# Adaptive Science (15.670)

Source: https://welltoldgrants.com/programs/15-670-adaptive-science/  
Publisher: Well Told Grants. Data: USAspending.gov and Grants.gov, updated November 7, 2026.

Adaptive Science is run by Department of the Interior. From fiscal 2021 to 2025 it awarded $117 million in 135 grants, about $863,007 per award.

## Objectives

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) uses a science-based, adaptive framework for setting and achieving broad-scale conservation objectives that strategically address the problems fish and wildlife will face in the future. This framework, called Strategic Habitat Conservation, is based on the principles of adaptive management and uses population and habitat data, ecological models, and focused monitoring and assessment efforts to develop and implement strategies that result in measurable fish and wildlife population outcomes. This process uses the best available scientific information to predict how fish and wildlife populations will respond to changes in the environment, thus enabling the USFWS to focus habitat conservation and other management activities where they will be most effective. In addition, the USFWS needs focused, applied science directed at high impact questions surrounding threats to fish and wildlife resources for which management and/or mitigation is required to maintain species at healthy, sustainable, desired levels. USFWS must base its decisions on the best science available, in order to defend its regulatory decisions, biological opinions and species conservation recommendations to land managers.

## Funding by fiscal year

| Year | Amount | Awards |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $14.4 million | 39 |
| 2022 | $23.0 million | 36 |
| 2023 | $27.9 million | 43 |
| 2024 | $26.6 million | 34 |
| 2025 | $24.6 million | 29 |

## Largest recipients

| Recipient | State | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| National Fish and Wildlife Foundation | District of Columbia | $96.0 million |
| Wildlife Management Institute, Incorporated | Vermont | $2.2 million |
| Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies | District of Columbia | $2.0 million |
| Temple University-of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education | Pennsylvania | $947,501 |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University | Virginia | $884,614 |
| Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Inc. | Idaho | $829,563 |
| Ncasi Foundation | North Carolina | $704,238 |
| University of Massachusetts Lowell | Massachusetts | $549,660 |
| Natureserve | Virginia | $521,606 |
| The Regents of the University of California | California | $514,589 |
| Board of Regents of Nevada System of Higher Education | Nevada | $503,804 |
| Midwest Association of Fish & Wild Life Agencies | Kansas | $485,839 |
| Nevada Department of Wildlife | Nevada | $481,368 |
| Mississippi State University | Mississippi | $451,547 |
| Oregon State University | Oregon | $446,839 |
| Monarch Joint Venture | Minnesota | $425,000 |
| Conservation Science Partners, Inc. | California | $419,934 |
| University of Montana | Montana | $399,995 |
| Pheasants Forever, Inc. | Minnesota | $375,000 |
| Colorado State University | Colorado | $345,047 |