NAWCA FY21 U.S. Small Grants | F21AS00157

Opportunity Information: Apply for F21AS00157

The NAWCA FY21 U.S. Small Grants opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number F21AS00157) is a discretionary grant program run by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) under CFDA 15.623. It is designed to fund conservation projects in the United States that advance the goals of the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA). The program is competitive and is built around public-private partnerships, meaning applicants are expected to collaborate with partners and bring non-federal resources to the table rather than relying solely on federal dollars. The overall focus is practical, on-the-ground habitat conservation that supports migratory birds.

Projects funded under this program must be limited to long-term protection, restoration, enhancement, and/or establishment of wetlands and associated upland habitats. In other words, proposals should be centered on actions that permanently or durably conserve habitat, such as acquiring or protecting land through easements or other long-term mechanisms, restoring degraded wetland systems, improving wetland function, or creating new wetland habitat where appropriate. The emphasis on “associated upland habitats” reflects the reality that migratory birds depend not only on wetlands themselves but also on surrounding uplands for nesting, foraging, and shelter, so projects can include upland components as long as they are tied to wetland-dependent bird conservation outcomes.

A key requirement is the 1:1 non-federal match. For every federal dollar requested, the applicant must provide an equal amount of matching contributions from non-federal sources. This match requirement shapes how projects are structured and budgeted, and it reinforces the partnership model by requiring applicants to secure support from states, local governments, tribes, nonprofits, private landowners, foundations, or other non-federal contributors. Another important limitation is that research funding is not eligible, so proposals should not be framed as scientific studies or data collection efforts. The program is intended to fund implementation and conservation actions rather than research activities.

The opportunity is also framed as supporting the broader Department of the Interior (DOI) and FWS mission of conserving lands and waters and working with partners and stakeholders. While the primary statutory purpose is wetlands conservation for migratory birds, the agency also highlights collaboration and conservation outcomes that can align with expanded outdoor recreation and access where those benefits are consistent with habitat protection goals.

Applicants must include an Overlap/Duplication Statement. This is a required disclosure explaining whether the proposed project overlaps with any other active or anticipated projects in terms of activities, costs, or the time commitments of key personnel. If overlap exists, the application must clearly describe what overlaps and how it will be managed. Applicants must also state whether the proposal is or is not duplicative of any proposal submitted (or planned to be submitted) to any other funding source, federal or non-federal. If there is any potential duplication, the applicant must provide specifics such as when the other proposal was submitted, to whom (including the entity and program name), and when funding decisions are expected. If the applicant later receives funding from another source that would duplicate the funds requested from FWS, they are required to notify the FWS point of contact immediately. The agency notes that this statement can be brief, but it must directly address overlap and duplication.

From an administrative standpoint, the grant has an award ceiling of $100,000 per award, and the original closing date for applications was October 15, 2020 (with the opportunity created on August 18, 2020). Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, indicating a broad range of applicant types may apply, subject to the program rules and the ability to meet the matching requirement and carry out eligible conservation activities.

• The Fish and Wildlife Service in the environment sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NAWCA FY21 U.S. Small 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 2020-08-18.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2020-10-15. (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 $100,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted.

Apply for F21AS00157

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal: