The Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 777 et seq.) and the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 669 et seq.) as amended by the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Programs Improvement Act of 2000 (Pub. L. 106-408, 114 STAT. 1766 §113 and 114 STAT. 1722 §122) authorize the Secretary of the Interior to make up to $6,000,000 available annually to fund Multistate Conservation project grants. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) will cite this traditional program as the Traditional Multistate Conservation Grant Program (T-MSCGP).
In addition, the Modernizing the Pittman-Robertson Fund for Tomorrow’s Needs Act (Modernizing PR Act, 16 U.S.C. 669) amended the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act to, among other measures, authorize the Service to make hunter recruitment and recreational target shooter recruitment grants that promote a national hunting and shooting sports recruitment program, including related communication and outreach activities. The Service will cite this program as the R3 Multistate Conservation Grant Program (R3-MSCGP). Up to $5,000,000 will be available specifically for the R3-MSCGP grants.
The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA) and the Service work cooperatively to manage T-MSGCP and R3-MSGCP. Administratively, both programs function similarly. AFWA sets the strategic priorities for project activities and provides the Service with a list of recommended projects to be considered for awards. The Service administers the program and manages the awards.
2026 Multistate Conservation Grant Program
2026 MSCGP FULL GRANT PROPOSAL APPLICATION/BUDGET TRAINING - SIGN-UP FORM
August 7, 2025
1:00 PM - 3 PM ET
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2026 MSCGP Timeline
July | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Posts Notice Of Funding Opportunities (NOFO) |
September 22, 2025 | Proposals due via AFWA Portal |
Late September - Early October | AFWA and the Office of Conservation Investments (CI) review proposals for eligibility and compliance |
October 2025 | Technical Review Teams (TRT) evaluate, score, and discuss eligible proposals. Preliminary recommendations are forwarded to the National Grants Committee (NGC) |
November | NGC reviews preliminary recommendations and assesses the alignment with the program goals. CI reviews alignment with the requirements of this announcement |
November 25, 2025 | Applicants are notified of their Application Status (selected, not selected, revision required) |
Selected applicants revise and resubmit proposals in response to NGC/OCI feedback via the AFWA Portal | |
November 25, 2025 | The Priority List of Projects is reviewed and approved by a majority of State Directors |
November 26 2025 | AFWA submits the final Priority List of Projects to the USFWS |
December 6 2025 | Applicants submit their Proposals and the required Federal Forms via GrantSolutions |
December 31 | USFWS completes the final review and awards the 2026 MSCGP grants |
General Information
- Multistate Conservation Grant Program Policies and Procedures
- MultiState Conservation Grant Program FAQ
- 2025 MSCGP Final Priority List of Projects
- 2025 MSCGP Awards Abstracts
- Performance Progress Report AFWA Template
Full Grant Proposals
- 2026 MSCGP Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)
- MSCGP Multiyear Proposals Criteria
- Scoring Criteria
- 2026 MSCGP Strategic Priorities
- 2026 Full Grant Proposal Guidelines
- 2026 Full Grant Proposals Template - Project Statement
- 2026 Full Grant Proposal Template - Budget Narrative and Table
- Required Statements
AFWA Contact
syaroschuk@fishwildlife.org