Conservation Law Enforcement Officer Funding (BIA)

The Branch of Fisheries, Wildlife and Recreation (BFWR) provides competitive funding to federally-recognized Tribes to hire conservation law enforcement officers (CLEOs) to protect Tribal natural resources.

Federally-recognized Tribes are eligible to apply for CLEO funding if:

1. The Tribe is responsible for managing fish and wildlife resources on lands held in Trust status.
2. The Tribe has established Tribal Fish and Wildlife Codes that are enforceable through an established court system.
3. The Tribe commits to funded CLEO positions obtaining Federal Law Enforcement Training Certification, or a recognized equivalent, within one year of the position being filled.
4. The Tribe has an established Law Enforcement Handbook or adopts the BIA Law Enforcement Handbook.

New applications for CLEO funding are considered every 5 years. Information on 2024 CLEO applications and deadlines is now available below!

Federally-recognized Tribes may submit an application to the CLEO Program contact at their Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Regional Office. Applications must demonstrate how the Tribe satisfies CLEO eligibility requirements and respond to the application’s factors for consideration.

Successful applicants may be awarded up to $47,000 per CLEO, per year.