Opportunity Information: Apply for F25AS00379
F25AS00379, titled "Highlands Conservation Act (HCA) - Base Funding Round," is a discretionary grant opportunity run by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to help protect priority lands and natural resources in the Highlands Region across Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. The central purpose is straightforward: support land conservation deals where a government entity purchases land, or an interest in land (such as a conservation easement), from a willing seller in order to conserve resources with high conservation value. These projects are meant to permanently safeguard important landscapes that contribute to clean water, wildlife habitat, forest connectivity, and other natural resource benefits associated with the Highlands.
This notice covers only the program's "Base" allocation of funding. HCA funding is typically split into two buckets, Base and Competitive, and this opportunity is for Base funds only. A separate notice will be released for Competitive funds, and the same project cannot be submitted under both opportunities. In practice, that means applicants need to decide which round a particular acquisition effort will be proposed under and keep those submissions distinct.
Only a very specific set of applicants can apply. Eligible applicants are State governments, and more specifically, only the Lead State Agency (or agencies) designated by each Governor in the four eligible states may submit an application for this program. If a Governor designates more than one Lead Agency, those agencies must coordinate before submitting so that the request stays within the state's maximum allowable amount. While the state Lead Agency is the official applicant, the program allows the state to pass funding through via subawards to counties or municipalities within the Highlands Region, or to another state conservation agency, which is often how on-the-ground acquisitions are implemented.
For FY 2026, the total Base funding available is $9,173,450. The program anticipates making four awards, one per eligible state, and each state may request up to $2,293,362 (the award ceiling listed in the notice). Importantly, HCA funding is a cost-share program: Governors may submit proposals for up to 50 percent of the total cost of eligible land conservation projects, meaning applicants generally need matching funds or other non-federal contributions to cover the remaining share of project costs.
Timing and performance rules are clearly defined. The earliest anticipated project start date is January 1, 2026. The period of performance may be no longer than four years from the date the grantee is notified of the award, although extensions can be considered when there are extenuating circumstances (for example, unexpected delays in closing a land transaction). The closing date for this funding opportunity is October 31, 2026. If grant funds are not spent by the time a grant closes and the HCA program is still funded, the unspent balance will be returned to the program and redistributed through a future Competitive Grant round. Similarly, if any of the four states does not request its full Base amount, any remaining funds will be shifted into either the concurrent or the next Competitive funding round rather than staying idle.
The current designated Lead State Agencies and points of contact listed in the notice are: Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (Matt Starr, matthew.starr@ct.gov); New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation (Lynn Kovach, lynn.kovach@parks.ny.gov); New Jersey Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council (Liz Ward, elizabeth.ward@highlands.nj.gov); and Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (Dan Pierce, danipierce@pa.gov). The opportunity is administered by the Fish and Wildlife Service under CFDA 15.667, with the funding activity category identified as Natural Resources. Additional program background and reference material is available from the Service at www.fws.gov/program/highlands-conservation-act-grant.Apply for F25AS00379
- The Fish and Wildlife Service in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "F25AS00379 Highlands Conservation Act - Base Funding Round" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.667.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-05-19.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-10-31. (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 $2,293,362.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 4 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: State governments.
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Highlands Conservation Act (HCA) - Base Funding Round (F25AS00379) FAQs
What is grant opportunity F25AS00379?
F25AS00379 is a discretionary grant opportunity run by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under the Highlands Conservation Act (HCA). It is titled "Highlands Conservation Act (HCA) - Base Funding Round" and supports land conservation projects in the Highlands Region.
What is the purpose of the HCA Base Funding Round?
The purpose is to support land conservation transactions where a government entity purchases land, or an interest in land (such as a conservation easement), from a willing seller in order to permanently conserve priority lands and natural resources with high conservation value in the Highlands.
What kinds of conservation activities does this funding support?
Based on the notice description, this funding supports conservation acquisitions, including purchasing land outright or acquiring interests in land such as conservation easements, from willing sellers, to permanently safeguard important landscapes and related natural resource benefits.
Which states and geographic area are included?
The opportunity applies to the Highlands Region across four states: Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.
What natural resource outcomes are projects expected to protect?
Projects are intended to permanently protect priority lands associated with outcomes such as clean water, wildlife habitat, forest connectivity, and other natural resource benefits linked to the Highlands landscape.
Is this opportunity for Base funds only or does it include Competitive funds too?
This notice covers only the program's Base allocation of HCA funding. A separate notice will be released for Competitive funds.
Can the same project be submitted under both the Base and Competitive opportunities?
No. The same project cannot be submitted under both opportunities. Applicants must choose which round a particular acquisition effort will be proposed under and keep submissions distinct.
Who is eligible to apply?
Only State governments may apply, and specifically only the Lead State Agency (or agencies) designated by each Governor in the four eligible states may submit an application.
What happens if a Governor designates more than one Lead State Agency?
If more than one Lead Agency is designated in a state, those agencies must coordinate before submitting so the request stays within the state's maximum allowable amount.
Can counties or municipalities apply directly?
No. The eligible applicant is the Governor-designated Lead State Agency. However, the program allows the state to pass funding through via subawards to counties or municipalities within the Highlands Region, or to another state conservation agency.
What is the total amount of Base funding available for FY 2026?
The total Base funding available for FY 2026 is $9,173,450.
How many awards are expected to be made?
The program anticipates making four awards, one per eligible state.
What is the maximum amount each state may request?
Each state may request up to $2,293,362, which is the award ceiling listed in the notice.
Is there a cost-share or match requirement?
Yes. HCA funding is a cost-share program. Governors may submit proposals for up to 50 percent of the total cost of eligible land conservation projects, meaning matching funds or other non-federal contributions generally cover the remaining share.
What is the earliest anticipated project start date?
The earliest anticipated project start date is January 1, 2026.
How long can the period of performance be?
The period of performance may be no longer than four years from the date the grantee is notified of the award.
Are extensions to the period of performance possible?
Yes. Extensions can be considered when there are extenuating circumstances, such as unexpected delays in closing a land transaction.
What is the closing date for this funding opportunity?
The closing date for this funding opportunity is October 31, 2026.
What happens to unspent grant funds at closeout?
If grant funds are not spent by the time a grant closes and the HCA program is still funded, the unspent balance will be returned to the program and redistributed through a future Competitive Grant round.
What happens if a state does not request its full Base amount?
If any of the four states does not request its full Base amount, the remaining funds will be shifted into either the concurrent or the next Competitive funding round.
Which federal agency administers this opportunity?
The opportunity is administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
What is the program listing identifier (CFDA) and activity category?
The notice identifies the program under CFDA 15.667, with the funding activity category listed as Natural Resources.
Who are the designated Lead State Agencies and contacts listed in the notice?
The notice lists the following Lead State Agencies and points of contact:
- Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection: Matt Starr (matthew.starr@ct.gov)
- New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation: Lynn Kovach (lynn.kovach@parks.ny.gov)
- New Jersey Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council: Liz Ward (elizabeth.ward@highlands.nj.gov)
- Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources: Dan Pierce (danipierce@pa.gov)
Where can applicants find additional program background and reference materials?
Additional program background and reference material is available from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at www.fws.gov/program/highlands-conservation-act-grant.
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