FY 2021 Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund (CESCF) Traditional Conservation Grants Program (Service Legacy Region 4) | F21AS00175

Opportunity Information: Apply for F21AS00175

The FY 2021 Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund (CESCF) Traditional Conservation Grants Program (Service Legacy Region 4) is a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) discretionary grant opportunity designed to help states build and carry out strong conservation programs for threatened and endangered species covered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The main goal is to fund on-the-ground and supporting work that directly contributes to conserving and recovering federally listed species under FWS jurisdiction, while also supporting proactive efforts for species that are not yet listed but may be headed that way. In practical terms, the program is meant to help states take measurable actions that improve species status, reduce threats, and strengthen habitat conditions so that recovery is more likely and new listings can be avoided.

Grant funds may be used for projects that provide direct conservation benefits to several categories of species. This includes federally listed species (threatened or endangered), candidate species, certain defined "at-risk" species, and recently delisted species. Candidate species are those that FWS has found warrant listing, but listing is delayed due to higher-priority actions. For this funding opportunity, the "at-risk" category is broader than candidates alone and includes: (1) species with a positive 90-day finding on a petition but no proposed rule yet, (2) species with a proposed listing rule but no final rule, (3) species currently undergoing an ESA status review that has been announced in the Federal Register, and (4) species included on the National Listing Workplan. The notice points applicants to an attachment (Attachment A) for the full at-risk list. The program can also fund work on recently delisted species, defined here as species delisted within the last five years, but only if they were delisted because they recovered (not for other reasons such as taxonomy changes). Applicants are directed to the FWS ECOS Delisted Species page for reference on delisted species and delisting dates.

Project types are intentionally broad, as long as the proposal clearly explains how the work will advance recovery goals or prevent the need to list a species under the ESA. Funded work can include management actions, research, monitoring, and outreach, either as stand-alone efforts or in combination. Examples of eligible activities include reintroducing or introducing species into suitable habitat within their historic range, restoring or enhancing habitat, conducting surveys and inventories (including habitat surveys and species status surveys), propagating plants and animals for conservation purposes, and conducting research such as genetic analyses to evaluate genetic health and population structure. The program also recognizes the value of targeted public education and outreach when it addresses a specific conservation threat, such as developing tools like websites or organizing coordination workshops with local landowners. Monitoring is explicitly highlighted as an eligible activity for candidate, at-risk, and recently recovered species, reflecting the program's emphasis on early detection of declines and tracking post-delisting stability.

Eligibility is restricted to state governments, specifically state agencies that have entered into a formal cooperative agreement with FWS under ESA section 6(c). A state agency that does not already have such an agreement can still be eligible if it enters into or reconfirms the agreement within 30 days of the application deadline, but FWS must have a complete and signed cooperative agreement in place before it can obligate federal funds to any project, consistent with the cited federal regulations (including 50 CFR 81.3, 50 CFR 81.5, and 43 CFR 12.50(b)(3)). Although only states can receive the award directly, the program anticipates collaboration: local governments, nonprofits, conservation organizations, and other partners can participate through the state as subgrantees or collaborators, provided the state remains the official applicant and grant recipient.

Key administrative details from the opportunity listing include the following: the funding opportunity number is F21AS00175, the assistance listing (CFDA) number is 15.615, the funding instrument is a grant, and the activity area is natural resources. The eligible applicant type is state governments, and the awarding agency is the Fish and Wildlife Service. The original application closing date was August 2, 2021. The posted award ceiling was $3,073,024. The opportunity record shows a creation date of November 12, 2020. Overall, the program is structured to channel federal support through state wildlife agencies so they can implement practical, science-based conservation actions that produce tangible benefits for imperiled species and the habitats they depend on, especially within the Service Legacy Region 4 context referenced in the title.

• The Fish and Wildlife Service in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY 2021 Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund (CESCF) Traditional Conservation Grants Program (Service Legacy Region 4)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.615.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2020-11-12.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-08-02. (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 $3,073,024.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: State governments.

Apply for F21AS00175

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