National Wildlife Refuge System Enhancements (15.654)
National Wildlife Refuge System Enhancements (Assistance Listing 15.654) is run by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, part of the Department of the Interior. It awarded $278 million in 424 grants from fiscal 2021 to 2025, about $656,267 per award on average. No funding opportunity is open on Grants.gov right now.
The typical award was $99,165. Half of the 424 awards fell between $42,851 and $350,000, and they ranged from $4,998 to $27.5 million.
- Awarded, FY 2021 to 2025$278 million
- Grant awards424
- Typical award$99,165
- Awarded in FY 2025$121 million
- Size rank523 of 1,823
- Type of assistanceCooperative agreements (discretionary grants)
Key findings
- Annual funding rose from $22.2 million in fiscal 2021 to $121 million in fiscal 2025.
- It is the 523rd largest of 1,823 federal grant programs by five-year awards.
- The 20 largest recipients received 76% of the money.
- Awards went to recipients in 46 states and territories.
What the program funds
To provide technical and financial assistance to identify, conserve, manage, and enhance the natural, historical, and cultural resources and physical infrastructure of the National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS); deliver public access and high-quality outdoor recreational opportunities; build a volunteer cadre, and inspire the next generation of hunters, anglers and wildlife enthusiasts through work on and off NWRS managed lands and waters. This program also encourages coordination and integration of efforts between U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) programs and interested parties to accomplish successful prevention or management of invasive species. Projects must conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife and plants on and off NWRS managed lands for the continuing benefit of the American people.
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
State Government, County Government, City or Township Government, Special District Government, Regional Organization, U.S. Territory or Possession, Public/State Controlled Institution of Higher Education, Indian/Native American Tribal Government (Federally Recognized), Indian/Native American Tribal Government (Other than Federally Recognized), Indian/Native American Tribally Designated Organization, Nonprofit with 501C3 IRS Status (Other than institution of Higher Education), Nonprofit without 501C3 IRS Status ( Other than Institution of Higher Education), For-Profit Organization (Other than Small Business), Small Business, Private Institution of Higher Education, Hispanic Serving Institution, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions.
What the money can and cannot pay for
Funds may be used for approved activities that support the objectives of the Department of the Interior (DOI) and the National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS). Awards issued under this program will support NWRS efforts to effectively engage with the visiting public, enhance visitor services, improve facilities, manage invasive species on and off NWRS managed lands, and support priority public uses such as hiking, fishing, boating, wildlife observation, and photography. Program awards endeavor to leverage funds with local industries and community organizations to conduct on-the-ground projects that support shared conservation goals and reduce barriers to outdoor recreation.
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.
Deadlines
07/01/2026
Award range and average, in the agency's words
$2,500 – $26,000,000
Examples of funded projects
Fiscal Year2025: Program funded projects promoted engagement with the visiting public in outdoor recreation opportunities (such as hunting and fishing), stewardship of refuge resources through habitat maintenance, restoration and improvement, biological monitoring, refuge operations and maintenance, supported community engagement, construction, and improvement of refuge facilities, and also facilitated the publication and distribution of educational materials and products.Fiscal Year2026: Program has not yet selected all projects for funding. Program anticipates funding projects that promote engagement with the visiting public in outdoor recreation opportunities (such as hunting and fishing), promote stewardship of refuge resources through habitat maintenance, restoration and improvement, biological monitoring, refuge operations and maintenance, support community engagement, construction, and improvement of refuge facilities, and the facilitate the publication and distribution of educational materials and products.
Funding history and past recipients
From fiscal 2021 to 2025, National Wildlife Refuge System Enhancements (15.654) awarded $278 million across 424 grant awards, an average of $656,267 per award.
Who usually wins
Nonprofits received 57% of the money, state and local governments 27% and colleges and universities 7.5%.
| Recipient type | Awards | Amount | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nonprofits | 243 | $158 million | 57% |
| State and local governments | 65 | $75.7 million | 27% |
| Colleges and universities | 86 | $20.9 million | 7.5% |
| Businesses | 5 | $20.0 million | 7.2% |
| Tribal governments and organizations | 11 | $1.9 million | 0.7% |
| Other | 6 | $995,896 | 0.4% |
| Small businesses | 8 | $931,037 | 0.3% |
By state
30 states have a page for this program: those that received at least $1 million or 10 awards.
| State | Awards | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| California | 51 | $33.3 million |
| Mississippi | 20 | $32.1 million |
| Louisiana | 3 | $28.2 million |
| Texas | 6 | $20.1 million |
| Virginia | 24 | $19.9 million |
| Montana | 7 | $19.7 million |
| Michigan | 14 | $16.0 million |
| Florida | 9 | $15.1 million |
| District of Columbia | 15 | $14.8 million |
| North Carolina | 10 | $12.1 million |
| Minnesota | 18 | $10.8 million |
| North Dakota | 4 | $5.7 million |
| Maine | 10 | $4.4 million |
| Oregon | 28 | $4.3 million |
| Nevada | 30 | $3.6 million |
| Wisconsin | 12 | $3.5 million |
| Illinois | 5 | $3.1 million |
| Massachusetts | 6 | $2.7 million |
| Hawaii | 9 | $2.3 million |
| Iowa | 9 | $2.3 million |
| Washington | 20 | $2.3 million |
| New York | 7 | $2.3 million |
| New Mexico | 11 | $2.2 million |
| Puerto Rico | 5 | $2.2 million |
| Alaska | 16 | $2.0 million |
| Colorado | 10 | $1.9 million |
| Arizona | 12 | $1.8 million |
| Pennsylvania | 4 | $1.7 million |
| Ohio | 5 | $1.1 million |
| South Dakota | 1 | $1.0 million |
| Tennessee | 5 | $920,100 |
| Arkansas | 5 | $835,978 |
| Idaho | 4 | $826,199 |
| Vermont | 4 | $815,560 |
| Connecticut | 2 | $808,349 |
| South Carolina | 5 | $488,907 |
| Georgia | 2 | $434,505 |
| Maryland | 5 | $160,000 |
| Wyoming | 2 | $142,000 |
| Rhode Island | 1 | $63,282 |
| New Hampshire | 1 | $49,990 |
| Missouri | 1 | $45,473 |
| New Jersey | 1 | $24,993 |
| Kentucky | 1 | $19,772 |
| West Virginia | 1 | $7,854 |
| Oklahoma | 1 | $6,300 |