Fisheries Restoration Grant Program (2026)

The Fisheries Restoration Grant Program (FRGP) is administered by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) through its Watershed Restoration Grants Branch, in partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund. The 2026 Proposal Solicitation Notice (PSN) outlines the annual funding opportunity to support restoration efforts for salmon and steelhead habitats across California. The FRGP is a key instrument of California’s broader conservation strategy and aligns with objectives established under the California Water Resilience Portfolio, State Wildlife Action Plan, and the state’s Salmon Strategy for a Hotter, Drier Future. The program funds habitat restoration and conservation projects that employ natural processes and materials to ensure long-term, self-sustaining ecosystems for anadromous fish species. The 2026 FRGP PSN offers a projected total of $16 million in grant funding, contingent on allocations from NOAA's Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The solicitation follows a two-phase process: a Concept Proposal Phase and a Full Application Phase. The Concept Proposal Phase opens on January 13, 2026, and closes on March 2, 2026. This phase is mandatory for applicants requesting $2 million or more in funding and optional for those requesting less. It allows applicants—especially those new to the process or proposing project design work—to consult with FRGP staff for guidance. The Full Application Phase opens on March 3, 2026, and closes on April 16, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. Pacific Time. Applications must be submitted through the CDFW WebGrants portal. Eligible applicants include state and local government agencies, public entities, California Native American Tribes, and nonprofit organizations. Other entities may participate as subcontractors. Eligible projects encompass implementation and design projects focused on enhancing, restoring, or protecting salmon and steelhead habitats. Supporting activities such as monitoring, outreach, planning, and education are also eligible. The program categorizes projects into three priority levels. Priority 1 projects (65% of funding) involve direct habitat restoration and project design; Priority 2 projects (25%) include large-scale monitoring and watershed planning; Priority 3 projects (10%) support outreach, education, and project development. Projects used to meet regulatory mitigation requirements or under enforcement action are ineligible. Applicants are required to include all mandatory components described in the PSN and referenced Guidelines, which are available on the FRGP Solicitation webpage. These include detailed project information and documentation specific to the type of project proposed. If applicable, CEQA and other environmental compliance requirements must be addressed. Design projects must adhere to the standards outlined in the California Salmonid Stream Habitat Restoration Manual or other approved manuals. Furthermore, implementation-type projects must have all designs and plans completed prior to execution of the grant agreement. All proposals undergo a rigorous evaluation process. First, they must pass an Administrative Review. Then, eligible proposals are scored by a panel of technical reviewers using a standardized 100-point scoresheet, with additional review by engineering and geotechnical experts where needed. Site visits are typically conducted. Scores from individual reviewers are synthesized into a Consensus Scoresheet, which determines the project’s ranking for funding consideration. Proposals with high consensus scores are forwarded for director-level approval, with award announcements expected in December 2026. Projects selected for funding are anticipated to begin in Spring 2027, with all work to be completed by March 1, 2031. CDFW emphasizes inclusive engagement and encourages applicants to consult and collaborate with California Native American Tribes during proposal development and project implementation. While such informal collaboration supports stronger projects, it does not replace the state’s formal tribal consultation obligations under AB 52. A public workshop will be held online on February 4, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. to explain the 2026 PSN and Guidelines. Additional information and updates will be posted on the CDFW’s Notices and Meetings page. For direct inquiries or requests for translation and accessibility services, applicants may contact Timothy Chorey at [email protected] or call (916) 838-0760.

Applicants are encouraged to engage in early consultation and ensure full design compliance before submission. Align projects with listed Restoration Manuals and CEQA/ESA/CESA requirements.