The U.S. Standard Grants Program, administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, supports public-private partnerships to carry out conservation projects that further the goals of the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA). This grant opportunity, labeled F26AS00004, is intended to fund projects in the United States that focus on the long-term protection, restoration, enhancement, and/or establishment of wetland and associated upland habitats. These efforts must aim to benefit a diversity of wetland ecosystems and maintain abundant populations of waterfowl and other wetland-associated migratory birds in line with multiple conservation plans.

The program objectives are centered on fostering cooperation among federal, state, and local governments and nonprofit and private entities to achieve measurable wetland conservation results. Emphasis is placed on forming sustainable partnerships that support habitat conservation for migratory birds. Only projects that deliver tangible wetland habitat benefits are considered; research is explicitly excluded from eligibility. Matching funding from non-federal sources is required, and applicants must demonstrate the ability to provide a 1:1 match in order to qualify.

Funding through this program is made available in the form of grants, with individual awards ranging from a minimum of $250,001 to a maximum of $3,000,000. Approximately $45 million in total funding is available, with around 30 awards expected. Eligible applicants include a broad range of organizations such as city, county, and state governments, special district governments, Native American tribal governments and organizations, nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status, higher education institutions, and small businesses. All applicants must be registered with SAM.gov and obtain a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI).

Applicants must prepare a comprehensive submission that includes the standard federal forms (SF-424 series), a project abstract summary, a detailed project narrative, a budget narrative, and supporting documentation related to potential conflicts of interest, indirect costs, and any overlapping efforts with other grants. Submissions must be made electronically via GrantSolutions.gov by July 10, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Applications may also be submitted to dbhc@fws.gov.

Review of applications includes a multi-stage process assessing eligibility, merit based on scoring criteria outlined in the program instructions, and a risk assessment. Merit review evaluates how well the proposal aligns with program goals and technical criteria, including detailed technical assessment questions (TAQs). Proposals not meeting minimum requirements will not move forward. Final decisions also consider potential overlap with existing projects and the applicant’s capacity to manage federal funding.

Anticipated award notices will be distributed around May 2026, with project start dates also expected in May 2026. The grant period generally runs for two years, concluding around May 2028. All awards are subject to standard federal and Department of the Interior administrative and policy requirements. Recipients will be required to submit regular performance and financial reports and ensure compliance with federal transparency and accountability regulations.