May 19, 2026
The Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies is soliciting Full Proposals for the 2027 Multistate Conservation Grant Program (MSCGP) which funds projects that address regional or national level priorities of state fish and wildlife agencies. The deadline for submitting the Proposals for the 2027 cycle is July 14, 2026.
“The Multistate Conservation Grant Program delivers the critical funding our state agencies and partners need to protect America’s fish and wildlife resources and their natural habitats,” said Paul Johansen, Chief of the Wildlife Resources Section of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources and President of the Association. “Securing these investments today ensures the future of conservation tomorrow.”
Proposals will be ranked based on project qualifications, quality, and how they address the 2027 strategic priorities. Under the leadership of President Johansen, the 2027 strategic priorities were developed by a working group of state and regional fish and wildlife agency representatives focused on developing priorities that are more targeted, directive, and clearly articulated, with defined subcategories to improve applicant understanding and proposal relevance, while appropriately referencing existing regional and multistate conservation plans.
“These strategic priorities are the foundational driver for project selection and funding under the Multistate Conservation Grant Program,” said President Johansen. “This year’s priorities were developed with the goal of reducing redundancy among existing priorities, improving clarity and focus, strengthening alignment with measurable conservation outcomes for state fish and wildlife agencies, and identifying emerging or unmet needs relevant to the upcoming funding cycle.”
Additional information can be found on the AFWA website, including FAQs, list of the 2027 Strategic Priorities, and the 2027 Notice of Funding Opportunity. You can sign up for the 2027 Full Multistate Conservation Grant Program Proposal Application/Budget Training online, taking place on June 17. Please submit proposals and questions to Silvana Yaroschuk at syaroschuk@fishwildlife.org.
The Multistate Conservation Grant Program is administered by the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Created through the Fish and Wildlife Administration Improvement Act of 2000, $6,000,000 from the Pittman-Robertson and Dingell-Johnson funds are made available annually for conservation projects impacting a majority of states. In addition, the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act was amended in 2020 providing an additional $5,000,000 focused on recruitment, retention, and reactivation of hunters and recreational shooters. In addition to funding competitive conservation projects, the program also funds the National Survey on Hunting, Fishing and Wildlife Associated Recreation, the nation’s most important wildlife participation and related economic impact database.
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The Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies represents North America’s fish and wildlife agencies to advance sound, science-based management and conservation of fish and wildlife and their habitats in the public interest. The Association represents its state agency members on Capitol Hill and before the Administration to advance favorable fish and wildlife conservation policy and funding and works to ensure that all entities work collaboratively on the most important issues. The Association also provides member agencies with coordination services on cross-cutting as well as species-based programs that range from birds, fish habitat and energy development to climate change, wildlife action plans, conservation education, leadership training and international relations. Working together, the Association’s member agencies are ensuring that North American fish and wildlife management has a clear and collective voice.