National Culvert Removal, Replacement, and Restoration (Culvert Aquatic Organism Passage)

The National Culvert Removal, Replacement, and Restoration Competitive Grant Program, administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation through the Federal Highway Administration, is a federal discretionary funding opportunity designed to improve ecological connectivity and infrastructure resilience across the United States. The program is authorized under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and provides funding to support projects that address barriers to aquatic organism passage, specifically targeting culverts and weirs that impede the movement of anadromous fish species. These species, such as salmon, are born in freshwater, migrate to the ocean, and return to freshwater to spawn, making uninterrupted passage critical to their life cycles. The primary purpose of the program is to fund projects that replace, remove, or repair culverts and weirs in a manner that meaningfully improves or restores fish passage. Eligible projects must demonstrate a clear benefit to anadromous fish populations and must be connected to surface transportation infrastructure such as roads, highways, or rail crossings. The program prioritizes projects that benefit endangered or threatened species, improve access to upstream habitat, or contribute to broader watershed restoration strategies. In addition to ecological outcomes, the program also emphasizes economic and community benefits, including improved infrastructure safety, enhanced recreational opportunities, and support for local economies tied to fisheries. Funding under this opportunity is provided through cost-reimbursable grants, with up to 800 million dollars available across fiscal years 2023 through 2026. There is no defined minimum or maximum award size, allowing flexibility based on project scope and need. However, most applicants are required to provide a minimum non-federal cost share of 20 percent of the total project cost. Federally recognized Indian Tribes are exempt from this cost-sharing requirement. Eligible applicants include state governments, units of local government, and federally recognized Tribal governments. Applicants may submit multiple applications and may bundle multiple eligible projects into a single proposal, provided each project independently meets eligibility criteria. The application process requires submission through Grants.gov and includes completion of several standard federal forms, including the SF-424 series, as well as a mandatory program-specific application template. This template must include detailed project descriptions, budget information, schedules, and responses to evaluation criteria. Applications must be submitted electronically by July 16, 2026, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. Applicants must also maintain an active registration in the System for Award Management and provide a valid Unique Entity Identifier as part of their submission. Applications are evaluated through a structured review process that includes merit criteria and project readiness assessments. Merit criteria focus on conservation benefits to anadromous fish, regional and watershed impacts, ecosystem benefits, and project design and infrastructure improvements. Projects are also evaluated for technical feasibility, financial completeness, and permitting readiness. Based on these assessments, applications receive an overall rating that determines their competitiveness for funding. Final selections are made by Department of Transportation leadership, with priority given to projects that align with statutory and administrative priorities. Award announcements are expected in late August 2026. Selected applicants will enter into grant agreements with the Department of Transportation and must comply with federal reporting and administrative requirements. These include semi-annual progress reports and financial reporting, as well as adherence to federal regulations related to procurement, environmental compliance, and domestic sourcing requirements. The program represents a significant federal investment in both ecological restoration and infrastructure modernization, aiming to deliver long-term environmental and economic benefits.

Focus on demonstrating measurable fish passage improvements, strong alignment with watershed plans, and clear project readiness including permitting and funding completeness