The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is offering a funding opportunity through the Candidate Species Conservation Fund (F25AS00228) aimed at conserving high-priority candidate and at-risk species across the United States. This initiative encourages state governments, nonprofits, and research entities to implement proactive conservation efforts that prevent species from requiring federal listing under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The program emphasizes reducing threats to candidate species, fostering partnerships, and providing technical assistance, with an estimated total funding of $500,000 available for approximately 20 awards. Applications must be submitted online via GrantSolutions.gov by September 30, 2025, and will be evaluated based on relevance to program objectives, technical merit, and the ability to leverage funding. For further inquiries, applicants can contact Patrick McKenney at fws_es_grants@fws.gov.