Funder: Fish and Wildlife Service
Due Dates: July 18, 2025 (11:59 PM ET)
Funding Amounts: Up to $1,000,000 per award; total program funding $20,000,000; typical project period up to 3 years
Summary: Supports state and territory agency projects to protect, restore, and enhance coastal wetland ecosystems through acquisition, restoration, and management.
Key Information: Cost sharing required (up to 75% federal share for eligible states/territories); only designated state/territory agencies may apply.
Description
This program funds the long-term conservation of coastal wetland ecosystems for the benefit of coastal communities, fish and wildlife, and the public. Eligible state and territory agencies can apply for cost-sharing grants to acquire, restore, enhance, or manage coastal wetlands. Projects may include real property acquisition, restoration, enhancement, or management of coastal wetland ecosystems or their components. The program is co-administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Coastal Program and the Office of Conservation Investment.
Coastal wetlands are critical for flood protection, water quality, and as habitats for fish and wildlife. They also support local economies through recreation and tourism. Funded projects must ensure conservation benefits endure for at least 20 years.
Due Dates
- Application Deadline: July 18, 2025 (11:59 PM ET)
- Anticipated Project Start Date: January 1, 2026
- Anticipated Project End Date: December 1, 2028
Funding Amount
- Award Ceiling: $1,000,000 per project
- Award Floor: $50,000
- Estimated Total Program Funding: $20,000,000
- Expected Number of Awards: ~24
- Cost Sharing: Required. Up to 75% federal share for states/territories with qualifying funds; otherwise, up to 50%. Certain territories (American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, U.S. Virgin Islands) have cost share waived.
Eligibility
- Eligible Applicants: State and territory agencies designated by the Governor, typically natural resource or fish and wildlife agencies.
- Eligible States/Territories: Those bordering the Great Lakes, Atlantic, Gulf (except Louisiana), and Pacific coasts. Louisiana is not eligible.
- Full list: Alabama, Alaska, American Samoa, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Guam, Hawai’i, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Northern Mariana Islands, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, U.S. Virgin Islands, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin.
- Eligible Activities: Acquisition, restoration, enhancement, or management of existing coastal wetlands. Creation of new wetlands where none previously existed is ineligible. Projects must demonstrate the current or historic presence of wetlands.
Application Process
- Registration: Applicants must register in SAM.gov and obtain a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). Registration can take several months.
- Submission Platforms: Applications are accepted via Grants.gov or GrantSolutions.gov.
- Required Documents:
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- Project Abstract Summary
- Project Narrative (max 7 pages)
- Responses to Ranking Criteria (max 20 pages)
- Budget forms (SF-424A or SF-424C), Budget Narrative
- Letters of Commitment for cost sharing
- Maps, drawings, and photographs of the project area
- Overlap or Duplication of Effort Statement
- Additional forms as applicable (e.g., SF-429 for real property, SF-LLL for lobbying)
- Cost Sharing: Must be documented and may include third-party contributions. At least some non-federal match must be in cash to receive maximum scoring.
- Review: Applications are scored on 13 criteria (e.g., wetland conservation, long-term benefits, partnerships, education/outreach, cost effectiveness).
Additional Information
- Project Duration: Projects should provide conservation benefits for at least 20 years.
- Buy America: Infrastructure projects must comply with Buy America requirements for iron, steel, manufactured products, and construction materials.
- Reporting: Recipients must submit financial and performance reports, and comply with federal requirements for real property acquired.
- Ineligible Activities: Creation of new wetlands, research as a primary focus, and acquisition/restoration of upper watershed areas with indirect benefits.
External Links
Contact Information
Regional contacts for specific states/territories are listed in the full NOFO PDF (see pages 2–3).