Opportunity Information: Apply for F26AS00026
Apply for F26AS00026
- The Fish and Wildlife Service in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "F26AS00026-NAWCA 2026-2 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 2026-04-03.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-05-07. (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 $3,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 25 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, Small businesses.
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Opportunity Summary:
F26AS00026-NAWCA 2026-2 U.S. Standard Grants is a discretionary, competitive grant opportunity run by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) under the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA). The program is built to fund on-the-ground wetlands conservation projects in the United States through public-private partnerships, with an emphasis on tangible habitat outcomes rather than studies or exploratory work. It is administered by the FWS Migratory Bird Program, and proposals are reviewed with input from the North American Wetlands Conservation (NAWC) Council, which includes thirteen partner organizations that participate in evaluating and assessing applications.
The central purpose of the U.S. Standard Grants Program is to support projects that deliver long-term protection, restoration, and/or enhancement of wetland habitats and associated uplands. The habitat work must be framed to benefit a range of wetland ecosystem types and, importantly, to sustain abundant populations of waterfowl (ducks, geese, and swans) as well as other wetland-associated migratory birds. Projects are expected to align with established continental and national bird conservation strategies, including the North American Waterfowl Management Plan, the U.S. Shorebird Conservation Plan, the Waterbird Conservation Plan for the Americas, and the Partners in Flight Bird Conservation Plan. In practical terms, the strongest projects are typically those that clearly connect proposed habitat actions to measurable benefits for these priority bird groups and the landscapes they depend on.
Funding is awarded as grants with an award ceiling of $3,000,000 per project, and the agency anticipates making about 25 awards under this cycle. A key requirement is the matching structure: applicants must provide a 1:1 non-federal match, meaning every federal dollar requested must be matched by an equal amount of eligible non-federal contributions (cash and/or eligible in-kind, depending on program rules). Another major constraint is that research funding is not eligible, so proposals should focus on implementation activities such as acquisition or easements for long-term protection, restoration construction or hydrology work, invasive species control tied to habitat objectives, and enhancement actions that directly improve habitat condition and function. The program also supports broader Department of the Interior and FWS goals around conserving land and water in collaboration with partners and stakeholders, and it notes the role of these projects in expanding outdoor recreation and access when applicable.
Eligibility is broad and includes many common conservation and public entities: state, county, and city/township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations; IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofits (other than institutions of higher education); and small businesses. Because the program is designed around partnership-driven conservation, competitive applications usually demonstrate strong collaboration across multiple organizations, clearly defined roles, and committed matching contributions that are secured or highly likely by the time of submission.
The application deadline for this opportunity is May 7, 2026 (original closing date listed). Applicants are directed to the FWS NAWCA U.S. Standard Grants webpages for the official proposal instructions, eligibility criteria, proposal template, and the scoring criteria (referenced as appearing on page 32 of the U.S. Standard Instructions). For organizations trying to calibrate competitiveness, the FWS grants database (GrantSolutions/GrantSum-facing query tool) is also highlighted as a way to review previously funded NAWCA U.S. Standard projects, which can help applicants benchmark project scope, match levels, partnership composition, and the types of habitat outcomes that have historically scored well.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the F26AS00026-NAWCA 2026-2 U.S. Standard Grants opportunity?
F26AS00026-NAWCA 2026-2 U.S. Standard Grants is a discretionary, competitive grant opportunity administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) under the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA). It is designed to fund on-the-ground wetlands conservation projects in the United States through public-private partnerships, with an emphasis on tangible habitat outcomes.
Which federal agency runs this program, and who administers it?
The program is run by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and is administered by the FWS Migratory Bird Program.
How are proposals reviewed, and who provides input on selections?
Proposals are reviewed with input from the North American Wetlands Conservation (NAWC) Council. The Council includes thirteen partner organizations that participate in evaluating and assessing applications.
What is the main purpose of the NAWCA U.S. Standard Grants Program?
The central purpose is to support projects that deliver long-term protection, restoration, and/or enhancement of wetland habitats and associated uplands. Projects are expected to produce measurable, real-world habitat results rather than studies or exploratory work.
Where must the project activities take place?
The opportunity supports on-the-ground wetlands conservation projects in the United States.
What types of habitat outcomes does the program prioritize?
The program prioritizes projects that provide long-term protection (such as acquisition or easements), restoration, and/or enhancement of wetland habitats and associated uplands, with clear links to improved habitat condition and function.
Which species or bird groups should projects benefit?
Projects must be framed to sustain abundant populations of waterfowl (ducks, geese, and swans) as well as other wetland-associated migratory birds. Strong projects typically connect proposed habitat actions to measurable benefits for these priority bird groups and the landscapes they depend on.
Do projects need to align with specific conservation plans or strategies?
Yes. Projects are expected to align with established continental and national bird conservation strategies, including the North American Waterfowl Management Plan, the U.S. Shorebird Conservation Plan, the Waterbird Conservation Plan for the Americas, and the Partners in Flight Bird Conservation Plan.
Is this grant intended to fund research or studies?
No. Research funding is not eligible. Proposals should focus on implementation activities that directly deliver habitat protection, restoration, and/or enhancement outcomes.
What are examples of eligible project activities mentioned for this program?
Examples of implementation activities referenced include acquisition or easements for long-term protection, restoration construction or hydrology work, invasive species control tied to habitat objectives, and enhancement actions that directly improve habitat condition and function.
Does the program support public-private partnerships?
Yes. The opportunity is built around public-private partnerships, and competitive applications typically demonstrate strong collaboration across multiple organizations with clearly defined roles.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling) per project?
The award ceiling is $3,000,000 per project.
How many awards does FWS anticipate making in this cycle?
The agency anticipates making about 25 awards under this cycle.
Is matching required, and what is the match ratio?
Yes. A 1:1 non-federal match is required. This means every federal dollar requested must be matched by an equal amount of eligible non-federal contributions.
What kinds of match contributions are referenced as allowable?
The match must be non-federal and may include cash and/or eligible in-kind contributions, depending on program rules.
Who is eligible to apply for this opportunity?
Eligibility includes: state, county, and city/township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations; IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofits (other than institutions of higher education); and small businesses.
What characteristics do competitive applications typically demonstrate?
Competitive applications usually show strong collaboration across multiple organizations, clearly defined partner roles, and matching contributions that are secured or highly likely by the time of submission. Strong proposals also clearly connect habitat actions to measurable benefits for priority bird groups.
Does the opportunity mention broader Department of the Interior or FWS priorities?
Yes. The program supports broader Department of the Interior and FWS goals related to conserving land and water in collaboration with partners and stakeholders, and it notes that projects can play a role in expanding outdoor recreation and access when applicable.
What is the application deadline for this funding opportunity?
The application deadline listed is May 7, 2026 (original closing date listed).
Where can applicants find the official proposal instructions and required templates?
Applicants are directed to the FWS NAWCA U.S. Standard Grants webpages for official proposal instructions, eligibility criteria, the proposal template, and the scoring criteria.
Where are the scoring criteria referenced?
The scoring criteria are referenced as appearing on page 32 of the U.S. Standard Instructions.
How can applicants review examples of previously funded NAWCA U.S. Standard projects?
The opportunity highlights the FWS grants database (GrantSolutions/GrantSum-facing query tool) as a way to review previously funded NAWCA U.S. Standard projects. This can help applicants benchmark project scope, match levels, partnership composition, and habitat outcomes associated with historically competitive projects.
What is the primary emphasis of the program: planning/studies or implementation?
The primary emphasis is implementation and tangible habitat outcomes, not studies or exploratory work.
Does the program focus only on wetlands, or are uplands included too?
The stated purpose includes wetland habitats and associated uplands, indicating that uplands connected to wetland ecosystems are part of the program focus.
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