Opportunity Information: Apply for F19AS00024
The Partners for Fish and Wildlife (PFW) Program is a long-running U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) grant and technical assistance program under the Department of the Interior that helps restore and conserve fish and wildlife habitat primarily on private lands. It is a voluntary, incentive-based program that works through cooperative agreements and grant agreements to support habitat projects that benefit federal trust resources (species and habitats for which the federal government has specific responsibilities). The program has operated since 1987 and is implemented nationwide through a network of more than 250 field-based staff working in all 50 states and U.S. territories, which is a central feature of how the program builds partnerships and delivers projects locally.
Funding is provided under CFDA 15.631 and is authorized by several laws, including the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Act of 2006 (Public Law 109-294), the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956, and the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act of 1958. The opportunity is listed as a discretionary federal funding program, using the cooperative agreement instrument type, and it falls under the Natural Resources funding activity category. Eligibility is described as broadly open (unrestricted) as long as applicants meet any additional eligibility clarifications in the full announcement, but the program emphasis is clearly oriented around working with private landowners and on-the-ground partners.
A major operational concept in PFW is the use of geographic focus areas, which are places where the program concentrates staff time and funding to achieve the highest habitat conservation return for priority species. FWS staff coordinate with partners, stakeholders, and other FWS programs to define these focus areas and set habitat conservation priorities, typically guided by regional strategic plans. Project work plans are developed strategically with substantial involvement from local FWS field staff, reflecting the cooperative nature of the program and the expectation that projects are planned and delivered in coordination with the Service rather than as stand-alone, applicant-driven proposals.
Project selection is framed around alignment with Department of the Interior and FWS missions, the PFW mission, and the Secretary of the Interior's priorities, with an emphasis on biological diversity and sound science. The notice highlights several priority themes that can make projects more competitive. These include building and restoring trust with local communities (supported by the fact that PFW biologists live and work in the communities they serve), modernizing conservation-related infrastructure (such as improving fish passage, upgrading structures to reduce flood damage, and improving wetland levees, water control structures, and fencing), supporting tribal priorities and sovereignty through projects that strengthen tribal partnerships, and improving habitat that supports hunting and fishing opportunities consistent with referenced Secretarial Orders.
The program also places special value on projects that complement the National Wildlife Refuge System, especially work on private lands near refuges that supports refuge conservation goals or helps resolve refuge problems caused by nearby land uses. In a similar vein, PFW prioritizes projects that expand and connect priority habitats, reduce fragmentation, create buffers, and establish wildlife movement corridors, particularly when these projects occur near other protected or managed lands (such as refuges, national forests, national parks, USDA lands, tribal lands, state lands, or conservation NGO holdings). While focus areas and regional priorities drive where the program concentrates resources, the announcement notes that high-value projects outside designated focus areas can still be considered.
A practical takeaway for applicants is that the program strongly encourages early coordination with the appropriate Regional PFW Office before developing or submitting an application. The announcement provides regional contact phone numbers for the Pacific, Southwest, Midwest, Southeast, Northeast, Mountain-Prairie, Alaska, and Pacific Southwest regions, and it also points applicants to the PFW website to locate the nearest program office. This pre-application consultation is positioned as important for confirming fit with program priorities, understanding regional focus areas, and improving the chances that a proposal aligns with how PFW plans and approves projects.
For the specific listing provided, the funding opportunity number is F19AS00024, the award ceiling is stated as $750,000, and the opportunity anticipated a large number of awards (listed as 2,500). The original posting information shows an October 19, 2018 creation date and an original closing date of September 30, 2019, indicating this is a particular cycle or notice for a broader, ongoing program that operates continuously through regional and field offices.Apply for F19AS00024
- The Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service in the 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 Oct 19, 2018.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Sep 30, 2019. (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 $750,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 2,500 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.
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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 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) grant and technical assistance program under the Department of the Interior that helps restore and conserve fish and wildlife habitat primarily on private lands. It is voluntary and incentive-based, and it works through partnerships to deliver on-the-ground habitat projects.
Who runs the PFW Program?
The program is run by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) within the U.S. Department of the Interior.
When did the PFW Program start?
The PFW Program has operated since 1987.
Where does the program operate?
The program is implemented nationwide through a network of more than 250 field-based staff working across all 50 states and U.S. territories.
What kind of funding opportunity is this?
This opportunity is described as a discretionary federal funding program. The instrument type listed is a cooperative agreement, reflecting that projects are expected to be planned and carried out in coordination with the Service.
What is the CFDA number for this program?
Funding is provided under CFDA 15.631.
What laws authorize the PFW Program?
The program is authorized by several laws, including the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Act of 2006 (Public Law 109-294), the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956, and the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act of 1958.
What types of projects does PFW support?
PFW supports habitat restoration and conservation projects that benefit federal trust resources, including species and habitats for which the federal government has specific responsibilities. The program emphasis is oriented around habitat work on private lands and on-the-ground partnerships.
What are "federal trust resources" in the context of this program?
In this program, federal trust resources refer to species and habitats for which the federal government has specific responsibilities, and PFW-funded projects are intended to benefit these resources through habitat work.
Is the program only for private lands?
The program is described as helping restore and conserve habitat primarily on private lands. It also emphasizes partnerships and projects that complement nearby protected or managed lands, particularly when work occurs on private lands near those areas.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is described as broadly open (unrestricted) as long as applicants meet any additional eligibility clarifications included in the full announcement. The program emphasis suggests applicants should be positioned to work with private landowners and local partners on habitat projects.
What funding activity category does this opportunity fall under?
The opportunity falls under the Natural Resources funding activity category.
What is the funding opportunity number for this listing?
The funding opportunity number provided is F19AS00024.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling listed for this opportunity is $750,000.
How many awards were anticipated?
The listing anticipated a large number of awards, shown as 2,500.
How does PFW decide where to focus funding and staff time?
A major operational concept is the use of geographic focus areas. These are places where the program concentrates staff time and funding to achieve the highest habitat conservation return for priority species. Focus areas and priorities are typically guided by regional strategic plans and coordinated with partners, stakeholders, and other FWS programs.
Can projects outside geographic focus areas be considered?
Yes. While the program concentrates resources in focus areas, the notice indicates that high-value projects outside designated focus areas can still be considered.
How are projects planned under a cooperative agreement approach?
Project work plans are developed strategically with substantial involvement from local FWS field staff. The announcement emphasizes that projects are expected to be planned and delivered in coordination with the Service, rather than treated as stand-alone, applicant-driven proposals.
What are the main selection and competitiveness factors mentioned?
Project selection is framed around alignment with Department of the Interior and FWS missions, the PFW mission, and the Secretary of the Interior's priorities, with emphasis on biological diversity and sound science. The notice also highlights priority themes that can make projects more competitive.
What priority themes can make a project more competitive?
The notice highlights several themes: building and restoring trust with local communities (supported by the local presence of PFW biologists), modernizing conservation-related infrastructure (such as fish passage improvements, upgrades to structures to reduce flood damage, and improvements to wetland levees, water control structures, and fencing), supporting tribal priorities and sovereignty through strengthened tribal partnerships, and improving habitat that supports hunting and fishing opportunities consistent with referenced Secretarial Orders.
Does PFW support infrastructure-related conservation work?
Yes. The notice explicitly mentions modernizing conservation-related infrastructure, including improving fish passage, upgrading structures to reduce flood damage, and improving wetland levees, water control structures, and fencing.
How does the program address tribal priorities?
The notice states that projects supporting tribal priorities and sovereignty, and projects that strengthen tribal partnerships, are among the highlighted priority themes that can improve competitiveness.
Does the program prioritize projects that support hunting and fishing?
Yes. The notice highlights improving habitat that supports hunting and fishing opportunities, consistent with referenced Secretarial Orders, as a priority theme.
How does PFW relate to the National Wildlife Refuge System?
The program places special value on projects that complement the National Wildlife Refuge System, particularly work on private lands near refuges that supports refuge conservation goals or helps resolve refuge problems caused by nearby land uses.
Are connectivity and corridor projects emphasized?
Yes. The program prioritizes projects that expand and connect priority habitats, reduce fragmentation, create buffers, and establish wildlife movement corridors, especially near other protected or managed lands.
What kinds of nearby lands are mentioned as especially relevant for connectivity projects?
The notice mentions proximity to other protected or managed lands such as national wildlife refuges, national forests, national parks, USDA lands, tribal lands, state lands, or conservation NGO holdings.
Is pre-application coordination with FWS recommended?
Yes. The program strongly encourages early coordination with the appropriate Regional PFW Office before developing or submitting an application, to confirm fit with program priorities, understand regional focus areas, and improve alignment with how PFW plans and approves projects.
How can applicants find the right PFW office to contact?
The announcement provides regional contact phone numbers for multiple regions (including Pacific, Southwest, Midwest, Southeast, Northeast, Mountain-Prairie, Alaska, and Pacific Southwest) and also points applicants to the PFW website to locate the nearest program office.
What were the posting and closing dates shown for this listing?
The original posting information shows a creation date of October 19, 2018 and an original closing date of September 30, 2019, indicating this notice reflects a specific cycle for a broader ongoing program that operates through regional and field offices.
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| Hunting, Visitor Services and Biological Program Enhancement Apply for F19AS00029 Funding Number: F19AS00029 Agency: Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $270,000 |
| Fisheries Program Support, Fort Leonard Wood, MO Apply for W912DQ 19 2 0001 Funding Number: W912DQ 19 2 0001 Agency: Department of Defense, Kansas City District Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $110,000 |
| National Wildlife Refuge System Enhancements Apply for F19AS00033 Funding Number: F19AS00033 Agency: Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $1,843,000 |
| National Wildlife Refuge System Enhancements Apply for F19AS00034 Funding Number: F19AS00034 Agency: Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $22,418,000 |
| Notice of Intent Apply for USGS 19 FA 0005 Funding Number: USGS 19 FA 0005 Agency: Department of the Interior, U. S. Geological Survey Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $149,633 |
| Fox River NRDA Apply for F19AS00032 Funding Number: F19AS00032 Agency: Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $3,000,000 |
| Notice of Intent Apply for USGS 19 FA 0004 Funding Number: USGS 19 FA 0004 Agency: Department of the Interior, U. S. Geological Survey Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $350,788 |
| Coeur d'Alene Basin Agriculture to Wetland Conversion Easements Apply for F19AS00042 Funding Number: F19AS00042 Agency: Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $1,244,000 |
| Notice of Intent Apply for USGS 19 FA 0024 Funding Number: USGS 19 FA 0024 Agency: Department of the Interior, U. S. Geological Survey Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $4,081,474 |
| Youth Crew Support of Habitat Restoration Surrounding Cheeseboro Canyon Universal Access Trail Apply for P19AS00007 Funding Number: P19AS00007 Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $52,844 |
| Notice of Intent Apply for USGS 19 FA 0016 Funding Number: USGS 19 FA 0016 Agency: Department of the Interior, U. S. Geological Survey Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $52,483 |
| Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Apply for F19AS00050 Funding Number: F19AS00050 Agency: Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| PNG Biodiversity Program Apply for 72049219RFA00001 Funding Number: 72049219RFA00001 Agency: Agency for International Development, Philippines USAID-Manila Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $19,000,000 |
| Notice of Intent Apply for USGS 19 FA 0031 Funding Number: USGS 19 FA 0031 Agency: Department of the Interior, U. S. Geological Survey Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $124,492 |
| Notice of Intent Apply for USGS 19 FA 0006 Funding Number: USGS 19 FA 0006 Agency: Department of the Interior, U. S. Geological Survey Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $68,098 |
| Surveys, Conservation, and Management of Biological Resources at Bitter Creek National Wildlife Refuge Apply for F19AS00051 Funding Number: F19AS00051 Agency: Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| R3 Sport Fish Restoration Grant Progam (TO STATE F&G AGENCIES ONLY) Apply for F19AS00052 Funding Number: F19AS00052 Agency: Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
| R3 Wildlife Restoration Grant Program (TO STATE F&G AGENCIES ONLY) Apply for F19AS00053 Funding Number: F19AS00053 Agency: Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $20,000,000 |
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