The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, through the Department of the Interior, is expected to award funds to up to 15 applicants for innovative programs in relation to recreational boating and fishing activities under its National Outreach and Communications Program (NOCP). Be aware that eligible applicants must demonstrate experience with the following: 

• planning and executing local, state, regional, or national marketing campaigns or outreach programs, and 
• identifying and engaging audiences to increase awareness, participation, and behavior change in outdoor recreation, aquatic conservation, or fishing and boating activities. 

Applications may request reasonable and cost-effective funding for equipment only as well follow activities involving fishing and boating marketing campaigns, marketing and social science research and surveys, influencer and other social media campaigns, information and awareness signage or print materials, web-based or app-based tools, instructional videos, hands-on learning, training workshops and toolkits, and events. 

The NOCP will run until August 17, 2025 and requires applicants to submit their applications through GrantSolutions. No cost sharing is required. Funding is determined by the scope of the applicant’s project. The award scale is as follows:

• Band 1 – Local Scope: $100,000 to $500,000 total 
• Band 2 – State or Regional Scope: $500,000 to $5,000,000 total 
• Band 3 – National Scope: $5,000,000 to $26,000,000 total

Be advised that, while the funding ceiling is $26MM, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service anticipates awarding no more than $5 million per year to any single project. Furthermore, applicants must demonstrate exceptional scale, need, and national impact if requesting funding at or near the ceiling, which is $13MM per year. 

To qualify for this opportunity, applicants must address one or more of the five purposes of an outreach and communications program that:

1. improve communications with anglers, boaters, and the general public regarding angling and boating opportunities; 
2. reduce barriers to access and participation in angling and boating activities; 
3. advance the adoption of sound angling and boating practices in the U.S.; 
4. promote conservation and the responsible use of the nation’s aquatic resources; and
5. further safety in angling and boating. 

Funded efforts are expected to support at least one of the following key outcomes: 

• increased participation in fishing and boating;
• enhanced public awareness and education about how and where to engage in these activities; 
• targeted outreach using research-driven messaging; 
• strengthened capacity among stakeholders to deliver effective outreach; and 
• improved awareness of access to fishing and boating opportunities.

Types of  Eligible Applicants

• Native American tribal governments (both Federally recognized and non-Federally recognized) 
• State, county, special district, city or township governments 
• Public, state, and private  institutions of higher education 
• Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities 
• Independent school districts 
• Nonprofit organizations with and without 501(c)(3) status with the IRS
• For-profit organizations other than small businesses 
• Small businesses
• Individuals

Ineligible Applicants or Activities

• Applications requesting funding for projects involving non-motorized watercraft, such as kayaks and paddle boards, are ineligible unless they are directly associated with fishing activities.
• Applications requesting funding for land acquisition or construction or renovation of infrastructure are ineligible for funding. 
• Applications with a primary purpose or objective involving generating revenue from, for example, the sale of fishing licenses or boat registrations, are ineligible for funding. However, numbers of licenses, permits or registrations issued may be used as a surrogate measure of participation.
• Countries under the U.S. Treasury sanctions without licences or countries supporting terrorism subject to U.S. sanctions. You must get all required approvals for work outside the U.S. 

Need Assistance?

USFCR’s Consulting Division offers assistance with grant applications through grant writing, and review and submission services. To learn more about USFCR’s services, please contact us at (877) 252-2700 or complete the grant assessment below.