Region 10 Fiscal Year 2025 Wetland Program Development Grants

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 10 Wetland Program Development Grants (WPDGs) offer financial support to help states, Tribes, territories, local governments, and qualifying intergovernmental organizations develop or refine their wetland programs. The overarching goal of this initiative is to increase the quantity and quality of wetlands across the United States by conserving and restoring wetland acreage and improving wetland condition. These grants provide assistance in creating sustainable, comprehensive wetland protection and management programs through activities that align with EPA’s Wetlands Program Core Elements Framework and the development or execution of EPA-approved Wetland Program Plans (WPPs). This funding opportunity is structured under two applicant tracks. Track One is specifically for states, Tribes, and territories with existing or proposed EPA-approved Wetland Program Plans. These applicants may apply for support to either develop/update a WPP or to carry out grant-eligible actions from an existing WPP. Track Two is available for local governments, interstate agencies, intertribal consortia, and public colleges or universities that are agencies of a state. These entities may propose projects aligned with objectives from Appendix A of the solicitation or those connected to existing EPA-approved Wetland Program Plans. Each application must designate a single track, and applicants may submit multiple proposals, provided they are distinct projects. Funding under this opportunity may total up to $1,857,000. The EPA expects to make 8 to 15 awards, with approximately $1,207,000 allocated for Track One and approximately $650,000 for Track Two. The maximum amount an applicant may request per project is $275,000, and each proposal must include a minimum 25% non-federal cost share unless the applicant is a Tribe incorporating the grant into a Performance Partnership Grant (PPG), in which case the match requirement is waived. Projects are expected to last from one to four years, with a maximum of five years. Awards will take the form of grants or cooperative agreements, depending on the nature and scope of the proposed work. Applications must include activities within EPA Region 10, which encompasses Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington, including tribal lands within these states. Projects must focus on activities that build or refine wetland programs and cannot be used for direct implementation tasks, routine activities, or projects driven solely by regulatory compliance. Only projects that include demonstrable innovation or knowledge transfer—such as new tools, research, education, or mapping in accordance with federal standards—are eligible. Ineligible activities include wetland program implementation, land acquisition, conventional wetland restoration, and vehicle or furniture purchases. Applicants must submit a complete application package via Grants.gov by April 10, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET. The required components include Standard Form SF-424, Budget Information Form SF-424A, EPA Form 4700-4, EPA Key Contacts Form, a detailed project narrative (up to 26 pages), and optional supporting materials such as letters of commitment or staff resumes. The EPA encourages early registration with SAM.gov and Grants.gov. Awards are expected to be announced in June 2026, with funding disbursed around October 2026. Recipients must comply with reporting requirements and may be subject to audits. Applications will be evaluated based on criteria such as project need, environmental benefits, alignment with EPA priorities, budget justification, partnerships, and the potential for result dissemination. Successful applicants are expected to transfer knowledge and tools developed through the grant to other organizations or agencies. The EPA reserves the right to adjust funding levels and the number of awards depending on application quality, available funds, and agency priorities. Though this opportunity is recurring, future funding is not guaranteed, and selections for additional awards, if funds become available, will occur no later than six months after the original decisions.

Clearly identify project environmental benefits and outcomes; align with Wetland Program Plans; demonstrate partnerships; include cost-share sources and justification; plan for knowledge transfer.