National Fish Habitat Partnership (15.686)
National Fish Habitat Partnership (Assistance Listing 15.686) is run by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, part of the Department of the Interior. It awarded $13.0 million in 168 grants from fiscal 2021 to 2025, about $77,612 per award on average. No funding opportunity is open on Grants.gov right now.
The typical award was $60,000. Half of the 168 awards fell between $42,452 and $85,000, and they ranged from $11,088 to $464,000.
- Awarded, FY 2021 to 2025$13.0 million
- Grant awards168
- Typical award$60,000
- Awarded in FY 2025$4.5 million
- Size rank1430 of 1824
- Type of assistanceGrant
Key findings
- It is the 1430th largest of 1,824 federal grant programs by five-year awards.
- The 20 largest recipients received 62% of the money.
- Awards went to recipients in 29 states and territories.
What the program funds
To comprehensively address the causes of fish habitat decline by working together with partners to maximize the impact of limited funding for fish habitat conservation. Under NFHP, Federal, State, Tribal, and privately-raised funds are leveraged through 20 Fish Habitat Partnerships to address the fish habitat challenges. More information about the Fish Habitat Partnerships and their partners can be found online at www.fishhabitat.org. Each partnership supports distinct habitat or species based conservation priorities.
Open opportunities
No opportunity under this program is open or forecast on Grants.gov right now. Programs often post once a year, so the funding history below shows what to expect.
Rules from the program listing
Who can apply
Limited to entities associated with a Fish Habitat Partnership recognized by the National Fish Habitat Partnership Board.
What the money can and cannot pay for
Assistance may be used only for aquatic habitat conservation projects recommended by a recognized Fish Habitat Partnership, the National Fish Habitat Partnership Board and selected by the Secretary of the Interior. Assistance may be used for construction as described in a project proposal selected by the National Fish Habitat Partnership Board. Assistance may be used for real property acquisition provided the acquisition has been approved by the State agency in the State in which the project is occurring. Assistance may not provide funding for any real property interest acquisition that has not been approved by the State agency in the State in which the project is occurring.;
Matching requirements
This program has no statutory formula. A 1:1 Non-Federal match is required for this program. Additionally, applicants are encouraged but not required to provide voluntary committed cost share. Overall value and leverage potential for the Service’s funding may be a factor in project selection by the partnerships.MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
Deadlines
Oct 01, 2025 to Dec 31, 2026
Award range and average, in the agency's words
Range is $5,000-$150,000, Average $55,000.
Examples of funded projects
Fiscal Year2025: Provide support for coordination of partner organizations and their activities to leverage resources that promote and/or execute projects like aquatic vegetation planting, installation of structures in reservoirs, riparian and streambank restoration, and culvert replacement.Fiscal Year2026: Program has not yet selected projects for funding. Program anticipates funding coordination of partner organizations and their activities to leverage resources to more efficiently deliver projects that restore fish habitat in streams, lakes, estuaries, and reservoirs that improve fishing and increase public access.
Funding history and past recipients
From fiscal 2021 to 2025, National Fish Habitat Partnership (15.686) awarded$13.0 million across 168 grant awards, an average of $77,612 per award.
Who usually wins
Nonprofits received 59% of the money, state and local governments 28% and colleges and universities 6.6%.
| Recipient type | Awards | Amount | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nonprofits | 98 | $7.7 million | 59% |
| State and local governments | 40 | $3.6 million | 28% |
| Colleges and universities | 15 | $855,404 | 6.6% |
| Other | 4 | $353,425 | 2.7% |
| Tribal governments and organizations | 6 | $333,313 | 2.6% |
| Small businesses | 4 | $140,850 | 1.1% |
| Businesses | 1 | $20,160 | 0.1% |
By state
5 states have a page for this program: those that received at least $1 million or 10 awards. They are Oregon, Virginia, Alaska, District of Columbia and Michigan.
| State | Awards | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon | 16 | $2.3 million |
| Virginia | 26 | $1.8 million |
| Alaska | 23 | $1.5 million |
| District of Columbia | 6 | $1.1 million |
| Michigan | 11 | $760,458 |
| Idaho | 8 | $599,012 |
| Pennsylvania | 6 | $430,030 |
| Hawaii | 4 | $363,095 |
| South Carolina | 4 | $342,949 |
| Washington | 6 | $342,103 |
| Iowa | 6 | $328,907 |
| California | 6 | $328,191 |
| Minnesota | 7 | $295,088 |
| North Carolina | 3 | $278,218 |
| Kansas | 3 | $265,000 |
| Wisconsin | 6 | $256,239 |
| Indiana | 6 | $242,300 |
| Nevada | 3 | $219,438 |
| Arkansas | 1 | $200,000 |
| West Virginia | 2 | $157,000 |
| Vermont | 2 | $151,871 |
| Missouri | 3 | $115,000 |
| Massachusetts | 2 | $100,000 |
| Maryland | 1 | $100,000 |
| Maine | 2 | $99,156 |
| Arizona | 2 | $81,632 |
| Wyoming | 1 | $75,000 |
| Utah | 1 | $54,843 |
| Connecticut | 1 | $14,977 |