Opportunity Information: Apply for EPA REG08 WPDG 25

  • The Environmental Protection Agency in the environment sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Region 08 Fiscal Year 2025 Wetland Program Development Grants" and is now available to receive applicants.
  • Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 66.461.
  • This funding opportunity was created on 2026-02-20.
  • Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-04-20. (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 $500,000.00 in funding.
  • The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 15 candidate(s).
  • Eligible applicants include: Others.
Apply for EPA REG08 WPDG 25

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Opportunity Summary:

The Region 08 Fiscal Year 2025 Wetland Program Development Grants opportunity is a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) discretionary funding program designed to help governments build stronger wetland protection and management programs. The grant focuses on program development rather than funding on-the-ground construction projects, with the main intent being to improve how wetlands are protected, managed, and restored through better governmental capacity, planning, and implementation tools. The larger EPA wetland program goal behind this funding is to increase both the quantity and the quality of wetlands across the United States by conserving and restoring wetland acreage and improving overall wetland condition.

This opportunity supports applicants who are working to develop or refine wetland programs at the state, Tribal, territorial (including Insular Areas), or local level, and it also allows applications from interstate or intertribal entities. In practical terms, the EPA is looking for proposals that strengthen the ability of governments and eligible entities to run effective, comprehensive wetland programs, especially by aligning work with EPA-established program building blocks. The Notice of Funding Opportunity emphasizes using the Core Elements of a Wetlands Program and the Wetlands Program Core Elements Framework, which function as the organizing structure for planning and improving wetland program capacity. For states and Tribes, the opportunity also highlights the role of Wetland Program Plans (WPPs) as a guiding document for setting priorities and mapping out program improvements over time.

From an administrative standpoint, the funding instrument is a cooperative agreement, which generally means the EPA expects to have substantial involvement during the project period compared to a traditional grant. The program is categorized under the Environment funding activity area and is listed under CFDA 66.461. The opportunity is issued by the Environmental Protection Agency, with the specific opportunity title indicating it is targeted to EPA Region 8. The funding opportunity number is EPA REG08 WPDG 25.

In terms of scale, the maximum award amount (award ceiling) is $500,000 per award, and the EPA anticipates making about 15 awards under this announcement. The opportunity was created on February 20, 2026, and the original application closing date is April 20, 2026. Eligibility is summarized at a high level as including state, Tribal, territorial, and local government agencies, as well as interstate or intertribal entities, but applicants are directed to consult Section 2 of the Notice of Funding Opportunity for the detailed eligibility requirements and any additional conditions.

Overall, the opportunity is aimed at strengthening wetland governance and program infrastructure by helping eligible applicants build, improve, and formalize the systems needed to protect and restore wetlands effectively. The EPA is signaling that competitive projects will likely be those that clearly connect proposed activities to the wetland program core elements and, where relevant, demonstrate how the work fits into a broader Wetland Program Plan or a comparable strategic roadmap for program development.

FAQs: Region 08 Fiscal Year 2025 Wetland Program Development Grants (EPA REG08 WPDG 25)

What is the Region 08 Fiscal Year 2025 Wetland Program Development Grants opportunity?

This is a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) discretionary funding opportunity intended to help governments and eligible entities build stronger wetland protection and management programs. The emphasis is on improving program capacity, planning, and implementation tools so wetlands are protected, managed, and restored more effectively.

What is the main purpose of this funding?

The main purpose is program development, not construction or on-the-ground project implementation. The grant is meant to strengthen wetland governance and program infrastructure, improving how wetlands are protected, managed, and restored through better governmental capacity and tools.

Does this grant fund on-the-ground wetland construction or restoration projects?

Based on the information provided, the focus is on program development rather than funding on-the-ground construction projects. The intent is to improve systems and capacity that support protection and restoration, rather than paying for construction work itself.

What is the broader EPA wetland goal behind this program?

The broader goal described for EPA wetlands funding is to increase both the quantity and quality of wetlands across the United States by conserving and restoring wetland acreage and improving overall wetland condition.

Who is this opportunity designed to support?

It supports applicants developing or refining wetland programs at the state, Tribal, territorial (including Insular Areas), or local level. It also allows applications from interstate or intertribal entities.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is summarized as including state, Tribal, territorial, and local government agencies, as well as interstate or intertribal entities. Applicants are directed to consult Section 2 of the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for detailed eligibility requirements and any additional conditions.

What is the funding instrument for this opportunity?

The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement.

What does it mean that the award is a cooperative agreement?

In general, a cooperative agreement indicates that EPA expects to have substantial involvement during the project period compared to a traditional grant. (The specific form of involvement would be governed by the cooperative agreement and the NOFO.)

Which EPA office/region is associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity title indicates it is targeted to EPA Region 8.

What is the opportunity title and number?

The opportunity is titled "Region 08 Fiscal Year 2025 Wetland Program Development Grants." The funding opportunity number is EPA REG08 WPDG 25.

What is the CFDA number for this program?

The program is listed under CFDA 66.461.

What funding activity area does this opportunity fall under?

It is categorized under the Environment funding activity area.

What is the maximum award amount?

The maximum award amount (award ceiling) is $500,000 per award.

How many awards does EPA expect to make?

EPA anticipates making about 15 awards under this announcement.

When was this opportunity created?

The opportunity was created on February 20, 2026.

What is the application deadline?

The original application closing date is April 20, 2026.

What kinds of projects are likely to be competitive?

Based on the description provided, competitive projects will likely be those that clearly connect proposed activities to EPA-established wetland program core elements. Where relevant, they will also show how the work fits into a broader Wetland Program Plan (WPP) or a comparable strategic roadmap for program development.

What organizing framework does EPA want applicants to use when developing proposals?

The Notice of Funding Opportunity emphasizes using the Core Elements of a Wetlands Program and the Wetlands Program Core Elements Framework as the organizing structure for planning and improving wetland program capacity.

What are Wetland Program Plans (WPPs), and how do they fit into this opportunity?

For states and Tribes, Wetland Program Plans (WPPs) are highlighted as a guiding document for setting priorities and mapping out program improvements over time. Applicants are encouraged (where relevant) to demonstrate how proposed work aligns with a WPP or similar strategic plan.

What is this grant trying to improve in practical terms?

In practical terms, it is aimed at strengthening the ability of governments and eligible entities to run effective, comprehensive wetland programs by improving capacity, planning, and implementation tools aligned with EPA program building blocks.

Where can applicants find the detailed eligibility requirements?

Applicants should consult Section 2 of the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for detailed eligibility requirements and any additional conditions.

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