The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is accepting applications for its Wetland Program Development Grants.
Donor Name: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
State: Selected States
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 04/06/2026
Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000
Grant Duration: 2 Years
Details:
Wetland Program Development Grants (WPDGs) assist state, Tribal, territory (Insular Areas), local government agencies, and interstate or intertribal entities in developing or refining state, Tribal, territory or local programs that protect, manage and restore wetlands. 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. This is done using the Core Elements of a Wetlands Program, the Wetlands Program Core Elements Framework and for states and Tribes the development of Wetland Program Plans (WPP).
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 $2,962,000 may be awarded under this NOFO over approximately one to four years, consisting of incremental funding of about $1,481,000 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 $1,962,000 in federal funds under Track One: WPP and approximately $1,000,000 in federal funds under Track Two: Non-WPP.
Eligibility Criteria
Only these types of organizations may apply:
- Indian Tribe.
- State & Local Governments.
- Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs).
- Interstate agencies.
- Intertribal consortia
Other Eligibility Requirements
Applications must meet the following threshold criteria and those found to be considered eligible:
- Applications must include activities taking place within states, Tribes and territories within EPA Region 5 (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin) and Tribal lands located within those states. Inter-jurisdictional watershed projects must primarily be conducted in EPA Region 5.
- 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 $500,000.
- 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.
- Applicants cannot submit one application covering both tracks. If an applicant indicates that an application covers both tracks, the application will be rejected. If an applicant submits an application under the wrong track, the EPA will determine the most appropriate track in which to evaluate the application.
For more information, visit Gants.gov.
