2026 Multistate Conservation Grant Program Coordination

The Multistate Conservation Grant Program (MSCGP), authorized under the Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act and the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act, provides up to $11 million annually for projects that address national and regional conservation priorities beyond the capacity of individual states. This includes $6 million for Traditional Multistate Conservation Grants (T-MSCG) that support fish and wildlife management, research, education, and habitat initiatives, and $5 million for R3 Multistate Conservation Grants (R3-MSCG) focused on recruitment, retention, and reactivation of hunters and recreational shooters. The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA), in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), coordinates and manages the program by setting strategic priorities, facilitating proposal review, and recommending projects for funding. Additionally, this position helps support the tenets of the Executive Order entitled "Improving Oversight of Federal Grantmaking" by strengthening oversight and coordination of, and streamlining, agency grantmaking and ensuring greater accountability for the use of public funds. In 2025, AFWA received a one-year grant to support the MSCGP Program Manager. This proposal seeks to continue that support, ensuring effective administration, transparency, and alignment of the program with state agencies and partner priorities. The project will strengthen the MSCGP through three core objectives: (1) enhance program effectiveness by finalizing and adopting updated policies, procedures, and applicant guidance; (2) coordinate the collaborative development and approval of the 2027 Priority List of Proposals, ensuring compliance with program requirements and alignment with strategic priorities; and (3) expand communication and outreach to increase awareness and understanding of the MSCGP among state agencies, partners, and applicants. Key activities include updating proposal guidelines and the AFWA application portal, providing training for applicants and Technical Review Teams, facilitating transparent and timely proposal reviews, and coordinating communication between AFWA, the Office of Conservation Investment, Technical Review Teams, the National Grants Committee, and applicants. Outreach will be advanced through regional meetings, national conferences, workshops, social media, newsletters, press releases, the MSCGP website, and the publication of the 2026 MSCGP Annual Report. Expected results include a streamlined application process, improved review and decision-making procedures, and the timely submission of a transparent and well-supported Priority List of Proposals for USFWS approval. Approximately $11 million in annual funding will be directed to multistate projects that conserve wildlife and fish resources, expand boating access, advance aquatic education and R3 initiatives, and support hunter and recreational shooter recruitment and outreach. Deliverables include updated MSCGP policies and procedures, finalized 2027 strategic priorities, the 2027 Priority List of Proposals, the 2026 MSCGP Annual Report, and training for both applicants and reviewers. The program will be monitored through participant feedback, application quality, review team performance, and engagement metrics across training, outreach, and digital platforms. Evaluation findings will inform continuous improvements, ensuring the MSCGP remains transparent, efficient, and responsive to state agency and partner needs while maximizing conservation impact across the nation.