NAWCA 2026 US Small Grants, $1k-$250k
Summary
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has posted the NAWCA 2026 U.S. Small Grants funding opportunity under Assistance Listing 15.623 (North American Wetlands Conservation Fund). The program provides competitive grants of $1,000 to $250,000 to protect, improve, and restore wetland ecosystems and associated habitats for migratory birds and wildlife. Applications close June 25, 2026, and require a 1:1 non-federal match. Eligible applicants include tribal governments, nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status, educational institutions, small businesses, and individuals.
“Research projects are not considered an allowable project activity.”
The June 25, 2026 application deadline is firm — electronically submitted applications must be received no later than 11:59 PM ET. Eligible entities that have not yet registered in SAM.gov and Grants.gov should begin those processes now, as registration can take several business days and is required before submission. The 1:1 non-federal match requirement means applicants must identify and document matching funds or in-kind contributions as part of their application package.
What changed
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has posted the NAWCA 2026 U.S. Small Grants funding opportunity, offering $5,000,000 in total program funding across approximately 30 expected awards ranging from $1,000 to $250,000. The program requires a 1:1 non-federal match and does not fund research projects. Eligible applicants span tribal governments, county and city governments, state governments, special district governments, 501(c)(3) nonprofits, educational institutions, small businesses, and individuals.
Potential applicants should verify eligibility and confirm their project aligns with the program's conservation goals before investing in proposal preparation. The June 25, 2026 application deadline is firm — electronically submitted applications must be received no later than 11:59 PM ET. Entities without prior grant experience with FWS should allow additional lead time for registrations in SAM.gov and Grants.gov.
Archived snapshot
Apr 21, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
F26AS00007-NAWCA 2026 US Small Grants
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service
Assistance Listings: 15.623 -- North American Wetlands Conservation Fund
Last Updated: April 20, 2026 View version history on Grants.gov
Description
The NAWCA U.S. Small Grants Program goal is to promote partnerships between public agencies and groups interested in:Protecting, improving, restoring, and managing an appropriate distribution and a variety of wetland ecosystems and other habitats for wetland-associated migratory birds and other fish and wildlife in the U.S.;Maintaining and improving the current distribution of wetlands-associated migratory bird populations; andMaintaining an abundance of waterfowl (ducks, geese, and swans) and other populations of wetlands-associated migratory birds consistent with the objectives of the North American... Waterfowl Management Plan, U.S. Shorebird Conservation Plan, Partners in Flight Bird Conservation Plan, and state related plans.The program requires a 1:1 non-federal match. Research projects are not considered an allowable project activity. This program supports the Department of Interior and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's mission of protecting and managing the nation's natural resources by collaborating with partners and stakeholders to conserve land and water and to expand outdoor recreation and access.The grant program for wetlands conservation and management is administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Division of Bird Habitat Conservation. Thirteen partner organizations make up the North American Wetlands Conservation (NAWC) Council and participate in the review and assessment of proposals. For a full list of Council members, visit: https://www.fws.gov/partner/north-american-wetlands-conservation-council. Also, for U.S. Small scoring criteria, refer to instructions (page 23) included with this notice of funding opportunity.To view previously successful awarded NAWCA U.S. Small Projects, visit NAWCA's external facing database to query for your viewing: https://www.fws.gov/grantsum/ Show full description
Eligibility
Eligible applicants
Government
- Federally recognized Native American tribal governments
- County governments
- City or township governments
- State governments
- Special district governments
Nonprofit
- Other Native American tribal organizations
- Nonprofits non-higher education with 501(c)(3)
Education
- Independent school districts
- Private institutions of higher education
- Public and state institutions of higher education
Business
- Small businesses
Miscellaneous
- Individuals
Additional information
For more information on NAWCA US Small, visit: https://www.fws.gov/service/north-american-wetlands-conservation-act-nawca-us-small-grants
Grantor contact information
Description
NAWCA US Small Email
nawca_smallgrant@fws.gov
NAWCA US Small Email
Documents
Download all
| File name | Description | Last updated |
| --- | --- | --- |
| FoaContentofF26AS00007USSmallfinalApril9_2026.pdf | FoaContentofF26AS00007 US Small final April 9, 2026.pdf | Apr 20, 2026 04:09 PM UTC |
| 2025EligibilityCriteriaandProcessesFINALMarch_2026.pdf | 2025 Eligibility Criteria and Processes FINAL March 2026.pdf | Apr 20, 2026 04:09 PM UTC |
| FY26USSmallProposalTablesTemplatedraftMarch2026.xlsx | FY26 US Small Proposal Tables Template draftMarch 2026.xlsx | Apr 20, 2026 04:10 PM UTC |
| FY26USSmallProposalOutlineTemplatedraftMarch2026.docx | FY26 US Small Proposal Outline Template draft_March 2026.docx | Apr 20, 2026 04:10 PM UTC |
Link to additional information
--
Closing: June 25, 2026
Electronically submitted applications must be submitted no later than 11:59 PM, ET, on the listed application due date.
Application process
This site is a work in progress. Go to www.grants.gov to apply, track application status, and subscribe to updates. View on Grants.gov
Award
$5,000,000
Program Funding
30
Expected awards
$1,000
Award Minimum
$250,000
Award Maximum
Funding opportunity number:
F26AS00007
Cost sharing or matching requirement:
Yes Funding instrument type:
Grant
Opportunity Category:
Discretionary
Opportunity Category Explanation:
-- Category of Funding Activity:
Natural resources
Category Explanation:
--
History
Version:
1
Posted date:
April 20, 2026
Archive date:
June 26, 2026
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