Opportunity Information: Apply for F23AS00009

  • The Fish and Wildlife Service in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "F23AS00009 - NAWCA 2023-2 US Standard Grants" and is now available to receive applicants.
  • Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.623.
  • This funding opportunity was created on 2022-04-28.
  • Applicants must submit their applications by 2022-07-08. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
  • Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $2,000,000.00 in funding.
  • Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted.
Apply for F23AS00009

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Opportunity Summary:

F23AS00009 (NAWCA 2023-2 US Standard Grants) is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under CFDA 15.623 that funds on-the-ground wetlands conservation projects in the United States through the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA). The core purpose is to support competitive, partnership-driven projects that deliver durable benefits for migratory birds by conserving wetland ecosystems and the uplands that function alongside them. This program is built around public-private collaboration, meaning proposals are generally expected to show strong coordination among multiple partners and to translate that partnership into tangible habitat outcomes.

The projects supported under this opportunity must focus strictly on long-term habitat conservation actions. Eligible work is limited to the protection, restoration, enhancement, and/or establishment of wetlands and associated upland habitat, specifically tied to benefits for migratory birds. In practical terms, this points to activities like securing lasting habitat protection (often through acquisition or conservation easements where appropriate), restoring degraded wetland functions, improving existing wetland and upland habitat conditions, or creating new habitat where it makes ecological sense. A key restriction is that research funding is not eligible, so proposals need to emphasize implementation and conservation results rather than studies, monitoring-as-research, or other primarily research-oriented efforts.

A defining feature of the U.S. Standard Grants Program is its required cost share: it is a matching grant program with a 1:1 non-federal match requirement. That means applicants must bring at least an equal amount of non-federal contributions to the table relative to the federal request, and the competitiveness of proposals often depends on how well the match is documented, secured, and aligned with the proposed outcomes. The opportunity lists eligible applicants as unrestricted, which typically indicates that a wide range of entities may apply (for example, government entities, nonprofit organizations, and other partners), as long as they can meet program rules and put forward an eligible project with the required match.

From an administrative standpoint, the funding instrument type is a grant and the funding activity category is natural resources. The listed award ceiling is $2,000,000 per award. The opportunity was created on 2022-04-28 and had an original closing date of 2022-07-08. The notice also frames the program within the broader mission of the Department of the Interior and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: conserving lands and waters through collaboration, protecting and managing natural resources, and supporting expanded outdoor recreation and access where it aligns with conservation goals.

Additional official background and program context are referenced through the NAWCA U.S. Standard Grants information page at: https://fws.gov/service/north-american-wetlands-conservation-act-nawca-grants-us-standard.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is grant opportunity F23AS00009?

F23AS00009, titled "NAWCA 2023-2 US Standard Grants," is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. It supports on-the-ground wetlands conservation projects in the United States under the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA).

Which federal agency is offering this opportunity?

This opportunity is offered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (a bureau within the Department of the Interior).

What is the CFDA number for this program?

The CFDA number listed for this program is 15.623.

What is the main purpose of the NAWCA U.S. Standard Grants Program?

The core purpose is to fund competitive, partnership-driven projects that deliver durable benefits for migratory birds by conserving wetland ecosystems and the uplands that function alongside them.

What types of projects does this grant fund?

The program funds long-term habitat conservation actions focused on wetlands and associated upland habitat. Eligible work is limited to protection, restoration, enhancement, and/or establishment of wetlands and associated uplands in ways that benefit migratory birds.

What does "on-the-ground" conservation mean in this context?

Based on the description provided, "on-the-ground" refers to implementation-focused conservation work that produces tangible habitat outcomes, such as protecting habitat, restoring wetland functions, improving habitat conditions, or establishing new habitat where appropriate.

Are projects required to benefit migratory birds?

Yes. The opportunity emphasizes durable benefits for migratory birds and requires that wetland and associated upland conservation actions be tied to benefits for migratory birds.

What kinds of habitat actions are specifically eligible?

Eligible actions are limited to long-term conservation work, including:

  • Protection of wetlands and associated upland habitat
  • Restoration of degraded wetlands and/or uplands
  • Enhancement or improvement of existing habitat conditions
  • Establishment (creation) of wetlands and associated uplands where it makes ecological sense

Is research funding allowed under this opportunity?

No. The opportunity states that research funding is not eligible. Proposals should emphasize implementation and conservation results rather than research-oriented activities.

Can monitoring or studies be included in a proposal?

The notice indicates that research funding is not eligible and that proposals should focus on implementation and conservation outcomes rather than studies or monitoring-as-research. Any activities presented should align with the stated restriction and the program's implementation focus.

Is this a matching grant? What match is required?

Yes. This is a matching grant program with a 1:1 non-federal match requirement. Applicants must provide at least an equal amount of non-federal contributions compared to the federal amount requested.

What does a 1:1 non-federal match requirement mean in practical terms?

A 1:1 match means that for every dollar requested from the federal award, at least one dollar must be provided from non-federal sources. The opportunity also notes that competitiveness often depends on how well the match is documented, secured, and aligned with proposed outcomes.

Who can apply for this grant?

The opportunity lists eligible applicants as unrestricted, which typically indicates a wide range of entities may apply (such as government entities, nonprofit organizations, and other partners), as long as they meet program rules, propose an eligible project, and can provide the required non-federal match.

Is partnership a required element of the program?

Partnership is presented as a defining feature. The program is described as partnership-driven and built around public-private collaboration, with proposals generally expected to show strong coordination among multiple partners and translate that collaboration into tangible habitat outcomes.

What is the funding instrument type?

The funding instrument type is a grant.

What is the funding activity category?

The funding activity category is natural resources.

What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?

The listed award ceiling is $2,000,000 per award.

Is this opportunity focused on the United States?

Yes. The opportunity funds wetlands conservation projects in the United States.

When was this opportunity created and when did it close?

The opportunity was created on 2022-04-28 and had an original closing date of 2022-07-08.

How does this program align with the mission of the Department of the Interior and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service?

The notice frames the program as supporting the broader mission of conserving lands and waters through collaboration, protecting and managing natural resources, and supporting expanded outdoor recreation and access where it aligns with conservation goals.

Where can applicants find additional official program information?

The opportunity references the NAWCA U.S. Standard Grants information page hosted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: https://fws.gov/service/north-american-wetlands-conservation-act-nawca-grants-us-standard.

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