NOAA's Restoring Fish Passage through Barrier Removal Grants Under the BIL and IRA | NOAA NMFS HCPO 2023 2008056

Opportunity Information: Apply for NOAA NMFS HCPO 2023 2008056

NOAA's "Restoring Fish Passage through Barrier Removal" grant program is a discretionary federal funding opportunity run by the Department of Commerce through NOAA Fisheries. Its core purpose is to provide both financial and technical support for projects that restore fish passage by removing dams and other in-stream barriers that block native migratory and sea-run fish. The program is designed to help reopen access to historical spawning and rearing habitat, rebuild productive and sustainable fisheries, and support broader watershed restoration outcomes.

The funding is intended for on-the-ground fish passage work that produces measurable ecological and community benefits. In practical terms, supported projects are expected to contribute to the recovery and conservation of threatened and endangered species, improve overall watershed health, and strengthen ecosystem resilience in the face of changing climate and hydrologic conditions. NOAA also emphasizes outcomes for people, not just habitat: projects should promote resilient communities, with a specific focus on benefits to underserved communities, and should improve economic vitality in the project area, including through local employment tied to planning, construction, demolition, restoration, and related services.

This opportunity is authorized and funded under two major recent federal laws: the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Public Law 117-58) and the Inflation Reduction Act (Public Law 117-169). Awards are issued as cooperative agreements, meaning NOAA is likely to have substantial involvement during the project period (for example, through technical guidance, coordination, and oversight), rather than simply issuing a grant with minimal ongoing federal participation.

A wide range of applicants are eligible. Eligible entities include state, county, city/township, and special district governments; public and private institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations; U.S. territories and commonwealth entities; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofit organizations (including those with or without 501(c)(3) status); and for-profit organizations (including small businesses). Federal agencies and federal employees cannot apply directly, but NOAA encourages federal partners to collaborate with eligible applicants who can serve as the applicant and award recipient.

Geography and species relevance matter. Applicants must propose work in areas that benefit U.S. migratory fish as defined in the program objectives. For projects in the Great Lakes region, proposed work must occur within the Great Lakes basin and within one of the eight U.S. Great Lakes states: New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, or Minnesota. For proposals based in U.S. territories and the commonwealths, eligible locations include American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. Overall, the program is focused on projects where barrier removal (and related fish passage improvements) will deliver clear biological gains and durable, community-relevant outcomes.

Key administrative details from the announcement include the funding opportunity number (NOAA NMFS HCPO 2023 2008056), the CFDA/assistance listing number (11.463), and an award ceiling of up to $20,000,000 per award. The original closing date listed for applications was October 16, 2023.

• The Department of Commerce in the environment, iij, natural resources, other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NOAA's Restoring Fish Passage through Barrier Removal Grants Under the BIL and IRA" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 11.463.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2023-07-31.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2023-10-16. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $20,000,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others.

Apply for NOAA NMFS HCPO 2023 2008056

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal: