FY 2021 Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund (CESCF) Traditional Conservation Grants Program (Service Legacy Region 8) | F21AS00179

Opportunity Information: Apply for F21AS00179

The FY 2021 Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund (CESCF) Traditional Conservation Grants Program (Service Legacy Region 8) is a discretionary grant opportunity run by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to help state wildlife agencies strengthen and carry out their endangered species conservation programs under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The central purpose is practical, on-the-ground conservation that directly supports the recovery of federally listed threatened and endangered species, while also helping states address species that are headed toward listing. In other words, it is designed to fund work that improves the status of imperiled species and their habitats, either by accelerating recovery for species already listed or by reducing threats early enough that listing can be avoided.

Funding under this program can be used for a wide range of project types, as long as the proposed work clearly produces a direct conservation benefit for the target species or its habitat. The program supports management actions, applied research, monitoring, and outreach, or any combination of these approaches. Competitive proposals are expected to explain, in specific terms, how the activities will contribute to recovery objectives for listed species or how they will address key threats and data gaps for species that are candidates or otherwise considered at-risk. The emphasis is not just on general environmental benefit, but on measurable relevance to species conservation outcomes under FWS jurisdiction.

A key feature of this funding opportunity is the range of species categories that can be addressed. States may propose projects for federally listed resident species covered under the state’s cooperative agreement with FWS. In addition, states may request support for monitoring and conservation work involving candidate species, at-risk species, and recently delisted species. Candidate species are those FWS has determined warrant listing as threatened or endangered, but listing is delayed by higher priority actions. For this solicitation, FWS also recognizes certain “at-risk” species beyond formal candidates, including: (1) species with a positive 90-day finding where a proposed rule has not yet been issued, (2) species with a proposed listing rule but no final rule, (3) species currently under an initiated ESA status review that has been announced in the Federal Register, and (4) species on the National Listing Workplan (with a full list referenced in Attachment A). Recently delisted species are defined here as species delisted within the last five years, and only those delisted due to recovery are eligible for funding under this notice (with reference to the FWS ECOS Delisted Species page for the broader delisted list).

The types of eligible activities are intentionally broad so states can tailor projects to species needs and local conditions. Examples include reintroducing species into suitable habitat within their historic range, restoring or enhancing habitat, conducting habitat surveys and inventories, performing species status surveys, propagating plants or animals to support recovery, and conducting research such as genetic analyses to understand genetic health and population structure. The program also supports public education and outreach when it is directly tied to a conservation need, such as developing targeted outreach tools (including websites) or coordinating workshops with local landowners to address a specific threat. Monitoring is explicitly eligible for candidate, at-risk, and recently recovered species, reflecting the program’s focus on both recovery and prevention of future listing needs.

Eligibility is limited to state governments, specifically state agencies that have entered into a cooperative agreement with FWS under ESA section 6(c). A state that does not yet have an active agreement can still be eligible if it enters into or reconfirms such an agreement within 30 days of the application deadline. Importantly, FWS cannot obligate federal funds unless it has a complete, signed cooperative agreement in place, consistent with cited regulatory requirements (including 50 CFR 81.3, 50 CFR 81.5, and 43 CFR 12.50(b)(3)). While only states can be direct recipients, the program allows for collaboration: counties, conservation organizations, and other groups can participate through the state as subgrantees or project partners when the work supports shared conservation goals.

Administratively, this opportunity is identified as Funding Opportunity Number F21AS00179 under CFDA (now Assistance Listing) 15.615, with the activity category listed as Natural Resources. It is offered as a grant (FundingInstrumentType: Grant) and was administered by the Fish and Wildlife Service. The original application closing date for this FY 2021 notice was May 12, 2021, and the listed award ceiling was $2,163,585. Overall, the program is structured to push resources toward projects that are specific, science-informed, and clearly tied to ESA outcomes, with an expectation that proposals make a strong case for how the funded work will translate into tangible conservation progress for the species involved.

• 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 8)" 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 2021-05-12. (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 $2,163,585.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: State governments.

Apply for F21AS00179

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