National Outreach and Communications Program

The National Outreach and Communications Program (NOCP) is a grant opportunity offered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, supported by the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund. This fund is primarily sustained by excise taxes on fishing equipment, boat fuel, and import duties, ensuring a stable source of revenue dedicated to aquatic resource management and public engagement in outdoor recreation. The NOCP was established under the Sportfishing and Boating Safety Act of 1998 to reverse the declining trends in participation in recreational boating and fishing and to promote the conservation and responsible use of aquatic resources. The program seeks to improve communications with anglers, boaters, and the general public regarding angling and boating opportunities, reduce barriers to participation, advance sound practices, promote conservation, and enhance safety in these activities. The main purpose of the NOCP is to support initiatives that attract and retain participation in recreational fishing and boating. Projects must address at least one of five core objectives: improving communication about opportunities, reducing participation barriers, advancing best practices, promoting conservation, or furthering safety. Eligible projects are expected to contribute to increased public participation, enhanced awareness and education, targeted outreach through research-driven messaging, strengthened stakeholder capacity, or improved access to fishing and boating opportunities. Applications must be rooted in evidence-based approaches, incorporate Recruitment, Retention, and Reactivation (R3) best practices, and offer measurable outcomes. Funding for the NOCP is estimated at $26,000,000 across two fiscal years, with annual amounts varying between $10,000,000 and $14,000,000. The anticipated number of awards is 15, with individual awards ranging from a floor of $100,000 to a ceiling of $26,000,000 per application. However, applicants should note that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service does not expect to award more than $5,000,000 per year to any single project. Applicants should select a funding band that aligns with the scale and scope of their project: local ($100,000–$500,000), state/regional ($500,000–$5,000,000), or national ($5,000,000–$26,000,000). Funding is typically obligated on an annual basis for multi-year projects, and recipients must submit updated budgets yearly. No cost sharing or matching funds are required for this program. Eligibility for the NOCP is broad. Eligible applicants include state, county, city, and township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled and private institutions of higher education; Native American tribal governments and organizations; public and Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (except institutions of higher education); individuals; for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses. Applicants must have experience in planning and executing marketing or outreach programs and in engaging audiences to increase awareness or change behaviors related to outdoor recreation, aquatic conservation, or fishing and boating activities. Certain restrictions apply: projects focused solely on non-motorized watercraft unrelated to fishing, land acquisition, infrastructure construction, or revenue generation from license or registration sales are ineligible. The submission process requires applicants to register with SAM.gov and GrantSolutions.gov, prepare a comprehensive project narrative covering objectives, approach, timeline, evaluation methods, stakeholder engagement, and alignment with NOCP goals, and submit required federal forms including SF-424, SF-424A, and others as appropriate. Applications must be submitted electronically via GrantSolutions.gov by August 17, 2025, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered, but revisions and resubmissions are allowed up to the deadline. Detailed instructions for system registration, required documents, and submission steps are outlined in the Notice of Funding Opportunity. Applications will be reviewed through an eligibility check followed by a merit-based review using specific criteria: strategic alignment with NOCP purposes, incorporation of R3 best practices, innovation, clarity and measurability of outcomes, stakeholder coordination, project feasibility, and impact potential. Bonus points may be awarded for effective indirect cost management. After ranking by a national review panel, the Service Director makes the final selection, with award announcements anticipated by October 1, 2025. The expected award period is one to two years, with project activities beginning as early as October 1, 2025, and ending by September 30, 2027. Programmatic and administrative contacts are provided for assistance: for technical questions, contact Holly Richards (Holly_Richards@fws.gov) or Thomas McCann (Thomas_McCann@fws.gov); for administrative support, contact Karen Bennett (Karen_Bennett@fws.gov, 703-615-3226). All reporting requirements and post-award conditions are detailed in the award notice and must be followed throughout the project period. Additional program information and resources are available on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's National Outreach and Communications Program website.

Align proposal with NOCP purposes, incorporate R3 best practices, demonstrate collaboration, and provide a measurable outcomes plan.