F26AS00069 Coastal Program FY26

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Coastal Program FY26 funding opportunity, solicitation F26AS00069, provides technical and financial assistance to partners for the protection and restoration of fish and wildlife habitats in priority coastal ecosystems. This voluntary partnership-based program focuses on conserving coastal watersheds, improving the status of at-risk species, and enhancing community resilience through the restoration of wetlands, dunes, estuaries, and riparian areas. The program has a total funding pool of 6,000,000 dollars with an expected 150 awards. The anticipated period of performance runs from May 19, 2026, through September 30, 2030. Applicants must be registered in SAM.gov and use GrantSolutions for submissions. A mandatory requirement is that applicants must contact a local Coastal Program office before developing or submitting an application. The evaluation process utilizes pass/fail gates for eligibility, completeness, and regulatory compliance, followed by a merit review based on the project's alignment with conservation missions and its benefit to Federal trust species. Priority is given to projects with greater longevity, higher partner contributions, and superior cost-effectiveness. While no cost sharing is required, applicants must provide a detailed budget narrative. Certain costs, such as land acquisition and activities mandated by regulatory programs, are ineligible for funding. Applications are due by September 30, 2026, though those seeking FY26 funding must apply by May 30, 2026.