R3 Hunter Education Grant Program (TO STATE F&G AGENCIES ONLY) | F19AS00054

Opportunity Information: Apply for F19AS00054

The R3 Hunter Education Grant Program (TO STATE F&G AGENCIES ONLY), funding opportunity number F19AS00054, is a mandatory federal grant administered by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). It sits under CFDA 15.626 and is aimed specifically at supporting state fish and game agencies with efforts tied to hunter education, safety, and related shooting sports infrastructure. The program is grounded in long-standing federal wildlife conservation funding mechanisms and is framed as part of the broader national strategy to sustain hunting participation and safe, responsible firearms and archery use, which in turn supports wildlife management funding and conservation outcomes.

This opportunity traces back to the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act (Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act of 1937; 16 U.S.C. 669-669k). That law originally created a dedicated funding stream for wildlife habitat selection, restoration, rehabilitation, and improvement, along with wildlife management research and the sharing of information produced by funded projects. In 1970, Congress expanded the allowable uses of these funds to include hunter safety programs and the development, operation, or maintenance of firearm and archery ranges. The description emphasizes that, as demands evolved into the 21st century, Congress believed additional dedicated support was needed to keep hunter education and shooting range development strong and consistent across states.

A key driver mentioned in the opportunity description is concern raised to Congress, including input received by the Congressional Resource Committee from sportsmen's organizations. The concern was that some states were not fully using their potential allotments for hunter education and range-related activities, or that overall effort levels were inconsistent and not sufficient to support the future of hunting. In response, Congress passed the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Programs Improvement Act of 2000, which created the Firearm and Bowhunter Education and Safety Program (often referenced as Section 10). Section 10 set aside a specific amount of money for these purposes: $7.5 million in 2001 and 2002, and $8 million each year thereafter, intended to enhance existing hunter education or shooting range programs.

From an administrative and eligibility standpoint, the opportunity is limited to state governments, and the title clarifies that it is for state fish and game agencies only. The listed activity categories are Education and Natural Resources, reinforcing that the program is meant to support practical education and safety efforts tied to hunting and shooting sports as part of broader conservation and wildlife restoration goals. The funding instrument type is a grant, and the opportunity category is mandatory, meaning it is tied to a statutory formula or set-aside structure rather than a purely discretionary competitive program.

The source data lists an award ceiling of $20,000,000, with an original closing date of August 31, 2020, and a creation date of November 28, 2018. While the record shows "ExpectedAwards: 0," the narrative context indicates the program is associated with a recurring funding set-aside under Section 10 intended to support and strengthen (enhance) hunter education and shooting range programs over time. Overall, the opportunity is best understood as a dedicated federal support mechanism to help state wildlife agencies maintain and improve hunter education and safety efforts, including facilities and programs that promote responsible participation in hunting and archery/firearms activities, thereby reinforcing both public safety and long-term conservation funding capacity.

• The Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service in the education, natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "R3 Hunter Education Grant Program (TO STATE F&G AGENCIES ONLY)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.626.
• This funding opportunity was created on Nov 28, 2018.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 31, 2020. (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 $20,000,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: State governments.

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