2025 Natural Community Conservation Planning Local Assistance Grant Program

The Natural Community Conservation Planning Local Assistance Grant (NCCP LAG) Program is administered by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), under the Natural Resources Agency of the State of California. This program supports the implementation of Natural Community Conservation Plans (NCCPs) throughout California, under the authority of Fish and Game Code section 2800 et seq. and specifically section 1501.5(b). The grant aims to assist local public agencies and non-profit organizations in preserving, restoring, and enhancing fish and wildlife habitats. Funding is awarded annually based on proposals for the highest priority implementation tasks identified through coordination with CDFW, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the National Marine Fisheries Service. For Fiscal Year 2025-26, up to $576,000 is available through the NCCP LAG Program, subject to the state budget’s final approval. Funded projects must align with tasks critical to implementing NCCPs, and eligible project types include habitat restoration, biological monitoring, reserve management planning, and adaptive management studies. Routine management and mandated mitigation projects are not eligible unless the proposal demonstrates value-added components exceeding regulatory requirements. Projects must conclude by March 31, 2028, and timeline extensions will not be granted. Eligibility for this opportunity includes public agencies, tribes, and non-profit organizations interested in supporting NCCP implementation in California. Entities outside California may also apply. Applicants that are designated Implementing Entities of the NCCP will receive additional consideration during the evaluation process. Non-Implementing Entities must submit a support letter from the NCCP Implementing Entity confirming the project’s alignment with high-priority implementation tasks. Applications must be submitted electronically to NCCP@wildlife.ca.gov by 5:00 PM PST on July 17, 2025. The proposal must use the current application form available on CDFW’s website and include a summary of the project, its high-priority rationale, a budget, and a signed signature page. Non-Implementing Entities must also provide a letter of support. Applications will be screened for completeness, eligibility, and past performance on similar projects. Eligible proposals will then be reviewed and scored by a statewide team based on criteria such as conservation objectives, project readiness, scientific methods, cost reasonableness, and applicant qualifications. Evaluation scores will be averaged and ranked, with final funding decisions communicated in October 2025. Grantees must finalize agreements with CDFW by February 1, 2026. Project work is expected to begin by March 2026 after formal grant establishment. All work must be completed and invoiced by the project end date, as retroactive reimbursement is not permitted. Standard grant requirements include quarterly progress reports, a draft and final report, and accessible digital deliverables in compliance with California accessibility standards. Grant contacts include the general NCCP email (NCCP@wildlife.ca.gov). Applicants are strongly encouraged to consult with Wildlife Agency staff and NCCP Implementing Entities during proposal development to improve project alignment with regional conservation priorities and increase competitiveness in the review process.