F25AS00099_FY 2025 Competitive State Wildlife Grant (C-SWG) Program_Funding Opportunity Announcement | F25AS00099

FY 2025 Competitive State Wildlife Grant (C-SWG) Program FAQs

1) What is this funding opportunity?

The FY 2025 Competitive State Wildlife Grant (C-SWG) Program is a discretionary, competitive grant opportunity from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. It is identified as Funding Opportunity Number F25AS00099 and is listed under CFDA 15.634.

2) What is the main goal of the C-SWG Program?

The program funds proactive, science-based conservation for wildlife and their habitats. The central intent is to support early conservation action that helps keep species from declining to the point where they may need protection under the Endangered Species Act, which can bring more prescriptive federal regulatory requirements.

3) What types of projects does this grant support?

The program provides federal cost-sharing awards for two main categories of work:

• Conservation planning
• Conservation implementation

4) What counts as “conservation planning” under this opportunity?

Planning activities include strategic enhancements to a State or Territory Wildlife Action Plan (often referred to as a Wildlife Action Plan or SWAP) that align with best practices described in the funding announcement.

5) What counts as “conservation implementation” under this opportunity?

Implementation activities are projects that directly carry out actions that are already identified and approved in an existing Wildlife Action Plan.

6) Are projects required to align with a Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP)?

Yes. Planning projects are framed as improvements to a Wildlife Action Plan, and implementation projects are specifically described as carrying out actions already identified and approved in an existing Wildlife Action Plan.

7) What species or habitats should the work primarily benefit?

Across both planning and implementation, the funded work must primarily benefit Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) and/or the habitats they rely on.

8) What is meant by “Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN)” in this program?

The opportunity uses the term SGCN to describe the species that are the program’s priority focus. The announcement emphasizes that the program is tightly focused on species and systems most at risk, through work that primarily benefits SGCN and/or their habitats.

9) What makes this opportunity different from other conservation grants?

A defining feature highlighted in the description is an emphasis on partnerships and cross-jurisdictional, landscape-scale conservation. The structure is designed to prioritize coordinated conservation efforts that span boundaries (for example, across states, regions, or shared ecosystems).

10) What are “award Tiers,” and why do they matter?

The funding structure is organized into “award Tiers,” which are designed to encourage multi-partner collaboration across boundaries. The opportunity indicates that tier requirements, partnership expectations, and limits (including the maximum federal share) are provided in tier tables referenced in the opportunity materials.

11) Where do applicants find the exact tier requirements and limits?

The description indicates applicants are directed to tier tables referenced in the opportunity materials for the exact limits and requirements, including tier requirements, partnership expectations, and the maximum federal share of an award.

12) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is limited to:

• State fish and wildlife agencies
• Territory fish and wildlife agencies
• District of Columbia fish and wildlife agency
• The four regional associations of fish and wildlife agencies: NEAFWA, SEAFWA, MAFWA, and WAFWA

13) Can universities apply as the applicant?

No. Universities are explicitly listed as not eligible to apply as the applicant.

14) Can nonprofits or for-profit organizations apply as the applicant?

No. Nonprofit and for-profit organizations are explicitly listed as not eligible to apply as the applicant.

15) Can private landowners or individuals apply as the applicant?

No. Private landowners and individuals are explicitly listed as not eligible to apply as the applicant.

16) Can local governments apply as the applicant?

No. Local governments are explicitly listed as not eligible to apply as the applicant.

17) If an organization cannot apply, can it still participate in a project?

Yes. The description states that ineligible entities may still be involved as partners or collaborators as long as an eligible agency is the applicant. They cannot submit an application on their own.

18) How are applications screened for eligibility?

Applications are screened for eligibility using criteria described in the announcement’s “Application Review Information” section, specifically under “Eligibility Review.”

19) What is the application deadline?

The original application closing date listed is February 25, 2025.

20) What is the funding instrument type?

The posting lists the funding instrument type as a grant.

21) What is the maximum award amount?

The award ceiling listed in the posting is $1,000,000.

22) Is this a cost-sharing program?

Yes. The program provides federal cost-sharing awards. The description also notes that the maximum federal share is addressed in tier tables referenced in the opportunity materials.

23) When was this opportunity created?

The opportunity was created on November 14, 2024.

24) What conservation approach does the program emphasize?

The description emphasizes proactive, science-based conservation and early, coordinated action. It also highlights partnerships and cross-jurisdictional, landscape-scale efforts as a major priority.

25) What kinds of collaborations does the program prioritize?

The program’s tiered structure is described as encouraging multi-partner collaboration that spans boundaries, such as across multiple states, regions, or shared ecosystems.