Deadline: 07-Nov-2025
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a new funding opportunity through its Wetland Program Development Grants (WPDGs), aimed at strengthening wetland conservation and protection efforts across the country.
This initiative supports the EPA’s broader goals of increasing both the quantity and quality of wetlands in the U.S. by conserving and restoring wetland acreage while improving overall wetland conditions. By doing so, the program seeks to enhance the capacity of governments at all levels to build comprehensive wetland protection and management strategies.
Wetlands are vital ecosystems that are saturated or inundated frequently enough to support vegetation adapted to life in waterlogged soil. These include swamps, marshes, bogs, and similar environments, which play crucial roles in water filtration, flood control, and wildlife habitat. Through the WPDGs, the EPA offers states, Tribes, territories, interstate agencies, intratribal consortia, local governments, and state-affiliated universities an opportunity to develop or refine their wetland programs and policies to ensure these ecosystems are protected and sustainably managed.
Recognizing the importance of long-term planning, the EPA has set Wetland Program Plans (WPPs) as a national priority for this grant cycle. Applicants may apply under two distinct tracks. States, Tribes, and territories can submit proposals under either Track One (focused on developing or implementing WPPs) or Track Two (Non-WPP projects). Meanwhile, interstate agencies, intertribal consortia, local governments, and state-affiliated universities may apply only under Track Two. This structure ensures flexibility while promoting strategic planning as a foundation for lasting wetland protection.
The EPA expects to award up to 15 grants with a total funding of approximately $2.4 million, depending on available resources and the quality of applications. Awarded projects will have a duration ranging from one to four years, not exceeding five years. Eligible applicants include Indian Tribes, state and local governments, institutions of higher education, interstate agencies, and intertribal consortia. Through these grants, the EPA aims to foster collaborative, science-based efforts that will safeguard wetlands for future generations while improving the resilience of local environments and communities.
For more information, visit Grants.gov.
