Opportunity ID: 363691
General Information
| Funding Opportunity Number | F26AS00071 |
| Funding Opportunity Title | F26AS00071 Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund: Habitat Conservation Plan Land Acquisition Grants |
| Agency | Fish and Wildlife Service |
| Document Type | synopsis |
| Version | 1 |
| Opportunity Category | Discretionary |
| Opportunity Category Explanation | Not specified |
| Funding Instrument Type | Grant |
| Category of Funding Activity | Environment |
| Category Explanation | Not specified |
| Expected Number of Awards | 10 |
| Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement | Yes |
| Posted Date | Aug 24, 2026 12:00:00 AM EDT |
| Last Updated Date | Aug 24, 2026 09:26:13 AM EDT |
| Original Closing Date | Oct 30, 2026 12:00:00 AM EDT |
| Original Closing Date Notes | 10/30/2026Electronically submitted applications must be submitted no later than 11:59 PM, ET, on the listed application due date.This program requires the submission of applications online through GrantSolutions.gov as applicants will receive an acknowledgment of application receipt. GrantSolutions automatically generates an electronic date and time stamp in the system upon application receipt. Applicants are encouraged to verify the completeness of their application package before submission using the checklist provided in this Funding Opportunity. |
| Current Closing Date | Oct 30, 2026 12:00:00 AM EDT |
| Current Closing Date Notes | 10/30/2026Electronically submitted applications must be submitted no later than 11:59 PM, ET, on the listed application due date.This program requires the submission of applications online through GrantSolutions.gov as applicants will receive an acknowledgment of application receipt. GrantSolutions automatically generates an electronic date and time stamp in the system upon application receipt. Applicants are encouraged to verify the completeness of their application package before submission using the checklist provided in this Funding Opportunity. |
| Estimated Synopsis Date | Not specified |
| Estimated Application Due Date | Not specified |
| Estimated Award Date | Not specified |
| Estimated Project Start Date | Not specified |
| Archive Date | Nov 02, 2026 12:00:00 AM EST |
| Estimated Total Program Funding | 26,000,000 |
| Award Ceiling | 26,000,000 |
| Award Floor | 10,000 |
Assistance Listings
- 15.615 — Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund
Eligibility
| Eligible Applicants | State governments |
Only State and Territorial (hereafter, "State") agencies that have entered into a cooperative agreement pursuant to section 6(c) of the ESA and have provided the information necessary for the annual renewal (reconfirmation) of their cooperative agreement are eligible to apply for funding. While funding may only be awarded to States, groups such as counties or conservation organizations may work with a State agency that has a cooperative agreement on conservation efforts that are mutually beneficial, as a subgrantee. To be considered for funding, the land proposed for acquisition must benefit at least one Federally listed included on an active section 10(a)(1)(B) permit. The specific parcel(s) of land proposed for acquisition with grant funds, or as non-Federal cost share, must be identified and sufficiently described to facilitate merit review based on the evaluation criteria listed in this Funding Opportunity. Parcels must be individually identified on the SF-429 and SF-429-B b in order to be eligible for funding but can be grouped and described for evaluation purposes at the property or transaction level. If specific properties are not yet identified, applicants may identify an area of land comprised of similar habitat type(s) and supporting a similar suite of species in which an estimated number of acres will be acquired. Applicants must include information on what procedure will be used to ensure that high-quality habitat is targeted for acquisition should funds be awarded.A property may not be submitted for funding consideration under both the HCP Land Acquisition Grant and Recovery Land Acquisition Grant Programs in the same fiscal year.Applications must include a statement of commitment to funding for, and implementation of, management of the habitat in perpetuity consistent with the conservation needs of the species.Projects must involve voluntary conservation efforts within the United States.An application cannot include FWS Full-Time Equivalent costs.Neither funding awarded through this opportunity, nor the associated non-Federal cost share, may be used to satisfy regulatory requirements of the ESA, including complying with a biological opinion under section 7, fulfilling Federal mitigation, minimization, and/or monitoring requirements of an HCP permitted under section 10, or any other Federal regulatory mitigation requirement (e.g., mitigation for Clean Water Act permits). State administrative costs must either be assumed by the State or included in the application in accordance with Federal requirements. Applications may not be submitted to cover administrative costs alone.Generally, only expenses incurred and budgeted during the period of performance are reimbursable; the period of performance begins with the effective date established at the time the grant is approved. However, a State may request reimbursement of pre-award costs for certain necessary expenses detailed in the grant application. Pre-award costs are those incurred prior to the approval of the grant where such costs are necessary to comply with the proposed period of performance. Such costs are allowable only if the grant is awarded, only to the extent that they would have been allowable if incurred after the date of the award, and only with the written approval of the awarding agency (2 CFR 200.458).
Description
Established by Congress in fiscal year (FY) 1997, the Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) Land Acquisition Grant program was designed to reduce conflicts between the conservation of listed species and competing land uses on specific parcels of land associated with approved and permitted HCPs. Under this program, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) provides matching grants to State agencies in support of land acquisition projects that will conserve species habitat in perpetuity through fee simple acquisition or the acquisition of permanent conservation easements. FWS considers the use of Federal acquisition dollars by States for habitat protection associated with HCPs to be an important and effective mechanism to promote species recovery, prevent extinction, and preclude the need to list species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in the future. All land acquired through these grants complements, but does not replace, the mitigation, minimization, and/or monitoring commitments of the HCP. Thus, this work is additive to the conservation commitments entered into when HCPs are permitted and serves as a meaningful way to leverage non-Federal investment in species recovery and connect conservation lands across the landscape.
Additional Information
| Contact | Fish and Wildlife Service |
| Contact Information | Kelly Niland Kelly_Niland@fws.gov |
| Kelly_Niland@fws.gov | |
| Email Description | Kelly_Niland@fws.gov |
| Phone | 22041-3803 |
Additional information
Version History
| Id | 363691 |
| Revision | 0 |
| Opportunity number | F26AS00071 |
| Opportunity title | F26AS00071 Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund: Habitat Conservation Plan Land Acquisition Grants |
| Owning agency code | DOI-FWS |
| Opportunity category / Category | D |
| Opportunity category / Description | Discretionary |
| Synopsis / Opportunity id | 363691 |
| Synopsis / Version | 1 |
| Synopsis / Agency code | DOI-FWS |
| Synopsis / Agency name | Fish and Wildlife Service |
| Synopsis / Agency phone | 22041-3803 |
| Synopsis / Agency address desc | Kelly_Niland@fws.gov |
| Synopsis / Agency details / Code | FWS |
| Synopsis / Agency details / Seed | DOI-FWS |
| Synopsis / Agency details / Agency name | Fish and Wildlife Service |
| Synopsis / Agency details / Agency code | DOI-FWS |
| Synopsis / Agency details / Top agency code | DOI |
| Synopsis / Top agency details / Code | DOI |
| Synopsis / Top agency details / Seed | DOI |
| Synopsis / Top agency details / Agency name | Department of the Interior |
| Synopsis / Top agency details / Agency code | DOI |
| Synopsis / Top agency details / Top agency code | DOI |
| Synopsis / Agency contact phone | 22041-3803 |
| Synopsis / Agency contact name | Fish and Wildlife Service |
| Synopsis / Agency contact desc | Kelly Niland Kelly_Niland@fws.gov |
| Synopsis / Agency contact email | Kelly_Niland@fws.gov |
| Synopsis / Agency contact email desc | Kelly_Niland@fws.gov |
| Synopsis / Synopsis desc | Established by Congress in fiscal year (FY) 1997, the Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) Land Acquisition Grant program was designed to reduce conflicts between the conservation of listed species and competing land uses on specific parcels of land associated with approved and permitted HCPs. Under this program, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) provides matching grants to State agencies in support of land acquisition projects that will conserve species habitat in perpetuity through fee simple acquisition or the acquisition of permanent conservation easements. FWS considers the use of Federal acquisition dollars by States for habitat protection associated with HCPs to be an important and effective mechanism to promote species recovery, prevent extinction, and preclude the need to list species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in the future. All land acquired through these grants complements, but does not replace, the mitigation, minimization, and/or monitoring commitments of the HCP. Thus, this work is additive to the conservation commitments entered into when HCPs are permitted and serves as a meaningful way to leverage non-Federal investment in species recovery and connect conservation lands across the landscape. |
| Synopsis / Response date | Oct 30, 2026 12:00:00 AM EDT |
| Synopsis / Response date desc | 10/30/2026Electronically submitted applications must be submitted no later than 11:59 PM, ET, on the listed application due date.This program requires the submission of applications online through GrantSolutions.gov as applicants will receive an acknowledgment of application receipt. GrantSolutions automatically generates an electronic date and time stamp in the system upon application receipt. Applicants are encouraged to verify the completeness of their application package before submission using the checklist provided in this Funding Opportunity. |
| Synopsis / Posting date | Aug 24, 2026 12:00:00 AM EDT |
| Synopsis / Archive date | Nov 02, 2026 12:00:00 AM EST |
| Synopsis / Cost sharing | Yes |
| Synopsis / Number of awards | 10 |
| Synopsis / Estimated funding | 26000000 |
| Synopsis / Estimated funding formatted | 26,000,000 |
| Synopsis / Award ceiling | 26000000 |
| Synopsis / Award ceiling formatted | 26,000,000 |
| Synopsis / Award floor | 10000 |
| Synopsis / Award floor formatted | 10,000 |
| Synopsis / Applicant eligibility desc | Only State and Territorial (hereafter, "State") agencies that have entered into a cooperative agreement pursuant to section 6(c) of the ESA and have provided the information necessary for the annual renewal (reconfirmation) of their cooperative agreement are eligible to apply for funding. While funding may only be awarded to States, groups such as counties or conservation organizations may work with a State agency that has a cooperative agreement on conservation efforts that are mutually beneficial, as a subgrantee. To be considered for funding, the land proposed for acquisition must benefit at least one Federally listed included on an active section 10(a)(1)(B) permit. The specific parcel(s) of land proposed for acquisition with grant funds, or as non-Federal cost share, must be identified and sufficiently described to facilitate merit review based on the evaluation criteria listed in this Funding Opportunity. Parcels must be individually identified on the SF-429 and SF-429-B b in order to be eligible for funding but can be grouped and described for evaluation purposes at the property or transaction level. If specific properties are not yet identified, applicants may identify an area of land comprised of similar habitat type(s) and supporting a similar suite of species in which an estimated number of acres will be acquired. Applicants must include information on what procedure will be used to ensure that high-quality habitat is targeted for acquisition should funds be awarded.A property may not be submitted for funding consideration under both the HCP Land Acquisition Grant and Recovery Land Acquisition Grant Programs in the same fiscal year.Applications must include a statement of commitment to funding for, and implementation of, management of the habitat in perpetuity consistent with the conservation needs of the species.Projects must involve voluntary conservation efforts within the United States.An application cannot include FWS Full-Time Equivalent costs.Neither funding awarded through this opportunity, nor the associated non-Federal cost share, may be used to satisfy regulatory requirements of the ESA, including complying with a biological opinion under section 7, fulfilling Federal mitigation, minimization, and/or monitoring requirements of an HCP permitted under section 10, or any other Federal regulatory mitigation requirement (e.g., mitigation for Clean Water Act permits). State administrative costs must either be assumed by the State or included in the application in accordance with Federal requirements. Applications may not be submitted to cover administrative costs alone.Generally, only expenses incurred and budgeted during the period of performance are reimbursable; the period of performance begins with the effective date established at the time the grant is approved. However, a State may request reimbursement of pre-award costs for certain necessary expenses detailed in the grant application. Pre-award costs are those incurred prior to the approval of the grant where such costs are necessary to comply with the proposed period of performance. Such costs are allowable only if the grant is awarded, only to the extent that they would have been allowable if incurred after the date of the award, and only with the written approval of the awarding agency (2 CFR 200.458). |
| Synopsis / Create time stamp | Aug 24, 2026 09:28:36 AM EDT |
| Synopsis / Created date | Aug 24, 2026 09:26:13 AM EDT |
| Synopsis / Last updated date | Aug 24, 2026 09:26:13 AM EDT |
| Synopsis / Applicant types 1 / Id | 00 |
| Synopsis / Applicant types 1 / Description | State governments |
| Synopsis / Funding instruments 1 / Id | G |
| Synopsis / Funding instruments 1 / Description | Grant |
| Synopsis / Funding activity categories 1 / Id | ENV |
| Synopsis / Funding activity categories 1 / Description | Environment |
| Synopsis / Response date str | 2026-10-30-00-00-00 |
| Synopsis / Posting date str | 2026-08-24-00-00-00 |
| Synopsis / Archive date str | 2026-11-02-00-00-00 |
| Synopsis / Create time stamp str | 2026-08-24-09-28-36 |
| Agency details / Code | FWS |
| Agency details / Seed | DOI-FWS |
| Agency details / Agency name | Fish and Wildlife Service |
| Agency details / Agency code | DOI-FWS |
| Agency details / Top agency code | DOI |
| Top agency details / Code | DOI |
| Top agency details / Seed | DOI |
| Top agency details / Agency name | Department of the Interior |
| Top agency details / Agency code | DOI |
| Top agency details / Top agency code | DOI |
| Synopsis attachment folders 1 / Id | 81169 |
| Synopsis attachment folders 1 / Opportunity id | 363691 |
| Synopsis attachment folders 1 / Folder type | Full Announcement |
| Synopsis attachment folders 1 / Folder name | Full Announcement |
| Synopsis attachment folders 1 / Zip lob size | 167040 |
| Synopsis attachment folders 1 / Created date | Aug 24, 2026 09:28:16 AM EDT |
| Synopsis attachment folders 1 / Last updated date | Aug 24, 2026 09:28:17 AM EDT |
| Synopsis attachment folders 1 / Synopsis attachments 1 / Id | 354775 |
| Synopsis attachment folders 1 / Synopsis attachments 1 / Opportunity id | 363691 |
| Synopsis attachment folders 1 / Synopsis attachments 1 / Mime type | application/pdf |
| Synopsis attachment folders 1 / Synopsis attachments 1 / File name | Foa_Content_of_F26AS00071.pdf |
| Synopsis attachment folders 1 / Synopsis attachments 1 / File description | Foa_Content_of_F26AS00071.pdf |
| Synopsis attachment folders 1 / Synopsis attachments 1 / File lob size | 202350 |
| Synopsis attachment folders 1 / Synopsis attachments 1 / Created date | Aug 24, 2026 09:28:17 AM EDT |
| Synopsis attachment folders 1 / Synopsis attachments 1 / Synopsis att folder id | 81169 |
| Synopsis attachment folders 2 / Id | 81170 |
| Synopsis attachment folders 2 / Opportunity id | 363691 |
| Synopsis attachment folders 2 / Folder type | Other Supporting Documents |
| Synopsis attachment folders 2 / Folder name | Other Supporting Documents |
| Synopsis attachment folders 2 / Zip lob size | 408348 |
| Synopsis attachment folders 2 / Created date | Aug 24, 2026 09:28:34 AM EDT |
| Synopsis attachment folders 2 / Last updated date | Aug 24, 2026 09:28:36 AM EDT |
| Synopsis attachment folders 2 / Synopsis attachments 1 / Id | 354776 |
| Synopsis attachment folders 2 / Synopsis attachments 1 / Opportunity id | 363691 |
| Synopsis attachment folders 2 / Synopsis attachments 1 / Mime type | application/pdf |
| Synopsis attachment folders 2 / Synopsis attachments 1 / File name | FY2026 CESCF At Risk Spp List.pdf |
| Synopsis attachment folders 2 / Synopsis attachments 1 / File description | FY2026 CESCF At Risk Spp List.pdf |
| Synopsis attachment folders 2 / Synopsis attachments 1 / File lob size | 520434 |
| Synopsis attachment folders 2 / Synopsis attachments 1 / Created date | Aug 24, 2026 09:28:35 AM EDT |
| Synopsis attachment folders 2 / Synopsis attachments 1 / Synopsis att folder id | 81170 |
| Synopsis document urls | Not specified |
| Syn att change comments | Not specified |
| Cfdas 1 / Id | 435182 |
| Cfdas 1 / Opportunity id | 363691 |
| Cfdas 1 / Cfda number | 15.615 |
| Cfdas 1 / Program title | Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund |
| Opportunity pkgs 1 / Id | 294044 |
| Opportunity pkgs 1 / Topportunity id | 363691 |
| Opportunity pkgs 1 / Family id | 15 |
| Opportunity pkgs 1 / Dialect | XFDL2.2 |
| Opportunity pkgs 1 / Opportunity number | F26AS00071 |
| Opportunity pkgs 1 / Opportunity title | F26AS00071 Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund: Habitat Conservation Plan Land Acquisition Grants |
| Opportunity pkgs 1 / Cfda number | 15.615 |
| Opportunity pkgs 1 / Opening date | 2026-08-24 |
| Opportunity pkgs 1 / Closing date | 2026-10-30 |
| Opportunity pkgs 1 / Owning agency code | DOI-FWS |
| Opportunity pkgs 1 / Agency details / Code | FWS |
| Opportunity pkgs 1 / Agency details / Seed | DOI-FWS |
| Opportunity pkgs 1 / Agency details / Agency name | Fish and Wildlife Service |
| Opportunity pkgs 1 / Agency details / Agency code | DOI-FWS |
| Opportunity pkgs 1 / Agency details / Top agency code | DOI |
| Opportunity pkgs 1 / Top agency details / Code | DOI |
| Opportunity pkgs 1 / Top agency details / Seed | DOI |
| Opportunity pkgs 1 / Top agency details / Agency name | Department of the Interior |
| Opportunity pkgs 1 / Top agency details / Agency code | DOI |
| Opportunity pkgs 1 / Top agency details / Top agency code | DOI |
| Opportunity pkgs 1 / Program title | Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund |
| Opportunity pkgs 1 / Contact info | Kelly Niland |
| Opportunity pkgs 1 / Competition id | F26AS00071 |
| Opportunity pkgs 1 / Competition title | F26AS00071 Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund: Habitat Conservation Plan Land Acquisition Grants |
| Opportunity pkgs 1 / Electronic required | Y |
| Opportunity pkgs 1 / Expected application count | 15 |
| Opportunity pkgs 1 / Expected application size | 0 |
| Opportunity pkgs 1 / Open to applicant type | 1 |
| Opportunity pkgs 1 / Is multi project | N |
| Opportunity pkgs 1 / Extension | |
| Opportunity pkgs 1 / Mimetype | application/pdf |
| Opportunity pkgs 1 / Last update | Aug 24, 2026 09:27:40 AM EDT |
| Opportunity pkgs 1 / Workspace compatible flag | Y |
| Opportunity pkgs 1 / Package id | PKG00294044 |
| Opportunity pkgs 1 / Opening date str | 2026-08-24-00-00-00 |
| Opportunity pkgs 1 / Closing date str | 2026-10-30-00-00-00 |
| Closed opportunity pkgs | Not specified |
| Original due date | Oct 30, 2026 12:00:00 AM EDT |
| Original due date desc | 10/30/2026Electronically submitted applications must be submitted no later than 11:59 PM, ET, on the listed application due date.This program requires the submission of applications online through GrantSolutions.gov as applicants will receive an acknowledgment of application receipt. GrantSolutions automatically generates an electronic date and time stamp in the system upon application receipt. Applicants are encouraged to verify the completeness of their application package before submission using the checklist provided in this Funding Opportunity. |
| Synopsis modified fields | Not specified |
| Forecast modified fields | Not specified |
| Error messages | Not specified |
| Syn post date in past | Yes |
| Doc type | synopsis |
| Forecast hist count | 0 |
| Synopsis hist count | 0 |
| Assist compatible | No |
| Assist url | Not specified |
| Related opps | Not specified |
| Ost | POSTED |
Related Documents
Packages
| Agency Contact Information: | Kelly Niland Kelly_Niland@fws.gov |
| Assistance Listing Number | Competition ID | Competition Title | Opportunity Package ID | Opening Date | Closing Date | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15.615 | F26AS00071 | F26AS00071 Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund: Habitat Conservation Plan Land Acquisition Grants | PKG00294044 | 2026-08-24 | 2026-10-30 | View |
