National Fish Passage Program

The National Fish Passage Program for fiscal year 2025 is administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under the Department of the Interior. This program offers technical and financial assistance to eligible partners to remove instream barriers, restore aquatic connectivity, and support ecosystem and community resilience. The program is authorized under the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act and is delivered through Service field offices nationwide. The program’s overall aim is to reconnect aquatic habitats, reduce flood risks, improve community infrastructure such as culverts and roads, enhance recreational opportunities, and bolster local economies while supporting native fish populations and aquatic ecosystems. The Service estimates that every $1 million invested generates approximately $1.5 million in value to the economy. Funding is provided through cooperative agreements, grants, or other instruments where the agency maintains substantial involvement. Typical projects include dam removals, culvert replacements, floodplain restoration, and fishway installations. Program staff are actively involved in technical assistance, budget management, monitoring, and project oversight. The program operates on a voluntary, collaborative basis with federal, state, local, and tribal governments, as well as nonprofits, for-profit entities, private landowners, and other stakeholders. The program emphasizes use of sound science, Indigenous knowledge, and proven practices to ensure projects deliver measurable ecological benefits to federal trust species and watershed-scale outcomes. The funding opportunity has an estimated total program funding of $10 million, with an expected 100 awards ranging from $1 to $1 million. No cost sharing is required, though projects that leverage partner contributions may receive preference in selection. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis but must be coordinated with regional and local program staff before submission. The final submission deadline for electronically submitted applications is December 31, 2025, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time, though regional deadlines may vary. Anticipated project start dates begin in May 2025 with project periods extending up to May 2030. Eligibility for this program is broad, encompassing state, county, and local governments; special district governments; independent school districts; federally recognized tribal governments; tribal organizations; public and private institutions of higher education; nonprofits both with and without 501(c)(3) status; public housing authorities; individuals; for-profit organizations other than small businesses; small businesses; and other partners including non-governmental organizations and private landowners. However, projects tied to compensatory mitigation programs, regulatory requirements, or facilities licensed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission are not eligible. Applicants other than individuals must be registered in SAM.gov and obtain a Unique Entity Identifier. GrantSolutions.gov is the required application portal, although simplified application procedures exist for small awards under specific conditions. Applications must include required federal forms such as SF-424, SF-424A or SF-424C, budget narratives, and project narratives that describe goals, objectives, species or habitats benefitted, conservation challenges, and post-project monitoring plans. Applications will be reviewed for eligibility, merit, and risk. Projects are prioritized based on ecological benefits to federal trust species, permanence of benefits, scientific rigor, partner engagement, leveraged resources, and alignment with regional priorities. Award notices are issued through GrantSolutions or email, and recipients must adhere to reporting requirements including financial and performance reports, conflict disclosures, and compliance with federal laws and executive orders. For questions, applicants are directed to regional National Fish Passage Program coordinators or to the national point of contact, Thomas McCann, via email at thomas_mccann@fws.gov. Coordination with local program staff before applying is mandatory. Additional program information and regional contacts can be found on the program’s website. This structure ensures that projects are community-driven, scientifically sound, and aligned with both conservation and infrastructure priorities across the nation.