The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program is offering funding to support the long-term conservation of vital coastal wetland ecosystems. This grant is specifically designed for eligible State and Territory agencies, providing cost-sharing awards for projects that protect, restore, enhance, or manage valuable coastal wetland resources. Projects may involve acquiring real property interests in these ecosystems. Coastal wetlands are crucial for safeguarding against flooding, maintaining water quality, and providing habitats for diverse fish and wildlife. Economically, they generate billions annually through recreation and tourism. The program ultimately benefits coastal communities, wildlife, and the public by preserving these essential natural assets.
Opportunity ID: 358586
General Information
| Document Type: | Grants Notice |
| Funding Opportunity Number: | F26AS00005 |
| Funding Opportunity Title: | F26AS00005_FY 2026_National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program_Notice of Funding Opportunity |
| Opportunity Category: | Discretionary |
| Opportunity Category Explanation: | – |
| Funding Instrument Type: | Grant |
| Category of Funding Activity: | Natural Resources |
| Category Explanation: | – |
| Expected Number of Awards: | – |
| Assistance Listings: | 15.614 — Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration |
| Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement: | Yes |
| Version: | Synopsis 1 |
| Posted Date: | Mar 21, 2025 |
| Last Updated Date: | Mar 21, 2025 |
| Original Closing Date for Applications: | Jul 18, 2025 Electronically submitted applications must be submitted no later than 11:59 PM, ET, on the listed application due date. |
| Current Closing Date for Applications: | Jul 18, 2025 Electronically submitted applications must be submitted no later than 11:59 PM, ET, on the listed application due date. |
| Archive Date: | Jun 27, 2026 |
| Estimated Total Program Funding: | $20,000,000 |
| Award Ceiling: | $1,000,000 |
| Award Floor: | $50,000 |
Eligibility
| Eligible Applicants: | State governments |
| Additional Information on Eligibility: | Eligible RecipientsParticipation is limited to State and Territory agencies designated as eligible by the Governor. The eligible agency is usually a natural resource or fish and wildlife agency. If you are uncertain of your eligibility, please contact your Regional Office of Conservation Investment. For contact information, see Basic Information in this announcement above. Eligible States and Territories are those bordering the Great Lakes, and those bordering the Atlantic, Gulf (except Louisiana), and Pacific coasts. Louisiana is not eligible because it receives separate funding through the Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection, and Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 3955 (b)(1)). The complete list of eligible States and Territories is: Alabama, Alaska, American Samoa, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Guam, Hawai’i, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin. Eligible ActivitiesEligible and ineligible activities are described in 50 CFR 84.20. Activities to create wetlands where they did not previously exist are ineligible (50 CFR 84.20(b)(3)). For each project site, evidence verifying the current or historic presence of a wetland is required. This may include information from the Service’s National Wetlands Inventory, earlier Geographic Information System data, or historic information.Activities to acquire and/or restore upper portions of watersheds where benefits to the coastal wetland ecosystem are not significant and direct are also ineligible (50 CFR 84.20(b)(8)). A proposal must include sufficient information demonstrating that targeted lands or waters meet the definition of a coastal wetland ecosystem (50 CFR 84.11).In accepting Federal funds, you must comply with all applicable Federal laws, regulations, and policies. If your application is selected for an award, you must provide evidence of compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Endangered Species Act (ESA), the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), and other applicable Federal laws or regulations. |
Additional Information
| Agency Name: | Fish and Wildlife Service |
| Description: | The National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program supports the long‐term conservation of coastal wetland ecosystems for the benefit of coastal communities, fish and wildlife and their habitats, and the recreating public. The Program provides eligible State and Territory agencies with cost sharing awards for projects that protect and restore valuable coastal wetland resources. Projects may include acquisition of a real property interest in a coastal wetland ecosystem and the restoration, enhancement, or management of coastal wetlands.Coastal wetlands are valued because they protect against flooding, help maintain water quality, and provide habitats for fish and wildlife. Coastal environments are also important economically, generating billions of dollars annually through recreational and commercial fishing, boating, and tourism. The Program is co-administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Coastal Program and the Office of Conservation Investment. For more information, visit the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grants Home Page. |
| Link to Additional Information: | – |
| Grantor Contact Information: | If you have difficulty accessing the full announcement electronically, please contact:
Chris Darnell
chris_darnell@fws.gov Email:chris_darnell@fws.gov |
Version History
| Version | Modification Description | Updated Date |
|---|---|---|
Related Documents
Folder 358586 Full Announcement-Full Announcement -> FY 2026_National Coastal Wetlands Program_Notice of Funding Opportunity_F26AS00005.pdf
Packages
| Agency Contact Information: | Chris Darnell chris_darnell@fws.gov Email: chris_darnell@fws.gov |
| Who Can Apply: | Organization Applicants |
| Assistance Listing Number | Competition ID | Competition Title | Opportunity Package ID | Opening Date | Closing Date | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15.614 | F26AS00005 | F26AS00005_FY 2026_National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program_Notice of Funding Opportunity | PKG00290477 | Mar 21, 2025 | Jul 18, 2025 | View |
Package 1
Mandatory forms
358586 SF424_4_0-4.0.pdf
358586 Project_AbstractSummary_2_0-2.0.pdf
358586 ProjectNarrativeAttachments_1_2-1.2.pdf
Optional forms
358586 SF424A-1.0.pdf
358586 SF424C_2_0-2.0.pdf
358586 SFLLL_2_0-2.0.pdf
358586 AttachmentForm_1_2-1.2.pdf
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