Combating Wildlife Trafficking | F18AS00244

Opportunity Information: Apply for F18AS00244

The Combating Wildlife Trafficking grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number F18AS00244) is a discretionary cooperative agreement offered by the U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). It was created on July 17, 2018, with an original application deadline of July 23, 2018. The program sits at the intersection of education, the environment, and natural resources (CFDA 15.679) and is designed to support work that helps curb the illegal wildlife trade by focusing on the demand side of the problem through public-facing education.

At its core, the opportunity responds to the reality that illegal wildlife trafficking is a multibillion-dollar global enterprise involving the unlawful harvest and trade of live animals and plants, as well as their parts and products. USFWS notes that U.S. seizure data indicates a meaningful volume of illegal wildlife products is trafficked into the United States for both commercial sale and personal possession. Examples of seized items span a wide range of everyday consumer goods, including wild-sourced meat, clothing and decor, medicinal products, souvenirs, pets, plants, and furniture. The description also highlights that trafficking can occur through online marketplaces and local retail channels, which broadens the challenge beyond ports of entry and makes consumer awareness and behavior change especially important.

The grant is framed around the United States National Strategy for Combating Wildlife Trafficking (issued in 2014), which established a whole-of-government approach built on three pillars: strengthening enforcement, reducing demand for illegally traded wildlife, and expanding international cooperation. That strategy was later codified into law through the Eliminate, Neutralize, and Disrupt (END) Wildlife Trafficking Act, reinforcing the federal commitment to coordinated action. This funding opportunity specifically aligns with the second pillar, reducing demand, by aiming to equip educators and community-facing organizations with tools that can shift knowledge, attitudes, and purchasing behavior.

USFWS intends for the supported project to complement and enhance existing anti-trafficking efforts by delivering targeted, high-quality environmental education resources for both formal and informal education settings. In practice, that means proposals should be oriented toward creating or disseminating educational materials, curricula, trainings, outreach products, or programs that increase public awareness of the illegal wildlife trade and its consequences for biodiversity, natural resources, and communities. The emphasis is not only on awareness, but also on helping youth and the broader public build practical behaviors and skills that reduce their own contributions to illegal trade, such as making more informed purchasing decisions and recognizing wildlife products that may be illegal or unsustainably sourced.

Another major objective is improving public literacy about the laws and regulations that protect wildlife and enable sustainable use. The opportunity description signals a desire for educational interventions that clarify what is prohibited, why it is prohibited, and how legal, sustainable alternatives benefit ecosystems and local economies. This is tied to the broader harm illegal trade causes, including damage to U.S. natural resources and negative impacts on local communities that could otherwise benefit from tourism or lawful, sustainable trade.

Funding for this opportunity is relatively small and targeted, with an award ceiling of $50,000 and an expectation of one award. Because it is structured as a cooperative agreement, applicants should anticipate a more collaborative relationship with USFWS than a typical grant, often involving agency involvement or coordination during project implementation, product review, or outreach alignment.

Eligibility is broad and includes state, county, city or township governments; special district governments; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education); and individuals. This range suggests USFWS is open to proposals from schools, universities, museums, zoos, aquariums, conservation organizations, tribal programs, local governments, and independent educators, as long as the work clearly supports environmental education goals tied to reducing demand for trafficked wildlife.

In summary, this opportunity is best understood as a focused investment in education-based demand reduction: building public awareness, changing consumer behavior, and improving understanding of wildlife protection laws in order to help reduce illegal wildlife products entering, circulating within, and being purchased in the United States.

• The Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service in the education, environment, natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Combating Wildlife Trafficking" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.679.
• This funding opportunity was created on Jul 17, 2018.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 23, 2018. (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 $50,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, Individuals.

Apply for F18AS00244

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