The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) Partners for Fish and Wildlife (PFW) Program helps private landowners restore and protect habitats for fish and wildlife. It offers both technical assistance and financial support, mainly through cooperative agreements.
The PFW Program has over 250 staff working in all 50 states and territories. They work together with project partners and stakeholders in key areas for conservation and set habitat goals. These focus areas guide the program on where to direct resources for conserving important habitats for federal trust species. The Program also has strategic plans that help determine which projects receive funding.
Since it began in 1987, the PFW Program has successfully assisted many landowners. When choosing projects, the Program aims to support specific priorities set by the Administration and Secretary of the Interior. All projects will promote the goals of the Program, the Department of the Interior, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. These goals focus on increasing biological diversity and are based on sound scientific principles.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis between January 1, 2025, and September 30, 2025. In order for applications to be considered for funding in FY25, they must be submitted before May 30, 2025. Applications received after May 30, 2025, may not be awarded until the following fiscal year, subject to fund availability.
• Species Conservation: The program works on habitat projects in specific areas to help protect species at risk. This includes federally listed species, Birds of Conservation Concern, pollinators, and interjurisdictional fish. The goal is to improve the conservation status of these species of concern.
• Habitat Connectivity: The program connects habitats to make them better for wildlife. Connected habitats and migration paths are vital for fish and wildlife. These projects can also support other conservation efforts, like National Wildlife Refuges and other protected lands.
• Resilient Ecosystems: The program aims to make ecosystems healthier and more resilient for fish, wildlife, plants, and people. The program works with different partners to take action that helps ecosystems be more resilient to change and benefit communities that depend on them.
To receive funding, PFW projects must be implemented on private lands, with the exception for efforts that support projects on private lands. IN GENERAL, the term private lands is any property not state or federally owned. Private lands include, but are not limited to; tribal, Hawaiian homeland, city, municipality, non-governmental, and private fee-title properties. 501(c)(3) applicants should be prepared to prove status as determined by the Internal Revenue Service and tribal applicants may be required to provide an authorizing tribal resolution.
Maximum Award $750,000
Minimum Award $1