Coastal Fisheries State Wildlife Grants

The Coastal Fisheries State Wildlife Grants program is part of the broader State and Tribal Wildlife Grants (SWG) initiative established by Congress in 2000. This federal assistance program provides funding to all U.S. states and territories to support proactive conservation efforts aimed at preventing species from becoming endangered. In Texas, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) serves as the administering agency, responsible for requesting, managing, and distributing these funds in alignment with the State Wildlife Action Plan for Texas (SWAP). The SWAP identifies Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) and outlines priority conservation strategies, making it the central guiding document for all funded activities. The purpose of this funding opportunity is to support cooperative, cost-share projects that contribute directly to the conservation and management of SGCN species and their habitats. Eligible projects must address high-priority conservation issues identified in the SWAP and may include habitat restoration, applied research, and field studies designed to fill critical knowledge gaps. However, funding is restricted from supporting activities primarily related to law enforcement, education, recreation, or plant species conservation unless explicitly allowed under specific request for proposal topics. All projects must demonstrate a clear connection to SWAP priorities and provide measurable conservation benefits. Funding is provided on a reimbursement basis and requires a mandatory non-federal cost share. Specifically, recipients must provide a 35 percent match of the total project cost, reflecting a 65:35 federal-to-nonfederal funding ratio. Matching contributions may include cash, in-kind services, salary support, or unrecovered indirect costs, but cannot include federal funds. While indirect costs are no longer capped at 15 percent, applicants are encouraged to minimize these expenses to maximize direct conservation outcomes. Projects may span one to four years, with an optional fifth year for monitoring in restoration efforts, and must begin on either November 1, 2026 or January 1, 2027. The application process requires submission of a complete proposal package, including a narrative proposal in Word format and a detailed budget using a provided Excel template. Proposals must adhere strictly to formatting guidelines outlined in Appendices I and II and are limited to ten pages excluding appendices and required biographical summaries for key personnel. Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact relevant TPWD Coastal Fisheries Regional or Program Directors prior to submission to ensure alignment with agency priorities and methodologies. Proposals must also include environmental compliance documentation and demonstrate the applicant’s capacity to manage federal funds in accordance with applicable regulations. Evaluation of proposals emphasizes cost-effectiveness, scientific rigor, and the production of tangible conservation outcomes. Applicants must clearly describe project objectives, methodologies, and expected deliverables, as well as how results will inform conservation strategies. Successful applicants will be required to submit annual interim reports and a final report detailing project progress and outcomes. These reports are critical for compliance and reimbursement processing, and failure to submit them on time may delay payments. The deadline for proposal submission is March 19, 2026 at 4:30 p.m. Proposals must be submitted electronically via email to the designated TPWD contact. Questions regarding the application or program requirements may be directed to the program contact via email or phone. This funding opportunity is part of an ongoing annual cycle of SWG funding, supporting continuous conservation efforts across Texas, and reflects TPWD’s commitment to preserving biodiversity and maintaining healthy ecosystems through strategic partnerships and research-driven initiatives.

Align proposal closely with SWAP priorities; emphasize measurable conservation outcomes; contact TPWD early to refine proposal