U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Coastal Program
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
$1–$500,000 per project
Cooperative agreements and grants for habitat conservation in priority U.S. coastal watersheds, open to small businesses and private landowners.
The Coastal Program delivers technical and financial assistance through cooperative agreements and grants for projects that protect and restore fish and wildlife habitats in priority coastal ecosystems from headwaters to nearshore. Small businesses that own or manage coastal lands or work as conservation partners are explicitly eligible. Projects can occur on public or private lands in priority coastal watersheds and must align with regional strategic implementation plans.
- Funding type
- Grant
- Level
- Federal
- Amount range
- $1 – $500,000
- Realistic amount
- Most coastal projects receive $10,000–$100,000. Large-scale restoration or complex watershed projects may approach the upper range when strong partner leverage is demonstrated.
- Deadline
- Rolling year-round; applications due September 30, 2026 for FY 2026 processing
- Status
- active
- States
- Nationwide
Who qualifies
- Private landowners, nonprofit organizations, state/local/tribal governments, educational institutions, and small businesses
- Small businesses and for-profit organizations are explicitly eligible
- Project must be in a priority coastal ecosystem or coastal watershed identified in a regional Coastal Program strategic plan
- Project must align with the mission of FWS and the Coastal Program and be based on sound biological principles
- Contact with local Coastal Program office is required before submitting an application
Who is not eligible
- Projects that generate compensatory mitigation credits under federal or state regulatory programs
- Land acquisition (title searches and appraisals may be supported)
- Projects outside priority coastal watersheds or not aligned with regional strategic plans
What it covers
Eligible expenses
- Coastal wetland, estuary, and nearshore habitat restoration
- Riparian and headwaters protection in coastal watersheds
- Invasive species control in coastal habitats
- Third-party land-acquisition support (title searches, appraisals, not purchase)
- Technical assistance and project design
- Monitoring and adaptive management
Ineligible expenses
- Direct land acquisition
- Projects generating compensatory mitigation credits
- Activities outside priority coastal ecosystems
- Costs incurred before award approval
How to apply
-
1
Contact your local Coastal Program office
Find the appropriate regional office and schedule an initial conversation. Staff will confirm geographic and strategic fit before you develop a proposal.
~2 hrs
-
2
Develop a collaborative habitat project
Design a project that protects or restores coastal wetlands, estuaries, nearshore habitats, or headwaters. Identify partners, leverage, and expected fish and wildlife benefits.
~8 hrs
-
3
Prepare and submit application
Complete the SF-424 and supporting materials through Grants.gov (or as directed by staff). Include maps, species/habitat justification, and letters of support.
~10 hrs
-
4
Implement with FWS oversight
After award, carry out the project according to the approved work plan. FWS provides technical assistance and monitors conservation outcomes.
~25 hrs
-
5
Report and close out
Submit required progress and financial reports. Maintain project sites per the agreement.
~6 hrs
Coastal Program offices each have a strategic plan that names the exact watersheds and species they will fund — download your region's plan before calling so you can pitch a project that already matches their priority list.
Deadline & timing
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. To be considered and processed for FY 2026 funding, applications should be submitted by May 30, 2026; later applications may be awarded in the following fiscal year. Regional deadlines vary and local Coastal Program office coordination is required before applying.
Required documents
- Completed SF-424 and project application
- Project map showing location within a priority coastal watershed
- Species and habitat justification tied to regional strategic priorities
- Letters of support from partners and landowners
- Budget and budget narrative
- Active SAM.gov UEI and registration
Related programs
Also open right now
Alternatives computed from the live GrantCompass catalog on August 24, 2026 — all 165 open grant programs · filter the database.
Explore more funding
Researched and verified 2026-08-24 against the official program source. GrantCompass is an independent funding-discovery tool and is not affiliated with any government agency. Always confirm details on the official program page.