Fishers and Farmers Partnership Grant Program

The Fishers and Farmers Partnership is a collaborative conservation initiative focused on supporting locally led projects that improve agricultural sustainability while restoring aquatic ecosystems across the Upper Mississippi River Basin. The partnership works closely with farmers, landowners, conservation organizations, and public agencies to address watershed challenges through practical, on-the-ground solutions. Funding for this opportunity is made available through the National Fish Habitat Partnership and administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, reflecting a broader federal commitment to protecting and restoring fish habitat nationwide. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to support landowner-driven projects that simultaneously enhance farm productivity and restore aquatic habitats, particularly in streams within the Mississippi River Basin. Projects are expected to align with the partnership’s goals of increasing native fish populations, improving water quality, reducing sediment and nutrient runoff, and strengthening long-term conservation strategies. Additional priorities include improving stream connectivity, enhancing floodplain habitats, supporting landowner engagement, and increasing recreational access to water resources. While priority watersheds and species are identified, projects are not required to fall within these areas to be considered eligible. Funding is available through a competitive process, with approximately 300000 dollars allocated for the funding cycle and an expectation of four to six awards. Individual project awards range from a minimum of 15000 dollars to a maximum of 100000 dollars. Projects are funded for a period of two years and are reimbursed through federal grant systems. While a one-to-one cost share is encouraged, it is not explicitly required. Eligible expenditures include project planning, implementation activities such as earthwork and habitat restoration, monitoring and evaluation, outreach efforts, and certain equipment purchases related to conservation. However, funds cannot be used for land acquisition, regulatory compliance activities, pre-award costs, or long-term maintenance. Eligibility is broadly inclusive of organizations capable of implementing conservation projects in collaboration with landowners. This includes nonprofits, government entities, and potentially other organizations that can meet federal grant requirements. All recipients must comply with federal regulations and complete registrations in systems such as SAM.gov, ASAP, and GrantSolutions. Projects must also adhere to environmental and historic preservation laws, including the National Environmental Policy Act and Endangered Species Act, ensuring that funded activities meet federal compliance standards. The application process requires submission of a complete proposal via email to the designated program coordinator. Applicants are encouraged to review all program materials and may participate in informational webinars offered prior to the deadline. Proposals are evaluated by the partnership’s steering committee based on alignment with program goals, project design and outcomes, and budget feasibility. Top-ranked proposals are then forwarded to the National Fish Habitat Partnership and ultimately reviewed by the U.S. Department of the Interior for final approval. The timeline for this funding opportunity begins with the opening of the application cycle on July 1, 2026, followed by informational webinars in August and September. The final proposal deadline is September 10, 2026. Following submission, proposals undergo multiple stages of review, with final funding decisions expected between June and August 2027. Awards are then announced, agreements are executed, and funding is distributed. This opportunity appears to follow an annual cycle, indicating that similar funding rounds are likely to recur in future years.

Align proposal clearly with FFP goals priorities and NFHP objectives; demonstrate measurable habitat and farm benefits; include strong landowner engagement strategy