National Fish Passage (15.685)
National Fish Passage (Assistance Listing 15.685) is run by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, part of the Department of the Interior. It awarded $128 million in 175 grants from fiscal 2021 to 2025, about $731,027 per award on average. 1 funding opportunity is open or forecast now.
The typical award was $370,000. Half of the 175 awards fell between $150,000 and $987,500, and they ranged from $10,000 to $5.0 million.
- Awarded, FY 2021 to 2025$128 million
- Grant awards175
- Typical award$370,000
- Awarded in FY 2025$43.3 million
- Size rank735 of 1,823
- Type of assistanceGrant
Key findings
- It is the 735th largest of 1,823 federal grant programs by five-year awards.
- The 20 largest recipients received 58% of the money.
- Awards went to recipients in 33 states and territories.
What the program funds
To restore native fish and other aquatic species to self-sustaining levels by reconnecting habitat that barriers have fragmented, where such reconnection would not result in a net negative ecological effect such as providing increased habitat to aquatic nuisance species. Fish passage projects restore unimpeded flows and fish movement by removing barriers or providing ways for aquatic species to bypass them; such projects also provide public safety and economic benefits for human communities. The program works on a voluntary basis and provides financial support and technical assistance to Federal, State, local, and tribal agencies, as well as private partners and stakeholders.
Open opportunities
Rules from the program listing
Who can apply
Entities must be willing and able to implement program projects collaboratively with the Service.
What the money can and cannot pay for
Assistance may be used for approved projects restoring or preserving fish passage and aquatic habitat connectivity including construction, design/engineering, and support of fish passage projects. Assistance may only be used for approved projects restoring and preserving fish passage and aquatic habitat connectivity.;
Matching requirements
This program has no statutory formula. We seek to secure at least 50 percent of total project costs from our partners. This applies to the overall Regional program and does not need to be achieved on every project. Matches may be in-kind services or cash. Cost share may be a part of rating criteria. For FRIMA funded projects however, there is a 35 percent non-federal matching requirement. Cost share provided by the Bonneville Power Administration may be considered non-federal match for FRIMA funded projects.MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
Deadlines
Contact the headquarters or regional location, as appropriate for application deadlines Deadlines vary based on region and subprogram. Contact the headquarters or regional location, as appropriate, for application deadlines.
Award range and average, in the agency's words
$25,000-$400,000. Average: $100,000
Examples of funded projects
Fiscal Year2025: Program funded projects including culvert replacements, obsolete infrastructure removal, fish way construction, flood plain reconnection, and design/engineering for such projects.Fiscal Year2026: Program has not yet selected projects for funding. Program anticipates funding projects such as culvert replacements, obsolete infrastructure removal, fishway construction, floodplain reconnection, and design/engineering for such projects.
Funding history and past recipients
From fiscal 2021 to 2025, National Fish Passage (15.685) awarded $128 million across 175 grant awards, an average of $731,027 per award.
Who usually wins
Nonprofits received 48% of the money, state and local governments 38% and tribes 13%.
| Recipient type | Awards | Amount | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nonprofits | 83 | $60.8 million | 48% |
| State and local governments | 59 | $48.2 million | 38% |
| Tribal governments and organizations | 18 | $16.1 million | 13% |
| Small businesses | 12 | $2.2 million | 1.7% |
| Businesses | 1 | $303,200 | 0.2% |
| Colleges and universities | 2 | $297,108 | 0.2% |
By state
23 states have a page for this program: those that received at least $1 million or 10 awards.
| State | Awards | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia | 25 | $19.9 million |
| Alaska | 12 | $13.8 million |
| California | 10 | $12.0 million |
| Washington | 12 | $10.8 million |
| Oregon | 15 | $10.2 million |
| Michigan | 15 | $7.8 million |
| Minnesota | 3 | $7.4 million |
| Maine | 4 | $5.2 million |
| District of Columbia | 7 | $4.6 million |
| Indiana | 14 | $3.9 million |
| Massachusetts | 4 | $3.5 million |
| Ohio | 3 | $3.4 million |
| Idaho | 10 | $3.3 million |
| Alabama | 5 | $2.7 million |
| Missouri | 3 | $2.2 million |
| Arkansas | 1 | $2.0 million |
| New Mexico | 3 | $1.8 million |
| Arizona | 3 | $1.7 million |
| Illinois | 1 | $1.5 million |
| Texas | 2 | $1.5 million |
| Iowa | 3 | $1.5 million |
| Maryland | 1 | $1.2 million |
| Vermont | 1 | $1.2 million |
| Montana | 3 | $958,500 |
| South Carolina | 3 | $871,000 |
| Colorado | 1 | $702,000 |
| New York | 3 | $677,870 |
| West Virginia | 1 | $499,999 |
| Wyoming | 2 | $405,000 |
| South Dakota | 1 | $250,000 |
| North Dakota | 1 | $226,654 |
| Rhode Island | 2 | $185,000 |
| New Hampshire | 1 | $100,000 |