Natural Resource Stewardship (15.944)
Natural Resource Stewardship (Assistance Listing 15.944) is run by the National Park Service, part of the Department of the Interior. It awarded $104 million in 297 grants from fiscal 2021 to 2025, about $349,840 per award on average. No funding opportunity is open on Grants.gov right now.
The typical award was $105,840. Half of the 297 awards fell between $44,891 and $320,405, and they ranged from $1,735 to $7.1 million.
- Awarded, FY 2021 to 2025$104 million
- Grant awards297
- Typical award$105,840
- Awarded in FY 2025$31.1 million
- Size rank801 of 1,823
- Type of assistanceCooperative agreements
Key findings
- Annual funding rose from $16.9 million in fiscal 2021 to $31.1 million in fiscal 2025.
- It is the 801st largest of 1,823 federal grant programs by five-year awards.
- The 20 largest recipients received 71% of the money.
- Awards went to recipients in 44 states and territories.
What the program funds
The Natural Resource Stewardship program is the principle means through which the National Park Service (NPS) evaluates and improves the health of watersheds, landscapes, and marine and coastal resources, sustains biological communities on the lands and waters in parks, and actively endeavors to improve the resiliency of these natural resources. NPS conducts natural resource stewardship largely at the park level, utilizing park personnel and contractor or cooperative support. To carry out and further this stewardship responsibility, the NPS implements programs that encompass a broad range of research, operational, and educational activities.
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, local, or tribal governments, other Federal agencies, other public entities, educational institutions, private nonprofit organizations.
What the money can and cannot pay for
Funds used for all aspects of natural resource (air, water, geological, biological) stewardship activities, including but not limited to resource inventories and monitoring, restoration projects, and wildlife and plant management. Funds may not be used for acquisition of real property.
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: $10,000 - $3,000,000 Average: $250,000
Examples of funded projects
Fiscal Year2025: 1) Restoring Native Habitats and Wildlife - Funding supports the restoration of endangered plant species and the reintroduction of native vegetation in areas affected by wildfires or invasive species. This includes growing native plants, removing harmful species, and monitoring wildlife recovery. 2) Protecting Aquatic Ecosystems - Funds are used to monitor fish populations, restore riverbanks, and improve water quality in national parks. These efforts help maintain healthy aquatic habitats and support species that rely on clean water. 3) Monitoring Birds and Wildlife - Projects involve tracking bird populations using acoustic recorders or field surveys. The data helps scientists understand changes in wildlife behavior and habitat use. 4) Supporting Scientific Research and Data Collection - Projects fund long-term ecological monitoring, including vegetation surveys, impact studies, and data analysis. The results guide park management decisions and contribute to national databases.Fiscal Year2026: 1) Restoring Habitats and Wildlife - Funding helps repair damaged natural areas by removing invasive plants, planting native vegetation, and supporting the recovery of wildlife after disturbances like wildfires. These efforts improve ecosystem health and create safer, more resilient landscapes. 2) Protecting Water and Aquatic Life - Funds support monitoring and restoring rivers, streams, and wetlands.
Funding history and past recipients
From fiscal 2021 to 2025, Natural Resource Stewardship (15.944) awarded $104 million across 297 grant awards, an average of $349,840 per award.
Who usually wins
Nonprofits received 68% of the money, state and local governments 22% and colleges and universities 4.9%.
| Recipient type | Awards | Amount | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nonprofits | 196 | $70.9 million | 68% |
| State and local governments | 49 | $22.3 million | 22% |
| Colleges and universities | 20 | $5.1 million | 4.9% |
| Other | 22 | $4.2 million | 4.1% |
| Businesses | 2 | $846,689 | 0.8% |
| Tribal governments and organizations | 8 | $481,542 | 0.5% |
By state
18 states have a page for this program: those that received at least $1 million or 10 awards.
| State | Awards | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| California | 104 | $43.6 million |
| Colorado | 9 | $7.2 million |
| Wisconsin | 8 | $5.5 million |
| Texas | 8 | $4.5 million |
| Maine | 10 | $4.3 million |
| Minnesota | 8 | $4.2 million |
| Alaska | 20 | $4.1 million |
| New Mexico | 9 | $3.6 million |
| District of Columbia | 10 | $3.4 million |
| U.S. Virgin Islands | 2 | $2.5 million |
| Montana | 3 | $2.4 million |
| Virginia | 6 | $2.2 million |
| Maryland | 8 | $1.8 million |
| Washington | 12 | $1.7 million |
| Nevada | 7 | $1.6 million |
| New Jersey | 3 | $1.5 million |
| Kentucky | 4 | $1.5 million |
| Oregon | 8 | $1.2 million |
| Indiana | 3 | $771,225 |
| Florida | 3 | $705,931 |
| Tennessee | 7 | $659,132 |
| Ohio | 3 | $580,576 |
| New Hampshire | 1 | $528,931 |
| Utah | 5 | $400,232 |
| Pennsylvania | 2 | $352,128 |
| Arizona | 3 | $346,051 |
| Massachusetts | 4 | $344,793 |
| New York | 2 | $324,942 |
| Wyoming | 1 | $318,454 |
| Missouri | 2 | $281,994 |
| South Dakota | 1 | $255,000 |
| North Carolina | 2 | $254,303 |
| West Virginia | 2 | $200,084 |
| Michigan | 5 | $176,680 |
| Idaho | 2 | $164,085 |
| Hawaii | 2 | $125,000 |
| Louisiana | 1 | $119,997 |
| Delaware | 1 | $114,699 |
| Alabama | 1 | $61,389 |
| Illinois | 1 | $21,000 |
| Arkansas | 1 | $20,000 |
| Mississippi | 1 | $13,841 |
| Nebraska | 1 | $10,000 |
| Vermont | 1 | $9,438 |