Opportunity Information: Apply for F23AS00002
The NAWCA 2023-1 U.S. Standard Grants opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number F23AS00002) is a discretionary federal grant program administered by the U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, under CFDA 15.623. It is designed to fund conservation work in the United States that advances the goals of the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA). At its core, the program is built around public-private partnerships, meaning proposals are expected to reflect meaningful collaboration among governmental entities, nonprofits, tribes, local partners, and other stakeholders working together toward shared habitat outcomes.
The program focuses strictly on on-the-ground habitat conservation benefiting migratory birds. Funded projects must be limited to long-term protection, restoration, enhancement, and/or establishment of wetlands and associated upland habitats. In practical terms, this includes actions like securing permanent or long-duration habitat protection (for example, through acquisition or conservation easements where applicable), restoring degraded wetland systems, improving existing habitat conditions, or creating new wetland or supportive upland habitat where it will provide measurable benefits to migratory bird populations. A key point is that the work must be durable and conservation-oriented; proposals should be clearly structured around lasting habitat outcomes rather than short-term activities.
A defining feature of the U.S. Standard Grants Program is its cost-share requirement. Applicants must provide a 1:1 non-federal match, meaning every federal dollar requested must be matched by an equal amount from non-federal sources. The match requirement reinforces the partnership model and ensures that funded projects leverage federal support to generate at least an equivalent investment from states, local governments, private organizations, philanthropic partners, or other eligible non-federal contributors. Match can often include cash and, depending on program rules, certain types of in-kind contributions, but it must be non-federal in origin.
The opportunity also draws a clear line on what it will not fund: research funding is not eligible. That means proposals centered primarily on studies, monitoring as a standalone research effort, or academic research objectives generally do not fit this program. Any monitoring or assessment components, if included, typically need to be directly tied to implementing and verifying habitat conservation actions rather than constituting research as the main purpose of the budget.
In terms of scale, the posted federal award ceiling is $2,000,000 per award. The opportunity is competitive, so applications are reviewed against program priorities and criteria, and not all submissions are funded. The listing indicates an original closing date of 2022-02-25 and a creation date of 2021-12-03, which signals that applicants should confirm current timelines and submission requirements if looking for an active or recurring cycle under the NAWCA Standard Grants framework.
Finally, the opportunity is framed as supporting the broader mission of the Department of the Interior and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: protecting and managing the nation’s natural resources through collaboration, conserving land and water, and helping expand outdoor recreation and access. While the primary statutory emphasis is migratory bird habitat through wetlands and associated uplands, strong projects often also demonstrate wider conservation value and public benefits that align with those agency goals, as long as the proposal remains centered on eligible, long-term habitat conservation actions.Apply for F23AS00002
- The Fish and Wildlife Service in the environment sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NAWCA 2023-1 US Standard 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 2021-12-03.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2022-02-25. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $2,000,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted.
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NAWCA 2023-1 U.S. Standard Grants (F23AS00002) - FAQs
What is the NAWCA 2023-1 U.S. Standard Grants opportunity (F23AS00002)?
NAWCA 2023-1 U.S. Standard Grants (Funding Opportunity Number F23AS00002) is a discretionary federal grant program administered by the U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, under CFDA 15.623. It supports conservation work in the United States that advances the goals of the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA).
What is the main purpose of this grant program?
The program funds on-the-ground habitat conservation in the United States that benefits migratory birds. Projects must focus on long-term protection, restoration, enhancement, and/or establishment of wetlands and associated upland habitats.
Who administers the program?
The program is administered by the U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is associated with CFDA 15.623.
What kinds of projects are eligible for funding?
Eligible projects are limited to durable, on-the-ground habitat conservation actions that benefit migratory birds, including:
- Long-term protection of wetlands and associated upland habitats (for example, acquisition or conservation easements where applicable)
- Restoration of degraded wetland systems
- Enhancement or improvement of existing habitat conditions
- Establishment (creation) of new wetlands or supportive upland habitat when it provides measurable benefits to migratory bird populations
What does "on-the-ground habitat conservation" mean in this program?
It means the funding is intended for tangible conservation actions implemented in the field, with a clear emphasis on lasting habitat outcomes rather than short-term activities.
What habitats does the program focus on?
The program focuses on wetlands and associated upland habitats, specifically where conservation actions will benefit migratory birds.
Are projects required to be long-term or permanent?
Yes. The opportunity emphasizes long-term, durable conservation outcomes. Projects should be structured around lasting protection, restoration, enhancement, and/or establishment of habitat rather than temporary or short-duration efforts.
Is the program built around partnerships?
Yes. A defining aspect of the program is public-private partnership. Proposals are expected to reflect meaningful collaboration among partners such as governmental entities, nonprofits, tribes, local partners, and other stakeholders working toward shared habitat outcomes.
What is the cost-share (match) requirement?
The program requires a 1:1 non-federal match. For every federal dollar requested, the applicant must provide an equal amount from non-federal sources.
What does a 1:1 non-federal match mean in practical terms?
If you request $X in federal funds, you must document at least $X in eligible non-federal match, resulting in a minimum total project contribution of $2X when combining federal and non-federal funds.
What types of funding sources can be used for the match?
The match must come from non-federal sources, which may include contributions from states, local governments, private organizations, philanthropic partners, or other eligible non-federal contributors. The information provided also notes that match can often include cash and, depending on program rules, certain types of in-kind contributions, but it must be non-federal in origin.
Is research eligible for funding under this opportunity?
No. Research funding is not eligible. Proposals centered primarily on studies, standalone monitoring as a research effort, or academic research objectives generally do not fit this program.
Can a project include monitoring or assessment activities?
Monitoring or assessment may be included if it is directly tied to implementing and verifying habitat conservation actions. It should not be framed as the main purpose of the project or budget.
What is the maximum federal award amount?
The posted federal award ceiling is $2,000,000 per award.
Is this opportunity competitive?
Yes. The opportunity is competitive, and applications are reviewed against program priorities and criteria. Not all submissions are funded.
What are the important dates listed for this opportunity?
The listing indicates a creation date of 2021-12-03 and an original closing date of 2022-02-25. Because those dates suggest the cycle may have passed, applicants should confirm current timelines and submission requirements if seeking an active or recurring NAWCA Standard Grants cycle.
How does this opportunity align with broader agency goals?
It supports the Department of the Interior and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service mission of protecting and managing natural resources through collaboration, conserving land and water, and helping expand outdoor recreation and access. Projects can demonstrate wider conservation value and public benefits as long as they remain centered on eligible, long-term habitat conservation actions benefiting migratory birds.
Can projects include broader public benefits beyond migratory birds?
Yes, projects often show broader conservation value and public benefits that align with agency goals, but the primary emphasis must remain on eligible, long-term wetlands and associated upland habitat conservation that benefits migratory birds.
What is the core focus that applicants should not lose sight of?
The core focus is long-term, on-the-ground wetland and associated upland habitat conservation that benefits migratory birds, implemented through meaningful public-private partnerships and supported by a 1:1 non-federal match.
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