Check out these Federal grant opportunities to tie into your fish habitat projects! These funding opportunities are being offered through federal grant programs complimentary to but not affiliated with WNTI or the National Fish Habitat Partnership Program. Please contact the relevant agency or program for more information.
OCTOBER 13, 2023
$36 Million Available for Fish Passage and River Restoration Projects as Part of Investing in America
Opportunity: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s National Fish Passage Program (NFPP) announces $35 Million available for fish passage and river restoration projects
Overview and Eligible Uses: On Wednesday, October 11, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced the availability of up to $36 million through President Biden’s Investing in America agenda for fish passage projects across the nation that address outdated, unsafe or obsolete dams, culverts, levees and other barriers fragmenting our nation’s rivers and streams. Funds can be used for passage over barriers (e.g., fish ladders), but will emphasize barrier removal.
Since 2022, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has invested $73 million in 79 projects through the Service’s National Fish Passage Program. These funds are investing in our nation’s infrastructure and natural resources by reconnecting fragmented rivers, improving fish migration, and enhancing local economies.
The National Fish Passage Program, facilitated by the Service’s Fish and Aquatic Conservation Program, will prioritize projects that will:
- Maximize benefits to priority species and habitats.
- Provide sustainable fish passage.
- Leverage regional or watershed priorities for habitat restoration, fish passage or aquatic connectivity.
- Enhance community resilience to climate change, address public safety hazards and provide other benefits such as job creation or recreational fishing opportunities.
- Support or engage with disadvantaged communities.
- Coordinate on species and watershed priorities with Tribes and states.
- Be supported by partners, affected stakeholders, and the local community.
Key Dates: Interested parties should submit a Letter of Interest to the appropriate National Fish Passage Program regional coordinator, via email, by Nov. 17, 2023. Letters of Interest should include the project name and location, a brief description of the project objectives and benefits, the expected requested funding amount, and a statement of interest in applying for the funding opportunity.
Key Links: More information, including a list of National Fish Passage regional coordinators, may be found at Grants.Gov or by visiting the program’s informational website.
AUGUST 17, 2023
NOAA announces $240M funding for Transformational Habitat Restoration and Coastal Resilience Grants
Opportunity: NOAA Transformational Habitat Restoration and Coastal Resilience Grants under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act
Announcement Type: NOFO
Overview and Eligible Uses:The principal objective of this solicitation is to support transformational habitat restoration projects that restore marine, estuarine, coastal, or Great Lakes ecosystems, using approaches that enhance community and ecosystem resilience to climate hazards. Funding will prioritize habitat restoration actions that: demonstrate significant impacts; rebuild productive and sustainable fisheries; contribute to the recovery and conservation of threatened and endangered species; promote climate-resilient ecosystems, especially in tribal, indigenous, and/or underserved communities; and improve economic vitality, including local employment.
Applicants should address the following set of program priorities:
- sustaining productive fisheries and strengthening ecosystem resilience,
- enhancing community resilience to climate hazards and providing other co-benefits,
- fostering regionally important habitat restoration, and
- providing benefits to tribal, indigenous, and/or underserved communities through partnerships.
NOAA encourages a period of performance of up to three years, with the potential for up to five years, if necessary.
Amount: NOAA anticipates up to $240M will be available under this funding opportunity, and anticipates typical federal funding for awards will range from $3-6M.
Proposals with funding requests less than $1M or greater than $25M over the entire award period will not be accepted.
Award Type: Cooperative Agreement
Eligible Applicants:
- institutions of higher education,
- non-profits,
- commercial (for-profit) organizations,
- U.S. territories, and
- state, local, and tribal governments.
Applications from federal agencies or employees of federal agencies are not allowed to receive funds under this solicitation but may serve as collaborative project partners. Foreign entities can participate as partners (contractors, sub-recipients, or informal collaborators) of a prime recipient based in the U.S.
*Applicants should propose projects in coastal, marine, or estuarine areas benefiting specified species or fisheries, with the definition of coastal areas as outlined. For Great Lakes projects, eligibility requires work within any of the eight U.S. Great Lakes states: New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. Projects in U.S. Commonwealths and Territories including American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico are eligible, while those in the Freely Associated States cannot apply.
Key Dates: The closing date for applications is November 17, 2023 at 11:59 PM ET. The earliest start date for awards will be October 1, 2024.
Key Links:
NOAA Office of Habitat Conservation
AUGUST 10, 2023
DOI Bureau of Reclamation announces $55M funding for Drought Response Program
Eligible applicants: states, tribes, special districts, regional authorities, local authorities, and nonprofits.
Opportunity: WaterSMART Drought Response Program
Announcement Type: Notice of Funding Opportunity (the program is now open to applications)
Overview and Eligible Uses: The primary aim of this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is to invite eligible applicants to propose projects that enhance water management flexibility, thereby bolstering the resilience of our water supply. This initiative is geared towards addressing the challenges posed by drought and water supply shortages. Proposals should help prevent emergency measures like water hauling and temporary infrastructure, while also providing lasting benefits to bolster resilience.
Task A: Increasing the Reliability of Water Supplies through Infrastructure Improvements: Eligible projects encompass constructing or modifying surface water intakes, developing new conveyance system components, establishing interties between water conveyance systems, and installing facilities to prevent saltwater intrusion. Additionally, storing water and recharging groundwater supplies, along with developing alternative sources of water supply, are supported.
Task B: Increasing the Reliability of Water Supplies Through Groundwater Recovery Diversifying water supplies is vital, and this task focuses on groundwater recovery and aquifer storage. The funding is directed towards constructing wells to provide backup water during droughts, enhancing groundwater banks’ capabilities, and recovering previously recharged/stored water for various purposes.
Task C: Projects to Improve Water Management through Decision Support Tools, Modeling, and Measurement This task aims to equip entities with the necessary tools to manage drought effectively. This includes developing decision support tools, models for drought prediction, water budgets with tiered pricing to encourage conservation, real-time operational modeling for supply conditions, and tools facilitating water marketing. Additionally, installing water measurement equipment and monitoring instrumentation is part of this task.
Task D: Domestic Water Supply Projects for Tribes or Disadvantaged Communities This task is dedicated to constructing domestic water supply projects for Tribal or disadvantaged communities lacking reliable access to water supplies. This involves developing new water sources and associated infrastructure for treatment and distribution.
Amount: Total funding amount is $55M; maximum $5M and minimum $25,000 per project
Award Type: Cooperative Agreement grant
Eligible Applicants:
- Water Strategy Grants and Project Design Grants
- Category A: States, Tribes, irrigation districts, water districts, regional or local authorities with water or power delivery authority, and other relevant organizations in eligible states and territories.
- Category B: Nonprofit conservation organizations partnering with and endorsed by Category A entities, situated in specified United States territories.
- Drought Contingency Planning Eligible Applicants
- States, Tribes, irrigation districts, water districts, and other entities with water or power delivery presence in designated states or territories.
Key Dates: Applications are due Oct 31, 2023
Key Links:
AUGUST 9, 2023
DOI announces $40M for WaterSMART Cooperative Watershed Management Program Phase I
Eligible applicants: states, tribes, special districts, local authorities, interstate organizations, nonprofits, and institutes of higher education. Applications are due December 5, 2023
Opportunity: WaterSMART Cooperative Watershed Management Program Phase I
Announcement Type: Notice of Funding Opportunity (the program is now open to applications)
Overview and Eligible Uses: The objective of this NOFO is to invite eligible applicants to submit proposals for Phase I activities to develop a watershed group, complete watershed restoration planning activities, and design watershed management projects. Applicants have the opportunity to seek funding for activities in any of the three designated Task Areas (The application’s point allocation isn’t influenced by the number of Task Areas covered):
- Task A: Watershed Group Development: This encompasses mission, vision, and goal formulation, crafting articles of incorporation and bylaws, conducting outreach, gathering information on water-related issues, and pre-planning activities.
- Task B: Watershed Restoration Planning: This entails completing or updating restoration plans, project concept development, monitoring activities, technical analyses, and collaboration with stakeholders.
- Task C: Watershed Management Project Design: This includes site analysis, project design and engineering, developing project schedules and milestones, and researching environmental compliance requirements.
These activities cater to different project phases, facilitating focused and comprehensive watershed initiatives.
Amount: Up to $ 40M in total, up to $300,000 per applicant
Award Type: Cooperative Agreement grant
Eligible Applicants: states, Indian Tribes, local and special districts (such as irrigation, water conservation, and water districts), local governments, interstate organizations, non-profit organizations, and institutes of higher education sponsoring a watershed group.
*To qualify, applicants must satisfy these prerequisites: (1) sponsoring the development of a New Watershed Group, (2) having a substantial impact on or being affected by water quality or quantity within a watershed, and (3) possessing the capacity to encourage sustainable water resource utilization.
**Applicants eligible for Existing Watershed Group awards comprise the same entities and must meet criteria laid out in Section A.3 of the Notice of Funding Opportunity Objectives. This includes being legally incorporated as a nonprofit entity, participating in an Existing Watershed Group, or serving as a fiscal sponsor for such a group.
Key Dates: Applications submitted up to December 5, 2023, will be considered during the first submission period, while those received between December 5, 2023, and September 3, 2024, will be reviewed during the second submission period.
Key Links:
AUGUST 9, 2023
DOI announces $35M for WaterSMART Planning and Project Design Grants
Announcement Type: Notice of Funding Opportunity (the program is now open to applications)
Overview and Eligible Uses: This includes funding for water strategy grants to conduct planning and project design activities to improve water supplies and create comprehensive drought contingency plans.
Amount: Total funding of approximately $35M for 60-70 projects, and up to $400,000 per application for projects that can be completed within 3 years.
Award Type: Cooperative Agreement grant
Eligible Applicants:
Water Strategy Grants and Project Design Grants:
Water Strategy Grants and Project Design Grants
Category A applicants: States, Tribes, irrigation districts, and water districts; State, regional, or local authorities, the members of which include one or more organizations with water or power delivery authority; and other organizations with water or power delivery authority.
***All applicants must be located in one of the following States or territories: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico.
Category B applicants: Nonprofit conservation organizations that are acting in partnership with, and with the agreement of, an entity described in Category A.
***All Category B applicants must be located in the United States or the specific territories identified above. Category B applicants must include with their application a letter from the Category A partner stating that the Category A partner: (1) is acting in partnership with the applicant; (2) agrees to the submittal and content of the application; and (3) intends to participate in the project in some way, for example, by providing input, feedback, or other support for the project.
Drought Contingency Planning
A State, Tribe, irrigation district, water district, or other organization with water or power delivery in one of the following states or territories: Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, or the Virgin Islands
Key Dates: Applications for FY 2023 funding are due October 17, 2023
Applications for FY 2024 funding are due after October 17, 2023, and before April 2, 2024.
Key Links:
JULY 31, 2023
NOAA announces nearly $85 million in funding is available for fish passage and tribal capacity building under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act. This funding will support U.S. federally recognized tribes, Alaska Native Corporations, and tribal organizations in implementing fish passage work and building tribal organizational capacity.
In collaboration with NOAA, selected partners will use these funds to build tribal organizational capacity and implement projects that reopen migratory pathways and restore access to healthy habitat for tribally-important species. Selected projects may also provide community and economic benefits, such as enhancing climate resilience by removing or improving aging infrastructure.
Applicant Webinars
A pre-recorded applicant webinar is available for download in the “For Applicants” section below. We will also hold four live webinars with information for potential applicants. The first three webinars will be for applicants for this competition and our Restoring Fish Passage through Barrier Removal Grants. The final webinar will be focused specifically on tribal applicants to both competitions:
- August 10 at 2-3:30 PM Eastern / 1-2:30 Central / 11 AM-12:30 PM Pacific / 10-11:30 AM Alaska
- August 16 at 12:30-2:00 PM Eastern / 11:30 AM -12 PM Central / 9:30-11 AM Pacific / 8:30-10 AM Alaska
- August 22 at 3-4:30 PM Eastern / 2-3:30 PM Central / 12-1:30 PM Pacific / 11 AM-12:30 PM Alaska
- Tribal Focused Webinar: August 24 at 3-4:30 PM Eastern / 2-3:30 PM Central / 12-1:30 PM Pacific / 11 AM-12:30 PM Alaska
Key dates: Proposals must be received through Grants.gov by 11:59 PM Eastern time on November 8, 2023.
For more information: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/grant/restoring-tribal-priority-fish-passage-through-barrier-removal-grants
JULY 31, 2023
NOAA announces nearly $175M in funding for fish passage projects under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act. This funding will support projects that reopen migratory pathways and restore access to healthy habitat for fish around the country. In collaboration with NOAA, selected partners will use these funds to implement locally-led removals of dams and other in-stream barriers. Selected projects will assist in sustaining our nation’s fisheries and contributing to the recovery of threatened and endangered species. They may also provide community and economic benefits, such as jobs and climate resilience.
Applicant Webinars
A pre-recorded applicant webinar is available for download in the “For Applicants” section below. We will also hold four live webinars with information for potential applicants. The first three webinars will be for applicants for this competition and our Restoring Tribal Priority Fish Passage through Barrier Removal Grants. The final webinar will be focused specifically on tribal applicants to both competitions:
- August 10 at 2-3:30 PM Eastern / 1-2:30 Central / 11 AM-12:30 PM Pacific / 10-11:30 AM Alaska
- August 16 at 12:30-2:00 PM Eastern / 11:30 AM -12 PM Central / 9:30-11 AM Pacific / 8:30-10 AM Alaska
- August 22 at 3-4:30 PM Eastern / 2-3:30 PM Central / 12-1:30 PM Pacific / 11 AM-12:30 PM Alaska
- Tribal Focused Webinar: August 24 at 3-4:30 PM Eastern / 2-3:30 PM Central / 12-1:30 PM Pacific / 11 AM-12:30 PM Alaska
Key Dates: Proposals must be received through Grants.gov by 11:59 PM Eastern time on October 16, 2023.
For more information: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/grant/restoring-fish-passage-through-barrier-removal-grants
JULY 25, 2023
Department of the Interior announces $4.4M in funding for Ecosystem Restoration Projects
Announcement Type: Funding Opportunity Announcement
Opportunity: BIL Ecosystem Restoration Program – invasive species, revegetate mined lands, and native seed strategy for rehabilitation and restoration projects.
Overview and Eligible Uses: The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law contains provisions that invest in DOI initiatives and benefit the communities and areas where the Office of Insular Affairs (OIA) serves.
OIA is requesting proposals for FY 2023 following BIL Ecosystem Restoration Program Guiding Principles for:
- Invasive Species (Activity 6),
- Revegetate Mined Lands (Activity 8), and
- Native Seed Strategy for Rehabilitation and Restoration (Activity 9) projects.
Applicants must submit one proposal per project. If you plan on submitting a proposal to more than one project activity, you MUST submit a separate application for EACH project
Amount: OIA estimates funding 10 projects totaling $4.35M, with $1.35M going towards activity 6 projects – invasive species, $1M going towards activity 8 projects – revegetate mined lands, and $2M going towards activity 9 projects – native seed strategy for rehabilitation and restoration.
Award Type: Discretionary Grant (Discretionary Financial Assistance to the U.S. Territories and Freely Associated States)
Eligible Applicants: Eligible applicants are non-federal entities such as local government agencies (including local hospitals/health centers and utilities) and institutions of higher education in Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands; and any non-profit organizations whose mission directly benefits the insular areas listed.
Key Dates: Applications must be electronically submitted by September 30, 2023 no later than 5:00 p.m. ET. The expected award date is October 30, 2023.
For more information: https://iijatracker.substack.com/p/department-of-the-interior-announces?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=951700&post_id=135444188&isFreemail=true&utm_medium=email
JULY 24, 2023
DOI announces $120M funding through Tribal Climate Resilience Annual Awards Program
Announcement Type: Notice of Funding Opportunity (this program is currently accepting applications)
Opportunity: Tribal Climate Resilience Annual Awards Program
Overview and Eligible Uses: The Tribal Climate Resilience Annual Awards Program provides funding to build climate resilience capacity. In FY2023, TCR will make available funding for Tribes and tribal organizations to address the unique impacts of climate change affecting vulnerable tribal communities. This is by far the largest amount of annual funding made available in the history of the Bureau of Indian Affairs’ Tribal Climate Resilience Annual Awards Program.
Grants will be available in:
Category 1: Planning. These awards are designed to support the development of climate change considerations into formal planning documents, vulnerability assessments, and the development of data analysis efforts including supplementary monitoring.
Category 2: Implemetation. These awards are designed to support application of on-the-ground, shovel-ready activities that already have a completed plan in place and are identified in official Tribal planning document(s)f. Examples of completed plan types may include: Tribal climate adaptation plans, natural resources plans that contain climate resilience considerations and integration, drought contingency plans, hazard mitigation plans, ecological restoration plans, greenhouse gas mitigation plans, RMP master or related plans, construction or engineering plans.
Amount: In FY2023, TCR will make available approximately $120 million ($25M from BIL, $72M from IRA, $25M from FY 2023 annual appropriations).
Category One Planning: Max $250,000, excluding implementation funding. Category Two: Max $4,000,000, construction inclusion optional.
Award Type: Competitive funding
Eligible Applicants: Funding is only available to federally recognized Tribes
Key Dates: Application deadline is 7:59 pm Alaska Daylight Time/ 11:59 pm Midnight Eastern Daylight Time, October 13th, 2023
For more information: https://iijatracker.substack.com/p/doi-announces-120m-funding-through?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=951700&post_id=135333652&isFreemail=true&utm_medium=email
JULY 20, 2023
NRCS and the Forest Service are seeking proposals for Joint Chiefs’ projects that will mitigate wildfire risk, protect water quality, improve wildlife habitat, restore forest ecosystems and ultimately contribute to USDA’s efforts to combat climate change. Proposals must be submitted by Sept. 4 for fiscal year 2024 funding.
For more information: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/news/usda-seeks-proposals-for-joint-chiefs-landscape-restoration-partnership-0?utm_campaign=0623hiringengineers
May 22, 2023
The Joint Committee on Fisheries Engineering and Science through the American Fisheries Society has put together two amazing tools for Aquatic Organism Passage (AOP) practitioners.
The first is a training portal listing guidance documents, courses, and handbooks for barrier removal and river restoration. The second is a series of organized checklists that provide guidelines for stepping through each phase of a fish passage project starting with feasibility through implementation. They’ve also included a glossary of terms for related to fish passage and stream restoration.
The website lists opportunities to provide feedback and suggest additional resources so please feel free to engage with the group if you have comments or suggestions. The Fish Passage Training Portal and the Checklists can be found on the Fish Passage Portal under the ‘Resources’ tab.
DOT Culvert Program – National Culvert Removal, Replacement, and Restoration Grant Program
Due by February 6, 2023
Funding available: $196 Million
Program Overview
The National Culvert Removal, Replacement, and Restoration Grant Program (Culvert Aquatic Organism Passage (AOP) Program) is an annual competitive grant program that awards grants to eligible entities for projects for the replacement, removal, and repair of culverts or weirs that meaningfully improve or restore fish passage for anadromous fish. Anadromous fish species are born in freshwater such as streams and rivers, spend most of their lives in the marine environment, and migrate back to freshwater to spawn.
See National Culvert Removal, Replacement, and Restoration Grants (Culvert AOP Program) (PDF)
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible entities for the Culvert AOP Program include Tribes, States, and units of local government.
What kinds of projects are eligible?
The Culvert AOP Program focuses on two project categories as differentiated by structure type:
- Projects to replace, remove, or repair culverts that would meaningfully improve or restore fish passage for anadromous fish.
- Projects to replace, remove, or repair weirs that would meaningfully improve or restore fish passage for anadromous fish. With respect to weirs, the project may include: 1) infrastructure to facilitate fish passage around or over the weir; and 2) weir improvements.
Project Prioritization
The following types of projects will be prioritized for Culvert AOP Program funding:
- Projects that would improve fish passage for:
- Anadromous fish stocks listed as an endangered species or a threatened species under section 4 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. § 1533);
- Anadromous fish stocks identified by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) that could reasonably become listed as an endangered species or a threatened species under that section;
- Anadromous fish stocks identified by the NMFS or USFWS as prey for endangered species, threatened species, or protected species, including Southern resident orcas (Orcinus orcas); or
- Anadromous fish stocks identified by the NMFS or the USFWS as climate resilient stocks; and
- Projects that would open up more than 200 meters of upstream anadromous habitat before the end of the natural habitat
Grant Application
DOT uses Grants.gov for receipt of all applications for this program’s Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). Applicants must register and use the system to submit applications electronically. Applicants are encouraged to register in advance of the submission deadline and to register to receive notifications of updates/amendments to this NOFO. Approval of user registrations for the site may take multiple weeks. It is the Applicant’s responsibility to monitor Grants.gov for any updates to this Notice.
Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov no later than 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on Monday February 6, 2023 (the “application deadline”). Applicants are encouraged to submit applications in advance of the application deadline; however, applications will not be evaluated, and awards will not be made, until after the application deadline.
FEMA Building Resilient Infrastructure & Communities
Due by January 27, 2023
Funding available: $2.295 Billion
Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) will support states, local communities, tribes and territories as they undertake hazard mitigation projects, reducing the risks they face from disasters and natural hazards.
The BRIC program guiding principles are supporting communities through capability- and capacity-building; encouraging and enabling innovation; promoting partnerships; enabling large projects; maintaining flexibility; and providing consistency.
New nature-based solutions are included in the BRIC opportunity this year including living shorelines and oyster reefs.
Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) funds may be used for:
- Capability and capacity building (C&CB) activities
- Mitigation projects
- Management costs
Existing project types detailed in the Hazard Mitigation Assistance Guidance for the Pre-Disaster Mitigation grant program are eligible under the BRIC program.
Projects must:
- Be cost-effective
- Reduce or eliminate risk and damage from future natural hazards
- Meet either of the two latest published editions of relevant consensus-based codes, specifications and standards
- Align with the applicable hazard mitigation plan (HMP)
- Meet all Environmental and Historic Preservation (EHP) requirements
APPLICANT ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
- Applicants may include states, the District of Columbia, U.S. territories, and federally recognized tribal governments under the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act of 1994.
- Each state, territory, federally recognized tribal government and the District of Columbia shall designate one agency to serve as the applicant for BRIC funding. Each agency may submit only one BRIC grant application to FEMA. An application can be made up of an unlimited number of subapplications.
- Applicants must have a FEMA-approved state or tribal HMP by the application deadline. They also must have one at the time of obligation of grant funds.
- State or territory: Must have received a major disaster declaration under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act in the 7 years before the application period start date. All states, territories and the District of Columbia are eligible to apply in fiscal year 2022.
USFWS National Fish Passage Program BIL FY2023
Link to grants.gov for full application package
Letter of Intent due to National Fish Passage Program (NFPP) Regional Coordinator by: December 16, 2022
Funding available: Up to $38 Million (FY2023) ($200 million total over 5 years)
More information can be found here.
Note: Any entity is eligible to receive funding but ALL applicants must work with USFWS field or regional staff to develop NFPP proposals/projects.
For questions, please reach out to Shannon Boyle at shannon_boyle@fws.gov or your NFPP Regional Coordinator.
Key Dates and First Steps for Interested Applicants.
December 16, 2022 – All applicants are required to send a Letter of Intent to their regional coordinator by December 16.
Ongoing until February 10, 2023 – Regional coordinators work with applicants to develop full proposals. Each region reviews their proposals and sends their priority selections for national consideration and review.
February 10, 2023 – Regional funding requests are due to FAC HQ for consideration under the national review panel.
February / March 2023 – The projects that are submitted by the regions will then be considered under the national review and selection process. The panel hasn’t been established at this time but will include HQ and regional Service staff as well as external subject matter experts. The panel will review projects according to the points and criteria detailed in the NOFO.
April 2023 (Anticipated) – Following final review of project lists by Service and DOI leadership, final selection of projects will be announced. Successful projects will be notified of their selection and will be invited to submit their full application through GrantSolutions. The ANTICIPATED release date to the public is sometime in April.
December 31, 2023 – Due date listed in the NOFO and on GrantSolutions. This deadline only applies to projects that that are ultimately SELECTED FOR FUNDING (notified in April/May 2023) after Service and DOI review and approval. Only those project proponents that have been selected will be INVITED to submit their full application through GrantSolutions to receive their funding award.
Project Selection Criteria
Ecological Benefits (45 points)
Benefits to Priority Species and Habitats (20 points)
Permanence of Fish Passage Benefits (10 points)
Regional and Watershed Context (15 points)
Community Benefits (35 points)
Benefits for community resilience to climate change impacts and other co-benefits (15 points)
Benefits to Underserved or Indigenous Communities (15 points)
Tribal Support and Partnership (5 points)
Funding and Timeline (15 points)
Leveraged Funds (5 points)
Community Support (7 points)
Estimated Project Duration and Timeline (8 points)
Opportunity to Comment on Use of Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Funds
The deadline for comments is December 22nd.
The IRA provides NRCS with over $18 billion to support farmers and ranchers in adopting and expanding climate-smart activities and systems. The additional funding for four conservation programs begins in FY 2023 and increases annually over the next four years, with total amounts listed below:
| Program | Total Funding | FY 2023 | FY 2024 | FY 2025 | FY 2026 |
| EQIP | $8.45 billion | $250 million | $1.75 billion | $3 billion | $3.45 billion |
| RCPP | $4.95 billion | $250 million | $800 million | $1.5 billion | $2.4 billion |
| CSP | $3.25 billion | $250 million | $500 million | $1 billion | $1.5 billion |
| ACEP | $1.4 billion | $100 million | $200 million | $500 million | $600 million |
There is also an additional $1.0 billion going to Conservation Technical Assistance.
NRCS is requesting comments on how to implement this funding. They are looking for input on how to target program benefits, quantify impact, and improve program delivery and outreach, especially for underserved producers. A list of questions for commenters is included in the Federal Register Request for Information.
Continuous Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) Signup 59 for FY 2023
Information on the new Continuous CRP signup can be found here. For the FY 2023 State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement (SAFE) approved projects, State Executive Directors (SEDs) will be sent a memo announcing the signup details. County offices can begin accepting SAFE offers on new land in accordance with the guidance in the SED memo.
USDA Invests in Big Game Conservation Partnership with State of Wyoming
This year, NRCS is investing $6 million in additional EQIP assistance and $10 million in additional ACEP funding in Wyoming for big game conservation. As part of a new partnership agreement, USDA is providing a package of investments in key conservation programs for fiscal year 2023 on private working lands supporting migratory big game populations. This includes funding to support increased staffing capacity and the deployment of streamlined program application processes for agricultural landowners. Using lessons learned from this partnership pilot, USDA seeks to scale up this model across the West as part of President Biden’s commitment to support voluntary, locally led, producer-driven conservation efforts. More information on this partnership can be found here.