The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is pleased to announce the Wetland Program Development Grants (Region 1).
Donor Name: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
State: Selected States
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 04/24/2026
Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000
Grant Duration: 2 Years
Details:
The goals of the EPA’s wetland program include increasing the quantity and quality of wetlands in the U.S. by conserving and restoring wetland acreage and improving wetland condition. In pursuing these goals, the EPA seeks to develop the capacity of all levels of government to develop and/or refine effective, comprehensive programs for wetland protection and management.
Wetlands are areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or groundwater at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions.
WPDGs provide states, Tribes, territories, interstate agencies, intratribal consortia, local governments and universities that are agencies of a state (hereafter referred to as applicants or recipients) an opportunity to develop and/or refine comprehensive state, Tribal, territory and to a lesser extent local government wetland programs. These programs are meant to:
- Develop the capacity of states, Tribes and territories to increase the quantity and quality of wetlands in the U.S. by conserving and restoring wetland acreage and improving wetland condition.
- Use one or more actions to achieve this goal.
Program Priority
The EPA has found that long-term wetland planning (e.g., Wetland Program Plans) helps states, Tribes and territories develop their wetland programs more effectively and efficiently; therefore, the EPA is emphasizing Wetland Program Plans as a national priority.
Tracks
Under this announcement, the EPA will have two separate applicant tracks for eligible applicants.
- States, Tribes and territories can apply under Track One: WPP or Track Two: Non-WPP.
- Interstate agencies, Intertribal consortia, local governments and colleges and universities that are agencies of a state can only apply under Track Two: Non-WPP.
Funding Information
- Up to approximately $2,784,000 may be awarded under this NOFO over approximately one to four years, consisting of incremental funding of about approximately $1,392,000 per year for two years, contingent on the quality of applications received, funding availability, future appropriations, satisfactory performance of work, and other applicable considerations.
- EPA anticipates awarding approximately $2,088,000 in federal funds under Track One: WPP and approximately $696,000 in federal funds under Track Two: Non-WPP.
Eligibility Criteria
Only these types of organizations may apply:
- Indian Tribe. (Federally recognized)
- State (including U.S. territories) & Local Governments.
- Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs).
- Interstate agencies.
- Intertribal consortia.
Other Eligibility Requirements
Applications must meet the following threshold criteria to be considered eligible:
- Applications must include activities taking place within states, Tribes and territories within EPA Region 1, specifically Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont and Tribal lands located within those states. Inter-jurisdictional watershed projects must primarily be conducted in EPA Region 1.
- All applications submitted under this Notice of Funding Opportunity, regardless of track, must be for projects that develop or refine state, Tribal, territory or local government wetland programs. All applicants must demonstrate in their application how the proposed project will develop or refine a state, Tribal, territory or local government wetland program according to the requirements of the track the application falls under.
- Track One: WPP Applicants must demonstrate 1) how they will develop/update a Wetland Program Plan, or 2) reference one or more grant-eligible action(s) from an EPA-approved Wetland Program Plan they plan to undertake as part of the proposed project.
- Track Two: Non-WPP Applicants must demonstrate 1) which objectives and associated action(s) from their application is developing or refining, or 2) if the applicant is an interstate agency or intertribal consortia, by referencing one or more grant-eligible action(s) from an EPA-approved Wetland Program Plan they plan to undertake as part of the proposed project
- Applications must not request more than $350,000.
- Applicants may submit more than one application under this announcement under the applicable tracks. Each application must be separately submitted and be for a different project. Applications will be evaluated separately.
- In addition, state, Tribal and territorial government applicants may submit separate applications for different projects under Track One: WPP or Track Two: Non-WPP. Local governments, interstate organization and intertribal consortia can only apply under Track Two: Non-WPP. Each application must be submitted under either Track One: WPP or Track Two: Non-WPP.
For more information, visit Grants.gov.
