The Multistate Conservation Grant Program envisions a future where sustainable fish and wildlife populations, healthy habitats, and enduring traditions of fishing, hunting, and shooting sports thrive together. By enabling innovation, collaboration, and leadership, we ignite lasting conservation impact across state jurisdictions and foster growing participation in hunting, trapping, fishing, and shooting sports.
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The Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 777 et seq.) and the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 669 et seq.) as amended by the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Programs Improvement Act of 2000 (Pub. L. 106-408, 114 STAT. 1766 §113 and 114 STAT. 1722 §122) authorize the Secretary of the Interior to make up to $6,000,000 available annually to fund Multistate Conservation project grants. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) will cite this traditional program as the Traditional Multistate Conservation Grant Program (T-MSCGP).
In addition, the Modernizing the Pittman-Robertson Fund for Tomorrow’s Needs Act (Modernizing PR Act, 16 U.S.C. 669) amended the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act to, among other measures, authorize the Service to make hunter recruitment and recreational target shooter recruitment grants that promote a national hunting and shooting sports recruitment program, including related communication and outreach activities. The Service will cite this program as the R3 Multistate Conservation Grant Program (R3-MSCGP). Up to $5,000,000 will be available specifically for the R3-MSCGP grants.
The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA) and the Service work cooperatively to manage T-MSGCP and R3-MSGCP. Administratively, both programs function similarly. AFWA sets the strategic priorities for project activities and provides the Service with a list of recommended projects to be considered for awards. The Service administers the program and manages the awards.
2001 - Present MSCGP Grants Database
2026 Multistate Conservation Grant Program
2026 MSCGP FULL GRANT PROPOSAL APPLICATION/BUDGET TRAINING
Recording
Slides Deck
2026 MSCGP Timeline
July | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Posts Notice Of Funding Opportunities (NOFO) |
September 22, 2025 | Proposals due via AFWA Portal |
Late September - Early October | AFWA and the Office of Conservation Investments (CI) review proposals for eligibility and compliance |
October 2025 | Technical Review Teams (TRT) evaluate, score, and discuss eligible proposals. Preliminary recommendations are forwarded to the National Grants Committee (NGC) |
November | NGC reviews preliminary recommendations and assesses the alignment with the program goals. CI reviews alignment with the requirements of this announcement |
By November 14, 2025 |
The National Grants Committee votes to advance the Priority List of Projects |
November 17 2025 | AFWA submits the final Priority List of Projects to the USFWS |
November 28 2025 |
Applicants revise and resubmit proposals in response to NGC/OCI feedback via the AFWA Portal) |
February 2026 | USFWS completes the final review and awards the 2026 MSCGP grants |
General Information
- Multistate Conservation Grant Program Policies and Procedures
- MultiState Conservation Grant Program FAQ
- 2025 MSCGP Final Priority List of Projects
- 2025 MSCGP Awards Abstracts
- Performance Progress Report AFWA Template
Full Grant Proposals
- 2026 MSCGP Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)
- MSCGP Multiyear Proposals Criteria
- Scoring Criteria
- 2026 MSCGP Strategic Priorities
- 2026 Full Grant Proposal Guidelines
- 2026 Full Grant Proposals Template - Project Statement
- 2026 Full Grant Proposal Template - Budget Narrative and Table
- Required Statements
AFWA Contact
syaroschuk@fishwildlife.org