F25AS00332 Highlands Conservation Act – Competitive Funding Round
Open Closes today
Fish and Wildlife Service is offering grants of up to $3.9 million (at least $25,000) to state and local governments. It expects to make about 4 awards worth $3.9 million in total. Applications close on October 31, 2026.
From the official notice on Grants.gov, last changed May 19, 2026. Checked October 31, 2026.
- Award ceiling$3.9 million
- Award floor$25,000
- Expected awards4
- Total funding$3.9 million
- Cost sharingRequired
- Funding typeGrant
Key dates
| Posted | May 19, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Deadline | October 31, 2026 |
Add the deadline to your calendar
Who can apply
This opportunity is open to state and local governments.
- State governments
Only the Lead State Agency (or Agencies) as determined by the Governor of each Highlands State may be the applicant for funding under the Highlands Conservation Act Grant Program. If the Governor assigns multiple Lead Agencies, those Agencies must coordinate on funding requests prior to submission and ensure no more than the maximum allowable amount is requested through this funding opportunity. All or part of the funds received by the Lead State Agency may be subawarded to a County or Municipality within the Highlands Region, or to another State Conservation Agency. The current Lead State Agencies are:Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. Contact Matt Starr: matthew.starr@ct.govNew York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation. Contact Lynn Kovach: lynn.kovach@parks.ny.govNew Jersey Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council. Contact Liz Ward: elizabeth.ward@highlands.nj.govPennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Contact Dan Pierce: danipierce@pa.gov
Is this a realistic fit?
- The notice requires cost sharing or matching funds, so you must contribute part of the project cost.
What the grant funds
The Highlands Conservation Act Program (HCA) is administered by the US Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) to assist Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania in the protection of land and natural resources in the Highlands Region. HCA grants support land conservation projects in which a State, County, or Municipal entity acquires land or an interest in land from a willing seller to conserve resources of high conservation value. Governors of the four Highlands States may submit proposals for up to 50% of the total cost of land conservation projects in the Highlands Region. Funding appropriated under the HCA is typically divided into two separate categories – Base and Competitive. Eligible applicants may submit requests for the Competitive Funding Round in response to this Notice of Funding Opportunity. A separate Notice of Funding Opportunity will be posted for Base Funds. A project may not be proposed for funding in both funding opportunities. More information on the HCA program is available at www.fws.gov/program/highlands-conservation-act-grant
How to apply
- Read the full notice and attachments on Grants.gov. The notice is the official source for deadlines and requirements.
- Make sure your organization has an active SAM.gov registration and Unique Entity ID; registration can take several weeks.
- Register on Grants.gov and submit through Workspace before the deadline and time given in the notice. Our application guide walks through each step.
Questions go to Fish and Wildlife Service, Shelley_DiBona@ios.doi.gov, 22041-3803.
Questions people ask
Who can apply for F25AS00332 Highlands Conservation Act – Competitive Funding Round?
Fish and Wildlife Service accepts applications from state and local governments. The notice adds further conditions, so read its eligibility section.
What is the deadline for F25AS00332 Highlands Conservation Act – Competitive Funding Round?
Closes today. Confirm the date and time in the official notice on Grants.gov.
How much funding is available?
Awards of up to $3.9 million each. About $3.9 million in total across about 4 awards.
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