# Restoring Tribal Priority Fish Passage through Barrier Removal Notice of Funding Opportunity under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Round 3

Source: https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/noaa-nmfs-hcpo-2025-29044-restoring-tribal-priority-fish-passage-through-barrier/  
Official notice: https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/356900

> DOC NOAA - ERA Production offered grants of up to $6.0 million (at least $300,000) to tribes. It expected to make about 12 awards worth $20.0 million in total. Applications closed on February 27, 2025.

| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Opportunity number | NOAA-NMFS-HCPO-2025-29044 |
| Agency | DOC NOAA - ERA Production |
| Status | Forecast |
| Deadline | February 27, 2025 |
| Award ceiling | $6.0 million |
| Award floor | $300,000 |
| Expected awards | 12 |
| Total funding | $20.0 million |
| Cost sharing | not required |
| Assistance Listings | 11.463 |

## Who can apply

- Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
- Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)

Eligible applicants are Indian tribes (as defined in 25 U.S.C. Section 5304 (e)) and organizations that represent Indian tribes through formal legal agreements (e.g., tribal commissions, tribal consortia, tribal conservation districts, and tribal cooperatives). 23.U.S.C. Section 5304 (e) states that ‘(e)“Indian tribe” or “Indian Tribe” means any Indian tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or community, including any Alaska Native village or regional or village corporation as defined in or established pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (85 Stat. 688) [43 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.], which is recognized as eligible for the special programs and services provided by the United States to Indians because of their status as Indians.’ Organizations that represent Indian tribes through formal legal agreements are encouraged to provide a clear description and supporting documentation (e.g., letters of support, Memoranda of Understandings) in the application, demonstrating a relationship between the tribe(s) and organization. The documentation is further described in this Announcement in Section IV.B., Content and Form of Application. Documentation should be submitted as part of the grant application. An institution of higher education, non-profit organization, commercial (for profit) organization, U.S. territory, or state or local government, and organizations that identify as Indian tribes but do not meet the definition of “Indian tribe” above, which may include state recognized tribes, can partner with Indian tribes and organizations that represent Indian tribes through formal legal agreements, but are not eligible to submit an application directly. A partnership may involve proposed subawards, contracts, informal collaboration, or other engagement. These partners may apply directly for separate NOAA funding opportunities for restoring fish passage published at www.grants.gov. Applications from federal agencies or employees of federal agencies will not be considered. Federal agencies interested in this program are strongly encouraged to work with applicants who are eligible to apply. Applicants must propose work in areas that benefit United States migratory fish as defined in the Program Objective (Section I.A). Eligible applicants for Great Lakes projects must propose work within the Great Lakes basin within one of the eight U.S. Great Lakes states (New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Minnesota).

## What the grant funds

The principal objective of the Restoring Tribal Priority Fish Passage through Barrier Removal Funding Opportunity is to provide federal financial and technical assistance to Indian tribes and organizations that represent Indian tribes through formal legal agreements to remove barriers to fish passage for native migratory or sea-run fish. Funding will be used for fish passage that rebuilds productive and sustainable fisheries, contributes to the recovery and conservation of threatened and endangered species, enhances watershed health, promotes resilient ecosystems and communities, and increases tribal capacity to participate in fish passage barrier removal efforts while improving tribal commercial, recreational, subsistence and cultural practice opportunities. This funding opportunity announcement is authorized under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) Public Law 117-58). Applicants should address the following program priorities: 1. Achieving measurable and lasting benefits for migratory fish populations; 2. Enhancing community resilience to extreme weather and climate hazards and providing other cobenefits; 3. Fostering tribally important barrier removal efforts that benefit migratory fish; or 4. Increasing tribal organization fish passage capacity to support tribes in their role as managers and stewards of tribal trust resources for cultural, spiritual, economic, subsistence, and recreational purposes. Proposals submitted under this funding opportunity should describe how the proposed work will: 1. Contribute to the recovery of threatened and endangered species listed under the Endangered Species Act; 2. Sustain or help rebuild fish stocks and their prey managed under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act; 3. Improve passage to support native fish species of the Great Lakes; 4. Enhance the sustainability of saltwater recreational fisheries; 5. Enhance community resilience to climate hazards by removing or improving aging infrastructure and support other co-benefits; or 6. Support hydroelectric license surrender to remove dams that are no longer economically viable or provide significant public benefits. Proposed activities may include future project development and feasibility studies, engineering and design, permitting, on-the-ground fish passage restoration, pre- and post-removal implementation monitoring, community engagement, and outreach and education.

## Questions people ask

### Is NOAA-NMFS-HCPO-2025-29044 still open?

No. It closed on February 27, 2025. A newer notice is open: NOAA-NMFS-HCPO-2026-33781, closes November 18, 2026 (11 days left).

### Who can apply for Restoring Tribal Priority Fish Passage through Barrier Removal Notice of Funding Opportunity under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Round 3?

DOC NOAA - ERA Production accepted applications from tribes. The notice adds further conditions, so read its eligibility section.

### What is the deadline for Restoring Tribal Priority Fish Passage through Barrier Removal Notice of Funding Opportunity under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Round 3?

Closed February 27, 2025. Applications are no longer accepted; the program's newer notices are on this page when there are any.

### How much funding is available?

Awards of up to $6.0 million each. About $20.0 million in total across about 12 awards.

### Who has won Habitat Conservation grants before?

The largest recipients over five fiscal years were The Nature Conservancy, Coastal Protection & Restoration Authority of Louisiana, Trout Unlimited, Inc. The program made 299 awards worth $1.3 billion in that time.