F26AS00003 - NAWCA 2026 Mexico Grants

The North American Wetlands Conservation Act Mexico Grants program is administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service within the Department of the Interior through its Division of Bird Habitat Conservation. This program is part of a broader international effort to conserve wetland ecosystems and migratory bird populations across North America. It operates in coordination with Mexico’s Secretariat of the Environment and Natural Resources, specifically the General Direction of Wildlife, which participates in proposal review and assessment. The program is authorized under the North American Wetlands Conservation Act and aligns with multiple continental conservation plans and international migratory bird agreements. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to promote partnerships among public agencies, nonprofit organizations, private entities, and individuals to support the protection, restoration, management, and enhancement of wetlands and associated habitats in Mexico. The program emphasizes long-term conservation outcomes for wetlands-associated migratory birds and other wildlife. Projects are expected to contribute to maintaining species populations and habitat distributions consistent with established conservation frameworks such as the North American Waterfowl Management Plan and related international initiatives. Funding under this opportunity supports a range of conservation activities. Eligible uses include acquisition of land and water rights for conservation purposes, restoration and enhancement of wetland ecosystems, and long-term habitat management. In the Mexico program specifically, additional allowable activities include technical training, environmental education, sustainable-use studies, and organizational capacity building that strengthen wetland conservation efforts. All funded projects must demonstrate sustainability and measurable conservation benefits. A mandatory cost-sharing requirement applies to all applicants. The program requires a one-to-one non-federal match, meaning that for every federal dollar requested, an equal amount must be contributed from non-federal sources. Applicants must submit partner contribution match letters at the time of application, and budgets must clearly document both federal and non-federal contributions. This requirement underscores the program’s emphasis on partnership and shared investment in conservation outcomes. Eligibility for this funding opportunity is broad and inclusive. Applicants may include federal, state, and local government entities, tribal governments and organizations, nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status, public and private institutions of higher education, individuals, and small businesses. However, projects must comply with U.S. regulations regarding international funding, including restrictions related to sanctioned countries and requirements for local approvals when conducting work outside the United States. Applications must be submitted electronically through the GrantSolutions platform. Applicants are required to complete several standard federal forms, including SF-424 and budget forms, along with a project narrative and budget justification. Additional materials include project abstracts, conflict of interest disclosures, and documentation of matching funds. Applicants must also register in SAM.gov to obtain a Unique Entity Identifier unless applying as an individual. Supplementary materials such as GIS shapefiles and project photos must be submitted via email by the application deadline. The application deadline for this funding opportunity is May 28, 2026, with submissions due by 11:59 PM Eastern Time. Following submission, applications undergo eligibility screening, merit review based on scoring criteria, and risk assessment. Awards are anticipated to be issued in early May 2027, with project performance expected to run from May 2027 through May 2029. Recipients must comply with federal reporting requirements, including financial and performance reports, and adhere to all applicable regulations throughout the award period.

Demonstrate strong partnerships and clearly document matching funds; align project outcomes with established conservation plans; ensure budget justification is detailed and compliant; emphasize long-term sustainability and measurable conservation impact