F26AS00007-NAWCA 2026 US Small Grants
Closed Posted
- Opportunity number
- F26AS00007
- Agency
-
Fish and Wildlife Service
Department of the Interior
- Applications due
- Award size
- $1,000 to $250,000
Opportunity facts
- Assistance listings
- Funding instrument
- Grant
- Category
-
- Natural Resources
- Eligible applicants
-
- Small Businesses
- County Governments
- City/Township Governments
- Tribal Organizations (Not Federally Recognized)
- Individuals
- State Governments
- Tribal Governments (Federally Recognized)
- Special District Governments
- Independent School Districts
- Higher Education Inst. (Public)
- 501(c)(3) Nonprofits
- Higher Education Inst. (Private)
- Points of contact
Opportunity details come from Grants.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is soliciting proposals through the NAWCA 2026 US Small Grants Program to fund wetland conservation and habitat management projects that protect, restore, and enhance wetland ecosystems for migratory birds and waterfowl. Eligible applicants include state and local governments, tribal organizations, public and private higher education institutions, 501(c)(3) nonprofits, small businesses, and individuals who can demonstrate partnerships with public agencies. Projects must align with the North American Waterfowl Management Plan, U.S. Shorebird Conservation Plan, and state conservation plans, with activities limited to acquisition, restoration, enhancement, and establishment—research projects are ineligible. All applicants must provide a mandatory 1:1 non-federal cost match, and the North American Wetlands Conservation Council will evaluate proposals using scoring criteria focused on wetland types, waterfowl and migratory bird species benefits, partnership quality, and public access considerations. Applications must be submitted electronically through GrantSolutions.gov by June 25, 2026, at 11:59 PM ET, with required documentation including the SF-424 application form, project narrative using NAWCA's template, detailed budget and financial tables, partner contribution letters, conflict of interest disclosures, and GIS shapefiles of project areas.
The program offers approximately $5,000,000 in total estimated funding for approximately 30 awards, with individual grant amounts ranging from $1,000 to $250,000. Projects are anticipated to begin May 1, 2027, and conclude May 1, 2029, with awards likely issued in Winter 2027. Activities may include fee-title or easement acquisitions, restoration and enhancement work, and establishment of new wetland habitats across the United States, with successful projects typically protecting and managing hundreds to thousands of acres of wetland and upland habitat to benefit migratory bird populations and waterfowl conservation objectives.
Synopsis
The NAWCA U.S. Small Grants Program goal is to promote partnerships between public agencies and groups interested in:Protecting, improving, restoring, and managing an appropriate distribution and a variety of wetland ecosystems and other habitats for wetland-associated migratory birds and other fish and wildlife in the U.S.;Maintaining and improving the current distribution of wetlands-associated migratory bird populations; andMaintaining an abundance of waterfowl (ducks, geese, and swans) and other populations of wetlands-associated migratory birds consistent with the objectives of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan, U.S. Shorebird Conservation Plan, Partners in Flight Bird Conservation Plan, and state related plans.The program requires a 1:1 non-federal match. Research projects are not considered an allowable project activity. This program supports the Department of Interior and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's mission of protecting and managing the nation's natural resources by collaborating with partners and stakeholders to conserve land and water and to expand outdoor recreation and access.The grant program for wetlands conservation and management is administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Division of Bird Habitat Conservation. Thirteen partner organizations make up the North American Wetlands Conservation (NAWC) Council and participate in the review and assessment of proposals. For a full list of Council members, visit: https://www.fws.gov/partner/north-american-wetlands-conservation-council. Also, for U.S. Small scoring criteria, refer to instructions (page 23) included with this notice of funding opportunity.To view previously successful awarded NAWCA U.S. Small Projects, visit NAWCA's external facing database to query for your viewing: https://www.fws.gov/grantsum/
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