Funder: National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
Due Dates (Anticipated): March 2027 (Pre-proposal) | June 2027 (Invited full proposal)
Funding Amounts: Expected awards: $100,000–$1,500,000 for planning and design; $1,000,000–$7,000,000 for restoration implementation; no maximum request
Summary: Supports nature-based coastal resilience projects that reduce community risks from coastal hazards while improving fish and wildlife habitats.
Key Information: Apply in one project category only; combined design-and-construction projects and stand-alone research or monitoring are ineligible.
Description
The National Coastal Resilience Fund (NCRF), administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), invests in natural infrastructure that protects coastal communities and improves habitats for fish and wildlife. Established in 2018, the program supports capacity building, planning, design, permitting, and restoration implementation. Examples include marsh restoration, floodplain reconnection, dune rebuilding, oyster and coral reef restoration, and living shorelines. Natural and hybrid “green-gray” approaches can qualify.
Primarily funded by and coordinated with NOAA, NCRF prioritizes projects with measurable community risk reduction and habitat benefits. Community leadership, direct engagement, job creation, strong partnerships, long-term sustainability, and approaches transferable to other communities are important priorities. Projects advancing previously funded NCRF work through the planning-to-implementation pipeline receive priority, but applicants may enter at any stage.
