Opportunity Information: Apply for F21AS00174
The FY 2021 Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund (CESCF) Traditional Conservation Grants Program (Service Legacy Region 3) is a discretionary grant opportunity administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to help state governments strengthen and carry out their programs for conserving and recovering species protected under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The core purpose is straightforward: provide financial assistance so states can implement on-the-ground actions that measurably benefit threatened and endangered species under the Service's jurisdiction, while also supporting proactive work that keeps species from needing ESA listing in the first place.
Funding under this program is intended for projects that produce direct conservation benefits for three main groups: federally listed species (threatened or endangered), candidate and other defined "at-risk" species, and certain recently delisted species. Federally listed work must focus on resident species that are covered under the applying state's ESA Section 6(c) cooperative agreement with the Service. The program also allows states to use grant funds for monitoring candidate species, at-risk species, and species that have recently been delisted due to recovery. Candidate species, as used here, are those the Service has determined warrant listing but have been delayed because other actions take priority.
The notice also broadens what counts as "at-risk" for this solicitation beyond formal candidates. In this context, at-risk species include: (1) species with a positive 90-day finding on a petition but not yet proposed for listing, (2) species with a proposed listing rule but no final rule, (3) species for which the Service has initiated an ESA status review and announced it in the Federal Register, and (4) species on the National Listing Workplan. The opportunity materials reference an Attachment A for the full at-risk species list. For recently delisted species, eligibility is limited to species delisted within the past five years, and only when the delisting occurred because the species recovered (not for other reasons). Applicants are directed to the Service's ECOS Delisted Species page for the official list and delisting years.
Projects can cover a wide range of conservation approaches, as long as the application clearly explains how the work will contribute to recovery goals or reduce threats enough to prevent a future ESA listing. The Service emphasizes that competitive proposals will make a clear, specific case for a direct conservation benefit to the target species or its habitat, rather than providing general environmental benefits without a documented link to species outcomes. Proposed work may involve management, research, monitoring, outreach, or combinations of these elements, depending on what best addresses the species' limiting factors and recovery needs.
Examples of eligible activities include introducing species into suitable habitat within their historic range, enhancing or restoring habitat, conducting surveys and inventories, completing species status surveys, propagating animals or plants, and performing research such as genetic analysis to assess genetic health and population structure. The program also supports public education and outreach when it is tied to a specific conservation threat or recovery action, such as developing targeted web-based tools or coordinating workshops with local landowners to reduce or eliminate a particular pressure on a species. Monitoring of candidate, at-risk, and recently recovered species is explicitly included as an allowable use of funds.
Eligibility is limited to state agencies. To apply, a state must already have an ESA Section 6(c) cooperative agreement with the Service, or it must enter into or reconfirm such an agreement within 30 days of the application deadline. Importantly, even if a proposal is selected, the Service cannot obligate federal funds until a complete, signed cooperative agreement is in place, consistent with the cited regulatory requirements (including 50 CFR 81.3, 50 CFR 81.5, and 43 CFR 12.50(b)(3)). While the grant can only be awarded to states, the program anticipates that other partners such as counties, conservation organizations, or other groups may participate as subgrantees through collaboration with an eligible state agency, enabling broader partnerships while keeping the state as the official applicant and grant recipient.
Key opportunity details from the source data include: Funding Opportunity Number F21AS00174; agency U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; assistance listing CFDA 15.615; funding instrument type Grant; activity category Natural Resources; eligible applicants State governments; original closing date May 12, 2021; and an award ceiling listed as $572,066. The opportunity was created on November 12, 2020.Apply for F21AS00174
- 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 3)" 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 $572,066.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: State governments.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the FY 2021 Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund (CESCF) Traditional Conservation Grants Program (Service Legacy Region 3)?
It is a discretionary grant opportunity administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that provides financial assistance to state governments to strengthen and carry out programs that conserve and recover species protected under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The program is designed to support on-the-ground actions that measurably benefit species and, where appropriate, proactive work that can keep species from needing ESA listing.
What is the main purpose of this grant program?
The core purpose is to fund state-led conservation actions that produce direct, measurable benefits for threatened and endangered species under the Service's jurisdiction, while also supporting work that reduces threats enough to prevent future ESA listings.
Which agency administers this funding opportunity?
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service administers this opportunity.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number?
The Funding Opportunity Number is F21AS00174.
What is the CFDA / Assistance Listing number for this program?
The Assistance Listing (CFDA) number is 15.615.
What type of funding instrument is used?
The funding instrument type listed for this opportunity is a Grant.
What is the activity category for this opportunity?
The activity category is Natural Resources.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited to state agencies (state governments).
Do states need an ESA Section 6(c) cooperative agreement to apply?
Yes. A state must already have an ESA Section 6(c) cooperative agreement with the Service, or it must enter into or reconfirm such an agreement within 30 days of the application deadline.
If a proposal is selected, can funds be awarded without a signed ESA Section 6(c) cooperative agreement?
No. Even if a proposal is selected, the Service cannot obligate federal funds until a complete, signed cooperative agreement is in place. The notice cites regulatory requirements including 50 CFR 81.3, 50 CFR 81.5, and 43 CFR 12.50(b)(3).
What types of species does the program intend to benefit?
Funding is intended for projects that produce direct conservation benefits for three groups: (1) federally listed species (threatened or endangered), (2) candidate and other defined "at-risk" species, and (3) certain recently delisted species (under specific conditions described in the notice).
What is required for projects focused on federally listed species?
Work on federally listed species must focus on resident species that are covered under the applying state's ESA Section 6(c) cooperative agreement with the Service.
What does "candidate species" mean in this solicitation?
Candidate species are those the Service has determined warrant listing under the ESA, but listing has been delayed because other actions take priority.
How does this opportunity define "at-risk" species?
For this solicitation, "at-risk" species includes more than formal candidate species. The notice includes: (1) species with a positive 90-day finding on a petition but not yet proposed for listing, (2) species with a proposed listing rule but no final rule, (3) species for which the Service has initiated an ESA status review and announced it in the Federal Register, and (4) species on the National Listing Workplan.
Where is the official list of at-risk species for this solicitation?
The opportunity materials reference an Attachment A for the full at-risk species list.
Are recently delisted species eligible under this program?
Yes, but only under specific conditions. Eligibility is limited to species delisted within the past five years, and only when delisting occurred because the species recovered (not for other reasons).
Where can applicants find the official list of delisted species and delisting years?
Applicants are directed to the Service's ECOS Delisted Species page for the official list and delisting years.
What kinds of project approaches are allowed?
Projects may use a range of conservation approaches as long as the application clearly explains how the work will contribute to recovery goals or reduce threats enough to prevent a future ESA listing. The notice indicates that management, research, monitoring, outreach, or combinations of these may be proposed depending on what best addresses limiting factors and recovery needs.
What does the Service look for in competitive proposals?
The Service emphasizes that competitive proposals make a clear, specific case for a direct conservation benefit to the target species or its habitat. Proposals that only provide general environmental benefits without a documented link to species outcomes are not emphasized as competitive in the notice.
What are examples of eligible activities?
Examples listed in the notice include introducing species into suitable habitat within their historic range, enhancing or restoring habitat, conducting surveys and inventories, completing species status surveys, propagating animals or plants, and conducting research such as genetic analysis to assess genetic health and population structure.
Is monitoring an allowable use of grant funds?
Yes. Monitoring of candidate species, at-risk species, and species that have recently been delisted due to recovery is explicitly included as an allowable use of funds.
Is public education and outreach eligible for funding?
Yes, when it is tied to a specific conservation threat or recovery action. The notice gives examples such as developing targeted web-based tools or coordinating workshops with local landowners to reduce or eliminate a particular pressure on a species.
Can partners like counties or nonprofits participate in projects?
Yes. While the grant can only be awarded to states, the program anticipates that partners such as counties, conservation organizations, or other groups may participate as subgrantees through collaboration with an eligible state agency. The state remains the official applicant and grant recipient.
What is the listed application closing date for this opportunity?
The original closing date listed is May 12, 2021.
What is the award ceiling listed in the opportunity details?
The award ceiling is listed as $572,066.
When was this funding opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on November 12, 2020.
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| FY 2021 Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund (CESCF) Traditional Conservation Grants Program (Service Legacy Region 8) Apply for F21AS00179 Funding Number: F21AS00179 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $2,163,585 |
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| Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund: Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) Planning Assistance Apply for F21AS00171 Funding Number: F21AS00171 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund: Recovery Land Acquisition Grants Apply for F21AS00172 Funding Number: F21AS00172 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $22,324,000 |
| Common Loon Restoration Apply for F21AS00196 Funding Number: F21AS00196 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Fisheries Resource Monitoring Program Apply for F21AS00249 Funding Number: F21AS00249 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $215,000 |
| Department of the Interior – Bureau of Land Management Oregon/Washington Invasive and Noxious Management Apply for L21AS00261 Funding Number: L21AS00261 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $450,000 |
| Department of the Interior – Bureau of Land Management ORWA Fisheries and Aquatic Resource Management Apply for L21AS00255 Funding Number: L21AS00255 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Department of the Interior - Bureau of Land Management Oregon/Washington Wildlife Resource Management Apply for L21AS00263 Funding Number: L21AS00263 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Department of the Interior - Bureau of Land Management ORWA Cultural and Paleontological Resource Management Apply for L21AS00237 Funding Number: L21AS00237 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Department of the Interior - Bureau of Land Management Oregon/Washington Threatened and Endangered Species Apply for L21AS00273 Funding Number: L21AS00273 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Department of the Interior – Bureau of Land Management Wyoming Plant Conservation and Restoration Management Apply for L21AS00295 Funding Number: L21AS00295 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $30,000 |
| Department of the Interior – Bureau of Land Management Oregon/Washington Forests and Woodlands Resource Management Apply for L21AS00259 Funding Number: L21AS00259 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Department of the Interior – Bureau of Land Management Oregon/Washington Rangeland Resource Management Apply for L21AS00267 Funding Number: L21AS00267 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Department of the Interior – Bureau of Land Management Oregon/Washington Plant Conservation and Restoration Management Apply for L21AS00270 Funding Number: L21AS00270 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $75,000 |
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