Additional Context: The Multinational Species Conservation Funds, or MSCF, are a set of five small grant programs administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that provide assistance and support to protect highly trafficked and vulnerable species including elephants, rhinos, tigers, great apes, and turtles. Funded through legislation such as the African Elephant Conservation Act and Great Ape Conservation Act and operating alongside the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) obligations, the funds have historically been appropriated at modest levels (around $11 million annually in recent years) yet have engaged nearly 600 domestic and foreign partners in over 54 countries.

Activities implemented by partner organizations with MSCF funding span protecting forest elephant habitat and curbing the ivory trade (African elephant), promoting humane treatment of working elephants and reducing human-elephant conflict (Asian elephant), surveying populations and combating the trafficking of horns, skins, and bones (rhino and tiger), securing remaining habitat for gorillas and orangutans (great ape), and protecting nesting beaches for sea turtles (marine turtle). The organization reporting this information noted that reduced travel has impacted the ability to connect with on-the-ground partners and build trust.

Devex Researcher Note: According to a source familiar with the MSCF program, during the initial stop-work orders, all MSCF funding grants were frozen. While the funding for MSCF in FY25 and 26 was officially appropriated by the U.S. Congress, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has not put out solicitations nor provided further funding to these organizations as of June 2026.

The organization providing this information has requested to remain anonymous.