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NAWCA Small Grants (F13AS00343) Frequently Asked Questions

1) What is the NAWCA Small Grants program?

The NAWCA Small Grants program is a competitive grant program run by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that supports on-the-ground wetlands conservation projects in the United States. The projects must advance the goals of the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) and deliver measurable habitat outcomes, especially for wetlands-associated migratory birds.

2) Who runs and administers this grant opportunity?

This opportunity is administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as part of the North American Wetlands Conservation Fund program.

3) What is the Funding Opportunity Number and CFDA number for this opportunity?

The Funding Opportunity Number is F13AS00343. The program is listed under CFDA 15.623, North American Wetlands Conservation Fund.

4) What types of projects are this program trying to fund?

The program is designed to fund real conservation implementation (not planning or academic study). Funded work should focus on the long-term protection, restoration, enhancement, and/or establishment of wetlands and associated upland habitats in the United States, with lasting benefits for migratory birds that depend on wetlands.

5) What kinds of activities could be supported under this grant (examples)?

Examples described in the opportunity include:

• Securing long-term habitat protection, such as permanent or long-duration protection (for example, acquisition or conservation easements where allowable)
• Restoring degraded wetlands
• Improving wetland functions through hydrology work
• Enhancing habitat quality for breeding, migrating, or wintering birds
• Establishing or creating new wetland habitat where appropriate

6) What is meant by “on-the-ground” conservation implementation?

In this context, “on-the-ground” means the work is directly implementing habitat conservation actions that improve, restore, protect, enhance, or establish wetlands and associated uplands. The intent is tangible habitat outcomes rather than activities that only inform future actions.

7) What is the main conservation focus or target outcome?

The target benefit is for wetlands-associated migratory birds, consistent with NAWCA’s mission of sustaining bird populations through habitat conservation. Proposals are typically stronger when they clearly connect habitat work to species and habitat needs and show how results will be maintained over time.

8) Are upland habitats eligible, or only wetlands?

The opportunity explicitly includes “wetlands and associated upland habitats.” Projects can include associated uplands as part of the long-term habitat conservation approach.

9) Does the program emphasize partnerships?

Yes. A stated goal of the program is to encourage strong public-private partnerships. Proposals are expected to bring together multiple stakeholders to deliver measurable habitat outcomes.

10) What kinds of partners are expected or encouraged?

The opportunity lists examples of stakeholders that may be involved, including nonprofit organizations, state or local agencies, Tribes, private landowners, and other partners.

11) Is matching funding required? What is the match ratio?

Yes. A key feature is a required 1:1 cost share (match). For every federal dollar requested, the project must commit at least one non-federal dollar in matching contributions.

12) What forms can the match take?

The opportunity indicates the match can often include cash and eligible in-kind support depending on program rules. Because match is mandatory, proposals generally need well-documented partner commitments and a credible plan for meeting the match requirement.

13) Why is the 1:1 match requirement important in this program?

The match requirement reinforces the partnership model and stretches federal funding by leveraging significant non-federal investment.

14) Does this program fund research or academic studies?

No. The program specifically does not fund research. Proposals that are primarily designed to generate new scientific knowledge, collect data for research purposes, or support academic study without direct habitat conservation implementation would be ineligible.

15) If a project includes data collection, is it automatically considered research?

The opportunity states research is not funded and emphasizes direct habitat conservation implementation. If the proposal is primarily for research or academic study without direct habitat actions, it would be ineligible. (The notice does not provide additional detail beyond that distinction.)

16) What is the typical award size for NAWCA Small Grants?

For this opportunity, individual awards ranged from a minimum (floor) of $1,000 up to a maximum (ceiling) of $75,000.

17) About how many awards and how much total funding were anticipated?

The opportunity anticipated approximately 50 awards, with an estimated total program funding level of about $3,000,000.

18) What type of funding instrument is used?

The funding instrument is a grant.

19) Is the program competitive?

Yes. The opportunity is described as a competitive grant program.

20) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is described as “unrestricted,” meaning a wide variety of applicant types may apply, subject to any additional eligibility details in the full announcement.

21) When was this particular opportunity posted and when did it close?

The notice was posted on August 30, 2013. The original closing date was October 25, 2013, and it was later extended to a current closing date of November 7, 2013. The opportunity was archived on November 8, 2013.

22) Do the dates in this notice apply to the program in general?

The dates reflect the specific cycle for this particular announcement. The summary emphasizes the core structure of the program (competitive selection, required 1:1 match, partnership-driven implementation, and long-term wetlands/uplands conservation for migratory birds).

23) Where can applicants find additional guidance and requirements?

The announcement referenced an additional information link described as the program website, which would typically provide guidance on priorities, eligible costs, match documentation, and application requirements.

24) Who was the contact person listed for this opportunity?

The listed program contact was Rodecia McKnight, Wildlife Biologist. The phone number provided was 703-358-2266. The notice also referenced a program coordinator email address.

25) What makes a proposal stronger according to the notice?

Proposals are typically stronger when they (1) clearly connect the planned habitat work to species and habitat needs, (2) show measurable habitat outcomes, and (3) describe how results will be maintained over time, supported by credible partner commitments and match documentation.