Multistate Conservation Grant Program Overview


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