The U.S. Standard Grants Program is a competitive, matching grants program that supports public-private partnerships carrying out projects in the United States that further the goals of the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA). These projects must involve long-term protection, restoration, and/or enhancement of wetlands and associated uplands habitats for the benefit of all wetlands-associated migratory birds.
There is a Standard and a Small Grants Program. Both are competitive grants programs and require that grant requests be matched by partner contributions at no less than a 1-to-1 ratio. The Standard Grant has two cycles, the first is due in late February, the second in late July.
As of December 2022, grant limits were raised from $1- 3,000,000 for U.S. Standard grants with no additional justification. By setting a higher maximum cap, the intent is to help conservation partners meet the demand for more funding to carryout large-scale conservation efforts in areas that are critically important for wetland-dependent migratory birds. U.S. Standard grant proposals may range from $250,001 to $3 million in 2024.
The application process is rigorous and coordination well in advance with the SFBJV Coordinator is strongly encouraged.