Opportunity Information: Apply for F20AS00050
The Tribal Wildlife Grants (TWG) Program is a competitive federal grant opportunity run by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, designed specifically to help federally recognized Tribal governments develop and carry out wildlife conservation projects. The focus is on improving conditions for wildlife and their habitats, with particular attention to species that hold Tribal cultural or traditional importance. Importantly, the program is not limited to game species or popular recreational fish; it also supports conservation work for species that are not hunted or fished, which often includes sensitive, lesser-known, or culturally significant plants and animals tied to Tribal lifeways and traditions.
TWG sits under the broader umbrella of the State Wildlife Grant (SWG) Program, which provides conservation funding across States, territories, and Tribes under the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 and the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act. However, TWG is set up as a distinct Tribal-focused competitive program. Its funding traces back to the Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2002 (Public Law 107-63), when Congress directed the Fish and Wildlife Service to use a portion of SWG appropriations to create a grant program specifically available to federally recognized Tribes. That same legislative direction allows the Secretary of the Interior, through the Service Director, to operate TWG separately, meaning it is not bound to the same provisions or requirements that apply to the SWG portion of funding. In practical terms, that separation is meant to better fit the unique governance, priorities, and conservation needs of Tribal nations.
A major purpose of TWG is to strengthen Tribal capacity to plan and implement on-the-ground conservation actions on Tribal lands. Many Tribal lands are located next to lands managed by the Department of the Interior, so projects can also produce regional conservation benefits that extend beyond reservation boundaries. The types of activities supported can include habitat restoration, wildlife monitoring and surveys, management planning, conservation education and outreach, and other actions that measurably improve wildlife populations and habitat quality. Because healthier fish and wildlife populations can increase sustainable hunting and fishing opportunities, TWG-funded work can benefit both on- and off-Tribal lands while also supporting Tribal food systems, subsistence practices, and cultural uses connected to wildlife.
The program also explicitly supports work that aligns with the Endangered Species Act (ESA). That includes project activities that help prevent species from needing to be listed in the first place, or that contribute to downlisting or delisting by addressing threats and improving population status. This makes TWG relevant not only for general wildlife conservation, but also for targeted recovery and proactive conservation efforts where Tribes can play a direct role in protecting at-risk species and habitats.
For the specific opportunity information provided, the grant is listed as a discretionary funding opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number F20AS00050) under CFDA 15.639, with an environmental and natural resources focus. Eligible applicants are federally recognized Native American tribal governments. The opportunity was created February 3, 2020, with an original closing date of May 4, 2020. Awards were anticipated for about 25 projects, with an award ceiling of $200,000 per award.Apply for F20AS00050
- The Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service in the environment, natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Tribal Wildlife Grants Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.639.
- This funding opportunity was created on Feb 03, 2020.
- Applicants must submit their applications by May 04, 2020. (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 $200,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 25 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized).
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Tribal Wildlife Grants (TWG) Program FAQs
What is the Tribal Wildlife Grants (TWG) Program?
The Tribal Wildlife Grants (TWG) Program is a competitive federal grant opportunity administered by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service. It is designed specifically to help federally recognized Tribal governments develop and carry out wildlife conservation projects that improve conditions for wildlife and their habitats.
Who runs and administers the TWG Program?
The TWG Program is run by the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS).
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants are federally recognized Native American tribal governments.
Is TWG a competitive grant program?
Yes. TWG is described as a competitive federal grant opportunity.
What is the focus area of this grant opportunity?
The opportunity has an environmental and natural resources focus, centered on improving conditions for wildlife and their habitats, with particular attention to species with Tribal cultural or traditional importance.
Is TWG limited to game species or popular sport fish?
No. The program is not limited to game species or popular recreational fish. It also supports conservation work for species that are not hunted or fished, including sensitive, lesser-known, or culturally significant plants and animals tied to Tribal lifeways and traditions.
Does TWG support projects involving culturally important species?
Yes. The program places particular attention on species that hold Tribal cultural or traditional importance, including plants and animals connected to Tribal lifeways and traditions.
What kinds of projects or activities can TWG support?
Supported activities can include habitat restoration, wildlife monitoring and surveys, management planning, conservation education and outreach, and other actions that measurably improve wildlife populations and habitat quality.
What is the main purpose of TWG funding?
A major purpose of TWG is to strengthen Tribal capacity to plan and implement on-the-ground conservation actions on Tribal lands.
Can TWG projects provide benefits beyond Tribal lands?
Yes. Because many Tribal lands are located next to lands managed by the Department of the Interior, projects can also produce regional conservation benefits that extend beyond reservation boundaries.
How can TWG-funded work relate to hunting and fishing opportunities?
By improving habitat quality and wildlife populations, TWG-funded work can increase sustainable hunting and fishing opportunities and benefit both on- and off-Tribal lands, while also supporting Tribal food systems, subsistence practices, and cultural uses connected to wildlife.
How does TWG relate to the State Wildlife Grant (SWG) Program?
TWG sits under the broader umbrella of the State Wildlife Grant (SWG) Program, which provides conservation funding across States, territories, and Tribes under the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 and the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act. However, TWG is set up as a distinct, Tribal-focused competitive program.
Why is TWG considered separate from SWG requirements?
Congress directed the Fish and Wildlife Service to use a portion of SWG appropriations to create a grant program specifically available to federally recognized Tribes. That direction also allows the Secretary of the Interior, through the Service Director, to operate TWG separately, meaning it is not bound to the same provisions or requirements that apply to the SWG portion of funding. This separation is intended to better fit the unique governance, priorities, and conservation needs of Tribal nations.
What laws and authorities are mentioned as related to this program?
The broader SWG program operates under the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 and the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act. Funding for TWG traces back to the Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2002 (Public Law 107-63), which directed the Fish and Wildlife Service to create a Tribal-specific grant program using a portion of SWG appropriations.
Does TWG support Endangered Species Act (ESA)-related work?
Yes. TWG explicitly supports work that aligns with the Endangered Species Act (ESA), including activities that help prevent species from needing to be listed, or that contribute to downlisting or delisting by addressing threats and improving population status.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON) for this opportunity?
The Funding Opportunity Number listed is F20AS00050.
What is the CFDA number for this program?
The CFDA number provided is 15.639.
What type of funding opportunity is this?
This is listed as a discretionary funding opportunity.
When was this opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on February 3, 2020.
What was the original application closing date?
The original closing date was May 4, 2020.
How many awards were anticipated?
About 25 awards (projects) were anticipated.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling was $200,000 per award.
What is the overall goal of TWG projects?
The overall goal is to measurably improve wildlife populations and habitat quality, with projects designed to improve conditions for wildlife and their habitats and to support Tribal conservation priorities, including culturally significant species and ESA-aligned conservation actions.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Environment, Natural Resources
Next opportunity: Alaska BLM Wildlife Resources Management Program
Previous opportunity: Request for Information - Strategic Communications Services - USAID/Mexico
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for F20AS00050
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (F20AS00050) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| North American Wetlands Conservation Act 2021-2 U.S. Standard Grants Apply for F20AS00054 Funding Number: F20AS00054 Agency: Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program Apply for F20AS00057 Funding Number: F20AS00057 Agency: Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Great Lakes Restoration, Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program 2020 Apply for F20AS00059 Funding Number: F20AS00059 Agency: Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Joint Venture Habitat Restoration and Protection Apply for F20AS00060 Funding Number: F20AS00060 Agency: Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| NAWCA 2021 Mexico Standard Grant Apply for F20AS00065 Funding Number: F20AS00065 Agency: Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| MARINE BIODIVERISTY CONSERVATION ACTIVITY Apply for RFI 621 20 EG 00001 Funding Number: RFI 621 20 EG 00001 Agency: Agency for International Development, Tanzania USAID-Dar es Salaam Category: Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $15,000,000 |
| BLM-CO Abandoned Mine Lands Reclamation Project Apply for L20AS00081 Funding Number: L20AS00081 Agency: Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management Category: Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $1,500,000 |
| Quantify changing environmental conditions to inform decisions about allowed means of winter access to subsistence resources Apply for P20AS00039 Funding Number: P20AS00039 Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service Category: Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $508,530 |
| Council-Selected Restoration Component 2020 Funded Priorities List 3a Apply for CP GT3 20 001 Funding Number: CP GT3 20 001 Agency: Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council Category: Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $26,880,000 |
| Lake Clark National Park and Preserve Subsistence Harvest Surveys Apply for P20AS00048 Funding Number: P20AS00048 Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service Category: Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| NAWCA 2021-2 Canada Grants Apply for F20AS00066 Funding Number: F20AS00066 Agency: Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $10,000,000 |
| NAWCA 2021 Mexico Standard Grant Apply for F20AS00069 Funding Number: F20AS00069 Agency: Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| FY 2020 Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund: Traditional Conservation Grants Apply for F20AS00070 Funding Number: F20AS00070 Agency: Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
| Fiscal Year 2020 Candidate Conservation Action Funds Apply for F20AS00071 Funding Number: F20AS00071 Agency: Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Recovery Challenge Apply for F20AS00072 Funding Number: F20AS00072 Agency: Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Recovery Implementation Apply for F20AS00073 Funding Number: F20AS00073 Agency: Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| USDA Forest Service - Great Lakes RFA 2020 Apply for USDA FS 2020 GLRI Funding Number: USDA FS 2020 GLRI Agency: Department of Agriculture, Forest Service Category: Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| BLM-CO Statewide Orphan Wells Project Apply for L20AS00097 Funding Number: L20AS00097 Agency: Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management Category: Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| BLM-CO Abandoned Mine Lands Reclamation Project - Gunnison Field Office Apply for L20AS00101 Funding Number: L20AS00101 Agency: Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management Category: Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $650,000 |
| Forest Service Northeast and Midwest Landscape Scale Restoration 2021 Apply for USDA FS 2021 LSR Funding Number: USDA FS 2021 LSR Agency: Department of Agriculture, Forest Service Category: Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $600,000 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "F20AS00050", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.