National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program

The National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program is a federal funding initiative administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to support the long-term conservation of coastal wetland ecosystems across eligible U.S. states and territories. Established under the Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection, and Restoration Act, the program provides competitive cost-sharing grants to state and territorial agencies to protect, restore, enhance, and manage coastal wetlands. These ecosystems play a critical role in flood protection, water quality maintenance, and the preservation of habitats for fish, wildlife, and migratory species, while also supporting significant economic activities such as fishing, tourism, and recreation. The program is funded through the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund, which is supported by excise taxes on fishing equipment, import duties, and fuel taxes related to recreational boating. The USFWS administers the program in coordination with its Coastal Program and Office of Conservation Investment. Projects funded through this program must demonstrate long-term conservation benefits, typically lasting at least 20 years, and are evaluated based on a detailed federal scoring system that prioritizes ecological impact, cost-effectiveness, and collaboration. Funding is awarded to state agencies designated by their governors, typically natural resource or fish and wildlife departments. Although only state agencies may apply directly, the program strongly encourages partnerships with local governments, tribal organizations, nonprofit organizations, and other entities. These partners may participate as subrecipients and receive funding through subawards managed by the state applicant. Eligible project activities include acquiring real property interests in coastal wetlands and conducting restoration, enhancement, or management activities that ensure long-term ecological sustainability. Applicants must submit proposals through federal systems such as Grants.gov or GrantSolutions and include required documentation such as project narratives, budget information, and compliance assurances. Applications are evaluated through a multi-stage review process, including eligibility screening, merit-based scoring against established criteria, and final selection by the Service Director. Evaluation criteria include wetland conservation outcomes, benefits to species, partnership contributions, and the extent of non-federal cost sharing. The program requires a minimum non-federal cost share, generally at least 25 percent of total project costs, although higher contributions can improve competitiveness. Matching funds may come from cash or in-kind contributions, including land value or services, and must be documented through formal commitments. Certain territories may receive waivers from cost-sharing requirements. Federal participation typically covers up to 50 percent or 75 percent of project costs depending on eligibility conditions. For the fiscal year 2027 funding cycle administered through Washington State Department of Ecology, applications were being accepted with a structured timeline beginning in early 2026. Pre-proposals were encouraged in February and March, followed by site visits, draft submissions in May, and final applications due in early June 2026 to the state agency, which then submitted selected proposals to the USFWS. Awards are expected to be announced in early 2027, with projects commencing thereafter and typically spanning multiple years. The program includes detailed compliance requirements, including adherence to federal environmental laws such as the National Environmental Policy Act, Endangered Species Act, and National Historic Preservation Act. Recipients must also complete ongoing reporting, including financial and performance updates, and maintain records related to real property acquired under the grant. The structured and competitive nature of the program ensures that funded projects contribute meaningfully to the conservation and resilience of coastal ecosystems across the United States.

Emphasize strong conservation outcomes, provide detailed cost share commitments, and demonstrate long-term ecological benefits and partnerships aligned with evaluation criteria.