F26AS00007-NAWCA 2026 US Small Grants

The NAWCA U.S. Small Grants Program goal is to promote partnerships between public agencies and groups interested in:Protecting, improving, restoring, and managing an appropriate distribution and a variety of wetland ecosystems and other habitats for wetland-associated migratory birds and other fish and wildlife in the U.S.;Maintaining and improving the current distribution of wetlands-associated migratory bird populations; andMaintaining an abundance of waterfowl (ducks, geese, and swans) and other populations of wetlands-associated migratory birds consistent with the objectives of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan, U.S. Shorebird Conservation Plan, Partners in Flight Bird Conservation Plan, and state related plans.The program requires a 1:1 non-federal match. Research projects are not considered an allowable project activity. This program supports the Department of Interior and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's mission of protecting and managing the nation's natural resources by collaborating with partners and stakeholders to conserve land and water and to expand outdoor recreation and access.The grant program for wetlands conservation and management is administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Division of Bird Habitat Conservation. Thirteen partner organizations make up the North American Wetlands Conservation (NAWC) Council and participate in the review and assessment of proposals. For a full list of Council members, visit: https://www.fws.gov/partner/north-american-wetlands-conservation-council. Also, for U.S. Small scoring criteria, refer to instructions (page 23) included with this notice of funding opportunity.To view previously successful awarded NAWCA U.S. Small Projects, visit NAWCA's external facing database to query for your viewing: https://www.fws.gov/grantsum/

For more information on NAWCA US Small, visit: https://www.fws.gov/service/north-american-wetlands-conservation-act-nawca-us-small-grants

The North American Wetlands Conservation Council selects proposals based on factors given in Section 5 of the North American Wetlands Conservation Act, available funds, and other factors deemed important to meeting Act objectives.

The required matching share varies on a grant-by-grant basis and is set forth in the grant award, but must be at least 50 percent of the project costs, except that the project activities located on Federal lands and waters can be funded with 100 percent Federal funding. NAWCA grants require a minimum 1-to-1 non-federal match, meaning for every dollar requested, at least one dollar must be contributed by partners. Matching funds must be non-federal, can be cash or in-kind (land value, services, equipment), and must be directly linked to project activities.

Fiscal year 2025: The Des Moines Lobe Wetland Initiative IV is a conservation partnership aimed at protecting, restoring, and enhancing 1,933 acres of critical wetland and migratory bird habitat throughout Iowa�s Prairie Pothole Region. This area is considered a �geographic priority wetland area� and region of �continental significance to North American ducks, geese, and swans� as part of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan. Significant conservation planning and coordination efforts have been invested by a diverse group of private, county, state, federal and non-government conservation organizations to leverage collective resources and achieve mutual habitat conservation goals. Fiscal year 2026: Program has not yet selected projects for funding. Program anticipates funding projects that protect and improve habitat for migratory birds and other wetland-associated species. Additional NAWCA projects information can be found at: https://www.fws.gov/program/north-american-wetlands-conservation.