Opportunity Information: Apply for F21AS00171
The Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund (CESCF) Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) Planning Assistance grant is a competitive funding opportunity from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service designed to help conserve endangered and threatened species that rely heavily on non-Federal lands. The core idea behind the program is that long-term recovery of many ESA-listed species depends on strong partnerships with States and Territories, because so much important habitat and day-to-day land use activity occurs outside Federal ownership. Through Section 6 of the Endangered Species Act, the Service can provide financial assistance to State wildlife agencies to support conservation planning and related work that benefits listed species, and this particular Notice of Funding Opportunity focuses specifically on helping States pay for the planning steps needed to create, update, or revise Habitat Conservation Plans.
This program is closely tied to the ESA incidental take permitting framework that Congress created in the 1982 amendments to the Act. Before those amendments, non-Federal landowners could face legal risk under ESA section 9 if an otherwise legal activity might "take" a listed species. Section 10(a)(1)(B) introduced a voluntary path where non-Federal entities can seek an incidental take permit, but they must develop an HCP that explains how impacts to the species will be minimized and mitigated and how the plan will meet the ESA's permit issuance standards. In practice, the HCP becomes the blueprint for balancing land use with conservation: the applicant makes binding commitments, and those commitments become part of the permit conditions.
The grant program exists because developing an HCP can be expensive and time-consuming, especially when a plan covers a large area or involves many stakeholders. In some States, HCPs have evolved beyond single-project permits into broader landscape-level planning tools that coordinate conservation actions across communities, industries, and habitats. Another important feature is that HCPs often cover more than just currently listed species. Many plans include candidate species or other at-risk species, which can help stabilize populations before they decline to the point of needing ESA listing. That approach also creates a practical incentive for landowners and developers: if a non-listed species covered by the HCP becomes listed during the permit term, the HCP can allow take authorization to continue without forcing a major permit overhaul, reducing uncertainty while still requiring conservation measures.
Funding under the HCP Planning Assistance program (established in fiscal year 2001) can support the nuts-and-bolts work needed to develop a new HCP or to renew or amend an existing one. The opportunity also supports plans that cover only candidate or at-risk species, even when no species in the plan is currently listed, as long as the plan is being developed so it is ready to function if listing occurs later. Eligible activities include preparing the HCP documents, conducting public outreach and coordination, completing baseline species surveys, performing habitat assessments and inventories, and producing the environmental review and compliance documents that often accompany an HCP process. The notice specifically identifies NEPA and NHPA-related documentation as allowable costs, recognizing that these compliance steps can be a major part of the planning workload.
Eligibility is narrow and is limited to State governments, specifically State agencies that have an active Cooperative Agreement with the Service under ESA Section 6(c) and that have also provided the required information for the annual renewal (reconfirmation) of that agreement. If a State agency has not met both conditions, its application will not be considered. Even though only States can receive awards directly, other partners such as counties, conservation organizations, or similar groups can still participate by working through an eligible State agency as subgrantees when the work is aligned and mutually beneficial.
From the funding details provided, this is a discretionary grant program administered by the Fish and Wildlife Service under CFDA 15.615, using the grant instrument. The funding opportunity number is F21AS00171, and the listed award ceiling is up to $1,000,000 per award. The original closing date shown for the referenced notice was March 9, 2021, with a creation date of January 8, 2021. The notice also emphasizes that the NOFO contains updated eligibility, evaluation, and selection information compared with prior years, and it encourages applicants to coordinate early with the appropriate Service point of contact before investing heavily in project design or application development, given the time and cost involved in building a strong HCP planning proposal.Apply for F21AS00171
- The Fish and Wildlife Service in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund: Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) Planning Assistance" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.615.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2021-01-08.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-03-09. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,000,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: State governments.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund (CESCF) HCP Planning Assistance grant?
The CESCF Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) Planning Assistance grant is a competitive funding opportunity from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that helps support the planning work needed to create, update, revise, amend, or renew Habitat Conservation Plans (HCPs). The program is intended to help conserve endangered and threatened species that depend heavily on non-Federal lands.
What is the main purpose of this grant program?
The main purpose is to help States pay for the planning steps required to develop or improve HCPs. Because many ESA-listed species rely on habitat located on non-Federal lands, the program supports long-term recovery by strengthening conservation planning partnerships led by States and Territories.
Why does the program focus on non-Federal lands?
The opportunity emphasizes that a large share of important habitat and day-to-day land use activity occurs outside Federal ownership. For many species, long-term recovery depends on effective conservation actions and planning on lands managed and used by non-Federal entities.
How does this grant relate to the Endangered Species Act (ESA)?
This grant is provided through Section 6 of the ESA, which allows the Service to provide financial assistance to State wildlife agencies for conservation planning and related work that benefits listed species. The HCP focus is closely tied to the ESA incidental take permitting framework created by the 1982 ESA amendments.
What is an HCP in the context of ESA incidental take permits?
An HCP (Habitat Conservation Plan) is a planning document associated with ESA Section 10(a)(1)(B) incidental take permits. It explains how impacts to covered species will be minimized and mitigated and how the plan will meet the ESA standards for permit issuance. In practice, it serves as a blueprint for balancing land use with conservation, with binding commitments that become part of permit conditions.
Why is financial support needed for HCP planning?
Developing an HCP can be expensive and time-consuming, especially when the plan covers a large area or includes many stakeholders. The grant exists to help cover the practical planning workload needed to build a strong HCP.
Can HCPs be used as broader planning tools, not just single projects?
Yes. The information provided notes that in some States, HCPs have evolved beyond single-project permits into broader landscape-level planning tools that coordinate conservation actions across communities, industries, and habitats.
Does an HCP have to cover only species that are currently listed under the ESA?
No. HCPs often cover more than currently listed species. Plans may include candidate species or other at-risk species to help stabilize populations before they decline to the point of needing ESA listing.
Can this grant support plans that cover only candidate or at-risk species (with no currently listed species)?
Yes. The opportunity states that funding can support plans that cover only candidate or at-risk species, even if no species in the plan is currently listed, as long as the plan is being developed so it is ready to function if listing occurs later.
What is the practical benefit of covering non-listed species in an HCP?
According to the description, if a non-listed species covered by an HCP becomes listed during the permit term, the HCP can allow take authorization to continue without requiring a major permit overhaul. This can reduce uncertainty while still requiring conservation measures.
What types of activities can the HCP Planning Assistance grant fund?
Eligible activities listed include preparing HCP documents, conducting public outreach and coordination, completing baseline species surveys, performing habitat assessments and inventories, and producing environmental review and compliance documents that often accompany the HCP process.
Are NEPA-related documents allowable costs under this grant?
Yes. The notice specifically identifies NEPA-related documentation as an allowable cost, recognizing that environmental review can be a major part of the HCP planning workload.
Are NHPA-related documents allowable costs under this grant?
Yes. The notice specifically identifies NHPA-related documentation as an allowable cost as part of the planning and compliance work that may accompany an HCP process.
Who is eligible to apply for this funding opportunity?
Eligibility is limited to State governments, specifically State agencies that (1) have an active Cooperative Agreement with the Service under ESA Section 6(c) and (2) have provided the required information for the annual renewal (reconfirmation) of that agreement.
What happens if a State agency does not meet both eligibility conditions?
If a State agency has not met both conditions (an active Section 6(c) Cooperative Agreement and the required annual renewal/reconfirmation information), the application will not be considered.
Can counties, conservation organizations, or other partners apply directly?
No. The opportunity states that only eligible State agencies can receive awards directly. However, other partners (such as counties or conservation organizations) may participate by working through an eligible State agency as subgrantees when the work is aligned and mutually beneficial.
Is this grant competitive or formula-based?
The opportunity is described as a competitive funding opportunity.
What kind of grant is this (instrument and administration)?
This is a discretionary grant program administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, using the grant instrument.
What is the CFDA number listed for this program?
The CFDA number provided is 15.615.
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is F21AS00171.
What is the maximum award amount mentioned in the notice?
The listed award ceiling is up to $1,000,000 per award.
What were the key dates shown for the referenced notice?
The referenced notice shows a creation date of January 8, 2021, and an original closing date of March 9, 2021.
Does the notice say anything about changes compared with prior years?
Yes. The notice emphasizes that it contains updated eligibility, evaluation, and selection information compared with prior years.
Is early coordination with the Service encouraged?
Yes. The notice encourages applicants to coordinate early with the appropriate Service point of contact before investing heavily in project design or application development, given the time and cost involved in building a strong HCP planning proposal.
What kinds of outcomes is the program designed to support?
Based on the information provided, the program is designed to support conservation planning that benefits endangered and threatened species (and potentially candidate/at-risk species), particularly where effective conservation depends on non-Federal lands and strong State-led partnerships.
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| Funding Opportunity |
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| Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund: Recovery Land Acquisition Grants Apply for F21AS00172 Funding Number: F21AS00172 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $22,324,000 |
| Common Loon Restoration Apply for F21AS00196 Funding Number: F21AS00196 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Fisheries Resource Monitoring Program Apply for F21AS00249 Funding Number: F21AS00249 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $215,000 |
| Department of the Interior – Bureau of Land Management Oregon/Washington Invasive and Noxious Management Apply for L21AS00261 Funding Number: L21AS00261 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $450,000 |
| Department of the Interior – Bureau of Land Management ORWA Fisheries and Aquatic Resource Management Apply for L21AS00255 Funding Number: L21AS00255 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Department of the Interior - Bureau of Land Management Oregon/Washington Wildlife Resource Management Apply for L21AS00263 Funding Number: L21AS00263 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Department of the Interior - Bureau of Land Management ORWA Cultural and Paleontological Resource Management Apply for L21AS00237 Funding Number: L21AS00237 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Department of the Interior - Bureau of Land Management Oregon/Washington Threatened and Endangered Species Apply for L21AS00273 Funding Number: L21AS00273 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Department of the Interior – Bureau of Land Management Wyoming Plant Conservation and Restoration Management Apply for L21AS00295 Funding Number: L21AS00295 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $30,000 |
| Department of the Interior – Bureau of Land Management Oregon/Washington Forests and Woodlands Resource Management Apply for L21AS00259 Funding Number: L21AS00259 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Department of the Interior – Bureau of Land Management Oregon/Washington Rangeland Resource Management Apply for L21AS00267 Funding Number: L21AS00267 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Department of the Interior – Bureau of Land Management Oregon/Washington Plant Conservation and Restoration Management Apply for L21AS00270 Funding Number: L21AS00270 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| Department of the Interior – Bureau of Land Management Wyoming Fuels Management and Community Fire Assistance Program Activities Apply for L21AS00301 Funding Number: L21AS00301 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $20,000 |
| Department of the Interior - Bureau of Land Management Wyoming Threatened and Endangered Species Apply for L21AS00303 Funding Number: L21AS00303 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| Department of the Interior - Bureau of Land Management Wyoming Wildlife Resource Management Apply for L21AS00310 Funding Number: L21AS00310 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Department of the Interior - Bureau of Land Management Oregon/Washington Recreation and Visitor Services Apply for L21AS00260 Funding Number: L21AS00260 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Department of the Interior – Bureau of Land Management AK Fisheries and Aquatic Resource Management Apply for L21AS00302 Funding Number: L21AS00302 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $65,000 |
| Department of the Interior – Bureau of Land Management National Operations Center Fisheries and Aquatic Resource Management Apply for L21AS00312 Funding Number: L21AS00312 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $950,000 |
| Department of the Interior - Bureau of Land Management Wyoming Youth Conservation Opportunities on Public Lands Apply for L21AS00318 Funding Number: L21AS00318 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $11,000 |
| Department of the Interior - Bureau of Land Management New Mexico/Oklahoma/Kansas/Texas (NM) Cultural and Paleontological Resource Management Apply for L21AS00316 Funding Number: L21AS00316 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $100,000 |
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