Opportunity Information: Apply for F20AS00002
The Region 3 Section 10 Hunter Education Grant Program is a discretionary grant opportunity run by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, and it is limited to state fish and game (wildlife) agencies. The program sits under the long-running Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act (Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act of 1937), a cornerstone funding law that has supported wildlife habitat work, wildlife management research, and the sharing of information generated by those projects. Over time, Congress expanded the law to address practical needs tied to hunting and conservation, especially the importance of safe, well-trained hunters and adequate places for the public to practice shooting in controlled environments.
A key turning point for this specific grant program came from amendments made in 1970 and later in 2000. The 1970 update explicitly allowed Pittman-Robertson funds to be used for hunter safety programs and for the development, operation, and maintenance of firearm and archery ranges. By the late 1990s, Congress heard concerns (including from sportsmen's organizations) that some states were not fully using the funding they could access for hunter education and shooting range work, or that state effort levels were inconsistent even as participation, safety expectations, and land-use pressures increased. 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, commonly referred to as Section 10 or EHE. The intent of Section 10 funding is to "enhance" existing hunter education and shooting range programs, not simply replace baseline state commitments.
Funding for Section 10 was set aside at $7.5 million in 2001 and 2002 and then $8 million annually thereafter, reflecting a dedicated national investment stream specifically for hunter education, bowhunter education, safety, and shooting range-related improvements. More recently, the program environment was further strengthened by the Target Practice and Marksmanship Training Support Act (Public Law 116-17), enacted May 10, 2019, which amended Pittman-Robertson to make it easier to acquire land for, expand, or construct public target ranges, including target ranges located on federal land. This matters because access to suitable land and the cost of range development are often the biggest barriers to meeting public demand for safe target practice and training infrastructure.
From the posted opportunity details, this is a grant (not a contract) and it is categorized under Education and Natural Resources, with CFDA number 15.626. Only state governments are eligible, and the title specifies that it is for state fish and game agencies only. The opportunity number is F20AS00002, and it was created on October 7, 2019. The original closing date listed is August 31, 2021. The notice shows an award ceiling of $30,000,000 and "Expected Awards" listed as 0, which typically indicates that awards are not being forecasted in that particular posting snapshot (for example, the funding may be allocated by formula or handled through state-by-state coordination rather than a competitive batch with a fixed number of awards stated up front).
In practical terms, the program is designed to help states strengthen the future of hunting and shooting sports by improving hunter and bowhunter education and safety efforts and by supporting the development and upkeep of firearm and archery ranges. The broader conservation logic behind it is that safe, informed participation supports ethical hunting, reduces accidents, and sustains public confidence in hunting as a conservation tool, while well-designed public ranges provide structured places for training and practice that can reduce unsafe informal shooting and expand access to marksmanship and safety instruction.Apply for F20AS00002
- The Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service in the education, natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Region 3 Section 10 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 Oct 07, 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 $30,000,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: State governments.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Region 3 Section 10 Hunter Education Grant Program?
It is a discretionary grant opportunity run by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). The program supports hunter education, bowhunter education, safety efforts, and shooting range-related improvements under the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act framework.
Is this opportunity a grant or a contract?
This opportunity is a grant, not a contract.
Which federal agency administers this program?
The program is administered by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS).
What is the legal authority behind this grant program?
The program sits under the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act, formally known as the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act of 1937. This law is a long-running cornerstone funding authority for wildlife habitat work, wildlife management research, and sharing information generated by those projects.
What does "Section 10" refer to?
"Section 10" refers to the Firearm and Bowhunter Education and Safety Program created by the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Programs Improvement Act of 2000. It is also commonly referred to as EHE in the context of hunter education enhancement funding.
What is the intent of Section 10 (EHE) funding?
The intent is to enhance existing hunter education and shooting range programs, not simply replace baseline state commitments. In other words, the funding is designed to improve and expand efforts rather than substitute for what states would otherwise fund as their core level of support.
Who is eligible to apply for this grant?
Eligibility is limited to state governments, specifically state fish and game (wildlife) agencies as indicated by the opportunity title and description.
Are local governments, nonprofits, universities, or private organizations eligible?
Based on the posted opportunity details, only state governments are eligible, and it is limited to state fish and game (wildlife) agencies. No other applicant types are listed as eligible in the provided information.
What types of activities does this program support?
The program is designed to support improvements to hunter and bowhunter education and safety programs, and the development, operation, and maintenance of firearm and archery ranges. The overall focus is on strengthening safe participation and improving access to controlled environments for training and target practice.
How does this program connect to hunter safety and shooting ranges?
Amendments to Pittman-Robertson in 1970 explicitly allowed funds to be used for hunter safety programs and for the development, operation, and maintenance of firearm and archery ranges. Later, the 2000 improvements law created Section 10 funding specifically to enhance firearm and bowhunter education and safety, including range-related improvements.
Why was Section 10 funding created in 2000?
By the late 1990s, Congress heard concerns that some states were not fully using the funding available for hunter education and shooting range work, or that state effort levels were inconsistent while participation, safety expectations, and land-use pressures increased. The 2000 legislation created Section 10 to strengthen and encourage enhancement of these programs.
Does the program support acquiring land or building public target ranges?
The program environment was strengthened by the Target Practice and Marksmanship Training Support Act (Public Law 116-17), enacted May 10, 2019, which amended Pittman-Robertson to make it easier to acquire land for, expand, or construct public target ranges, including ranges located on federal land.
Why is the 2019 Target Practice and Marksmanship Training Support Act important to this program area?
It matters because access to suitable land and the cost of range development are often major barriers to meeting public demand for safe target practice and training infrastructure. The 2019 law change was intended to reduce those barriers, including for ranges on federal land.
What are the program categories for this opportunity?
The opportunity is categorized under Education and Natural Resources.
What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?
The CFDA number listed is 15.626.
What is the opportunity number?
The opportunity number is F20AS00002.
When was this opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on October 7, 2019.
What is the listed closing date?
The original closing date listed is August 31, 2021.
What is the award ceiling shown for this opportunity?
The notice shows an award ceiling of $30,000,000.
What does it mean that "Expected Awards" is listed as 0?
In this posting snapshot, "Expected Awards" is listed as 0. This typically indicates that awards are not being forecasted in that particular posting view, such as when funding may be allocated through formula-like distribution or handled through state-by-state coordination rather than a competitive batch with a stated number of awards.
How does this program support conservation goals?
The broader conservation logic described is that safe, informed participation supports ethical hunting, reduces accidents, and sustains public confidence in hunting as a conservation tool. In addition, well-designed public ranges provide structured places for training and practice, which can reduce unsafe informal shooting and expand access to marksmanship and safety instruction.
How much funding was set aside nationally for Section 10 in the early years?
The information provided states that Section 10 funding was set aside at $7.5 million in 2001 and 2002, and then $8 million annually thereafter as a dedicated national investment stream for hunter education, bowhunter education, safety, and shooting range-related improvements.
How does this program relate to the Pittman-Robertson Act's historical focus?
Pittman-Robertson has historically supported wildlife habitat work, wildlife management research, and sharing project information. Over time, Congress expanded the law to address practical needs tied to hunting and conservation, including the importance of safe, well-trained hunters and adequate public places to practice shooting in controlled environments.
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| Sport Fish Restoration Grant Program Apply for F17AS00049 Funding Number: F17AS00049 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Education, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $5,000,000 |
| State Wildlife Grant Program Apply for F17AS00051 Funding Number: F17AS00051 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Education, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Firearm and Bow Hunter Safety and Education Program (Section 10 Hunter Education Grant Program) Apply for F17AS00047 Funding Number: F17AS00047 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Education, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| FY17 Region 7 Section 10 Hunter Education Grant Program - Open to State Fish and Game agencies only Apply for F17AS00075 Funding Number: F17AS00075 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Education, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $85,000 |
| R3 Firearm and Bow Hunter Safety and Education Program (TO STATE F&G AGENCIES ONLY) Apply for F17AS00095 Funding Number: F17AS00095 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Education, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $5,000,000 |
| R8 (CA/NV) Wildlife Restoration Grant Program for State Fish and Game Agencies Apply for F16AS00077 Funding Number: F16AS00077 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Education, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $4,000,000 |
| R3 WR Hunter Ed Section 10 (TO STATE F&G AGENCIES ONLY) Apply for F16AS00076 Funding Number: F16AS00076 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Education, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| R8 (CA/NV) Sport Fish Restoration Grant Program for State Fish and Game Agencies Apply for F16AS00078 Funding Number: F16AS00078 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Education, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $4,000,000 |
| R8 (CA/NV) Firearm and Bow Hunter Safety and Education Program for State Fish and Game Agencies Apply for F16AS00080 Funding Number: F16AS00080 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Education, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $180,000 |
| R6 Firearm and Bow Hunter Safety and Education Program TO STATE FISH & GAME AGENCIES ONLY Apply for F16AS00057 Funding Number: F16AS00057 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Education, Natural Resources Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
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