Opportunity Information: Apply for F19AS00075
The National Fish Passage Program (NFPP) is a voluntary U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service program designed to help partners reopen and protect pathways that fish and other aquatic organisms need to move through rivers, streams, and connected waters. Its core purpose is to restore aquatic connectivity by fixing or removing barriers that block migration, limit access to spawning and rearing habitat, or fragment aquatic ecosystems. By improving fish passage, the program supports the conservation of federal trust resources while also strengthening overall biological diversity through projects grounded in sound science and aligned with Fish and Wildlife Service priorities.
Funding is provided as cooperative agreements, which means the Fish and Wildlife Service expects to be actively involved in planning and implementation rather than serving only as a pass-through funder. In addition to financial support, NFPP offers direct technical assistance, and project work plans are developed strategically with substantial involvement from Fisheries and Aquatic Conservation (FAC) staff. The program is implemented through more than 65 FAC Field Offices across all U.S. states and territories, and staff work closely with applicants, stakeholders, and other Service programs to identify projects that fit regional priority areas and can be delivered collaboratively.
Projects supported by NFPP commonly focus on modernizing or improving infrastructure in ways that are compatible with aquatic life. Examples include replacing undersized or perched road culverts, improving bridges or stream crossings, and modifying water diversions so that they no longer create impassable barriers or unsafe conditions for fish. The emphasis is on "fish-friendly" infrastructure that allows populations to be more self-resilient by restoring natural movement patterns and access to habitat, which can help maintain or increase fish populations and, in turn, support better fishing opportunities for many species.
Eligibility is broadly open (unrestricted) as described in the announcement, with applicants advised to check any additional eligibility details in the full notice. Because priorities can vary by region, prospective applicants are encouraged to review the NFPP strategic plan and contact the appropriate regional NFPP Coordinator before applying to confirm alignment with current regional needs and selection considerations. The opportunity is listed as a discretionary grant with a cooperative agreement instrument under CFDA 15.608, administered by the Department of the Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The funding opportunity number is F19AS00075, with an award ceiling of up to $2,000,000. The notice was created on December 26, 2018, and the original closing date listed was February 28, 2019.Apply for F19AS00075
- The Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "National Fish Passage Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.608.
- This funding opportunity was created on Dec 26, 2018.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Feb 28, 2019. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $2,000,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.
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National Fish Passage Program (NFPP) Grant FAQs
What is the National Fish Passage Program (NFPP)?
The National Fish Passage Program (NFPP) is a voluntary U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service program that helps partners reopen and protect pathways that fish and other aquatic organisms need to move through rivers, streams, and connected waters.
What is the main purpose of NFPP funding?
The core purpose is to restore aquatic connectivity by fixing or removing barriers that block migration, limit access to spawning and rearing habitat, or fragment aquatic ecosystems. The program’s fish passage improvements support conservation of federal trust resources and strengthen biological diversity through sound science and alignment with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service priorities.
What kinds of barriers or problems does NFPP aim to address?
NFPP targets barriers that prevent or restrict movement of fish and other aquatic organisms, including barriers that block migration routes, cut off access to spawning and rearing habitat, or fragment aquatic ecosystems.
What types of projects are commonly supported?
Projects commonly focus on modernizing or improving infrastructure in ways that are compatible with aquatic life, such as replacing undersized or perched road culverts, improving bridges or stream crossings, and modifying water diversions so they no longer create impassable barriers or unsafe conditions for fish.
What does "fish-friendly infrastructure" mean in this program?
In the NFPP context, "fish-friendly" infrastructure refers to infrastructure improvements (like culverts, bridges, crossings, and diversions) designed or modified so aquatic organisms can move naturally through waterways, helping restore access to habitat and supporting more resilient fish populations.
How does NFPP help fish populations and habitat?
By restoring natural movement patterns and access to habitat, NFPP projects can help maintain or increase fish populations. Improved passage can also support better fishing opportunities for many species by helping populations become more self-resilient.
What kind of grant instrument does NFPP use?
Funding is provided as cooperative agreements. This means the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service expects to be actively involved in planning and implementation, rather than acting only as a pass-through funder.
What does it mean that the award is a cooperative agreement?
It means project work plans are developed strategically with substantial involvement from Fisheries and Aquatic Conservation (FAC) staff, and the Service expects to participate actively during planning and implementation.
Does NFPP provide technical assistance as part of the award?
Yes. In addition to financial support, NFPP offers direct technical assistance, with project work plans developed collaboratively with FAC staff.
Who within the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is involved in implementation?
The program is implemented through Fisheries and Aquatic Conservation (FAC) Field Offices. FAC staff work closely with applicants, stakeholders, and other Service programs to identify and deliver projects that fit regional priority areas.
How widely is the program implemented geographically?
NFPP is implemented through more than 65 FAC Field Offices across all U.S. states and territories.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broadly open (unrestricted) as described in the announcement. Applicants are advised to check any additional eligibility details in the full notice.
Is this a discretionary grant?
Yes. The opportunity is listed as a discretionary grant.
What agency administers this funding opportunity?
The program is administered by the Department of the Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The CFDA number listed for this opportunity is 15.608.
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is F19AS00075.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is up to $2,000,000.
Do regional priorities affect which projects are competitive?
Yes. Priorities can vary by region. Prospective applicants are encouraged to review the NFPP strategic plan and contact the appropriate regional NFPP Coordinator before applying to confirm alignment with current regional needs and selection considerations.
Why should applicants contact a regional NFPP Coordinator before applying?
Because selection considerations and priority areas can differ by region, contacting the regional NFPP Coordinator can help confirm that a proposed project aligns with current regional needs and program priorities.
When was this notice created?
The notice was created on December 26, 2018.
What was the original closing date listed for the opportunity?
The original closing date listed was February 28, 2019.
Does NFPP only fund removal of barriers, or can it fund upgrades and modifications too?
Based on the examples provided, NFPP supports both fixing or removing barriers. Common project types include replacements and modifications (such as culvert replacements, bridge or crossing improvements, and diversion modifications) intended to restore aquatic connectivity.
What kinds of ecological outcomes does NFPP emphasize?
NFPP emphasizes restoring aquatic connectivity, reducing habitat fragmentation, improving access to spawning and rearing areas, supporting conservation of federal trust resources, and strengthening biological diversity through projects grounded in sound science and aligned with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service priorities.
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