R1 - Sport Fish Restoration Program - State Fish and Wildlife Agencies Only | F20AS00014

Opportunity Information: Apply for F20AS00014

The R1 - Sport Fish Restoration Program - State Fish and Wildlife Agencies Only (Funding Opportunity Number F20AS00014, CFDA 15.605) is a discretionary grant opportunity administered by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service. It is built on the Sport Fish Restoration Act of 1950, commonly known as the Dingell-Johnson Act (64 Stat. 430, as amended; 16 U.S.C. 777-777n, with certain exceptions). The program was intentionally designed to mirror the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act, but with a specific focus on sport fish and the aquatic systems that support sport fisheries.

At its core, this grant program exists to help states restore, conserve, manage, and enhance sport fish populations, while also expanding and improving the public benefits that come from healthy fisheries and accessible waterways. That includes practical, on-the-ground work such as fisheries management and restoration activities, efforts that improve habitat and long-term fish population health, and projects that increase the public's ability to use these resources. The opportunity also supports education about aquatic resources, which can include outreach or learning-focused efforts aimed at improving public understanding and stewardship. Another major emphasis is boating access to public waters, recognizing that access infrastructure is a key part of enabling public recreation tied to sport fishing and boating.

The funding source is a dedicated user-pay trust fund structure rather than general appropriations. Revenues come primarily from excise taxes on sport fishing equipment and related items, including electric outboard motors, along with import duties on fishing tackle, yachts, and pleasure craft. In addition, a portion of federal gasoline taxes attributable to motorboats and small engines contributes to the fund. These revenues flow into the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund and are then distributed to eligible participants.

Eligibility is limited to state governments, specifically state fish and wildlife agencies. Funding is apportioned each year to eligible state agencies using a formula established in law, meaning funding distribution is structured and predictable relative to the statutory apportionment process rather than being purely competitive in the way many discretionary programs are. The published opportunity information lists an award ceiling of $9,000,000 and an expected awards count of 0 in the source record, which often indicates that awards may be issued through apportionment mechanisms, state allocations, or rolling project approvals rather than through a typical single competitive cycle with a fixed number of awards.

The opportunity was created on October 8, 2019, and the original closing date shown is August 31, 2021. The activity categories tied to this program include Education, Natural Resources, and Science and Technology and other Research and Development, reflecting the mix of applied fisheries work, access and infrastructure support, and public education components that states can pursue under the broader Sport Fish Restoration framework.

• The Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service in the education, natural resources, science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "R1 - Sport Fish Restoration Program - State Fish and Wildlife Agencies Only" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.605.
• This funding opportunity was created on Oct 08, 2019.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 31, 2021. (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 $9,000,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: State governments.

Apply for F20AS00014

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