Opportunity Information: Apply for F24AS00003
F24AS00003, NAWCA 2024-1 US Standard Grants, is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Department of the Interior) that funds on-the-ground wetlands conservation projects in the United States under the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA). It is set up as a competitive program designed to push durable, long-term habitat outcomes rather than short-term studies or planning exercises, and it is built around partnerships that combine federal dollars with substantial non-federal investment.
The core purpose of the program is to support public-private partnerships that carry out projects providing long-term protection, restoration, enhancement, and/or establishment of wetlands and associated upland habitats, specifically to benefit migratory birds. In practical terms, proposals need to be focused on tangible habitat conservation actions, such as securing long-term protection (for example, through acquisition or conservation easements where allowed by program rules), restoring degraded wetland systems, improving existing wetlands to increase their habitat value, or creating new wetland habitat where appropriate. The emphasis on "associated uplands" signals that adjacent or connected upland areas can be part of a project when they are important to wetland function and bird use, but the work still needs to be clearly tied to wetland-related habitat outcomes.
A defining feature of this opportunity is its required 1:1 non-federal match. That means applicants must bring at least an equal amount of eligible non-federal funds or in-kind contributions to the table for every federal dollar requested. This cost-share structure reinforces the program's partnership model and ensures that federal funding leverages significant outside investment. Another key constraint is that research funding is ineligible, so proposals centered on scientific studies, monitoring-only efforts, or research deliverables rather than direct habitat conservation actions would not fit the program, even if the research is wetlands-related.
The opportunity is listed under Assistance Listing (CFDA) 15.623, within the Natural Resources funding activity category, and uses the grant instrument type. Eligibility is described as "unrestricted," which generally means a broad range of entities may apply, though successful applications typically reflect strong collaboration among agencies, non-profits, land trusts, local governments, Tribal partners, and other stakeholders involved in habitat delivery and long-term stewardship.
In terms of scale and funding limits, the posted award ceiling is $3,000,000 per award, reflecting that projects can be large and multi-partner in nature. The program is competitive and expects awards (the notice shows the field for expected awards but does not provide a number in the provided text). The original closing date shown in the source data is 2023-02-24, and the opportunity record creation date is 2022-12-15, which matters for planning because applicants should confirm the current cycle status and deadlines if they are looking for an active or upcoming round.
Finally, the program is framed as supporting the Department of the Interior and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service mission by conserving land and water through collaboration and by contributing to expanded outdoor recreation and access where projects align with those outcomes. Additional official program information is available through the Fish and Wildlife Service NAWCA U.S. Standard Grants page: https://fws.gov/service/north-american-wetlands-conservation-act-nawca-grants-us-standard.Apply for F24AS00003
- The Fish and Wildlife Service in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "F24AS00003 - NAWCA 2024-1 US 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 2022-12-15.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2023-02-24. (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 $3,000,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted.
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NAWCA 2024-1 U.S. Standard Grants (F24AS00003) - FAQs
What is the F24AS00003 grant opportunity?
F24AS00003, titled "NAWCA 2024-1 US Standard Grants," is a discretionary, competitive grant opportunity from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (U.S. Department of the Interior). It supports on-the-ground wetlands conservation projects in the United States under the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA).
What is the main purpose of the program?
The program is designed to fund public-private partnerships that deliver long-term protection, restoration, enhancement, and/or establishment of wetlands and associated upland habitats in ways that benefit migratory birds. It prioritizes durable habitat outcomes rather than short-term studies or planning-only efforts.
What types of projects are a good fit for this opportunity?
Projects should be centered on tangible habitat conservation actions. Examples described in the opportunity include long-term protection actions (such as acquisition or conservation easements where allowed by program rules), restoration of degraded wetlands, enhancement of existing wetlands to improve habitat value, and establishment of new wetland habitat where appropriate.
Does the program fund work on uplands, or only wetlands?
The program can support work on "associated upland habitats" when those upland areas are adjacent or connected and important to wetland function and migratory bird use. However, the project still needs to be clearly tied to wetland-related habitat outcomes.
Is this a research grant?
No. Research funding is ineligible under this opportunity. Proposals centered on scientific studies, monitoring-only efforts, or research deliverables (even if wetlands-related) are not considered a fit if they are not direct habitat conservation actions.
What does "competitive" mean in this context?
This opportunity is set up as a competitive program, meaning proposals are evaluated against one another and funding is not guaranteed. The program is designed to support projects that produce durable, long-term habitat outcomes and demonstrate strong partnerships and leveraged investment.
What is the matching requirement?
The program requires a 1:1 non-federal match. For every federal dollar requested, the applicant must provide at least an equal amount of eligible non-federal funds or in-kind contributions.
Why does the program require a 1:1 non-federal match?
The match requirement reinforces the program's partnership model and ensures that federal funds leverage substantial non-federal investment to deliver habitat conservation results.
How much funding can a single award receive?
The posted award ceiling is $3,000,000 per award, indicating that projects can be large and involve multiple partners.
Is there an award floor (minimum request amount)?
An award floor is not provided in the information shared. Only the award ceiling of $3,000,000 per award is specified.
Who is the funding agency?
The funding agency is the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, within the U.S. Department of the Interior.
What kind of funding instrument is used?
The opportunity uses a grant instrument type.
What is the Assistance Listing (CFDA) number for this program?
The Assistance Listing (CFDA) number provided is 15.623.
What funding category does this opportunity fall under?
The funding activity category listed is Natural Resources.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is described as "unrestricted," which generally indicates a broad range of entities may apply. The opportunity also emphasizes that successful applications typically reflect strong collaboration among partners such as agencies, non-profits, land trusts, local governments, Tribal partners, and other stakeholders involved in habitat delivery and long-term stewardship.
Does the program require partnerships?
The program is built around partnerships and is intended to support public-private partnerships. The match requirement and emphasis on leveraging non-federal investment align with this partnership-driven approach.
What kinds of outcomes does the program prioritize?
The program prioritizes durable, long-term habitat outcomes for migratory birds through wetlands and associated upland conservation. It is positioned to support long-term protection, restoration, enhancement, and establishment actions rather than short-term or purely preparatory activities.
What is the deadline for this opportunity?
The closing date shown in the provided information is 2023-02-24. Since this date is in the past relative to the "NAWCA 2024-1" naming, applicants are encouraged (based on the information provided) to confirm the current cycle status and deadlines for any active or upcoming round.
When was this opportunity record created?
The opportunity record creation date shown in the provided information is 2022-12-15.
How many awards will be made?
The notice indicates there is a field for expected awards, but no number is provided in the information shared.
Does the program support outdoor recreation and access?
The program is framed as supporting the Department of the Interior and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service mission by conserving land and water through collaboration and contributing to expanded outdoor recreation and access where projects align with those outcomes.
Where can applicants find official program information?
Official program information is available through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service NAWCA U.S. Standard Grants page: https://fws.gov/service/north-american-wetlands-conservation-act-nawca-grants-us-standard.
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