Tribal Wildlife Grants Program | F17AS00211

Opportunity Information: Apply for F17AS00211

The Tribal Wildlife Grants (TWG) Program is a competitive federal grant opportunity run by the U.S. Department of the Interior through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). It supports wildlife conservation work led by federally recognized Tribal governments, with a focus on planning, developing, and carrying out programs that benefit wildlife populations, wildlife habitat, and species that hold Tribal cultural or traditional importance. A key point is that the program explicitly includes species that are not hunted or fished, which broadens eligibility beyond game species and allows Tribes to pursue conservation projects tied to cultural values, biodiversity, and ecosystem health.

TWG sits under the broader umbrella of wildlife conservation funding commonly referred to as the State Wildlife Grants Program, which provides resources to States, the District of Columbia, U.S. Territories, and Tribes under authorities including the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 and the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act. However, TWG itself is structured as a distinct Tribal-focused competitive program. Congress directed FWS to set aside a portion of State Wildlife Grants funding for a Tribal competition through the Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2002 (Public Law 107-63). That direction authorized the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of FWS, to establish this separate competitive Tribal grant program. Because of that structure, TWG is not bound by the formula-based distribution approach used for the State Wildlife Grant portion, and it is also not subject to certain other State Wildlife Grant program requirements. In practical terms, that means Tribes apply to a competition rather than receiving funds through a formula allocation.

This particular funding opportunity was issued as a discretionary grant (Funding Opportunity Number F17AS00211) in the environment, natural resources, and related research and development space. The eligible applicants are federally recognized Native American tribal governments. The opportunity was posted on May 12, 2017, with an original closing date of September 1, 2017. The maximum award amount listed was $200,000, and the program expected to make about 30 awards. The assistance listing for the program is under CFDA 15.639, reflecting its placement within FWS financial assistance programs.

Overall, the TWG Program is designed to put resources directly in the hands of Tribal governments to conserve and restore wildlife and habitat in ways that align with Tribal priorities, including stewardship of culturally significant species and ecosystems. It is best understood as a Tribal-specific, competitively awarded conservation grant program housed within FWS, created by Congress to ensure Tribes have a dedicated pathway to pursue wildlife conservation projects without being constrained by the State formula framework.

• The Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service in the environment, natural resources, science and technology and other research and development 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 May 12, 2017.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Sep 01, 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 $200,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 30 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized).

Apply for F17AS00211

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal: