Provider
US Fish and Wildlife Service
Application Deadline
September 30, 2026
Summary
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.
Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, city or township governments, special district governments, independent school districts, public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized or otherwise), public housing authorities, nonprofits (with or without 501(c)(3) status), private institutions of higher education, individuals, for profit organizations other than small businesses, small businesses.
Common Eligible Projects
The Coastal Program focuses on projects that provide measurable and lasting benefits to coastal habitats and communities. Eligible projects typically improve ecological function, enhance habitat resilience, and support species of conservation concern while fostering strong, voluntary partnerships at the local level.
The Coastal Program reserves the right to reject projects that do not align with the regional strategic implementation plans or program priorities. We do not support projects that generate compensatory mitigation credits under a Federal or state regulatory program or accept mitigation or in-lieu funds as non-Federal cost share for a project. The Coastal Program does not fund land acquisition, although it can support title searches and real estate appraisals. US Fish and Wildlife require that all interested applicants contact their local Coastal Program office before submitting an application.
