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Simpler Grants

No. F25AS00332 · Fish and Wildlife Service

Open

F25AS00332 Highlands Conservation Act – Competitive Funding Round

grants.gov listing Full announcement (NOFO)
Dealbreakers Cost share required
Geography: CT · NJ · NY · PA
“to assist Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania in the protection of land and natural resources in the Highlands Region.” — From the announcement
Audit: not stated Reimbursement-only: not stated
Award range
$25,000 – $3,850,000
Expected awards
~4
Application deadline
Oct 31, 2026
Posted
May 19, 2026
Last verified
4 days ago

At a glance

AI summary

This program funds land acquisition projects and related administrative and land-transaction costs to conserve land and natural resources in the Highlands Region of Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. Only the Lead State Agency designated by each state’s governor may apply, and funds may be subawarded to counties, municipalities, or another state conservation agency. The estimated total program funding is $3,850,000, with about 4 awards expected; the award amount can range from $25,000 up to $3,850,000. A 50% non-federal cost share is required, and projects must be in the Highlands Region or, in limited cases, in an approved municipality in the Highlands Expansion Opportunity Area.

AI-generated summary — verify against the announcement

What it funds

  • Natural Resources
  • Infrastructure, Construction & Shared Facilities
  • General Public / Community-wide
  • Environment, Conservation & Natural Resources
Official description from grants.gov

The Highlands Conservation Act Program (HCA) is administered by the US Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) to assist Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania in the protection of land and natural resources in the Highlands Region. HCA grants support land conservation projects in which a State, County, or Municipal entity acquires land or an interest in land from a willing seller to conserve resources of high conservation value.Governors of the four Highlands States may submit proposals for up to 50% of the total cost of land conservation projects in the Highlands Region.Funding appropriated under the HCA is typically divided into two separate categories – Base and Competitive. Eligible applicants may submit requests for the Competitive Funding Round in response to this Notice of Funding Opportunity. A separate Notice of Funding Opportunity will be posted for Base Funds. A project may not be proposed for funding in both funding opportunities.More information on the HCA program is available at www.fws.gov/program/highlands-conservation-act-grant

Who can apply

  • State governments
Geographic restriction Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania only
“to assist Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania in the protection of land and natural resources in the Highlands Region.” — From the announcement

Program history

USASpending.gov

Assistance listing 15.667 · Highlands Conservation

Real awards this federal program has made — the whole assistance listing (15.667), not just this notice.

Fiscal year Awards Median award Middle half
FY 2026 (so far) 0 — —
FY 2025 13 $749,000 $200,000 – $1,092,000
FY 2024 5 $1,462,500 $1,172,250 – $1,462,500
FY 2023 6 $172,000 $172,000 – $1,138,000
FY 2022 3 $1,460,000 $1,460,000 – $1,460,000
FY 2021 3 $1,460,000 $1,460,000 – $2,230,000

For comparison, this notice advertises $25,000 – $3,850,000.

Who wins it State government (30) of 30 awards — categories can overlap.
Top states CT (10) · PA (9) · NY (7) · NJ (4)
Largest recent awards
  1. DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION & NATURAL RESOURCES PENNSYLVANIA $17,120,240 · FY 2023
  2. NEW YORK STATE OFFICE OF PARKS, RECREATION AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION $3,000,000 · FY 2021
  3. DEPT OF ENERGY & ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION $2,247,500 · FY 2024
  4. NJ HIGHLANDS COUNCIL $1,383,625 · FY 2025

Source: USASpending.gov · refreshed Aug 26, 2026