U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
$1–$750,000 per project
Free technical and financial assistance for private landowners, including small businesses, to restore fish and wildlife habitat on their property.
Partners for Fish and Wildlife provides free technical assistance and financial support through cooperative agreements and grants to private landowners who restore and protect fish and wildlife habitat. Small businesses that own or manage land — including farms, ranches, forests, and recreational properties — are explicitly eligible. Projects are voluntary, customized, and remain on the landowner's property; no public access is required. Since 1987 the program has completed more than 40,000 projects restoring over six million acres.
- Funding type
- Grant
- Level
- Federal
- Amount range
- $1 – $750,000
- Realistic amount
- Most private-landowner projects receive $5,000–$75,000 in cost-shared assistance, depending on project size, habitat value, and leverage from partners. Large grassland or wetland restorations can approach the upper end.
- Deadline
- Rolling year-round; applications due September 30, 2026 for FY 2026 processing
- Status
- active
- States
- Nationwide
Who qualifies
- Private landowners, including farmers, ranchers, forest landowners, recreational landowners, corporations, local governments, and universities
- Small businesses and for-profit organizations that own or control eligible private land are explicitly eligible
- Project must be on private lands (not state or federally owned)
- Priority goes to projects likely to provide habitat for rare, threatened, or endangered species
- Project must have a minimum duration of 10 years
- Contact with local FWS Partners biologist is required before developing or submitting an application
Who is not eligible
- Applicants without control of private land suitable for habitat restoration
- Projects primarily for compensatory mitigation credits or regulatory compliance
- Proposals developed without prior coordination with local FWS staff
What it covers
Eligible expenses
- Wetland, stream, riparian, grassland, and forest habitat restoration
- Livestock exclusion fencing and alternative water supply
- Native plant materials and seeding
- Streambank stabilization and in-stream habitat structures
- Prescribed burning and invasive species control
- Technical design and project supervision
Ineligible expenses
- Land acquisition
- Activities that generate compensatory mitigation credits
- Projects on state or federal land
- Costs incurred before award approval
How to apply
-
1
Contact your local FWS Partners biologist
Use the FWS state-coordinator directory to schedule a site visit. Local staff will help define a project that fits regional priorities and program guidelines.
~2 hrs
-
2
Develop a voluntary habitat-restoration project
Work with the biologist to design a project such as wetland restoration, streambank stabilization, native grass planting, prescribed fire, or livestock-exclusion fencing.
~6 hrs
-
3
Prepare and submit application
Complete the SF-424 and project application through Grants.gov (or as directed by local staff). Include landownership/control documentation and a 10-year management commitment.
~8 hrs
-
4
Implement the project with FWS oversight
After award, install practices as designed. FWS staff provide technical assistance and monitor outcomes. Cost-share agreements are typically reimbursement-based.
~20 hrs
-
5
Maintain habitat for the 10-year commitment
Follow the agreed management plan. FWS may conduct periodic checks to ensure the habitat remains functional.
~10 hrs
The fastest path to funding is a 15-minute call to your local FWS Partners biologist before you design anything — they maintain a pipeline of ready-to-go projects and can steer you toward the habitat types that score best in your region.
Deadline & timing
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. To be considered and processed for FY 2026 funding, applications should be submitted by May 30, 2026; later applications may be awarded in the following fiscal year. Regional deadlines vary and local FWS staff coordination is required before applying.
Required documents
- Completed SF-424 and project application
- Proof of landownership or long-term control of the project site
- 10-year management commitment or agreement
- Project design, map, and species/habitat justification
- Cost-share documentation if applicable
- Active SAM.gov UEI and registration
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Researched and verified 2026-08-24 against the official program source. GrantCompass is an independent funding-discovery tool and is not affiliated with any government agency. Always confirm details on the official program page.