Opportunity Information: Apply for F17AS00015
The Partners for Fish and Wildlife (PFW) Program is a discretionary federal grant opportunity run by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, that helps restore and conserve fish and wildlife habitat through voluntary partnerships. The program is designed to be incentive-based, meaning it encourages participation by offering both hands-on technical support and financial assistance. Funding is provided primarily through cooperative agreements, reflecting the program model: projects are meant to be planned and carried out collaboratively with substantial involvement from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service field staff rather than operating as a hands-off pass-through grant.
A central feature of PFW is its focus on habitat work that benefits federal trust resources, which generally includes species and habitats for which the federal government has specific legal responsibilities. Program staff, supported by a nationwide team of more than 250 full-time employees working across all 50 states and U.S. territories, coordinate with local partners, stakeholders, and other Service programs to identify geographic focus areas. These focus areas are the places where the program intentionally concentrates resources to achieve the greatest conservation benefit for priority habitats and federal trust species. Within these focus areas, habitat conservation priorities are set, and project work plans are developed strategically with partners and with strong input from Service staff to ensure projects are practical, scientifically sound, and aligned with on-the-ground conservation needs.
Projects funded under this opportunity must support the Fish and Wildlife Service mission, promote biological diversity, and be grounded in sound scientific biological principles. The types of projects supported are guided by the program strategic plans, so applicants are expected to review the relevant strategic plan before applying. The opportunity also strongly encourages prospective applicants to contact the appropriate regional PFW Program office in advance, since regional staff can clarify priorities, focus areas, and project fit, which is especially important because the program is implemented locally and coordinated through field-based planning.
Eligibility is broad and includes state, county, and city or township governments; public and private institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations; nonprofit organizations (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3)); individuals; and for-profit organizations, including small businesses. While the program description emphasizes assistance to private landowners, the eligible applicant list shows that many kinds of entities can participate, often as partners, sponsors, or implementers working with landowners and the Service to complete habitat restoration and conservation activities.
Key administrative details from the opportunity listing include the funding opportunity title Partners for Fish and Wildlife and number F17AS00015. The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement, and the activity categories include community development, education, environment, and natural resources. The CFDA number is 15.631. The opportunity was created on November 3, 2016, with an original closing date of September 30, 2017. The listed award ceiling is $500,000, and the posting anticipated a very large number of awards (expected awards listed as 5,000), which aligns with the program's nationwide reach and its tendency to support many localized habitat projects.
The program is supported by multiple federal authorities, including the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Act of 2006 (16 U.S.C. 3771-3774), the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 (16 U.S.C. 742a-c, 742e-j), and the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act of 1958 (16 U.S.C. 661-667(e)). These statutes collectively underpin the Service's ability to work cooperatively with partners to conserve and restore habitat, particularly where such actions support federal trust species and broader conservation goals.Apply for F17AS00015
- The Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service in the community development, education, environment, natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Partners for Fish and Wildlife" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.631.
- This funding opportunity was created on Nov 03, 2016.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Sep 30, 2017. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $500,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 5,000 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, Individuals, For profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses.
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Partners for Fish and Wildlife (PFW) Program FAQs
What is the Partners for Fish and Wildlife (PFW) Program?
The Partners for Fish and Wildlife (PFW) Program is a discretionary federal grant opportunity run by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service. It supports voluntary partnerships that restore and conserve fish and wildlife habitat.
What is the main purpose of this funding opportunity?
The program is intended to restore and conserve habitat in ways that support the Fish and Wildlife Service mission, promote biological diversity, and follow sound scientific biological principles. A core emphasis is habitat work that benefits federal trust resources (species and habitats for which the federal government has specific legal responsibilities).
Is PFW a standard grant or something else?
PFW is primarily implemented through cooperative agreements. This reflects a collaborative model where projects are planned and carried out with substantial involvement from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service field staff, rather than being a hands-off pass-through grant.
What does it mean that the program is "incentive-based"?
It means the program encourages participation by offering both hands-on technical support and financial assistance to help partners complete habitat restoration and conservation work.
Who runs and manages the program?
The program is run by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and supported by a nationwide team of more than 250 full-time employees working across all 50 states and U.S. territories. Program staff coordinate with local partners and stakeholders and work with other Service programs.
How does the program decide where to focus its work?
PFW staff identify geographic focus areas where the program concentrates resources to achieve the greatest conservation benefit for priority habitats and federal trust species. Within these focus areas, habitat conservation priorities are set and project work plans are developed strategically with partners and strong input from Service staff.
What kinds of projects are eligible for support?
Supported projects are habitat restoration and conservation efforts that align with the Fish and Wildlife Service mission, promote biological diversity, and are grounded in sound scientific biological principles. Specific project types are guided by program strategic plans, so applicants are expected to review the relevant strategic plan before applying.
Do projects need to be scientifically supported?
Yes. Projects must be practical, scientifically sound, and aligned with on-the-ground conservation needs, with strong input from Fish and Wildlife Service staff during planning and implementation.
Is the program implemented nationally or locally?
PFW is a nationwide program, but implementation is local. Projects and priorities are coordinated through field-based planning, and regional staff play a major role in clarifying fit and guiding project development.
Should applicants contact the Fish and Wildlife Service before applying?
Yes. Prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the appropriate regional PFW Program office in advance. Regional staff can clarify priorities, geographic focus areas, and whether a project is a good fit.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes:
- State governments
- County governments
- City or township governments
- Public and private institutions of higher education
- Federally recognized tribal governments
- Other tribal organizations
- Nonprofit organizations (501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3))
- Individuals
- For-profit organizations, including small businesses
Is this program only for private landowners?
The description emphasizes assistance to private landowners, but the eligible applicant list includes many types of entities. In practice, different organizations may participate as partners, sponsors, or implementers working with landowners and the Fish and Wildlife Service to complete habitat restoration and conservation activities.
What is the funding opportunity title and number?
The funding opportunity title is Partners for Fish and Wildlife and the opportunity number is F17AS00015.
What is the funding instrument for awards?
The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement.
What activity categories does this opportunity fall under?
The listed activity categories include community development, education, environment, and natural resources.
What is the CFDA number for this program?
The CFDA number is 15.631.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The listed award ceiling is $500,000.
How many awards were expected?
The posting listed 5,000 expected awards, consistent with the program's nationwide reach and its tendency to support many localized habitat projects.
When was this opportunity created and when did it close?
The opportunity was created on November 3, 2016, and the original closing date was September 30, 2017.
What legal authorities support the PFW Program?
The program is supported by multiple federal authorities, including:
- Partners for Fish and Wildlife Act of 2006 (16 U.S.C. 3771-3774)
- Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 (16 U.S.C. 742a-c, 742e-j)
- Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act of 1958 (16 U.S.C. 661-667(e))
These statutes underpin the Fish and Wildlife Service's ability to work cooperatively with partners to conserve and restore habitat, particularly where actions support federal trust species and broader conservation goals.
How are projects developed under this program?
Projects are developed through collaborative planning with partners and strong involvement from Fish and Wildlife Service field staff. This approach is designed to ensure projects are aligned with program priorities, practical to implement, and responsive to local conservation needs.
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