North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) Grants

North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) Grants is a grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that funds public-private partnerships carrying out long-term protection, restoration, and enhancement of wetlands and associated upland habitats for the benefit of migratory birds.

These competitive matching grants require partners to contribute at least a 1-to-1 non-federal match, with every grant and match dollar linked to a specific acre acquired, restored, or enhanced. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, state and local governments, and other conservation partners.

Proposals are submitted through regional joint venture coordinators, whose prioritization plays a key role in the selection process. Award amounts vary by project scope, and proposals must comply with eligible activity and cost principles outlined in the program's annual instructions.

North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) U.S. Standard Grants | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) U.S. Standard Grants NAWCA U.S. Standard grants are competitive, matching grants that support public-private partnerships carrying out projects in the U.S. that involve long-term protection, restoration, and/or enhancement of wetlands and associated uplands habitats for the benefit of all wetlands-associated migratory birds.

U.S. Standard Grant Program Application As you write your proposal, think carefully about how you will implement your project if it is approved for funding. Keep the following in mind as you plan your project and complete your application: Partners must match their grants request at no less than a 1-to-1 ratio .

For example, partners requesting a $1 million grant would need to also contribute at least $1 million in partner funds (from nonfederal sources) towards the project. There is no difference in grant and match for administration purposes.

Generally, laws and requirements that apply to activities funded with NAWCA dollars also apply to items funded with match dollars or provided as in-kind match (i.e., real property interests) Each grant and match dollar (except for indirect costs) must be linked to an acre acquired, restored, enhanced, and/or established. Grantees are held accountable for both match dollars and acres, as defined in the proposal and grant agreement.

Without prior approval and agreement modification, accomplishing less than 100 percent of match dollars and acres will result in a reduction of the award amount. We strongly recommend that you contact the coordinator of the joint venture region in which your project is located early in the process for guidance on developing your project and proposal.

Joint venture coordinators' prioritization of NAWCA proposals from their geographic region is a key element in the selection process. Connect with your joint venture. Be sure to fully read and understand the Eligibility Criteria and Processes, Proposal Instructions and U.S. Grant Administration Standards below to help make your proposal more competitive and your project easier to manage.

If your project is selected, these will become the basis of your Assistance Award. U.S. Eligibility Criteria and Processes Describes eligible activities and costs for U.S. NAWCA projects. All U.S. NAWCA proposals must comply with these cost principles.

Describes changes from the previous year's US Standard instructions, gives required information for writing a proposal, and provides examples. These instructions are applicable to proposals submitted through May 7, 2026 . Provides “fill-in-the-blank” proposal outlines, including Technical Assessment Questions and species lists.

U.S. Standard Proposal Tables Template Provides “fill-in-the-blank” proposal tables.

U.S. Standard Proposal Tables Examples Provides examples of all the tables required in proposal U.S. Grant Administration Standards Describes policies applicable to all U.S. NAWCA grants Applicants can submit project proposals to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Division of Bird Habitat Conservation for either of the program's two funding cycles per year. To qualify, project proposals must be submitted through GrantSolutions .

If you have questions about the NAWCA program, please contact us . Troubleshooting GrantSolutions & SAM. gov Related Resources & Information North American Wetlands Conservation Act Biennial Reports North American Wetlands Conservation Act, Section 10.

REPORT TO CONGRESS: The Secretary shall report to the appropriate Committees on the implementation of this Act. The report shall include: (1) a biennial assessment of: (A) the estimated number of acres of wetlands and habitat for waterfowl and... NAWCA and NMBCA Payments: Requesting Grant Funds Documents for Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act (NMBCA) and the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) grants.