The U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Reclamation, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, has announced Funding Opportunity No. R25AS00005 for the Central Valley Project Conservation and Habitat Restoration Program. This grant program, active for fiscal years 2025 and 2026, is intended to support initiatives within California’s Central Valley aimed at conserving, protecting, and restoring habitats affected by the Central Valley Project (CVP), particularly for species with federal or state-protected status. Approximately $4.8 million is allocated for the program, with individual grants capped at $1 million. Funding is available for an estimated 7 to 10 projects, covering activities such as land acquisition, habitat restoration, research, and species propagation/reintroduction. Award types include both grants and cooperative agreements, with cooperative agreements involving significant oversight and input from Reclamation.

Eligible applicants for this opportunity include state, county, and local government entities, independent school districts, nonprofit organizations, for-profit businesses, individuals, and federally recognized Native American tribal governments. Projects must occur within or demonstrate a clear nexus to the Central Valley Project area and should focus on conservation activities for species other than fish, as fish-specific projects are not eligible. Projects involving mitigation credits or lacking direct benefit to CVP-impacted species are also ineligible. Although no cost-sharing is required, contributions from partners (financial or in-kind) are encouraged and will be factored into application scoring.

Applications require a comprehensive project proposal with specific components, including an executive summary, project location details, a research work plan (if applicable), and a clear description of project tasks. Additional documents, such as budget narratives, environmental compliance details, and evidence of landowner support (for applicable projects), must also be provided. Proposals must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov by December 10, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. Each applicant must be registered in SAM.gov, maintain a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), and adhere to federal submission protocols. In cases where electronic submission is infeasible, a paper application may be sent to Reclamation.

The review process includes a technical proposal assessment based on criteria such as relevance to priority actions, species benefits, long-term impact, project urgency, and alignment with federal conservation priorities, including climate resilience and tribal engagement. Points are assigned across multiple factors totaling up to 72 points. Projects will also undergo threshold screening, managerial and environmental reviews, and a "Red-Flag" review to identify feasibility or compliance issues. After evaluation, selected applicants will receive a notice by February 2025, with formal award notices following once all pre-award requirements are met.

The grant includes rigorous reporting requirements, including semi-annual or quarterly financial and performance reports, and a final project performance report. Compliance with environmental laws such as the National Environmental Policy Act, Endangered Species Act, and National Historic Preservation Act is mandatory before any ground-disturbing activities. Award recipients must also comply with federal wage, procurement, and data-sharing policies, including the Buy America Domestic Procurement Preference and Davis-Bacon Act requirements for construction projects.

For further assistance, applicants can contact the Reclamation Financial Assistance Contact, Pete Arp, or program coordinators from both Reclamation and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for guidance on project specifics and compliance questions. This funding opportunity seeks to advance critical conservation goals, enhance ecosystem resilience, and contribute to the protection of California's unique biological diversity in line with federal conservation priorities.