Opportunity Information: Apply for F20AS00016
The grant opportunity titled "R8 - Wildlife Restoration and Basic Hunter Education - State Fish and Wildlife Agencies Only" (Funding Opportunity Number F20AS00016) is a mandatory federal grant program administered by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service. It is tied to CFDA 15.611 and is specifically limited to eligible applicants from state governments, meaning state fish and wildlife agencies are the intended recipients. The program supports work that fits within education, natural resources, and research and development activities, reflecting its dual focus on on-the-ground wildlife and habitat outcomes as well as public-facing education and safety efforts.
This opportunity is rooted in the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act, originally passed as the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act of 1937 (16 U.S.C. 669-669k). The Act began operating in 1938 and was designed to provide dedicated funding for core wildlife conservation priorities. In practical terms, the program funds projects that help states select, restore, rehabilitate, and improve wildlife habitat, conduct wildlife management research, and distribute information and findings generated by supported projects. That combination is important because it recognizes that wildlife restoration is not only about habitat work in the field, but also about building the scientific and educational backbone needed to manage wildlife populations over time.
The scope of eligible activities expanded significantly with later amendments. A 1970 amendment added explicit support for hunter safety programs, which is why "Basic Hunter Education" is included in the title and purpose of the opportunity. That same amendment also authorized funding connected to shooting sports infrastructure, including the development, operation, and maintenance of firearm and archery ranges. More recently, the Target Practice and Marksmanship Training Support Act (Public Law 116-17), passed on May 10, 2019, further clarified and strengthened the ability to use funds to acquire land for, expand, or construct public target ranges, including ranges located on federal land. This change was intended to make it easier for states to address public demand for safe, accessible places to practice shooting and archery, while supporting broader hunter education and safety goals.
From an administrative standpoint, the opportunity was created on October 8, 2019, and listed an original closing date of August 31, 2021. The award ceiling is shown as $20,000,000. The listing also notes "Expected Awards: 0," which commonly appears in programs where funding is distributed through formula allocations or structured state apportionments rather than a typical competitive cycle with a defined number of awards. Overall, the program is best understood as a long-running federal-state partnership mechanism that channels wildlife restoration dollars to state fish and wildlife agencies for habitat restoration and improvement, wildlife research and management, hunter education and safety, and the development and support of public shooting and archery range opportunities.Apply for F20AS00016
- The Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service in the education, natural resources, science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "R8 - wildlife Restoration and Basic Hunter Education - State Fish and Wildlife Agencies Only" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.611.
- This funding opportunity was created on Oct 08, 2019.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 31, 2021. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $20,000,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: State governments.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the name of this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "R8 - Wildlife Restoration and Basic Hunter Education - State Fish and Wildlife Agencies Only."
What is the Funding Opportunity Number?
The Funding Opportunity Number (FON) is F20AS00016.
Which federal agency administers this program?
The program is administered by the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS).
Is this a mandatory or discretionary grant program?
It is described as a mandatory federal grant program.
What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?
This opportunity is tied to CFDA 15.611.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is specifically limited to state governments, with state fish and wildlife agencies identified as the intended recipients.
Are local governments, tribes, nonprofits, or universities eligible to apply directly?
Based on the information provided, the opportunity is limited to state governments (state fish and wildlife agencies). No other applicant types are listed as eligible in the description provided.
What is the main purpose of the program?
The program supports wildlife restoration and related work, along with basic hunter education and safety efforts. It is presented as a federal-state partnership mechanism that channels funds to states for wildlife and habitat outcomes and for education and safety programming.
What types of program areas does this opportunity support?
The supported areas are described as education, natural resources, and research and development activities.
What law authorizes this grant program?
The program is rooted in the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act, originally passed as the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act of 1937 (16 U.S.C. 669-669k), which began operating in 1938.
What kinds of wildlife restoration activities are supported?
Supported work includes projects that help states select, restore, rehabilitate, and improve wildlife habitat, as well as conduct wildlife management research.
Does the program support research and sharing results?
Yes. It includes conducting wildlife management research and distributing information and findings generated by supported projects.
Why does the opportunity include "Basic Hunter Education"?
A 1970 amendment added explicit support for hunter safety programs, which is why basic hunter education is included in the title and purpose.
Can funds be used for shooting sports infrastructure like ranges?
Yes. The 1970 amendment authorized funding connected to shooting sports infrastructure, including development, operation, and maintenance of firearm and archery ranges.
Can funds be used to acquire land for public target ranges?
Yes. The Target Practice and Marksmanship Training Support Act (Public Law 116-17), passed May 10, 2019, clarified and strengthened the ability to use funds to acquire land for, expand, or construct public target ranges.
Can funded public target ranges be located on federal land?
Yes. The information provided states that the 2019 law supports public target ranges, including ranges located on federal land.
What is the award ceiling listed for this opportunity?
The award ceiling is shown as $20,000,000.
Does the listing indicate how many awards are expected?
The listing notes "Expected Awards: 0," which commonly appears in programs where funding is distributed through formula allocations or structured state apportionments rather than a typical competitive cycle with a defined number of awards.
Is this grant competitive?
Based on the information provided, it is best understood as a long-running federal-state partnership mechanism and may be distributed via formula allocations or structured state apportionments rather than a standard competitive cycle with a set number of awards.
When was this funding opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on October 8, 2019.
What was the original closing date listed?
The original closing date listed is August 31, 2021.
What overall outcomes does the program aim to support?
It aims to support habitat restoration and improvement, wildlife research and management, hunter education and safety, and the development and support of public shooting and archery range opportunities.
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