National Culvert Removal, Replacement, and Restoration (Culvert Aquatic Organism Passage)
🏛 DOT Federal Highway Administration
Can you apply?
This grant is for culvert removal, replacement, and repair projects that restore fish passage for anadromous fish species like salmon.
States, units of local government, and Indian Tribes can apply. Eligible projects must meaningfully improve or restore anadromous fish passage through culvert or weir work.
Projects may include culvert replacement, removal, or repair. Weir projects can add fish passage infrastructure or improve existing weir conditions.
Cost sharing is required to participate in this competitive grant program.
⚖️ Cost sharing / matching required — applicants must contribute their own funds.
This grant is for culvert removal, replacement, and repair projects that restore fish passage for anadromous fish species like salmon.
States, units of local government, and Indian Tribes can apply. Eligible projects must meaningfully improve or restore anadromous fish passage through culvert or weir work.
Projects may include culvert replacement, removal, or repair. Weir projects can add fish passage infrastructure or improve existing weir conditions.
Cost sharing is required to participate in this competitive grant program.
Program description
The purpose of the Culvert AOP Competitive Grant Program is to provide funding to eligible entities for the replacement, removal, and repair of culverts or weirs that meaningfully improve or restore fish passage for anadromous fish. Anadromous fish are born in freshwater and spend most of their lives in saltwater, returning to freshwater to spawn. Salmon are a well-known example of anadromous fish.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
Details
This grant is for culvert removal, replacement, and repair projects that restore fish passage for anadromous fish species like salmon.
States, units of local government, and Indian Tribes can apply. Eligible projects must meaningfully improve or restore anadromous fish passage through culvert or weir work.
Projects may include culvert replacement, removal, or repair. Weir projects can add fish passage infrastructure or improve existing weir conditions.
Cost sharing is required to participate in this competitive grant program.
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- Project narrative and description
- Cost-sharing documentation
- Budget narrative and detailed budget
- Fish passage assessment or engineering study
- Environmental compliance documentation
Program contact
- 👤 DOT Federal Highway Administration
- 📧 support@grants.gov
- 📞 202-366-4004
Funding track record
No recent recipient data available for CFDA 20.276 in our database.
This can happen for newer programs, programs that use non-standard award types (loans, direct payments, fellowships), or those funded through sub-agencies under different codes.
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
States, units of local government, and Indian Tribes are eligible applicants. Projects must address culvert or weir fish passage restoration.
What types of projects qualify?
Replacement, removal, or repair of culverts or weirs that meaningfully improve anadromous fish passage. Weir projects may include fish passage infrastructure.
When is the deadline?
The deadline is July 16, 2026. This is a fixed deadline, not rolling acceptance.
Is cost sharing required?
Yes, applicants must provide cost sharing to be competitive. The specific match percentage should be verified in the full announcement.
What is the funding range?
Award amounts vary competitively. The funding pool spans up to $800 million, but individual award amounts depend on project scope and competitive ranking.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Emphasize how your project meaningfully restores anadromous fish passage. Use site assessments and habitat data to demonstrate impact.
- Include strong cost sharing commitments from state or local partners. Federal funds rarely cover 100% of project costs.
- Connect your culvert work to broader fisheries restoration goals and endangered species recovery where applicable.
- Provide realistic project timelines and budget details. Engineering assessments strengthen competitiveness.
- Demonstrate long-term monitoring and adaptive management plans for the restored fish passage after construction.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Failing to clearly quantify the fish passage improvement or document baseline conditions. Underestimating cost sharing requirements or failing to secure matching funds before submission. Proposing only partial culvert solutions without addressing the full barrier to anadromous fish migration.
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