Eligible: State Agencies

Apply by Oct 30, 2026

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Active

$10,000 - $26,000,000

Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund: Habitat Conservation Plan Land Acquisition Grants

From Department of the Interior - Fish and Wildlife Service

Established by Congress in fiscal year (FY) 1997, the Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) Land Acquisition Grant program was designed to reduce conflicts between the conservation of listed species and competing land uses on specific parcels of land associated with approved and permitted HCPs. Under this program, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) provides matching grants to State agencies in support of land acquisition projects that will conserve species habitat in perpetuity through fee simple acquisition or the acquisition of permanent conservation easements. FWS considers the use of Federal acquisition dollars by States for habitat protection associated with HCPs to be an important and effective mechanism to promote species recovery, prevent extinction, and preclude the need to list species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in the future. All land acquired through these grants complements, but does not replace, the mitigation, minimization, and/or monitoring commitments of the HCP. Thus, this work is additive to the conservation commitments entered into when HCPs are permitted and serves as a meaningful way to leverage non-Federal investment in species recovery and connect conservation lands across the landscape.

  • Overview

    • Type

      Grant

    • Title

      Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund: Habitat Conservation Plan Land Acquisition Grants

    • Source

      Department of the Interior - Fish and Wildlife Service

    • Federal or State

      Federal

    • Total Amount

      $26,000,000

    • Number of Awards

      10

    • Award Range

      $10,000 - $26,000,000

    • Cost Share

      Yes

    • Status

      Active

  • Eligibility

    • Audience

      State Agencies

    • Sector

      Land & Water Management

    • Activity

      Planning

    • Eligibility

      Eligible Applicants
      State governments

      ​To be eligible for funding, a state or territory must currently have, or enter into, a cooperative agreement with the Secretary of the Interior pursuant to section 6(c) of the Endangered Species Act and provide a minimum non-federal cost share of 25 percent, or 10 percent when two or more states or territories implement a joint project. While funding may only be awarded to States, local governments such as counties or groups such as conservation organizations may work in partnership with a State or Territorial agency as a subgrantee.

    • Location

      National

  • Application Process

    • Application Link

      https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/363691

    • Pre-Application?

      No

    • Requirements

      Only State agencies with an active ESA section 6(c) cooperative agreement and required renewal information may apply for funding. Counties or conservation groups may partner with eligible State agencies as subgrantees. Proposed acquisitions must benefit at least one Federally listed species covered under a valid 10(a)(1)(B) permit, and parcels must be clearly identified for review. If exact parcels are unknown, applicants may describe target habitat areas and methods for selecting high‑quality lands. A property cannot be submitted under both HCP and Recovery Land Acquisition Programs in the same fiscal year. Applications must commit to perpetual habitat management, involve voluntary U.S. conservation, and exclude FWS staff costs. Funds and non‑Federal match cannot fulfill ESA regulatory requirements. State administrative costs must meet Federal rules. Only costs within the performance period are reimbursable, though necessary pre‑award costs may be approved if allowed under 2 CFR 200.458.

    • Disbursement Method

      Other

  • Important Dates

    • Application Open Date

      Aug 24, 2026

    • Application Close Date

      Oct 30, 2026

    • Publish Date

      Aug 24, 2026

  • Resources & Contacts

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