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Since 2000, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Office of Conservation Investment has distributed over $1.4 billion to fish and wildlife agencies of the 56 states, territories, commonwealths, and D.C. through the State Wildlife Grant Program. Funds are used by these agencies for improving public and private lands, ensuring the availability of sufficient habitat for species, and providing quality recreational experiences for outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds. Grant funds may be used to address a variety of conservation needs, such as research, fish and wildlife surveys, species restoration, habitat management, and monitoring. 

Since 2008, a portion of the funding has been used for competitive grants to encourage broad geographic collaboration, innovation, and species conservation at larger scales.

The other portion of the funding is non-competitive and is allocated using a formula based on land area and population estimates of each state and territory. Recipient fish and wildlife agencies provide between 25 and 35 percent of project costs in non-federal matching funds.

To view or download total unadjusted actual and total inflation adjusted State Wildlife Grant Apportionments data since 2002 visit our .

State Wildlife Grants (SWG)

• Funding Type: Non-competitive grants.
• Allocation: Distributed to all states, territories, commonwealths, and D.C. based on a formula that considers population and geographical area.
• Purpose: Primarily used to support baseline wildlife conservation needs such as agency staffing, research, habitat management, and monitoring for species of greatest conservation need identified in State Wildlife Action Plans.
• Matching Requirement: State agencies must provide at least 25 percent of the total project cost for planning and at least 35 percent of the total project cost for conservation implementation in non-federal matching funds.
• Focus: Addresses a wide range of conservation needs for various species, especially those not hunted or fished.

Competitive State Wildlife Grants (C-SWG)

• Funding Type: Competitive grants.
• Allocation: Available to all states, territories, commonwealths, and D.C. Offered to projects that meet selection criteria published in the annual Notice of Funding Opportunity and that demonstrate innovative approaches, collaboration, or effectiveness in addressing species conservation needs at larger scales.
• Purpose: Encourages collaboration and innovation in wildlife conservation, focusing on more strategic and larger-scale projects compared to formula SWG funding.
• Matching Requirement: State agencies must provide at least 25 percent of the total project cost.
• Focus: Targets specific conservation challenges or opportunities, with an emphasis on projects that demonstrate collaboration among multiple states or organizations. Competitive grants also target projects that benefit high-priority species of greatest conservation need that are protected or may soon require protection under the Endangered Species Act.

In summary, while both SWG and C-SWG aim to support fish and wildlife conservation, SWG provides baseline funding to all states, whereas C-SWG focuses on competitive projects that foster collaboration and innovation in addressing significant geographic range conservation challenges.

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