The Critically Endangered Animals Conservation Act of 2026 establishes a new federal grant program to fund conservation projects for animal species facing extinction in foreign countries. The bill creates a dedicated fund within the existing Multinational Species Conservation Fund and authorizes $5 million annually from 2027 through 2032 to support eligible projects. Grants will be awarded competitively to foreign wildlife agencies and other qualified organizations for activities such as habitat protection, anti-poaching enforcement, research, and community education, with preference given to projects that demonstrate matching funds and long-term conservation goals. The legislation prohibits using grant money for captive breeding except when necessary for eventual release into the wild, and requires grant recipients to submit progress reports that will be made public. The Secretary of the Interior must approve or deny project proposals within 180 days and must report to Congress annually on the program's effectiveness.
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