F26AS00062: Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act FY 2026
This grant provides up to $3.5 million for research, restoration, and regional projects to conserve and restore fish and wildlife habitats in the Great Lakes Basin, with awards expected in early 2027.
Funder: Fish and Wildlife Service
Due Dates: August 3, 2026 (Pre-proposals and Regional Projects) | October 13, 2026 (Invited restoration and research full proposals)
Funding Amounts: Approximately $3.5 million total; $10,000–$250,000 expected for restoration and research, $200,000–$500,000 for Regional Projects
Summary: Supports research, restoration, and regional projects benefiting Great Lakes Basin fish, wildlife, and their habitats.
Key Information: Restoration and research proposals require a 25% non-federal match; full proposals are by invitation.
Description
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service offers this funding under the Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act to encourage cooperative conservation, restoration, research, and management of fish and wildlife resources and habitats in the Great Lakes Basin. Projects may restore habitat or fish and wildlife populations, investigate management questions, or address resource protection across multiple states or Tribes. The program is supported in part by the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.
Every proposal must address at least one program goal: sustaining fish and wildlife resources; reducing contaminant impacts; protecting or restoring habitat, including wetlands; stopping illegal activities that harm resources; restoring threatened and endangered species; or conserving migratory birds. Regional Projects are Service-authorized activities affecting the resources of multiple states or Indian Tribes with fish and wildlife management authority in the basin.
