Endangered Species Recovery Implementation (15.657)
Endangered Species Recovery Implementation (Assistance Listing 15.657) is run by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, part of the Department of the Interior. It awarded $292 million in 823 grants from fiscal 2021 to 2025, about $355,271 per award on average. No funding opportunity is open on Grants.gov right now.
The typical award was $82,925. Half of the 823 awards fell between $36,419 and $210,095, and they ranged from $2,350 to $57.5 million.
- Awarded, FY 2021 to 2025$292 million
- Grant awards823
- Typical award$82,925
- Awarded in FY 2025$91.8 million
- Size rank511 of 1,823
- Type of assistanceProject grants (discretionary)
Key findings
- Annual funding rose from $59.5 million in fiscal 2021 to $91.8 million in fiscal 2025.
- It is the 511th largest of 1,823 federal grant programs by five-year awards.
- The 20 largest recipients received 68% of the money.
- Awards went to recipients in 50 states and territories.
What the program funds
Recovery Implementation: To provide federal financial assistance to secure endangered or threatened species information, undertake restoration actions that will lead to delisting of a species; help prevent extinction of a species, or aid in the recovery of species. Recovery Challenge: To provide federal financial assistance to eligible, non-Federal longstanding and new partners working on high priority recovery actions as identified by the Service in recovery plans, recovery strategies, or recovery outlines for Endangered Species Act endangered and threatened species. State of the Birds: To provide federal financial assistance to address the crises and challenges confronting birds in every part of the country by funding projects supporting the recovery of bird species listed under the Endangered Species Act.
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
Eligible applicants include state, local, and tribal governments, nonprofit organizations, academic institutions, private landowners, businesses, and individuals with relevant biological expertise. Applicants should demonstrate knowledge of the species and ecosystems with which they propose to work.
What the money can and cannot pay for
Eligible applicants include state, local, and tribal governments, nonprofit organizations, academic institutions, private landowners, businesses, and individuals with relevant biological expertise. Applicants should demonstrate knowledge of the species and ecosystems with which they propose to work. Funding is not eligible for real property acquisition or construction projects under this program or subprograms.;
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
Contact FWS Regional Representatives located in the NOFO based on your project’s location.
Award range and average, in the agency's words
Varies by Region.
Examples of funded projects
Fiscal Year2025: Program selected NFWF for IRA Recovery Implementation project to implement selected recovery plans.??Recovery Implementation: Program?funded projects that develop and implement management actions designed to have a direct impact on recovery of listed species (e.g., reduce or?eliminate?threats). Funded projects?implement high priority recovery actions as prescribed in recovery plans. Recovery Challenge funds were not awarded in FY25.Fiscal Year2026: Program has not yet selected projects for funding.??Recovery Implementation: Program?anticipates?funding projects that develop and implement management actions designed to have a direct impact on recovery of listed species (e.g., reduce or?eliminate?threats). Recovery Challenge: Recovery Challenge matching grants are to be used to update recovery?plans and?implement high priority recovery actions as prescribed in recovery plans. Actions should include but are not limited to genetically sound breeding, rearing, and reintroduction programs.
Funding history and past recipients
From fiscal 2021 to 2025, Endangered Species Recovery Implementation (15.657) awarded $292 million across 823 grant awards, an average of $355,271 per award.
Who usually wins
Nonprofits received 67% of the money, state and local governments 16% and colleges and universities 13%.
| Recipient type | Awards | Amount | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nonprofits | 374 | $196 million | 67% |
| State and local governments | 141 | $46.7 million | 16% |
| Colleges and universities | 198 | $38.1 million | 13% |
| Businesses | 29 | $4.5 million | 1.5% |
| Small businesses | 37 | $3.7 million | 1.3% |
| Other | 27 | $2.0 million | 0.7% |
| Tribal governments and organizations | 12 | $1.5 million | 0.5% |
| Individuals | 5 | $82,305 | less than 0.1% |
By state
33 states have a page for this program: those that received at least $1 million or 10 awards.
| State | Awards | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | 13 | $63.4 million |
| California | 120 | $31.5 million |
| Maryland | 4 | $30.0 million |
| Hawaii | 41 | $29.8 million |
| Florida | 54 | $23.1 million |
| Virginia | 35 | $14.9 million |
| Oregon | 94 | $10.7 million |
| Texas | 26 | $7.9 million |
| Idaho | 38 | $7.8 million |
| Washington | 56 | $6.8 million |
| Georgia | 24 | $5.3 million |
| Alabama | 24 | $5.2 million |
| Kentucky | 10 | $4.3 million |
| Utah | 11 | $4.1 million |
| Minnesota | 12 | $4.0 million |
| Michigan | 21 | $3.8 million |
| Montana | 10 | $3.3 million |
| Colorado | 8 | $3.1 million |
| Wisconsin | 13 | $2.8 million |
| Nevada | 16 | $2.5 million |
| New York | 11 | $2.2 million |
| Connecticut | 3 | $2.0 million |
| Ohio | 12 | $1.9 million |
| North Carolina | 16 | $1.9 million |
| Tennessee | 17 | $1.5 million |
| Puerto Rico | 13 | $1.5 million |
| Oklahoma | 5 | $1.5 million |
| Louisiana | 4 | $1.3 million |
| Illinois | 11 | $1.2 million |
| Alaska | 2 | $1.0 million |
| Massachusetts | 6 | $836,058 |
| Maine | 4 | $831,666 |
| Missouri | 3 | $760,771 |
| New Jersey | 12 | $726,211 |
| Arizona | 11 | $723,218 |
| Wyoming | 6 | $713,902 |
| South Carolina | 8 | $703,853 |
| Mississippi | 12 | $582,187 |
| North Dakota | 3 | $567,690 |
| Vermont | 2 | $525,000 |
| Northern Mariana Islands | 2 | $513,517 |
| Indiana | 5 | $424,417 |
| Kansas | 5 | $419,074 |
| Guam | 1 | $405,417 |
| South Dakota | 3 | $287,797 |
| Pennsylvania | 3 | $227,453 |
| New Hampshire | 2 | $215,800 |
| New Mexico | 2 | $103,686 |
| Arkansas | 1 | $27,500 |
| U.S. Virgin Islands | 1 | $10,000 |