The North American Wetlands Conservation Council has approved changes to the U.S. Standard Grant application cycles starting in Federal fiscal year 2026 (FY26). This change will better align with the timing of Federal fund availability – ideally reducing the time from application to award issuance. Due to this change, the "old match" rule will receive a one-time extension for FY26 applications, allowing matching contributions from up to 3 years prior to the application. Review the U.S. Grant Administration Standards for more information about match requirements. The next notice of funding opportunity will be posted in March/April 2025.
Application cycle due dates for FY26:
- Cycle 1 (2026-1): July 10, 2025
- Cycle 2 (2026-2): February 26, 2026
What We Do
Our Projects and Initiatives
The North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) is a landmark federal law that provides grants for projects that protect, restore, and enhance wetland habitats critical for migratory birds across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. NAWCA-funded projects align with the goals of the historic North American Waterfowl Management Plan (NAWMP), an international strategy dedicated to conserving wetlands and associated uplands for waterfowl and other migratory birds.
Since 1991, NAWCA has supported 3,300 projects for over 7,000 partners, conserving more than 32.6 million acres of vital habitat. These efforts have been made possible through $2.28 billion in grants and an additional $4.53 billion in partner contributions. NAWCA projects not only benefit birds but also help to improve water quality, reduce flooding risks, minimize coastal erosion, and create valuable opportunities for outdoor recreation, enhancing both ecosystems and communities. You can find more information about these grants in the grant project summary database.
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