National Fish Passage Program (NFPP) - FY 2025
| Agency: | U.S. Department of Interior |
|---|---|
| CFDA: | 15.685 |
| Federal FON: | F25AS00282 |
| Office: | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) |
| Multipart Grant: | No |
| Next Due: | Rolling |
|---|---|
| Solicitation Date: | 09/03/2025 |
| Match Required: | Recommended |
| Match Type: | Cash/In-Kind |
| Actual Funds: | $10,000,000 (Estimated) |
| Award Range: | $1,000,000 (Max) |
| Number of Awards: | 100 (Estimated) |
Summary:
The purpose of this program is to restore ecological connectivity of the nation's aquatic systems to the maximum extent possible to reconnect fluvial and tidal processes that enable native fish and other aquatic organisms to access a full range of habitat types to meet their life history needs seasonally and annually. This program will provide technical and financial assistance to partners to remove instream barriers and restore aquatic connectivity, improve community safety, and support local economies. Fish passage projects will benefit communities by reducing flood risk, improving recreational opportunities, and improving roads while supporting native fish populations and aquatic ecosystems.
Examples of eligible projects include:
- Dam removals
- Culvert replacements
- Floodplain restoration
- Installation of fishways
Projects that receive the highest rankings during the merit review process are those that:
- Show demonstrable ecological benefits for federal trust species
- Exhibit permanence of fish passage benefits
- Make use of the most current scientific knowledge, including Indigenous Knowledge and proven technology
- Demonstrate partner engagement and support of key stakeholders, such as the local community
- Generate maximum matching contributions
- Address objectives outlined in established prioritization or management plans
- Identify with one or more specific community benefits, including expansion of recreational opportunities, reduced risk of flooding, improved public safety, support of local economy, or similar benefits
- Benefit ecosystem adaptation for the aquatic ecosystem and infrastructure resiliency for the surrounding human community
- Consider watershed context
Certified local governments are encouraged to prioritize projects in support of the celebration of America's 250th birthday. This may include preservation planning, interpretation, public engagement, and rehabilitation projects that recognized and honor the nation's founding, history, and culture heritage.
Eligibility Notes:
Eligible applicants are:
- State governments
- County, city, or township governments
- Special district governments
- Independent school districts
- Public, state-controlled, or private institutions of higher education
- Federally recognized Native American tribal governments
- Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities
- Native American tribal organizations
- Nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status
- For-profit organizations
- Small businesses
- Federal agencies
Eligible Applicants:
Local GovernmentAcademic Institutions
Native American Tribe
Non Profits
Other
Private Sector
Schools/School Districts
State Government
Tribal Organizations/Institutions
Application Notes:
Before developing or submitting an application, applicants must contact the appropriate regional program coordinator listed online at www.fws.gov/program/national-fish-passage/contact-us.
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until 11:59 p.m. ET on December 31, 2025. Regional deadlines will vary.
Applications must be submitted online at www.grantsolutions.gov after receiving an invitation from the appropriate regional program coordinator.
Applications must include:
- SF 424
- SF 424 or SF 424C (as applicable)
- SF 429 (if applicable)
- SF LLL (if applicable)
- Project abstract summary
- Project narrative (3 pages max for text; 2 pages max for maps/photos)
- Budget narrative
- Conflict of interest and unresolved matters disclosures (if applicable)
- Overlap or duplication of effort statement
The following are required in order to submit an application:
- Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number
- SAM (System for Award Management) registration
- SPOC (state Single Point of Contact) notification
Applicants may obtain a UEI number and verify or renew SAM registration status at www.ecivis.com/sam. Applicants in states participating in the SPOC program must contact the relevant SPOC listed in the SPOC file before applying.
Refer to the NOFA file for additional application information.
| Match Required: | Recommended |
|---|---|
| Match Type: | Cash/In-Kind |
| Actual Funds: | $10,000,000 (Estimated) |
| Award Range: | $1,000,000 (Max) |
|---|---|
| Number of Awards: | 100 (Estimated) |
Match Notes:
Matching funds are not required for this program; however, preference may be given to projects that leverage partner support. This program strives for an overall one-to-one partner match, which may include both cash and in-kind contributions.
Funding Notes:
An estimated $10 million is available through this program to support an expected 100 awards of up to $1 million each.
The project period is expected to begin on May 1, 2025, and end on May 1, 2030.
Funds may not be used for:
- Projects that are part of any federal or state compensatory mitigation, including in-lieu fee programs and mitigation banks
- Projects for which fish passage is a condition provided by existing federal or state regulatory programs
- Constructing, operating, or maintaining fish passage at facilities actively licensed or permitted by the federal energy regulatory commission
For FY 2023, a total of $35 million was distributed via 39 awards ranging from $145,000 to $4 million through this program. Refer to the Award file for details.
Contacts:
Thomas McCann
thomas_mccann@fws.gov
Agency Address
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
1849 C Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20240
Contact Notes:
Questions should be directed to Thomas McCann, or to the appropriate regional program coordinator listed online at www.fws.gov/program/national-fish-passage/contact-us.
Applications must be submitted online at www.grantsolutions.gov after receiving an invitation from the appropriate regional program coordinator.
The agency address provided is for reference purposes only.
Files:
NOFA File: US3118_NOFA_FY2025.pdf (147.0 Kb)Award File: US3118_Award_FY2025.pdf (187.1 Kb)
Federal Forms:
SPOC (67.7 Kb)File Notes:
The NOFA file contains the full solicitation for this program. The Award file contains information on previous award recipients. The SPOC file contains information on the state Single Point of Contact program.
Grant Keywords
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Environment/Natural ResourcesWater Supply/Quality