Wildlife Habitat Grant Program

Program objective

The primary goal of this program is to enhance and improve the quality and quantity of wildlife habitat in support of specific goals from the Wildlife Division's strategic plan, Guiding Principles and Strategies - The GPS, specifically GPS Goal 2 - Manage habitat for sustainable wildlife populations in a changing environment. Habitat specific priorities include: develop and maintain or contribute to large (>100 acres) grassland or savanna complexes, develop and maintain wetland-associated grasslands, and improve habitat connectivity.

Criteria

Applications are evaluated based on established criteria in the "Wildlife Habitat Grant Program" handbook: 2026 Wildlife Habitat Grant Program Handbook.

Eligibility

Any local, state, federal, or tribal units of government, or profit or non-profit organizations.

Application process

1. Submittal of grant application with all supporting documentation.
2. Evaluation by DNR staff.
3. Awards announced by DNR Director.

Deadline

Applications must be submitted in MiGrants by the due date on the schedule described within the “Wildlife Habitat Grant Program” handbook.

Timeline

• RFP goes out May 4, 2026.
• Applications due June 25, 2026.
• Awards announced August 2026.
• Project period begins upon execution of project agreement.
• Project periods are two years.

Grant limits

• Minimum grant request amount: $50,000.
• Maximum grant request amount: $500,000.
• There is a required minimum match of 10% of the total project cost.

Source of funds

Revenue generated from the sale of hunting and fishing licenses.

Authority

Part 5 of Act 451, P.A. 1994, as amended.

Contacts

Wildlife Division: Clay Buchanan, 517-614-0918
Finance and Operations Division, Grants Management Section: Chip Kosloski, 517-281-1705

Forms and Information for Applicants

2026 Wildlife Habitat Grant Program Handbook