson) FAQs
What is the Wildlife Restoration Grant Program (Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration)?
The Wildlife Restoration Grant Program is a federal funding program created under the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act of 1937 (16 U.S.C. 669-669k). It helps states and territories carry out wildlife conservation work that benefits the public, such as restoring and improving habitat, conducting wildlife research, completing surveys and inventories, acquiring land for wildlife purposes, and providing public information and outreach tied directly to project results.
Who administers this program?
The program is administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) through the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration (WSFR) program.
Who is eligible to apply for and receive these grants?
Only state, commonwealth, and territorial fish and wildlife agencies may apply for and receive Wildlife Restoration grant funds.
Can local governments, nonprofits, or other organizations apply directly?
No. The notice states that only state and territorial fish and wildlife agencies may apply and receive awards. However, the program encourages partnerships with local governments and non-governmental organizations, typically as cooperators or partners that support implementation.
What types of projects can be funded under the Act?
Eligible projects are broad but must align with the Act's purposes. Examples listed in the notice include wildlife habitat restoration and improvement, wildlife management research, population surveys and inventories, land acquisition for wildlife purposes, and public information and outreach tied directly to project outcomes.
Does the program support hunter education and safety?
Yes. Congress expanded the Act in 1970 to support hunter education and safety, including the development, operation, and maintenance of public firearm and archery ranges. The notice references this as Section 4(c) support.
What kinds of hunter education and safety activities are supported (Section 4(c))?
The notice describes Section 4(c) activities such as training on safe firearms and archery handling, hunter responsibilities and ethics, survival skills, basic wildlife management and identification, and building or maintaining public shooting ranges.
What is the overall intent of hunter education projects under this program?
The intent is to deliver a structured course of instruction with clear goals and measurable objectives that produce safer, more responsible hunters and support the agency's mission.
Where does the funding come from?
Funding comes from excise taxes on firearms, ammunition, handguns, and archery equipment. The Act splits certain excise tax revenues so that a portion is dedicated to hunter education and safety and the remaining portion supports broader wildlife restoration purposes.
Is this a competitive grant with a single national pool of funds?
No. The notice states that grant amounts are not set as a single competitive pool. Instead, funds are apportioned by formula to states and territories, and final apportionment tables are published by USFWS.
How are Section 4(c) hunter education and safety funds apportioned?
Section 4(c) apportionments are based largely on a state's share of the national population using the most recent census data, with statutory minimums and maximums. No state may receive more than 3 percent or less than 1 percent of total Hunter Education funds. Certain territories (including American Samoa, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands) and the Commonwealths of Puerto Rico and the Northern Mariana Islands are capped at up to one sixth of 1 percent.
How are general Wildlife Restoration funds apportioned?
The general Wildlife Restoration apportionment formula is split evenly between land area (50 percent) and the number of paid hunting license holders (50 percent). No state may receive more than 5 percent or less than one half of 1 percent of the total apportionment, with separate caps for Puerto Rico and the territories similar to those described in the notice.
Do states have to report or certify hunting license holder numbers?
Yes. States must certify their number of paid hunting license holders each year as part of administering the formula.
How does payment work (advance vs. reimbursement)?
Wildlife Restoration grants function as a cost-reimbursement program rather than an upfront advance. The state agency typically pays project costs first and then requests reimbursement through WSFR.
What is the maximum federal cost share?
The federal share can reimburse up to 75 percent of eligible project costs.
What match is required from the state or territory?
Because the federal share can be up to 75 percent, the state must provide at least a 25 percent non-federal match.
What can count toward the non-federal match?
The notice states the match can include qualifying non-federal sources such as hunter license fees. It also notes that applicants should document in-kind match and how it was valued in the budget narrative.
Are there reduced or waived match provisions for Puerto Rico and the territories?
Yes. For Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands, and certain territories, the match requirement may be reduced or waived at the Regional Director's discretion. In addition, federal law requires waiver of the first $200,000 of match for each project for Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands.
Which regulations govern allowable costs and cost sharing?
The notice cites federal regulations including 50 CFR 80 and parts of 43 CFR (including provisions covering cost sharing and allowable costs) as governing allowable costs, matching rules, and cost principles.
How long are Wildlife Restoration funds available for obligation?
The notice states that Wildlife Restoration funds are generally available to a state for two years. If a state does not obligate the funds within that period, they revert to USFWS and are redirected under the Migratory Bird Conservation Act.
What happens to interest accumulated from the Act?
The notice states that interest accumulated from the Act is directed to the North American Wetland Conservation program.
What are examples of ineligible activities or restrictions mentioned in the notice?
The notice emphasizes that projects must provide public benefits and identifies enforcement activities and public relations activities as ineligible.
What application forms are required?
The notice describes a standard federal grant application package that includes SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance) signed by an authorized representative, plus either SF-424B (assurances for non-construction) or SF-424D (assurances for construction).
What must be included in the project narrative?
The project narrative must explain the need for the project; set discrete and measurable objectives within a defined time period; describe expected benefits; and outline the approach, schedule, key staff, and cooperators. It must also include enough detail for USFWS to evaluate compliance with major federal environmental and cultural resource requirements and identify the project location (maps may be attached).
Which environmental and cultural compliance requirements are specifically referenced?
The notice specifically references compliance with NEPA, Endangered Species Act (ESA) Section 7, and National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) Section 106.
Is a budget narrative required? What details should it cover?
Yes. The notice requires a budget narrative showing estimated costs by activity and cooperator, documenting any in-kind match and how it was valued, and explaining any program income and whether it will be treated as additive or deductive.
Are any additional budget forms optional?
Yes. The notice says optional budget forms may be included: SF-424A for non-construction or SF-424C for construction.
How could applications be submitted under this announcement?
Applications could be submitted to the appropriate WSFR Regional Office by August 31, 2013, either through Grants.gov or by mail.
What file formats were acceptable for electronic narrative attachments?
The notice states that narrative attachments could be submitted electronically in Word, PDF, or Excel formats.
What additional steps are required to submit through Grants.gov?
The notice indicates electronic submission requires Grants.gov registration, including setting up an Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) account, and submitting standard forms plus narrative attachments.
Where are mailed applications sent?
Mailed submissions are sent to the relevant USFWS Regional Office serving the state or territory, using forms available through the WSFR toolkit.
Does this program involve intergovernmental review under Executive Order 12372?
Yes. The notice states the program is subject to Executive Order 12372 intergovernmental review in states that participate. Applicants may need to coordinate with their State Single Point of Contact and document that coordination on SF-424.
What federal registrations or identifiers were required in the notice?
The notice references administrative requirements including having a DUNS number (as required by OMB policy at the time) and maintaining active federal registration (the notice references CCR, described as a predecessor to later systems).
What payment processing system is referenced?
The notice references participation in the Automated Standard Application for Payments (ASAP) system for payment processing.
Who makes award decisions?
Award decisions are made by the USFWS Regional Director or designee.
Are recipients subject to reporting and recordkeeping requirements?
Yes. The notice states recipients must follow federal reporting and recordkeeping rules for financial and performance reports and for retention and access to records.
When is funding considered officially awarded or guaranteed?
The notice emphasizes that no project is financially guaranteed until an authorized USFWS financial officer signs the award, even if a proposal is otherwise recommended or tentatively approved.
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