F25AS00228 Candidate Species Conservation Fund
Closed
This grant is closed. Who won this program's grants before is below, and similar open grants are at the end of the page. It is in our archive of Fish and Wildlife Service notices from 2025.
Fish and Wildlife Service offered grants to nonprofits, colleges and universities, state and local governments, tribes, small businesses and individuals. It expected to make $500,000 in total. Applications closed on September 30, 2025.
From the official notice on Grants.gov, last changed May 21, 2025. Checked November 7, 2026.
- Total funding$500,000
- Cost sharingNot required
- Funding typeCooperative Agreement, Grant
Key dates
| Posted | January 21, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Deadline | September 30, 2025 |
| Archived by Grants.gov | October 1, 2025 |
Who can apply
This opportunity was open to nonprofits, colleges and universities, state and local governments, tribes, small businesses and individuals.
All 15 applicant types the notice lists
- State governments
- County governments
- City or township governments
- Special district governments
- Independent school districts
- Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
- Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
- Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities
- Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)
- Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
- Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
- Private institutions of higher education
- Individuals
- Small businesses
- Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)
Applicants are expected to have demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the biology of the involved candidate or at-risk species and its ecosystem, including preferably having worked with the species in the field.
Is this a realistic fit?
- Most of the program's money (35% over five years) went to nonprofits.
- No cost sharing or match is required.
What the grant funds
Listing a plant or animal as federally protected under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) is proven to be successful in preventing extinction. However, this level of protection is America"s last line of defense. Before a species may warrant listing and protections under the ESA, many voluntary conservation opportunities can be undertaken. Voluntary actions can improve conditions for species and improve habitats for at-risk, listed, and common species alike. At-risk species conservation is the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service"s (FWS) initiative promoting proactive conservation of fish, wildlife, and plants with partners before the species warrant protections under the ESA. The FWS collaborates with all partners (Federal and State agencies, Tribes, private landowners, non-government organizations, and industries) across all landscapes to implement this initiative. The FWS"s at-risk species efforts are intended to encourage and support voluntary actions that proactively conserve species and their habitats. We believe that if we work with partners to improve the status of species before they come to the FWS for review under the ESA, we may be able to reduce the impact of stressors and stabilize or increase populations. Ideally, this proactive conservation work may help us avoid listing these species, thus improving species and their habitat, while simultaneously reducing regulatory burden.
Who has won Candidate Species Conservation grants before
From fiscal 2021 to 2025, Candidate Species Conservation (15.660) awarded $16.7 million across 113 grant awards, an average of $147,381 per award.
| Recipient | State | Awards | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Great Basin Institute | Nevada | 12 | $1.9 million |
| Board of Regents of Nevada System of Higher Education | Nevada | 4 | $1.5 million |
| State of Hawaii Department of Land & Natural Resources | Hawaii | 7 | $1.4 million |
| University of Hawaii | Hawaii | 1 | $1.4 million |
| State of Utah, Division of Wildlife Resources | Utah | 1 | $1.3 million |
Applying now
This notice no longer takes applications. Agencies often post the same opportunity again under a new number, so check the program's notices on Grants.gov and the similar open grants below.
The notice on Grants.gov keeps its full text and attachments, which is useful for planning a resubmission.
Questions people ask
Is F25AS00228 still open?
No. It closed on September 30, 2025.
Who can apply for F25AS00228 Candidate Species Conservation Fund?
Fish and Wildlife Service accepted applications from nonprofits, colleges and universities, state and local governments, tribes, small businesses and individuals. The notice adds further conditions, so read its eligibility section.
What is the deadline for F25AS00228 Candidate Species Conservation Fund?
Closed September 30, 2025. Applications are no longer accepted; the program's newer notices are on this page when there are any.
How much funding is available?
About $500,000 in total.
Who has won Candidate Species Conservation grants before?
The largest recipients over five fiscal years were The Great Basin Institute, Board of Regents of Nevada System of Higher Education, State of Hawaii Department of Land & Natural Resources. The program made 113 awards worth $16.7 million in that time.
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