Opportunity Information: Apply for F18AS00011
The Partners for Fish and Wildlife (PFW) Program is a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service grant opportunity that supports habitat restoration and conservation projects on private lands through a voluntary, incentive-based approach. Instead of focusing on regulation, the program offers hands-on technical help and financial support through cooperative agreements, with the goal of improving fish and wildlife habitat in ways that benefit federal trust resources and species. It is implemented nationwide, with more than 250 full-time staff working across all 50 states and U.S. territories, which means applicants are generally expected to work closely with local or regional program staff rather than treating it like a purely paper-based, one-size-fits-all grant.
A central feature of the program is its use of geographic focus areas. These focus areas are identified through coordination among PFW staff, partners, stakeholders, and other U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service programs, and they guide where the program prioritizes funding and staff time. Within these areas, the program develops habitat conservation priorities so that individual projects fit into a larger strategy rather than being isolated efforts. Project work plans are built strategically and typically involve substantial input from field staff, reflecting the cooperative agreement structure where agency involvement is more active than it would be under a standard grant.
To be competitive and eligible for support, proposed projects must align with the missions of the Department of the Interior, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the PFW Program itself. Projects are expected to promote biological diversity and be grounded in sound scientific biological principles. The types of projects that the program funds are shaped by program strategic plans, so applicants are expected to demonstrate that their proposed habitat work matches those established priorities and contributes to conservation outcomes for federal trust species.
The opportunity is listed as discretionary funding using a cooperative agreement funding instrument, under the environment and natural resources activity category (CFDA number 15.631). Eligibility is described as unrestricted, which suggests a wide range of applicants may participate, but the program description emphasizes private landowners as key recipients of assistance, often working in partnership with conservation organizations, local governments, tribes, or other stakeholders depending on the project and location. A major practical requirement is early coordination: applicants are specifically asked to contact the appropriate PFW Regional Program office before developing or submitting an application. The program strongly signals that initial consultation is not optional in practice, because it helps align proposals with focus areas, biological priorities, and local implementation considerations.
From the provided opportunity details, the funding opportunity number is F18AS00011, and the stated award ceiling is $750,000. The opportunity anticipated a large volume of awards (expected awards listed as 3,000), reflecting that many projects may be relatively small, site-specific habitat restoration efforts spread across the country rather than a small number of large awards. The original closing date listed is 2018-09-30, and the opportunity record shows a creation date of 2017-10-30, indicating this particular notice was tied to that funding cycle, even though the broader PFW Program continues under its authorizing authorities.
The legal authorities supporting the program include the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Act of 2006 (Public Law 109-294), the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 (16 U.S.C. 742a-c, 747e-742j), and the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act of 1958 (16 U.S.C. 661-667(e)). Taken together, these authorities underline the program's longstanding federal role in partnering with non-federal landowners and stakeholders to conserve habitat and support fish and wildlife resources through collaborative, science-based restoration and management.Apply for F18AS00011
- The Fish and Wildlife Service in the environment, natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Partners for Fish and Wildlife" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.631.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2017-10-30.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2018-09-30. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $750,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 3,000 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted.
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Partners for Fish and Wildlife (PFW) Program Grant (CFDA 15.631) - FAQs
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 habitat restoration and conservation projects on private lands. It uses a voluntary, incentive-based approach that emphasizes cooperation and practical habitat improvements rather than regulation.
What does the program help pay for or support?
The program provides hands-on technical assistance and financial support for habitat restoration and conservation projects that improve fish and wildlife habitat. Support is provided through cooperative agreements, meaning U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service staff are typically involved in shaping and implementing the project work plan.
Is this a standard grant or a cooperative agreement?
This opportunity uses a cooperative agreement as the funding instrument. In practical terms, that signals more active involvement by the agency compared to a typical grant, including substantial input from field staff during project planning and implementation.
Who is this program designed to help?
The program description emphasizes private landowners as key recipients of assistance. Depending on the location and project, work may also involve partnerships with conservation organizations, local governments, tribes, and other stakeholders.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is described as unrestricted, suggesting a wide range of applicants may participate. However, the opportunity description focuses on habitat work on private lands and highlights coordination with local or regional program staff as a practical expectation.
What types of projects are considered competitive?
Competitive projects align with the missions of the Department of the Interior, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the PFW Program. Projects are expected to promote biological diversity, be grounded in sound scientific biological principles, and match program strategic plans and habitat conservation priorities.
Do projects have to benefit specific species?
Projects are expected to improve habitat in ways that benefit federal trust resources and species. Applicants should be prepared to show how the proposed habitat work contributes to conservation outcomes for federal trust species.
What are geographic focus areas, and why do they matter?
PFW uses geographic focus areas to guide where funding and staff time are prioritized. Focus areas are identified through coordination among PFW staff, partners, stakeholders, and other U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service programs. Projects within these areas are expected to fit into broader habitat conservation priorities rather than being isolated, stand-alone efforts.
Do I need to be located in a geographic focus area to be funded?
The program prioritizes funding and staff time through geographic focus areas and develops habitat conservation priorities within them. The opportunity emphasizes early coordination with the appropriate regional office to confirm alignment with focus areas and local priorities.
How important is it to coordinate with PFW staff before applying?
Early coordination is presented as a major practical requirement. Applicants are specifically asked to contact the appropriate PFW Regional Program office before developing or submitting an application, because consultation helps align the proposal with focus areas, biological priorities, and local implementation considerations.
Is the program available nationwide?
Yes. The program is implemented nationwide, with more than 250 full-time staff working across all 50 states and U.S. territories. Applicants should generally expect to work closely with local or regional staff.
What is the CFDA number and activity category for this opportunity?
The opportunity is listed under CFDA number 15.631 and is categorized under the environment and natural resources activity category.
Is this funding discretionary?
Yes. The opportunity is listed as discretionary funding.
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number provided is F18AS00011.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The stated award ceiling for this opportunity is $750,000.
How many awards were expected under this opportunity notice?
The opportunity lists expected awards as 3,000, which suggests many projects may be relatively small and site-specific habitat restoration efforts distributed across the country.
What were the key dates shown in the opportunity record?
The opportunity record shows a creation date of 2017-10-30 and an original closing date of 2018-09-30. This indicates the notice was tied to that funding cycle, even though the broader PFW Program continues under its authorizing authorities.
What laws authorize or support the PFW Program?
The opportunity lists several legal authorities, including the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Act of 2006 (Public Law 109-294), the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 (16 U.S.C. 742a-c, 747e-742j), and the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act of 1958 (16 U.S.C. 661-667(e)). These authorities reflect the longstanding federal role in partnering with non-federal landowners and stakeholders to conserve habitat through collaborative, science-based restoration and management.
What makes this program different from a regulatory conservation approach?
The program is described as voluntary and incentive-based. Rather than relying on regulation, it offers technical assistance and financial support to encourage habitat restoration and conservation on private lands.
What should a project work plan look like under this program?
Project work plans are built strategically and typically involve substantial input from field staff. Because the instrument is a cooperative agreement, applicants should expect a more collaborative process where agency involvement is active during planning and implementation.
What should applicants do first if they are interested?
The opportunity specifically directs applicants to contact the appropriate PFW Regional Program office before developing or submitting an application. Early consultation helps confirm whether the proposed work aligns with geographic focus areas, habitat priorities, and local implementation needs.
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