Fisheries Habitat Grant Program

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources administers the Fisheries Habitat Grant Program, a state-level funding opportunity designed to support conservation and restoration of fisheries habitats across Michigan. This program is funded by the Game and Fish Protection Fund under the aquatic habitat conservation theme and by the State of Michigan general fund for the dam management theme. Its legal authority is established under Part 5 of Act 451, P.A. 1994, as amended, and the program operates under annual appropriations from the Michigan Legislature. Administration and oversight are provided through the Fisheries Division and the Finance and Operations Division, Grants Management Section, ensuring that funds are allocated strategically and in alignment with state conservation goals. The purpose of the Fisheries Habitat Grant Program is to benefit fisheries, aquatic resources, and the public through conservation, restoration, and management activities. Projects may involve fish habitat conservation, dam removal, dam repair, and other related initiatives. Competitive applications are expected to address the underlying causes of habitat degradation rather than symptoms, demonstrate cost-effectiveness, employ appropriate and proven methods, and propose projects that will generate long-lasting benefits. Applications that incorporate project monitoring, address dam safety and human health concerns, or provide research and assessment to guide future conservation work are especially encouraged. Applicants are encouraged to consult the annual Fisheries Priority Habitat Conservation Projects list when developing proposals. This list identifies priority projects that promote healthy aquatic habitats, fisheries, and communities across Michigan. While addressing items on this list is not a strict requirement, applications aligned with these priorities may receive preference during the evaluation process. The 2025 Priority Habitat Conservation Projects list is expected to be released soon, with the 2024 list still available for reference. This tool helps applicants ensure that proposed activities meet statewide conservation needs and align with departmental priorities. Eligibility for the grant program includes a broad set of entities: local, state, federal, or tribal units of government, academic institutions, and non-profit organizations. For-profit organizations and individuals are not eligible to apply. The application process is multi-step and begins with consultation with DNR staff. Following consultation, applicants submit a pre-proposal, which is evaluated by DNR staff. Selected applicants are then invited to submit full applications. These full proposals are reviewed and evaluated, with final approval of awards granted by the Director of the Department of Natural Resources. All applications must be submitted through the MiGrants online system. The funding framework sets a minimum grant request amount of $25,000. The maximum request amount is determined by the availability of funds within the applicable theme, with an upper cap of $1.5 million. A minimum 10 percent match is required from applicants. Grant project periods typically span one and a half years, which equates to two construction seasons, and applicants may apply for extensions if additional time is needed. This structure ensures that projects are implemented within a reasonable timeframe while providing flexibility for more complex or seasonal work. The application timeline for the 2025 cycle begins with a request for pre-proposals on August 27, 2025. Pre-proposals are due by October 10, 2025, after which selected applicants will be invited to submit full proposals beginning November 7, 2025. The deadline for full applications is January 9, 2026. Awards are expected to be announced in May 2026, with project work beginning upon execution of the grant agreement. This structured timeline allows applicants to plan strategically and ensures ample review and evaluation periods for staff. Applicants are encouraged to engage with DNR staff early in the process to ensure alignment with program goals and priorities. For further information, applicants can contact the Fisheries Division representative, Joe Nohner, at 517-284-6236, or the Grants Management Section representative, Chip Kosloski, at 517-281-1705. These staff members provide guidance on project eligibility, application development, and program requirements. The Department also provides forms for applicants and grantees, as well as listings of previously awarded projects from 2019 through 2023, which can serve as useful references when preparing proposals.

Competitive projects address causes of degradation, cost-effectiveness, use of appropriate methods, and long-term benefits; monitoring and dam safety are encouraged