Program Overview and Application Process


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

 

2027 Multistate Conservation Grant Program

 

2027 MSCGP Timeline

5/15/2026 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Posts Notice Of Funding Opportunities (NOFO)
7/14/2026 Proposals  due via AFWA Portal
By 7/28/2026 AFWA and the Office of Conservation Investments (CI) review proposals for eligibility and compliance
By 8/24/2026 Technical Review Teams (TRT) evaluate, score, and discuss eligible proposals. Preliminary recommendations are forwarded to the National Grants Committee (NGC) 
By 9/7/2026

NGC reviews preliminary recommendations and assesses the alignment with the program goals. 

AFWA Executive Committee Reviews the high ranking prpoosals

By 9/14/2026

CI detailed reviews of high ranking applications

9/18/2026

The National Grants Committee votes to advance the Priority List of Projects

The  Priority List of Projects is reviewed and approved by a majority of State Directors.

9/18/2026 Applicants are notified of their Application Status (selected, not selected, revision required)
October 1, 2026 AFWA submits the final Priority List of Projects to the USFWS
10/5/2026

Applicants revise and resubmit proposals in response to NGC/OCI feedback via the AFWA Portal)

Applicants submit their Proposals and the required  Federal Forms via GrantSolutions

January 2027 USFWS completes the final review and awards the 2027 MSCGP grants