F27AS00008-NAWCA 2027-1 US Standard Grants

The North American Wetlands Conservation Act U.S. Standard Grants program is administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service through its Division of Bird Habitat Conservation. This federal funding opportunity supports collaborative conservation efforts focused on wetlands and associated upland habitats across the United States. The program operates under the legislative authority of the North American Wetlands Conservation Act and emphasizes partnerships between public agencies, nonprofit organizations, tribal entities, and private stakeholders. A governing council composed of multiple partner organizations contributes to the review and evaluation of proposals, ensuring alignment with national and international conservation priorities. The primary purpose of the program is to fund projects that protect, restore, and enhance wetland ecosystems and associated habitats for migratory birds and other wildlife. The initiative seeks to maintain and improve populations of waterfowl and other wetland-dependent species while advancing the objectives outlined in major conservation frameworks such as the North American Waterfowl Management Plan and related bird conservation strategies. Projects must demonstrate long-term conservation impact and clearly articulate how partner activities contribute to sustainable habitat outcomes. Funding is provided in the form of grants, with individual awards ranging from 250001 to 3000000 dollars and an estimated total program funding of 46000000 dollars. A defining feature of this program is its mandatory cost-sharing requirement, which requires a one-to-one match of federal funds with non-federal contributions. Matching funds may include both cash and in-kind contributions, but all must be documented with formal commitment letters specifying the source and value of contributions. Eligible activities for funding include habitat acquisition, restoration, and enhancement, provided they align with program guidelines and allowable cost principles under federal regulations. Eligibility for the program is broad and inclusive, encompassing state, county, city, and township governments; federally recognized and non-recognized tribal entities; nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status; and small businesses. All applicants must complete required federal registrations, including obtaining a Unique Entity Identifier and maintaining an active registration in SAM.gov. Applications are submitted through the GrantSolutions platform, and applicants must ensure all system registrations are completed well in advance, as these processes may take several months. The application process requires submission of several mandatory components, including the SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance, SF-424A Budget Information form, and a project abstract summarizing objectives, activities, and outcomes. A detailed project narrative using the official proposal template is also required, along with a comprehensive budget narrative that justifies all costs and outlines matching contributions. Additional documentation may include lobbying disclosures, indirect cost rate agreements, audit statements, and GIS data files describing project locations. Applicants must also address potential conflicts of interest and confirm whether there is any overlap with other federally funded projects. Applications must be submitted electronically by September 25 2026 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. The review process includes an eligibility screening followed by a merit-based evaluation using established scoring criteria. Proposals are assessed on technical merit, alignment with program goals, budget reasonableness, and compliance with all requirements. Risk assessments are also conducted to evaluate the applicant’s financial and operational capacity. Awards are anticipated to be issued in May 2027, with project performance expected to begin around June 1 2027 and continue through approximately June 1 2029. Successful applicants will receive a formal Notice of Federal Award outlining all terms and conditions. Post-award responsibilities include regular financial and performance reporting, compliance with federal regulations, and disclosure of any issues affecting project execution. Recipients must also adhere to transparency and accountability requirements, including reporting subawards and maintaining records related to project performance. This program represents a significant federal investment in wetland conservation and offers substantial funding opportunities for qualified organizations capable of delivering measurable environmental outcomes.

Ensure strong partner collaboration clear conservation impact and fully documented matching funds with detailed budget justification