F25AS00332 Highlands Conservation Act – Competitive Funding Round

The Highlands Conservation Act Competitive Funding Round (F25AS00332) is a grant program administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to support land conservation projects in Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. The program provides funding for State, County, or Municipal entities to acquire land or interests in land from willing sellers to protect high conservation value resources, including water, forest, agricultural, wildlife, recreational, or cultural resources. Total estimated funding is 3,850,000 dollars, with an expectation of four awards. The anticipated period of performance runs from January 1, 2027, to December 31, 2032, though funds must be utilized within four years of the signed award document. Eligible applicants must be registered in SAM.gov and Grants.gov and are required to provide a 1:1 cost share. Applications are due by October 31, 2026, and must be submitted via Grants.gov or GrantSolutions. Evaluation is based on a comprehensive merit review involving a panel of experts, with scoring focused on wildlife resource categories, administration priorities, and strategic alignment. Mandatory requirements include the use of American iron, steel, and construction materials for infrastructure projects and adherence to Uniform Appraisal Standards for Federal Land Acquisition. Required application documents include SF-424, SF-424A, SF-424C, SF-429, SF-LLL, and a project abstract summary.