Wetland Mitigation Banking Program Fiscal Year (FY) 2026
🏛 Natural Resources Conservation Service
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 27, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for eligible entities developing wetland mitigation banks for agricultural producers. Applicants must serve agricultural producers in compliance with the Food Security Act's wetland conservation provisions. Projects in Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, and Wisconsin receive priority funding.
Banks must focus solely on agricultural wetlands and wetland compliance. Eligible entities typically include nonprofits, public agencies, and conservation organizations with wetland expertise. All applicants must demonstrate capacity to manage and operate a mitigation bank long-term.
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Program description
NRCS is announcing the availability of $3 million in WMBP grant funds for the development and establishment of mitigation banks and banking opportunities solely for agricultural producers with wetlands subject to the wetland conservation compliance provisions of the Food Security Act of 1985 (as amended). WMBP is a competitive grants program accepting proposals from eligible entities as identified in Section B.1. Priority will be given to banks in states with significant numbers of individual wetlands, wetland acres, and conservation compliance requests. Based on NRCS data, these states are Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.
A webinar for WMBP applicants is scheduled for July 30, 2026 at 3 pm Eastern Time. Information on how to participate in the Microsoft Teams webinar can be obtained through the following link:
https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/4685b4dd-a1ce-4ad6-81e3-d4318799cb11@ed5b36e7-01ee-4ebc-867e-e03cfa0d4697
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application form)
- Project Narrative
- Budget and Budget Narrative
- Letters of Support
- Resumes of Key Personnel
- Proof of Nonprofit or Government Status
- Wetland Site Assessment Documentation
Program contact
- 👤 Sundii R Johnson Grantor
- 📧 tessa.garcia@usda.gov
- 📞 202-720-5265
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 10.933 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$1,600,000
-
$1,000,000
-
$1,000,000
-
$998,830
-
$994,815
-
$981,488
-
$811,112
-
$799,964
-
$599,531
-
$580,599
Top States by Funding
- MI 2 awards $2.6M
- MN 2 awards $1.8M
- WI 2 awards $1.8M
- IL 2 awards $1.2M
- IA 1 awards $1.0M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 10.933). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2025 | $3,576,000 | |
| 2026 est. | $13,458,000 |
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply for WMBP grants?
Eligible entities developing mitigation banks for agricultural producers. Check NRCS guidance for complete list of entity types.
What geographic areas are prioritized?
Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, and Wisconsin receive priority. Other states may be eligible but lower priority.
What activities does this grant fund?
Development and establishment of mitigation banks. Projects must serve agricultural producers with wetland conservation compliance needs only.
How competitive are these grants?
Very competitive. Only $3 million available nationally. Banks in priority states and with strong agricultural focus have better odds.
What is the typical award range?
Awards range from $100,000 to $1,000,000. Actual funding depends on project scope and competition.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Contact your local NRCS office early to discuss project feasibility and bank design before applying. Early engagement improves competitiveness.
- Prioritize serving high-compliance-request areas within your state. Show data on agricultural producers needing mitigation options.
- Develop strong long-term sustainability and operational plans. Reviewers want confidence in bank durability beyond the grant period.
- Include letters of support from agricultural producers, conservation districts, and state agencies. Multiple partners strengthen applications.
- Budget conservatively for regulatory compliance, bank site assessment, and legal documentation. Underestimating these costs risks project failure.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Many applicants underestimate long-term bank management costs and don't explain sustainability beyond grant funding. Weak letters of support from agricultural stakeholders indicate insufficient community buy-in. Insufficient detail on regulatory compliance and site preparation increases rejection risk.
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