Opportunity Information: Apply for F20AS00054
The North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) 2021-2 U.S. Standard Grants opportunity is a competitive federal grant program run by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). It is designed to fund on-the-ground habitat projects in the United States that advance the goals of NAWCA by supporting strong public-private partnerships. The core focus is conserving wetlands and closely connected upland habitats in ways that directly benefit migratory birds, with an emphasis on lasting outcomes rather than short-term activities.
Projects supported under this opportunity must be centered on long-term habitat conservation actions. Specifically, proposals are expected to involve the protection, restoration, enhancement, and/or establishment of wetlands and associated uplands. The intent is to produce durable conservation results, such as securing habitat through acquisition or conservation easements, improving wetland function through restoration, or enhancing existing habitat to increase its value for migratory bird populations. A key restriction is that research funding is not eligible under this program, meaning the grant is meant to pay for implementation and tangible habitat outcomes rather than studies or research-oriented work.
A major feature of this program is the cost-share requirement. Applicants must provide a 1:1 non-federal match, meaning every federal dollar requested must be matched by an equal amount of non-federal funding or qualifying contributions. This matching structure is meant to leverage federal investment, encourage partnerships, and ensure that projects have broad support and shared commitment beyond the federal government. In practice, this often involves a mix of state and local government participation, nonprofit conservation organizations, land trusts, and sometimes private-sector or philanthropic partners contributing funds, services, or other allowable match sources.
From an administrative standpoint, this is a discretionary grant with an environmental and natural resources focus (CFDA 15.623). Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, indicating that a wide range of applicant types may apply, as long as they meet any clarifications described in the full funding notice. The opportunity was created on February 13, 2020, and proposals (including supporting documents and required SF-424 forms) were due through Grants.gov by midnight Eastern Time on July 10, 2020. The maximum federal request (award ceiling) is $1,000,000 per award, and the program anticipated making about 50 awards under this competition.
Overall, the grant opportunity reflects the broader DOI and FWS mission to protect and manage the nation’s natural resources. It does this by incentivizing collaboration to conserve land and water resources and, where appropriate, to expand outdoor recreation and access tied to conserved landscapes. The practical takeaway is that successful applications are typically partnership-driven, match-ready, and tightly focused on measurable, long-term wetland and upland habitat conservation outcomes that support migratory birds.Apply for F20AS00054
- The Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service in the environment, natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "North American Wetlands Conservation Act 2021-2 U.S. Standard Grants" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.623.
- This funding opportunity was created on Feb 13, 2020.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Proposal, supporting documents, and SF-424 forms due to grants.gov by midnight EST on July 10, 2020.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 50 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the NAWCA 2021-2 U.S. Standard Grants opportunity?
The North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) 2021-2 U.S. Standard Grants opportunity is a competitive federal grant program administered by the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). It supports on-the-ground habitat projects in the United States that advance NAWCA goals through strong public-private partnerships.
What is the main purpose of this grant program?
The program is designed to conserve wetlands and closely connected upland habitats in the U.S. in ways that directly benefit migratory birds. It prioritizes lasting, durable conservation outcomes rather than short-term activities.
What types of projects does this funding support?
Supported projects must focus on long-term habitat conservation actions, including the protection, restoration, enhancement, and/or establishment of wetlands and associated uplands.
What does "on-the-ground habitat projects" mean in this context?
It refers to implementation-oriented work that produces tangible habitat conservation results (for example, securing habitat or improving wetland function), rather than planning-only or research-centered efforts.
What kinds of conservation outcomes is the program looking for?
The opportunity emphasizes durable results such as securing habitat through acquisition or conservation easements, restoring wetlands to improve function, or enhancing existing habitat to increase its value for migratory bird populations.
Is research eligible for funding under this opportunity?
No. Research funding is not eligible. The grant is intended to pay for implementation and measurable habitat outcomes rather than studies or research-oriented work.
What is the cost-share or matching requirement?
Applicants must provide a 1:1 non-federal match. This means every federal dollar requested must be matched by an equal amount of non-federal funding or qualifying non-federal contributions.
What does a 1:1 non-federal match mean in practical terms?
If a project requests federal funds, the applicant must document an equal amount of non-federal match. The structure is intended to leverage federal investment and demonstrate shared commitment through partnerships.
Why does the program require a non-federal match?
The match requirement is meant to leverage federal dollars, encourage strong public-private partnerships, and show that conservation projects have broad support beyond the federal government.
What kinds of partners commonly contribute to the match?
Match contributions often involve a mix of state and local government participation, nonprofit conservation organizations, land trusts, and sometimes private-sector or philanthropic partners.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, meaning a wide range of applicant types may apply, provided they meet any clarifications described in the full funding notice.
Is this a competitive grant?
Yes. It is described as a competitive (discretionary) federal grant program.
Which federal agency administers the program?
The program is run by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS).
What is the CFDA number associated with this grant?
The opportunity is associated with CFDA 15.623.
What is the maximum federal funding amount per award?
The award ceiling (maximum federal request) is $1,000,000 per award.
How many awards were expected under this competition?
The program anticipated making about 50 awards.
When was this opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on February 13, 2020.
When were proposals due?
Proposals, including supporting documents and required SF-424 forms, were due through Grants.gov by midnight Eastern Time on July 10, 2020.
How were applications submitted?
Applications were submitted through Grants.gov, and applicants were expected to include supporting documents and required SF-424 forms.
What is the geographic focus of funded projects?
The funded projects are intended to take place in the United States.
What habitat types are prioritized?
The program prioritizes wetlands and closely connected (associated) upland habitats that support migratory birds.
What does the program mean by emphasizing "lasting outcomes"?
It means the program is focused on long-term conservation actions that produce durable habitat benefits, rather than temporary or short-term activities.
What is the overall mission alignment of this grant?
The grant reflects DOI and FWS priorities to protect and manage natural resources by incentivizing collaboration to conserve land and water resources, and where appropriate, to expand outdoor recreation and access tied to conserved landscapes.
What is the key practical takeaway for applicants?
Successful applications are typically partnership-driven, ready to meet the 1:1 match requirement, and tightly focused on measurable, long-term wetland and upland habitat conservation outcomes that support migratory birds.
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| National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program Apply for F20AS00057 Funding Number: F20AS00057 Agency: Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Great Lakes Restoration, Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program 2020 Apply for F20AS00059 Funding Number: F20AS00059 Agency: Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Joint Venture Habitat Restoration and Protection Apply for F20AS00060 Funding Number: F20AS00060 Agency: Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| NAWCA 2021 Mexico Standard Grant Apply for F20AS00065 Funding Number: F20AS00065 Agency: Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| MARINE BIODIVERISTY CONSERVATION ACTIVITY Apply for RFI 621 20 EG 00001 Funding Number: RFI 621 20 EG 00001 Agency: Agency for International Development, Tanzania USAID-Dar es Salaam Category: Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $15,000,000 |
| BLM-CO Abandoned Mine Lands Reclamation Project Apply for L20AS00081 Funding Number: L20AS00081 Agency: Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management Category: Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $1,500,000 |
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| Council-Selected Restoration Component 2020 Funded Priorities List 3a Apply for CP GT3 20 001 Funding Number: CP GT3 20 001 Agency: Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council Category: Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $26,880,000 |
| Lake Clark National Park and Preserve Subsistence Harvest Surveys Apply for P20AS00048 Funding Number: P20AS00048 Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service Category: Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| NAWCA 2021-2 Canada Grants Apply for F20AS00066 Funding Number: F20AS00066 Agency: Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $10,000,000 |
| NAWCA 2021 Mexico Standard Grant Apply for F20AS00069 Funding Number: F20AS00069 Agency: Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| FY 2020 Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund: Traditional Conservation Grants Apply for F20AS00070 Funding Number: F20AS00070 Agency: Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
| Fiscal Year 2020 Candidate Conservation Action Funds Apply for F20AS00071 Funding Number: F20AS00071 Agency: Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Recovery Challenge Apply for F20AS00072 Funding Number: F20AS00072 Agency: Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Recovery Implementation Apply for F20AS00073 Funding Number: F20AS00073 Agency: Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| USDA Forest Service - Great Lakes RFA 2020 Apply for USDA FS 2020 GLRI Funding Number: USDA FS 2020 GLRI Agency: Department of Agriculture, Forest Service Category: Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| BLM-CO Statewide Orphan Wells Project Apply for L20AS00097 Funding Number: L20AS00097 Agency: Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management Category: Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| BLM-CO Abandoned Mine Lands Reclamation Project - Gunnison Field Office Apply for L20AS00101 Funding Number: L20AS00101 Agency: Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management Category: Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $650,000 |
| Forest Service Northeast and Midwest Landscape Scale Restoration 2021 Apply for USDA FS 2021 LSR Funding Number: USDA FS 2021 LSR Agency: Department of Agriculture, Forest Service Category: Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $600,000 |
| BLM-CO Abandoned Mine Lands Reclamation Project - San Luis Valley Field Office Apply for L20AS00105 Funding Number: L20AS00105 Agency: Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management Category: Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $200,000 |
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