Migratory Bird Conservation (15.647)
Migratory Bird Conservation (Assistance Listing 15.647) is run by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, part of the Department of the Interior. It awarded $1.9 million in 20 grants from fiscal 2021 to 2025, about $96,484 per award on average. No funding opportunity is open on Grants.gov right now.
The typical award was $52,500. Half of the 20 awards fell between $31,531 and $146,698, and they ranged from $15,000 to $265,353.
- Awarded, FY 2021 to 2025$1.9 million
- Grant awards20
- Typical award$52,500
- Awarded in FY 2025-$118
- Size rank1764 of 1824
- Type of assistanceProject grants (discretionary)
Key findings
- It is the 1764th largest of 1,824 federal grant programs by five-year awards.
- The 18 largest recipients received 101% of the money.
- Awards went to recipients in 14 states and territories.
What the program funds
To maintain and enhance populations and habitats of migratory bird species found in the Upper Midwest (IL, IN, IA, MI, MN, MO, OH, WI) through supporting research, monitoring, and conservation efforts targeted on their behalf. Program focuses on supporting efforts that address priorities identified by national bird conservation partnerships (Partners-In-Flight, North American Waterfowl Management Plan, etc.) as well as networks of regional bird-focused partnerships such as Bird Habitat Joint Ventures, Flyway Councils, and state-level bird conservation initiatives, among others.
Open opportunities
No opportunity under this program is open or forecast on Grants.gov right now. Programs often post once a year, so the funding history below shows what to expect.
Rules from the program listing
Who can apply
Federal, State and local government agencies; Federally-recognized Indian Tribal governments; private nonprofit institutions/organizations; and public nonprofit institutions/organizations.
What the money can and cannot pay for
Grants may be used for the conservation of any bird species protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and occurring in IL, IN, IA, MI, MN, MO, OH, and WI). Special emphasis will be placed on Midwest Birds of Concern (see https://www.fws.gov/midwest/midwestbird/concern.html) as these species are experiencing known or suspected population declines, are recreationally important, or are party to biological or social conflicts. Implementing national, regional, and flyway bird conservation plans is the USFWS's highest priority—including the Partners in Flight North American Landbird Conservation Plan (http://www.partnersinflight.org), U.S. Shorebird Conservation Plan (https://www.shorebirdplan.org/), North American Waterbird Conservation Plan (https://www.fws.gov/birds/management/bird-management-plans/waterbird-conservation-for-the-americas.php), North American Waterfowl Management Plan (https://www.fws.gov/birds/management/bird-management-plans/north-american-waterfowl-management-plan.php), Mississippi Flyway bird management plans (http://mississippi.flyways.us/), and the habitat conservation strategies and research priorities of the Upper Mississippi River and Great Lakes Region Joint Venture (http://www.uppermissgreatlakesjv.org/Plans.htm). Proposals related to the priorities identified in these plans and Bird Conservation Region and state-level bird conservation planning efforts will receive high funding consideration.
Matching requirements
This program has no statutory formula. Matching requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing. MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
Award range and average, in the agency's words
Range $15,000 to $79,606; average $43,218 in FY21.
Examples of funded projects
Fiscal Year2025: No new projects funded in FY25.Fiscal Year2026: No new projects funded in FY26.
Funding history and past recipients
From fiscal 2021 to 2025, Migratory Bird Conservation (15.647) awarded$1.9 million across 20 grant awards, an average of $96,484 per award.
| Recipient | State | Awards | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biodiversity Research Institute | Maine | 1 | $265,353 |
| Ozaukee County | Wisconsin | 1 | $261,000 |
| Point Reyes Bird Observatory | California | 1 | $249,589 |
| The Nature Conservancy | Virginia | 1 | $203,750 |
| University of Massachusetts | Massachusetts | 1 | $185,516 |
| New Mexico State University | New Mexico | 2 | $170,683 |
| University of Illinois | Illinois | 2 | $148,090 |
| Selva Investigacion Para La Conservacion En El Neotropico | 1 | $89,320 | |
| Colorado State University | Colorado | 1 | $60,000 |
| Birdlife International | 1 | $55,000 | |
| Southern Sierra Research Station | California | 1 | $50,000 |
| Smithsonian Institution | District of Columbia | 1 | $43,876 |
| Ducks Unlimited Inc | North Dakota | 1 | $37,606 |
| Environmental Conservation Alaska Department | Alaska | 1 | $33,000 |
| The Great Basin Institute | Nevada | 1 | $27,123 |
| Georgetown University | District of Columbia | 1 | $23,983 |
| Pokagon Band of Potawatomi | Michigan | 1 | $22,680 |
| Klamath Bird Observatory | Oregon | 1 | $15,000 |
Who usually wins
Nonprofits received 46% of the money, colleges and universities 30% and state and local governments 15%.
| Recipient type | Awards | Amount | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nonprofits | 8 | $892,297 | 46% |
| Colleges and universities | 7 | $587,531 | 30% |
| State and local governments | 2 | $282,857 | 15% |
| Other | 2 | $144,320 | 7.5% |
| Tribal governments and organizations | 1 | $22,680 | 1.2% |
By state
No state received $1 million or 10 awards from this program, so it has no state pages.
| State | Awards | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| California | 2 | $299,589 |
| Maine | 1 | $265,353 |
| Wisconsin | 1 | $261,000 |
| Virginia | 1 | $203,750 |
| Massachusetts | 1 | $185,516 |
| New Mexico | 2 | $170,683 |
| Illinois | 2 | $148,090 |
| District of Columbia | 2 | $67,859 |
| Colorado | 1 | $60,000 |
| North Dakota | 1 | $37,606 |
| Alaska | 1 | $33,000 |
| Nevada | 1 | $27,123 |
| Michigan | 1 | $22,680 |
| Oregon | 1 | $15,000 |