Endangered Species Conservation and Recovery Grant Program

Department of Fish and Wildlife · State of California

At a glance

Endangered Species Conservation and Recovery Grant Program is a closed California state grant opportunity from the Department of Fish and Wildlife (State of California). The application deadline was April 6, 2026. Applicant types listed as eligible include individual, nonprofit, public agency and tribal government. It is listed on the California Grants Portal. Cost sharing or matching is required.

Summary assembled from the official notice's fields. The official notice governs.

Key facts

Feb 26, 2026Posted
Apr 6, 2026Application deadline

Opened: Feb 26, 2026
Close date: Apr 6, 2026
Award floor: Not specified
Award ceiling: Not specified
Est. total funding: Not specified
Expected awards: Not specified
Matching funds: Required
Funding instrument: Grant

Program details (as published on the California Grants Portal)

Type: Grant
Funding source: Federal — Funds are provided to states and territories from the US Fish and Wildlife Service through their Traditional Conservation Grant Program (Section 6 Grant Program). The Department administers Traditional Section 6 Grant funded projects in coordination with the USFWS through a Section 6 Cooperative Agreement. Authority to administer the program is granted through Section 1501.5 of the Fish and Game Code.
Matching funds: 25% — A minimum non-federal match of 25% of the total project cost (25% of the sum of the federal amount requested plus the non-federal match) is required. It be contributed during the grant term. Match may include in-kind services, volunteer contributions, use of donated equipment, or partial funding from a non-federal source.
Funding method: Reimbursement(s) — For selected projects, funding is disbursed to the Department from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services. The Department will execute a sub-grant or contract with the non-CDFW partner organization if applicable. The non-CDFW partner organization will then be reimbursed consistent with the terms of the sub-grant.
Estimated number of awards: Between 2000000 and 3000000
Estimated award amounts: Dependant on number of submissions received, application process, etc.
Award period: Three years
Expected award announcement: Fall 2024
Letter of intent: Not required
Geography: Statewide
How to submit: By email: wildlifemgt@wildlife.ca.gov
Latest change note: The hyperlinks to the Department and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service contacts were updated.

Who can apply

Applicant categories as listed on the California Grants Portal. GrantsJunction maps them to detailed applicant types for search and matching.

Individual
Nonprofit
Public Agency
Tribal Government

Additional information on eligibility (from the listing)

Public agency includes local agencies, State departments, colleges, and universities. Proposals must be developed in coordination with a CDFW employee who agrees to submit and manage the grant.

Also named in the notice's eligibility text

Private colleges & universities

Matched from the wording above by GrantsJunction — confirm in the full announcement.

Can your organization apply?

A quick check against the listed applicant types — other requirements in the notice still apply.

Based on the published notice. Review the official notice for complete eligibility requirements.

What it funds

Purpose and description as published on the California Grants Portal.

Purpose

The Department of Fish and Wildlife (Department) distributes federal funds through the Endangered Species Conservation and Recovery Grant Program in coordination with the US Fish and Wildlife Service. The objective of this Program is to help develop and implement state programs to conserve and recover federally threatened and endangered species. Applications must be developed in coordination with, and submitted by, a Department employee.

Description

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife receives grant funds from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund (Traditional Section 6) to support conservation actions designed to further the recovery of species listed as threatened or endangered under the federal Endangered Species Act. CDFW staff, alone, or in collaboration with partner organizations, develop research and management projects to compete for this funding through the state's Endangered Species Conservation and Recovery Program. Authority for CDFW to administer the Section 6 grant program is found in section 1501.5 of the Fish and Game Code. The primary objective of endangered species conservation and recovery grants is to support the development and implementation of state programs to conserve and recover federally threatened and endangered inland fish and wildlife species. Grant funds to support the conservation of certain marine species and anadromous fish species are administered through separate programs. Project proposals must be developed in close coordination with CDFW and USFWS biologists and identify a CDFW employee who will sponsor the project by administering the grant. Eligible projects are those which target recovery actions for species listed as threatened or endangered under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. Applicants must provide a minimum of 25% of the total project cost in non-federal matching funds or in-kind services.

Program page on the agency site ↗

Program contact (as published)

Dan Applebee
wildlifemgt@wildlife.ca.gov
1-916-516-3178

Quick answers

Who is eligible to apply for “Endangered Species Conservation and Recovery Grant Program”?

The official listing names these applicant types as eligible: Individual, Nonprofit, Public Agency and Tribal Government. It adds: “Public agency includes local agencies, State departments, colleges, and universities. Proposals must be developed in coordination with a CDFW employee who agrees to submit and manage the grant.” Additional restrictions may apply; review the full guidelines.

How do I apply for “Endangered Species Conservation and Recovery Grant Program”?

Applications go directly to Department of Fish and Wildlife, not through GrantsJunction. Submission: by email to wildlifemgt@wildlife.ca.gov. Read the program guidelines on the agency's site first; state programs set their own forms and registration requirements.

Other open California state opportunities, matched on agency, categories and wording.

OpenState of California