F26AS00005_FY 2026_National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program_Notice of Funding Opportunity | F26AS00005

Opportunity Information: Apply for F26AS00005

The National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program (Funding Opportunity Number F26AS00005; CFDA 15.614) is a discretionary grant program run by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to support long-term conservation of coastal wetland ecosystems. Its core purpose is to help coastal communities and the public by protecting and improving wetlands that reduce flooding impacts, help maintain water quality, and provide essential habitat for fish and wildlife. Because healthy coastal wetlands also underpin major economic activity like recreational and commercial fishing, boating, and tourism, the program is framed as both an environmental and community-benefit investment. The program is co-administered by the Service's Coastal Program and the Office of Conservation Investment.

Funding is provided as cost-sharing grants to support projects that protect and restore high-value coastal wetland resources. Common project types include acquiring real property interests in qualifying coastal wetland ecosystems (such as purchasing land, conservation easements, or other interests) as well as on-the-ground restoration, enhancement, or management actions that improve wetland function and resilience. The opportunity is geared toward outcomes that keep existing coastal wetland systems intact or bring degraded wetlands back toward natural conditions, rather than creating entirely new wetlands in places they did not historically occur.

Eligibility is limited to State and Territory agencies that are formally designated as eligible by their Governor, and the applicant is typically a natural resource, fish and wildlife, or similar agency. Only States and Territories bordering the Great Lakes, Atlantic Coast, Gulf Coast (with an exception), and Pacific Coast may participate. Louisiana is specifically excluded from this program because it receives separate funding under the Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection, and Restoration Act. The eligible jurisdictions listed in the notice are Alabama, Alaska, American Samoa, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Guam, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin. Applicants that are uncertain whether their agency is the Governor-designated eligible entity are directed to contact their Regional Office of Conservation Investment.

Project eligibility and restrictions are governed by federal regulations at 50 CFR 84.20 and related definitions at 50 CFR 84.11. Two key ineligible categories are highlighted in the announcement. First, projects that would create wetlands where wetlands did not previously exist are not eligible; applicants must provide evidence that a wetland is currently present or was historically present at each project site. Acceptable evidence can include the Service's National Wetlands Inventory data, older GIS datasets, or other credible historic documentation. Second, proposals focused on acquiring or restoring upper watershed areas are not eligible when the benefits to the coastal wetland ecosystem are not significant and direct, meaning the application needs to clearly connect the project area and actions to measurable, direct coastal wetland benefits and show that the targeted lands and waters meet the regulatory definition of a coastal wetland ecosystem.

The notice also underscores that accepting federal funds triggers compliance obligations with applicable federal laws, regulations, and policies. If selected, the recipient must be able to document compliance with requirements such as the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Endangered Species Act (ESA), and the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), along with any other relevant federal requirements. In practice, that means applicants should be prepared to address environmental review, species impacts, cultural and historic resource considerations, and permitting or consultation steps as part of project planning and award administration.

For this FY 2026 funding opportunity, the awarding agency is the Fish and Wildlife Service, the funding instrument is a grant, and the applicant type is limited to State governments (including eligible Territories as described). The posted application closing date is July 18, 2025, and the listed award ceiling is $1,000,000.

• The Fish and Wildlife Service in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "F26AS00005_FY 2026_National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program_Notice of Funding Opportunity" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.614.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2025-03-21.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-07-18. (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 $1,000,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: State governments.

Apply for F26AS00005

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