Funding Opportunities

NOAA-NFHP Increasing Recreational Fisheries Engagement trough the Fish Habitat Partnerships (FY25)

The NOAA Fisheries Office of Habitat Conservation and Recreational Fisheries Initiative are seeking to identify and support projects within coastal Fish Habitat Partnerships (FHPs) that protect or restore habitat AND engage recreational fishing partners.

The goals of this funding opportunity are to enhance collaboration with recreational, subsistence, cultural, and non-commercial fishing communities, and to protect and restore habitat. Healthy habitat leads to more fishing opportunities and increased climate resilience, and there are numerous opportunities to advance habitat conservation by working together.

  • Call for Proposals located here
  • Available funding: The total funding available is approximately $150,000 and will be used to support several FHP projects (up to max ~$75,000 per project).
  • Eligible Applicants: Any coastal Fish Habitat Partnership (FHP) or their partner(s) is eligible to apply for this funding opportunity. Organizations that are not already partners in a coastal FHP are also welcome to apply, provided that they coordinate with the relevant FHP coordinator on their application.
  • Eligible Project Types: This funding opportunity will support projects that directly result in habitat restoration or protection (e.g., oyster reef, living shoreline, or woody debris installation, etc.) for recreationally important fish species or indirectly result in protection (e.g., habitat mapping for protection, research, etc.). Projects that are purely research focused (i.e., without a direct connection to restoration or protection) are not best suited for this funding opportunity.
  • Deadline: April 18, 2025

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Chesapeake Watershed Investments for Landscape Defense (WILD) Grants 2025

NFWF, in partnership with FWS, is soliciting proposals through the Chesapeake Bay Stewardship Fund (CBSF) to restore, conserve, and connect fish and wildlife habitat of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributary rivers and streams. 

  • Available Funding:
  • (1) WILD Implementation grants of $75,000 to $500,000 will be awarded for proposals that result in direct and measurable on-the-ground conservation, stewardship of fish and wildlife habitats and related conservation values. These should be completed within 3 years of award.
  • (2) WILD Collaborative Conservation grants of up to $200,000 will be awarded to support existing multi-party partnerships and/or networks of partners collaborating and coordinating to implement conservation actions that measurably contribute to WILD Program priorities. These should be completed within 2 years of award.
  • (3) WILD Planning and Technical Assistance grants up to $75,000 will be awarded for projects that help advance future on-the-ground actions to conserve, steward, and enhance fish and wildlife habitats and related conservation benefits in the Bay watershed through community-based assessment, planning, design, and other technical assistance-oriented activities. These grants should be completed within 18 months of award. 

Eligible Applicants: All projects must occur wholly within the Chesapeake Bay watershed. NFWF developed a CBSF Applicant Toolbox with resources to help applicants target proposed actions to understand and maximize outcomes and benefits for associated program priorities. Applicants are also encouraged to consult NFWF’s Chesapeake Bay Business Plan mapping portal and the Chesapeake WILD Project Mapper in informing potential geographic focus.

How to apply: All application materials must be submitted online through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Easygrants system.

Deadline: Tuesday, May 13, 12:00 pm (noon) ET

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Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative

The Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative (OAI) offers quarterly funding to support projects that promote safe and responsible off-highway vehicle (OHV) use, educate the public on land stewardship and wildlife conservation, and protect sustainable access to public lands.

Eligible applicants: nonprofit organizations or tax-exempt groups (e.g., clubs & associations), public riding areas (local, state and federal), land conservation organizations, and communities working to improve or maintain motorized recreation access.

This program has rolling application deadlines, so applicants can submit a proposal for consideration at any time.  

Submission Guidelines: Yamaha OAI Grant Submission Guidelines

Eligible Project Types:

  • Trail development, restoration and/or maintenance (i.e. purchasing materials,
    hiring contractors, renting equipment, purchasing tools and safety gear).
  • Trail signage (i.e., purchasing signs, equipment, installation tools, etc.).
  • Stage area renovation/facilities (i.e., renting equipment, purchasing materials,
    hiring contractors, etc.).
  • Protecting environmentally sensitive areas from illegal or inadvertent
    OHV use (fencing, bridges, hardscape, etc.).
  • Adopt-a-Trail (renting equipment, purchasing tools and safety gear,
    volunteer coordination, etc.).
  • Trail mapping/Map production (GPS equipment purchase, production and
    printing, etc.).
  • Safety and Education (educational materials, signage, safety gear, events, etc.).
  • Wildlife and habitat maintenance and management.
  • Land management projects that increase the diversity of use of land for
    recreational activities.
  • Establishing, increasing and/or maintaining access to land for outdoor recreation
    (including but not exclusively limited to motorized recreation).

Note: Outdoor Access Initiative grants will not be awarded for the purpose of
purchasing Yamaha vehicles and the program is not able to donate vehicles
outright.

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Note: Nearly all federal grant opportunities are being re-evaluated, with awards funded by the IRA and BIL under increased scrutiny. As a result, some NOFOs are being removed, updated, or replaced—please be aware that the opportunities listed below may have changed or become unavailable.

NOAA-NMFS Transformational Habitat Restoration and Coastal Resilience Grants (BIL)

NOAA is seeking proposals for transformational projects that will restore coastal habitat and strengthen community resilience under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL).

  • Available Funding: NOAA will accept proposals with a federal funding request of between $750,000 and $10 million for the entire award. Typical funding is anticipated to range from $4 million to $6 million.
  • Eligible Project Types: Funding will prioritize habitat restoration actions that: demonstrate significant impacts; rebuild productive and sustainable fisheries; contribute to the recovery and conservation of threatened and endangered species; promote climate-resilient ecosystems, especially in tribal, indigenous, and/or underserved communities; and improve economic vitality, including local employment.
  • View the full Funding Opportunity on grants.gov here.
  • Deadline: April 16, 2025

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FEMA Flood Mitigation Assistance Program (FY2024)

FEMA will make a total of $600 million available for the Flood Mitigation Assistance grant program for fiscal year (FY) 2024 to support more effective flood risk reduction strategies, improve resilience in flood-prone communities, and reduce the risk of repetitive flood damage to buildings insured by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

  • Available Funding (the application cycle has 3 funding priorities):
  • Capacity and Capability Building (C&CB): Up to $60 million is available to support activities that strengthen the knowledge, skills, and expertise of the current workforce to improve program administration and flood risk management.
  • Localized Flood Risk Reduction Projects: Up to $420 million is available for projects that address community flood risk for the purpose of reducing NFIP flood claim payments.
  • Individual Flood Mitigation Projects: At least $120 million is available for projects that mitigate the risk of repetitive and severe flooding to structures insured under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
  • Eligible Applicants: City or township governments, County governments, State governments, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized).
  • View the full Funding Opportunity on grants.gov here.
  • Deadline: April 18, 2025, 3 p.m. ET

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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.