Opportunity Information: Apply for F26AS00018
F26AS00018, NAWCA 2026 Canada Grants, is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) focused on wetland conservation projects in Canada that benefit migratory birds and other wetland-associated wildlife across North America. The program is designed to build and strengthen partnerships among public agencies, nonprofits, tribes, academic institutions, and other interested groups to protect, restore, enhance, and manage wetlands and associated habitats in ways that have durable, long-term conservation outcomes. A core emphasis is maintaining and improving the distribution and variety of wetland ecosystems and sustaining healthy populations of waterfowl (ducks, geese, and swans) as well as other migratory birds tied to wetlands.
Projects are expected to align with major continental and international bird conservation frameworks, including the North American Waterfowl Management Plan, the U.S. Shorebird Conservation Plan, the Waterbird Conservation Plan for the Americas, and the Partners in Flight Bird Conservation Plan, along with broader treaty and migratory bird convention obligations involving Canada, Mexico, and other countries. In practice, that means proposals should show clear biological and habitat benefits, demonstrate how the work fits into larger conservation strategies, and explain how partners will continue to steward the outcomes after the grant period ends.
NAWCA defines eligible wetland conservation projects in two main categories. The first is acquisition, meaning the purchase or securing of real property interests in lands or waters (including water rights) within wetland ecosystems and associated habitats, with enforceable terms and conditions that ensure the property will be managed for the long-term conservation of those habitats and the migratory birds, fish, and wildlife that depend on them. The second category includes restoration, management, or enhancement of wetland ecosystems and associated habitats, but only where the activities occur on lands and waters that will be administered for long-term conservation. The long-term protection requirement is central: applicants need to show that benefits will persist beyond short-term improvements.
A significant requirement is cost sharing. The program requires at least a 1:1 non-federal match (a minimum of one dollar in eligible non-federal contributions for every federal dollar requested). In addition, at least 50 percent of the match must come from U.S. sources, which is a distinctive feature of the Canada grants and means applicants must plan their partnership and fundraising strategy accordingly. Proposals should clearly document match sources and describe how partner roles, contributions, and governance will support a sustainable conservation program rather than a one-time project.
Administration and review are handled through the USFWS Migratory Bird Program, with proposals reviewed and assessed with input from the North American Wetlands Conservation Council, which includes 13 partner organizations. Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) and the Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS) support the program, reflecting the cross-border nature of NAWCA and the emphasis on coordinated conservation outcomes. Applicants are directed to consult the Canada-specific instructions, eligibility requirements, grant administration standards, and scoring criteria (Appendix A) that accompany the notice, all of which are also available through the USFWS NAWCA Canada grants webpage.
The opportunity is listed under CFDA 15.623 and anticipates about 15 awards. The posted award ceiling is shown as 0, which typically indicates that a fixed maximum is not specified in the summary and applicants should rely on the full guidance documents and program norms to shape request size. Eligible applicants are broad and include state, county, and local governments; special districts; independent school districts; public and private institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status; individuals; and small businesses. The original closing date for submissions is June 11, 2026. For application details, scoring, and Canada-specific requirements, applicants are expected to use the official guidance and attachments associated with this notice at https://www.fws.gov/service/north-american-wetlands-conservation-act-nawca-canada-grants.Apply for F26AS00018
- The Fish and Wildlife Service in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "F26AS00018 - NAWCA 2026 Canada 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 2026-04-09.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-06-11. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 15 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, Individuals, Small businesses.
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FAQs: F26AS00018 - NAWCA 2026 Canada Grants (USFWS)
What is the NAWCA 2026 Canada Grants opportunity (F26AS00018)?
F26AS00018, NAWCA 2026 Canada Grants, is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to support wetland conservation projects in Canada that benefit migratory birds and other wetland-associated wildlife across North America.
Who is offering and administering this grant?
The opportunity is offered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). Administration and review are handled through the USFWS Migratory Bird Program, with proposal review and assessment supported by input from the North American Wetlands Conservation Council (which includes 13 partner organizations).
What is the main purpose of this program?
The program is designed to build and strengthen partnerships among public agencies, nonprofits, tribes, academic institutions, and other interested groups to protect, restore, enhance, and manage wetlands and associated habitats in ways that produce durable, long-term conservation outcomes.
Where must projects take place?
The opportunity focuses on wetland conservation projects in Canada, with the intent that these projects benefit migratory birds and other wetland-associated wildlife across North America.
What kinds of conservation outcomes does the program prioritize?
A core emphasis is maintaining and improving the distribution and variety of wetland ecosystems and sustaining healthy populations of waterfowl (ducks, geese, and swans) as well as other migratory birds tied to wetlands.
What conservation frameworks should proposals align with?
Projects are expected to align with major continental and international bird conservation frameworks, including the North American Waterfowl Management Plan, the U.S. Shorebird Conservation Plan, the Waterbird Conservation Plan for the Americas, and the Partners in Flight Bird Conservation Plan, along with broader treaty and migratory bird convention obligations involving Canada, Mexico, and other countries.
What does alignment with those frameworks mean in practice?
Proposals should show clear biological and habitat benefits, explain how the work fits into larger conservation strategies, and describe how partners will continue to steward the outcomes after the grant period ends.
What types of projects are eligible under NAWCA Canada grants?
NAWCA defines eligible wetland conservation projects in two main categories: (1) acquisition of real property interests (including water rights) and (2) restoration, management, or enhancement of wetland ecosystems and associated habitats, with the key condition that long-term conservation administration is in place.
What does "acquisition" mean for this program?
Acquisition refers to purchasing or securing real property interests in lands or waters (including water rights) within wetland ecosystems and associated habitats, with enforceable terms and conditions that ensure the property will be managed for long-term conservation of those habitats and the migratory birds, fish, and wildlife that depend on them.
What does "restoration, management, or enhancement" cover?
It covers activities to restore, manage, or enhance wetland ecosystems and associated habitats, but only where those activities occur on lands and waters that will be administered for long-term conservation.
How important is long-term protection in this program?
Long-term protection is central. Applicants are expected to show that conservation benefits will persist beyond short-term improvements, including how project sites will be administered for long-term conservation and how partners will steward outcomes after the grant period ends.
Is cost sharing required?
Yes. The program requires at least a 1:1 non-federal match, meaning a minimum of one dollar in eligible non-federal contributions for every federal dollar requested.
Are there special match requirements specific to the Canada grants?
Yes. At least 50 percent of the match must come from U.S. sources. This is a distinctive feature of the NAWCA Canada grants and affects how applicants plan partnerships and fundraising.
What should applicants include about match sources and partnerships in the proposal?
Proposals should clearly document match sources and describe partner roles, contributions, and governance, emphasizing a sustainable conservation program rather than a one-time project.
How many awards are anticipated?
The opportunity anticipates about 15 awards.
Is there a maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The posted award ceiling is shown as 0, which typically indicates that a fixed maximum is not specified in the summary. Applicants are expected to rely on the full guidance documents and program norms when shaping the request size.
What is the CFDA number for this program?
The opportunity is listed under CFDA 15.623.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants are broad and include state, county, and local governments; special districts; independent school districts; public and private institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status; individuals; and small businesses.
Do applicants need to be a nonprofit with 501(c)(3) status to apply?
No. The eligibility list includes nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status.
Are tribal governments and tribal organizations eligible?
Yes. Federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations are included as eligible applicants.
Which organizations support the program on the Canadian side?
Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) and the Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS) support the program, reflecting its cross-border conservation focus.
Who contributes to proposal review besides USFWS?
Proposals are reviewed and assessed with input from the North American Wetlands Conservation Council, which includes 13 partner organizations.
What is the application deadline?
The original closing date for submissions is June 11, 2026.
Where can applicants find Canada-specific instructions and scoring criteria?
Applicants are directed to consult the Canada-specific instructions, eligibility requirements, grant administration standards, and scoring criteria (Appendix A) that accompany the notice. These materials are also available through the USFWS NAWCA Canada grants webpage.
What is the official webpage for this opportunity and its attachments?
The official USFWS page referenced for application details and Canada-specific requirements is: https://www.fws.gov/service/north-american-wetlands-conservation-act-nawca-canada-grants
What should a strong proposal demonstrate based on the notice?
Based on the description provided, a strong proposal should demonstrate clear biological and habitat benefits, show alignment with major bird conservation plans, document required match (including the U.S.-source match requirement), and explain long-term stewardship and governance so benefits persist beyond the grant period.
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