F26AS00018 - NAWCA 2026 Canada Grants
Closed Posted
- Opportunity number
- F26AS00018
- Agency
-
Fish and Wildlife Service
Department of the Interior
- Applications due
- Award size
- Not on record
Opportunity facts
- Assistance listings
- Funding instrument
- Grant
- Category
-
- Natural Resources
- Eligible applicants
-
- City/Township Governments
- Higher Education Inst. (Public)
- State Governments
- 501(c)(3) Nonprofits
- County Governments
- Non-501(c)(3) Nonprofits
- Tribal Organizations (Not Federally Recognized)
- Higher Education Inst. (Private)
- Tribal Governments (Federally Recognized)
- Special District Governments
- Individuals
- Small Businesses
- Independent School Districts
- Points of contact
-
- Callie McMunigal callie_mcmunigal@fws.gov
Opportunity details come from Grants.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is soliciting grant applications for the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) 2026 Canada Grants program to fund wetland conservation projects in Canada that protect, restore, enhance, and manage wetland ecosystems and associated habitats for migratory birds and fish and wildlife. Eligible applicants include state and local governments, tribal organizations, nonprofits, educational institutions, small businesses, and individuals who can demonstrate partnerships and sustainable long-term conservation commitments. Applicants must secure a minimum 1:1 non-federal cost match, with at least 50% of matching funds sourced from U.S. sources, and must align projects with the North American Waterfowl Management Plan, U.S. Shorebird Conservation Plan, and other international conservation objectives. Merit review evaluates proposals against seven technical assessment questions covering waterfowl habitat conservation, migratory bird benefits, alignment with national and regional bird plans, wetland class distribution, long-term conservation strategies, endangered species benefits, and partnership effectiveness. The application deadline is June 11, 2026, at 11:59 PM ET, with anticipated project performance periods spanning from April 30, 2027, through April 27, 2029.
The program provides an estimated $45,000,000 in total funding distributed across approximately 15 awards, with individual award values typically ranging from $250,000 to $3,000,000 based on project scope and eligible activities. Projects must focus on acquiring real property interests in wetlands, or restoring, managing, and enhancing wetland ecosystems, with all accomplishments measured in acres during the two-year project period. All wetland conservation activities will be conducted on Canadian lands and waters, with acquired properties requiring long-term conservation management (minimum 10 years when perpetual protection is not feasible) and a recorded Notice of Federal Participation.
Synopsis
2 versions
Update #2 · Latest ·
The goal of the NAWCA program in Canada is to promote partnerships between public agencies and groups interested in:• Protecting, improving, restoring, and managing an appropriate distribution and variety of wetland ecosystems and other habitats for wetlands-associated migratory birds and other fish and wildlife in North America;• maintaining and improving the current distribution of wetlands-associated migratory bird populations; and• sustaining 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, Waterbird Conservation Plan for the Americas, Partners in Flight Bird Conservation Plan, and other international obligations contained in the treaties and migratory bird conventions and other agreements with Canada, Mexico, and other countries.• The program requires a minimum 1:1 non-federal match. At least 50% of the match must be from U.S. Sources. Proposals should demonstrate how the activities of partners involved in a wetland conservation project will encourage sustainable and effective programs for the long-term conservation of wetlands-associated migratory birds. The Act defines wetlands conservation projects as:• The acquisition of real property interests in lands or waters, including water rights, of a wetland ecosystem and associated habitat if the obtaining of such interest is subject to terms and conditions that will ensure that the real property will be administered for the long-term conservation of such lands and waters and the migratory birds and other fish and wildlife dependent thereon;• The restoration, management, or enhancement of wetland ecosystems and associated habitats for migratory birds and other fish and wildlife species, wherein these activities will be conducted on lands and waters that will be administered for their long-term conservation and for the benefit of migratory birds, fish, and other wildlife that depend on them.The NAWCA Program for wetlands conservation and management grants in Canada is administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Migratory Bird Program. Thirteen partner organizations make up the North American Wetlands Conservation Council and participate in the review and assessment of proposals. Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) and the Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS) support this program.For Canada Instructions (scoring criteria Appendix A), Grant Administration Standards, and Eligibility Criteria, refer to the documents attached to this notice of funding opportunity. All documents are also available at https://www.fws.gov/service/north-american-wetlands-conservation-act-nawca-canada-grants
Update #1 ·
The goal of the NAWCA program in Canada is to promote partnerships between public agencies and groups interested in:• Protecting, improving, restoring, and managing an appropriate distribution and variety of wetland ecosystems and other habitats for wetlands-associated migratory birds and other fish and wildlife in North America;• maintaining and improving the current distribution of wetlands-associated migratory bird populations; and• sustaining 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, Waterbird Conservation Plan for the Americas, Partners in Flight Bird Conservation Plan, and other international obligations contained in the treaties and migratory bird conventions and other agreements with Canada, Mexico, and other countries.• The program requires a minimum 1:1 non-federal match. At least 50% of the match must be from U.S. Sources. Proposals should demonstrate how the activities of partners involved in a wetland conservation project will encourage sustainable and effective programs for the long-term conservation of wetlands-associated migratory birds. The Act defines wetlands conservation projects as:• The acquisition of real property interests in lands or waters, including water rights, of a wetland ecosystem and associated habitat if the obtaining of such interest is subject to terms and conditions that will ensure that the real property will be administered for the long-term conservation of such lands and waters and the migratory birds and other fish and wildlife dependent thereon;• The restoration, management, or enhancement of wetland ecosystems and associated habitats for migratory birds and other fish and wildlife species, wherein these activities will be conducted on lands and waters that will be administered for their long-term conservation and for the benefit of migratory birds, fish, and other wildlife that depend on them.The NAWCA Program for wetlands conservation and management grants in Canada is administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Migratory Bird Program. Thirteen partner organizations make up the North American Wetlands Conservation Council and participate in the review and assessment of proposals. Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) and the Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS) support this program by providing input in the review and assessment of proposals.For Canada Instructions (scoring criteria Appendix A), Grant Administration Standards, and Eligibility Criteria, refer to the documents attached to this notice of funding opportunity. All documents are also available at https://www.fws.gov/service/north-american-wetlands-conservation-act-nawca-canada-grants
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