Coastal Program FY26
Can you apply?
This grant is for public agencies, tribes, conservation organizations, and landowners working to protect and restore fish and wildlife habitats in priority coastal ecosystems.
Applicants must contact their local Coastal Program office BEFORE submitting an application. Projects must align with the Service's missions and regional strategic plans. Sound biological science and best available data are required.
The program funds technical and financial assistance for habitat protection and restoration on public and private lands. It does not fund land acquisition, compensatory mitigation, or in-lieu fees. Cooperative agreements are typical.
This grant is for public agencies, tribes, conservation organizations, and landowners working to protect and restore fish and wildlife habitats in priority coastal ecosystems.
Applicants must contact their local Coastal Program office BEFORE submitting an application. Projects must align with the Service's missions and regional strategic plans. Sound biological science and best available data are required.
The program funds technical and financial assistance for habitat protection and restoration on public and private lands. It does not fund land acquisition, compensatory mitigation, or in-lieu fees. Cooperative agreements are typical.
Program description
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) Coastal Program provides technical and financial assistance to partners to support projects that protect and restore fish and wildlife habitats on public and private lands in priority coastal ecosystems. This support is provided through cooperative agreements with conservation partners and landowners, including state and Tribal agencies. Coastal Program staff work with partners, stakeholders, and other Service programs in important areas for conservation. They implement regional strategic plans that identify priority species and habitats for conservation in these focus areas.Applicants seeking technical or financial assistance from the Coastal Program are required to contact a local Program office BEFORE developing or submitting an application. You can find this information in the current strategic plan at this link or by contacting your local Coastal Program office at https://www.fws.gov/program/coastal/contact-us.Projects are developed collaboratively by partners and Service field staff. All Coastal Program projects must align with the missions of the U.S. Department of the Interior, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Coastal Program. They are also based on sound biological principles and the best available science.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
- 501(c)(3) Public Charity
- City / Municipal Government
- Conservation Organization
- County Government
- Individuals
- Nonprofits
- Private University
- Public Authority
- Public K-12 School
- Public University
- Small Business (SBA-defined)
- Special District
- State Government
- Tribal Nation
- Tribal Organization
Details
This grant is for public agencies, tribes, conservation organizations, and landowners working to protect and restore fish and wildlife habitats in priority coastal ecosystems.
Applicants must contact their local Coastal Program office BEFORE submitting an application. Projects must align with the Service's missions and regional strategic plans. Sound biological science and best available data are required.
The program funds technical and financial assistance for habitat protection and restoration on public and private lands. It does not fund land acquisition, compensatory mitigation, or in-lieu fees. Cooperative agreements are typical.
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- Pre-submission consultation with local Coastal Program office
- Project narrative describing habitat goals and conservation approach
- Budget and budget narrative
- Letters of support from partners or landowners
- Biological/scientific justification
- Alignment with regional strategic implementation plan
Program contact
- 👤 Fish and Wildlife Service
- 📧 chris_eng@fws.gov
- 📞 22041-3803
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 15.630 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$16,161,798
-
$6,300,000
-
$3,070,016
-
$2,120,000
-
$2,046,016
-
$1,493,143
-
$1,301,887
-
$1,240,125
-
$1,117,839
-
$997,493
Top States by Funding
- NJ 7 awards $24.0M
- MD 12 awards $8.5M
- DE 1 awards $6.3M
- TX 11 awards $4.1M
- AK 7 awards $2.4M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 15.630). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2022 | $6,000,000 | |
| 2023 | $6,000,000 | |
| 2024 | $6,000,000 | |
| 2025 est. | $6,000,000 | |
| 2026 est. | $6,000,000 |
FAQ
Who can apply for Coastal Program funding?
State and tribal agencies, conservation organizations, landowners, and public land managers can apply. You must contact your local Coastal Program office before submitting an application.
What types of projects does the program fund?
The program funds habitat protection, restoration, and conservation on public and private lands. Land acquisition is not funded, but related activities like title searches are allowed.
What is the application deadline?
The deadline is September 30, 2026. Contact your local office early to discuss project alignment with regional priorities.
What does the application process involve?
Projects are developed collaboratively with Service staff. Your local Coastal Program office will guide your project concept through strategic planning and into the formal application.
What is the typical funding range?
Awards range from $1 to $500,000 depending on project scope and regional priorities. No cost share is required.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Contact your local Coastal Program office before writing your proposal. This step is required and helps ensure alignment with regional priorities.
- Base your project on sound biological science and cite best available data. The Service evaluates projects against strategic implementation plans.
- Avoid proposing land acquisition or mitigation credit generation. Focus on habitat restoration, protection, and management activities.
- Demonstrate how your project aligns with the Service's broader conservation missions. Show support from landowners or partner agencies.
- Start early. Collaborative project development takes time. Meet with staff several months before the deadline.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications fail when they skip pre-submission contact with the local Coastal Program office. Projects that don't align with regional strategic plans are rejected. Proposals without adequate biological justification or partner support don't compete well.
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