Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund (Annual Appropriations and IIJA Funds)

The Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund is administered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration through its National Marine Fisheries Service West Coast Region. The program was established to address the long-standing need to restore and conserve Pacific salmon and steelhead populations across the western United States and Alaska. It operates under federal statutory authority and appropriations, including recent infrastructure legislation, and is designed to support coordinated, science-based recovery efforts. The fund emphasizes collaboration among federal, state, tribal, and local partners to rebuild sustainable salmon ecosystems and fisheries. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to support projects that provide measurable and demonstrable benefits to Pacific salmon and steelhead populations and their habitats. Eligible activities include habitat restoration, population monitoring, and programmatic support that contributes to conservation outcomes. Projects must align with one or more program priorities, including habitat improvement for endangered species, large-scale monitoring and planning efforts, or capacity-building and smaller-scale support activities. The program prioritizes actions that restore natural ecosystem functions and contribute to long-term sustainability of salmon populations, including those critical to tribal treaty rights and subsistence fishing. Funding is expected to support a wide range of project types, with a total anticipated availability of up to 99 million dollars. Individual applications may request up to 25 million dollars, and awards typically support multi-year efforts with a period of performance of up to five years. While there is no minimum funding threshold specified, applicants must ensure budgets are reasonable, well-justified, and aligned with project goals. Administrative expenses for certain applicants are capped, and projects must comply with federal cost principles and reporting requirements. State applicants are required to provide a minimum 33 percent match through cash or in-kind contributions, while federally recognized tribes and related entities are exempt from matching requirements. Eligibility is limited to specific entities, including the states of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Nevada, California, and Alaska, as well as federally recognized tribes of the Columbia River and Pacific Coast regions. Tribal commissions and consortia may also apply under certain conditions. Applicants must demonstrate eligibility and, where applicable, coordinate through designated state entities or memoranda of understanding. Additional requirements include compliance with prior federal awards and adherence to scientific integrity standards and environmental regulations. The application process requires submission through Grants.gov or by approved alternative methods for those without internet access. Applicants must complete federal standard forms and prepare a comprehensive application package that includes a project summary, detailed narrative, budget narrative, project designs, and supplemental materials. The narrative must clearly address evaluation criteria such as technical merit, relevance to program priorities, applicant qualifications, and cost effectiveness. Data management planning and supporting documentation are also required. Applications are reviewed through a multi-stage process that includes administrative screening, technical peer review, and panel evaluation. Final funding decisions are made by the NOAA selecting official based on ranking, program priorities, geographic balance, and other strategic considerations. Successful applicants are expected to begin work around September 2026, subject to funding availability. The program does not specify a fixed annual cycle but operates through competitive announcements tied to federal appropriations. Contact for program inquiries is provided through designated NOAA program officers, including Kyle Bowers and Leah Gregg, who can assist applicants with eligibility and submission questions.

Align projects clearly with one of the three priority categories; demonstrate measurable ecological outcomes; provide strong scientific and technical justification; ensure budget clarity and compliance with cost rules; incorporate collaboration and data transparency principles