NOAA-NMFS Species Recovery Grants to States FY2026, $250k Max
Summary
NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service published a funding opportunity for Species Recovery Grants to States (Assistance Listings 11.064) under Section 6 of the Endangered Species Act. State agencies with a current or pending section 6(c) agreement are eligible to apply for up to $250,000 to support conservation programs for listed marine and anadromous species. Applications close June 20, 2026.
“Any State agency that has entered into an agreement with NMFS pursuant to section 6(c) of the ESA or enters into such an agreement within 30 days of the application deadline is eligible to apply under this solicitation.”
What changed
NOAA published a discretionary grant funding opportunity for State agencies to support endangered and threatened species recovery programs under the Endangered Species Act. Eligible applicants may receive up to $250,000 through cooperative agreements or grants for activities including management efforts, scientific research, and public education. The opportunity excludes Pacific salmonid and marine mammal stranding projects, which have separate funding mechanisms.
State agencies with existing or new section 6(c) agreements with NMFS should evaluate whether current species recovery priorities align with the funding scope. Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov by June 20, 2026. No cost sharing is required.
Archived snapshot
Apr 22, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
Species Recovery Grants to States (Section 6 Program)
Agency: DOC NOAA - ERA Production
Assistance Listings: 11.064 -- Species Recovery Grant Program
Last Updated: April 21, 2026 View version history on Grants.gov
Description
States play an essential role in conserving and recovering species listed as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), 16 U.S.C. 1535. Listed species under NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service’s (NMFS) jurisdiction may spend all or part of their life cycles in state waters, and success in conserving these species depends largely on working cooperatively with the States. NMFS is authorized to provide Federal assistance to eligible State agencies to support the development and implementation of conservation programs for listed marine and anadromous species that reside within that State. This assistance, provided in the form of grants or cooperative agreements through the Species Recovery Grants to States Program, can be used to support conservation activities for any endangered or threatened species, as well as monitoring candidate species, recently delisted species, and species proposed for listing under the ESA. Funded activities may include development and implementation of management efforts, scientific research, and public education and outreach. Proposals should seek to address priority actions in ESA Recovery Plans or Recovery Outlines to the extent possible. Any State agency that has entered into an agreement with NMFS pursuant to section 6(c) of the ESA or enters into such an agreement within 30 days of the application deadline is eligible to apply under this solicitation. Proposals focusing on Pacific salmonids will not be considered for funding under this grant program; such projects may be considered through the NMFS Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund. Additionally, proposals focusing on marine mammals stranding response and/or rehabilitation will not be considered for funding under this grant program; such projects may be considered and funded by NOAA through the John H. Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Grant Program. Proposals focused on stranding response, rehabilitation, or related activities for species supported through other dedicated NOAA funding programs may also not be considered under this grant program. This document describes how to submit proposals for funding in fiscal year (FY) 2026 and how NMFS will evaluate and select proposals for funding should funding be appropriated for this program. This document should be read in its entirety; some information has changed from the previous year.
Eligibility
Eligible applicants
Government
- State governments
Additional information
Grantor contact information
Description
If you have any questions regarding this proposal solicitation, please contact the Species Recovery Grants Federal Program Officer, Heather Austin (301-427-8422, Heather.Austin@noaa.gov).
Documents
Download all
| File name | Description | Last updated |
| --- | --- | --- |
| FoaContentofNOAA-NMFS-PRPO-2026-318251.pdf | NOAA-NMFS-PRPO-2026-31825 Full Announcement | Apr 21, 2026 06:03 PM UTC |
| RFAGuidelinesRevised_1.pdf | RFA Budget Guidelines | Apr 21, 2026 06:04 PM UTC |
Link to additional information
--
Closing: June 20, 2026
Application process
This site is a work in progress. Go to www.grants.gov to apply, track application status, and subscribe to updates. View on Grants.gov
Award
$--
Program Funding
7
Expected awards
$--
Award Minimum
$250,000
Award Maximum
Funding opportunity number:
NOAA-NMFS-PRPO-2026-31825
Cost sharing or matching requirement:
No Funding instrument type:
Cooperative agreement
Grant
Opportunity Category:
Discretionary
Opportunity Category Explanation:
-- Category of Funding Activity:
Environment
Natural resources
Science technology and other research and development
Category Explanation:
--
History
Version:
1
Posted date:
April 21, 2026
Archive date:
July 20, 2026
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