Funding Opportunities

Fish America Foundation (American Sportfish Association)

Funding Available for Grassroots Fisheries Habitat Improvement Projects

  • The FishAmerica Foundation is soliciting projects from grassroots, nonprofit organizations conducting projects designed to improve sport fish populations, aquatic habitat, or water quality. Projects must be conducted in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, Florida, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Tennessee, New Hampshire, or Washington (state). Grants are limited to a maximum of $25,000 but smaller projects are encouraged to apply. Matching funds are desirable but not required.
    • Eligible Applicants: Non-profit, 501(c3) organizations, state, and local governments are invited to apply. Proposals submitted by government agencies must include and demonstrate the active participation of local, volunteer organizations.
    • Eligible Project Types: “Hands-on” projects designed to directly improve water quality or aquatic habitat for recreational species are eligible for funding.
      • Deadline: Sep. 18, 2024

DOT Federal Highway Administration

Replacement and Restoration Grant Program (Culvert Aquatic Organism Passage (Culvert AOP) Program)

  • The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Federal Highways Administration is soliciting applications for the National Culvert Removal, Replacement, and Restoration Grant Program. The program is referred to as the Culvert Aquatic Organism Passage (AOP) Program. The primary objective of the Culvert AOP Program is to meaningfully improve or restore anadromous fish passage through the replacement, removal, or repair of culverts or weirs, which may include infrastructure to facilitate fish passage around or over the weir and weir improvements.
    • Eligible Applicants: States, units of local government, and Indian Tribes. 
    • Eligible Project Types: Culverts and Weirs having a transportation nexus and posing barriers to anadromous fish. With respect to weirs, projects may include infrastructure to facilitate fish passage around or over the weir and weir improvements. A weir is a constructed barrier on a stream channel designed to provide hydraulic control without completely stopping flow or creating a large storage impoundment. A dam is not a weir for the purposes of this program. 
      • Deadline: Sep. 23, 2024

NOAA Marine Debris Program (2 opportunities)

  1. FY25 NOAA Marine Debris Removal under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Applicant Resources | Marine Debris Program
    • The NOAA Marine Debris Program will award up to $47 million through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to support the removal of large marine debris throughout the coastal United States, Great Lakes, territories, and Freely Associated States. These removal projects should focus on large marine debris, including abandoned and derelict vessels, derelict fishing gear, and other debris that is generally unable to be collected by hand.
      • Required Letter of Intent Deadline: Sep. 27, 2024, 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time
      • Full Proposal Deadline: Jan. 31, 2025*
  1. FY25 NOAA Marine Debris Interception Technologies under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Applicant Resources | Marine Debris Program
    • The NOAA Marine Debris Program will award up to $7 million through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to support the installation of proven marine debris interception technologies, throughout the coastal United States, Great Lakes, territories, and Freely Associated States. Projects will focus on the installation, monitoring, and maintenance of proven marine debris interception technologies that will capture marine debris at or close to known marine debris sources or pathways.
      • Required Letter of Intent Deadline: Oct. 9, 2024, 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time
      • Full Proposal Deadline: Feb. 7, 2025*

*Full proposals will only be accepted from applicants that received an invitation to submit a full proposal following review of the letters of intent

Other Opportunities

NOAA Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding (multiple opportunities); multiple deadlines

ACFHP – General

In order to respond promptly to funding opportunities from various sources, ACFHP is soliciting applications for habitat conservation projects in need of funding that align with ACFHP’s objectives and priority habitats. The Request for Proposals is not linked to a specific funding source. Instead, newly submitted projects reviewed and approved by ACFHP will be added to our project database and recommended as funding becomes available. To be considered, review the instructions and fill out the application (both linked below).

General ACFHP habitat conservation project application, General ACFHP habitat conservation application instructions; no deadline

Project Endorsement

Thinking of applying to a funding opportunity? Consider requesting a letter of endorsement from ACFHP! ACFHP is happy to endorse a wide variety of projects that promote the conservation of Atlantic coastal, estuarine, and diadromous fish habitats. This includes on-the-ground restoration and land protection, scientific research and assessment tools, and outreach to a variety of audiences. Applying for an endorsement is easy – just fill out our simple application, and a review team will decide whether or not the project aligns with ACFHP’s goals, mission, and vision. We can supply a letter of endorsement and our logo in as little as a week. To learn more, visit our endorsement page.