Opportunity Information: Apply for F26AS00007
F26AS00007, titled "NAWCA 2026 US Small Grants," is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) under CFDA 15.623 that supports on-the-ground wetlands conservation projects in the United States. The program is part of the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) and is designed to build and strengthen partnerships among public agencies, tribes, nonprofits, businesses, educational institutions, and other stakeholders who can work together to conserve habitat for wetland-associated migratory birds and other wildlife.
The core purpose of the U.S. Small Grants Program is practical habitat work: protecting, improving, restoring, and managing wetlands and associated upland habitats in a way that supports a healthy and appropriately distributed mix of wetland ecosystems. The program emphasizes outcomes that help maintain and improve the distribution of wetland-associated migratory bird populations and sustain abundant waterfowl (ducks, geese, and swans) and other migratory birds. Projects are expected to align with established bird conservation strategies, including the North American Waterfowl Management Plan, the U.S. Shorebird Conservation Plan, Partners in Flight Bird Conservation Plan, and relevant state plans. In other words, proposals should clearly connect planned habitat actions to measurable conservation benefits that fit recognized regional or national bird conservation priorities.
Funding is provided as a grant, with an award ceiling of $250,000, and the agency anticipates making about 30 awards. A key requirement is cost sharing: applicants must provide a 1:1 non-federal match, meaning for every federal dollar requested, at least one non-federal dollar (cash or eligible in-kind support, as allowed by the program rules) must be committed to the project. This match requirement is central to NAWCA’s partnership model and is often used as an indicator that a project has strong local or regional backing.
This opportunity is not intended for research. Research projects are explicitly not considered an allowable activity, which signals that proposals should focus on implementation such as habitat acquisition, restoration, enhancement, and management actions rather than studies or experiments. The program also supports broader Department of the Interior and FWS goals by encouraging collaboration to conserve land and water resources and, where relevant, expand outdoor recreation and public access tied to conserved lands and waters.
Administration of the program is handled by the FWS Division of Bird Habitat Conservation. Proposals are reviewed with input from the North American Wetlands Conservation (NAWC) Council, a group composed of 13 partner organizations that participate in proposal review and assessment. Applicants are encouraged to consult the official scoring criteria referenced in the funding notice instructions (noted as page 23 in the notice materials) to understand how proposals are evaluated, and to look at previously funded NAWCA U.S. Small projects via the FWS grants database (https://www.fws.gov/grantsum/) to get a realistic sense of the scale, partner structure, and habitat outcomes that have been competitive in past cycles.
Eligibility is broad and includes state, county, and local governments; special districts; independent school districts; public and private institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations; 501(c)(3) nonprofits (other than universities); individuals; and small businesses. The original application closing date listed for this opportunity is June 25, 2026, and the funding opportunity was created on April 20, 2026. Additional program information is available through the NAWCA U.S. Small Grants program page (https://www.fws.gov/service/north-american-wetlands-conservation-act-nawca-us-small-grants) and the NAWC Council member list (https://www.fws.gov/partner/north-american-wetlands-conservation-council).Apply for F26AS00007
- The Fish and Wildlife Service in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "F26AS00007-NAWCA 2026 US Small Grants" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.623.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-04-20.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-06-25. (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 $250,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 30 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, Individuals, Small businesses.
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NAWCA 2026 US Small Grants (F26AS00007) - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the grant opportunity number and title?
The opportunity is F26AS00007, titled "NAWCA 2026 US Small Grants".
Which federal agency is offering this grant?
This is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS).
What is the CFDA number associated with this program?
The program is listed under CFDA 15.623.
What is the overall purpose of the NAWCA U.S. Small Grants Program?
The program supports on-the-ground wetlands conservation projects in the United States. Its core purpose is practical habitat work to protect, improve, restore, and manage wetlands and associated upland habitats.
What types of conservation outcomes does the program emphasize?
The program emphasizes outcomes that help maintain and improve the distribution of wetland-associated migratory bird populations and sustain abundant waterfowl (ducks, geese, and swans) and other migratory birds.
Does this opportunity support wetland-associated upland habitat work?
Yes. In addition to wetlands, the program supports work on associated upland habitats when tied to conserving habitat for wetland-associated migratory birds and other wildlife.
Is this funding intended for research projects?
No. Research projects are explicitly not considered an allowable activity. Proposals should focus on implementation activities (for example, habitat acquisition, restoration, enhancement, and management) rather than studies or experiments.
What kind of projects are a good fit for this grant?
Projects that carry out practical habitat actions such as protecting, improving, restoring, and managing wetlands and related uplands, with a clear connection to measurable conservation benefits for migratory birds and other wildlife.
How should proposals connect to broader conservation priorities?
Projects are expected to align with established bird conservation strategies, including the North American Waterfowl Management Plan, the U.S. Shorebird Conservation Plan, the Partners in Flight Bird Conservation Plan, and relevant state plans. Proposals should clearly connect planned habitat actions to measurable conservation benefits consistent with recognized priorities.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is $250,000.
How many awards does the agency expect to make?
FWS anticipates making about 30 awards.
Is cost sharing (match) required?
Yes. Applicants must provide a 1:1 non-federal match, meaning for every federal dollar requested, at least one non-federal dollar must be committed to the project.
What forms of match are referenced for meeting the 1:1 requirement?
The notice states the match must be non-federal and can include cash or eligible in-kind support, as allowed by program rules.
Why is the match requirement important in this program?
The match requirement is central to NAWCA's partnership model and is often viewed as an indicator that a project has strong local or regional backing.
Who administers the NAWCA U.S. Small Grants Program?
The program is administered by the FWS Division of Bird Habitat Conservation.
Who is involved in reviewing proposals?
Proposals are reviewed with input from the North American Wetlands Conservation (NAWC) Council.
What is the NAWC Council?
The NAWC Council is described as a group composed of 13 partner organizations that participate in proposal review and assessment.
Where can applicants find information about how proposals are scored?
Applicants are encouraged to consult the official scoring criteria referenced in the funding notice instructions (noted as page 23 in the notice materials) to understand how proposals are evaluated.
Where can applicants see examples of previously funded NAWCA U.S. Small projects?
Previously funded projects can be viewed through the FWS grants database at https://www.fws.gov/grantsum/. This can help applicants understand the scale, partner structure, and habitat outcomes that have been competitive in past cycles.
What types of organizations and entities are eligible to apply?
Eligibility includes: state, county, and local governments; special districts; independent school districts; public and private institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations; 501(c)(3) nonprofits (other than universities); individuals; and small businesses.
Are tribes eligible to apply?
Yes. Federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations are included in the eligibility list.
Are nonprofits eligible to apply?
Yes. 501(c)(3) nonprofits (other than universities) are eligible.
Are universities eligible to apply?
Yes. Both public and private institutions of higher education are included in the eligibility list.
Are individuals and small businesses eligible to apply?
Yes. The eligibility list includes individuals and small businesses.
What is the application deadline?
The original application closing date listed is June 25, 2026.
When was this funding opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on April 20, 2026.
Does the program encourage partnerships?
Yes. The program is designed to build and strengthen partnerships among public agencies, tribes, nonprofits, businesses, educational institutions, and other stakeholders that can work together to conserve habitat.
Does the opportunity mention public access or outdoor recreation?
Yes. The program supports broader Department of the Interior and FWS goals by encouraging collaboration to conserve land and water resources and, where relevant, to expand outdoor recreation and public access tied to conserved lands and waters.
Where can I find the NAWCA U.S. Small Grants program page?
Additional program information is available at https://www.fws.gov/service/north-american-wetlands-conservation-act-nawca-us-small-grants.
Where can I find the NAWC Council member list?
The NAWC Council member list is available at https://www.fws.gov/partner/north-american-wetlands-conservation-council.
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