F25AS00035 Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund: Habitat Conservation Plan Land Acquisition Grants

Background
The Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund (CESCF) was established by Congress in fiscal year 1997 to reduce conflicts between the conservation of listed species and competing land uses. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) aims to promote species recovery and prevent extinction through financial assistance to eligible State agencies for habitat conservation efforts. This specific funding opportunity focuses on Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) Land Acquisition Grants, which support land acquisition projects that conserve species habitat in perpetuity.

Grant Details
The HCP Land Acquisition Grant program provides matching grants to States for land acquisition projects that will conserve species habitat through fee simple acquisition or permanent conservation easements. The grants are intended to complement existing HCP commitments, ensuring that the work adds to conservation efforts rather than replacing them. To qualify for funding, the proposed land must benefit at least one eligible species included on an active section 10(a)(1)(B) permit. Eligible covered species include federally listed species, candidate species, and at-risk species as defined in the program requirements. The program prioritizes projects that significantly contribute to species recovery or address threats to at-risk species. A minimum of 10% of available funds will be allocated for single-species HCPs.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible applicants include State agencies that have entered into a Cooperative Agreement under Section 6(c) of the ESA and have provided necessary information for annual renewal of their agreement. Non-Federal cost sharing is required, with a minimum of 25% of total project costs; this requirement decreases to 10% if multiple States collaborate on a project. Projects must benefit at least one eligible covered species and cannot be submitted for consideration under both the HCP Land Acquisition Grant and Recovery Land Acquisition Grant Programs in the same fiscal year.

Period of Performance
The maximum period of performance for grants awarded through this opportunity is three years, starting from the effective date established at grant approval or award obligation date.

Grant Value
The estimated total funding available for this grant opportunity is $26 million, with individual awards ranging from a minimum of $10,000 up to a maximum of $26 million.

Place of Performance
The grants will be performed within the jurisdictions of eligible State agencies across the United States.