Who is eligible to apply for NOCP funding?
Eligible applicants include state, local, and tribal governments; special government districts; nonprofit organizations; educational institutions; for-profit organizations; and individuals. In addition, applicants must demonstrate experience in conducting outreach campaigns and in increasing participation or awareness in outdoor recreation, aquatic conservation, or fishing and boating activities.
What are the five statutory purposes that my project must address?
There are five core purposes defined in the Sportfishing and Boating Safety Act of 1998 (16 U.S.C. 搂 777g(d)) that guide all funding decisions under the National Outreach and Communications Program (NOCP). Projects must address one or more of these purposes:
- Improve communication about angling and boating opportunities
- Reduce barriers to access and participation in angling and boating
- Advance sound angling and boating practices
- Promote conservation and responsible use of the nation鈥檚 aquatic resources
- Further safety in angling and boating
Is a non-federal cost share or match required?
No. Cost share is not required, and the merit review process does not award points for voluntary cost-share contributions.
When will funding be available, and what is the anticipated project period?
Awards are anticipated to begin January 1, 2026, and may last 1鈥�2 years, depending on the scope. The applicant will identify the grant project start date and end date on the SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance.
What is the maximum length for the project narrative or supporting documents?
There is no strict page limit, but clarity and conciseness are encouraged. Supporting documentation must be relevant and necessary.
Can an organization submit more than one application?
Yes. There is no restriction on the number of applications submitted by a state or organization, as long as each application is eligible and distinct in its scope and objectives.
What are the merit review criteria and how is my application evaluated?
Refer to the NOCP Scoring Criteria for full details.
Which forms and documents are required as part of an application?
A checklist of forms and documents that are required as part of your application can be found in the table on pages 10-11 of the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).
Where and how do I apply?
Applications must be submitted through GrantSolutions.gov by August 17, 2025, 11:59 PM ET. Applications submitted in Grants.gov are automatically transferred by the system to GrantSolutions.gov. Organizations must be registered in SAM.gov, which includes a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), before submission. If your organization is already registered in SAM.gov, ensure the registration is not expired.
Can I revise my application after submitting it?
Yes. Applicants may revise and resubmit applications up until the deadline.
Will this program be offered again next year, or is it a one-time opportunity?
The NOCP is a recurring program; however, the amount of funding available is dependent on the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund deposits generated by excise taxes. Future cycles are expected but the next period of availability has not been determined yet.
Where can I view examples of previously funded projects?
Please visit and search Assistance Listings by entering 15.653 or National Outreach and Communications in the search box, hit enter or click on the magnifying glass, and click on "15.653 National Outreach and Communications Program" to see Examples of Funded Projects.
How should applicants determine which funding band (local, regional, national) to select based on project geography?
Applicants should select the funding band that reflects the scale and reach of the project. A project involving multiple states or a regional waterbody such as the Great Lakes would likely fall under the state/regional band. The geographic scope should be clearly described and tied to anticipated impact.
Can a project propose a budget that is above or below the amount listed for its selected funding band?
Yes, but applicants must justify deviations. Projects can be below a band鈥檚 minimum; however, budgets below $100,000 are not eligible. Projects above a band鈥檚 maximum must demonstrate exceptional need, scale, and impact (See page 2 of the NOFO).
Would a state-wide or regional project be considered stronger or more competitive than a smaller local effort?
No. All projects are evaluated on their merit and alignment with program purposes. A small local project can be highly competitive if it clearly addresses statutory purposes and demonstrates strong outcomes and coordination.
Do tribal proposals fall under local, regional, or national scope?
It depends on the scale of the proposed work. Tribal proposals can fall under any of the three bands. Applicants should select the band that best fits their project鈥檚 geographic reach and impact.
What types of activities are considered eligible under the NOCP?
Eligible activities include, but are not limited to, marketing campaigns, outreach programs, social science research, influencer or social media engagement, signage or print materials, web/app tools, how-to videos, workshops, training materials, toolkits, and stakeholder events.
What types of activities are ineligible for funding?
Activities that are ineligible include, but are not limited to:
- Non-motorized watercraft without a clear link to fishing
- Those involving shellfish or species other than sport fish (see below for the definition of sport fish)
- Land or water acquisition
- Infrastructure construction and renovation
- Generating revenue, including through license/registration sales (though these may be used as evaluation metrics)
- General organizational advertising or public relations
- Fundraising
- Establishing or enforcing laws and regulations
Can this funding be used to support education about responsible angler behavior (e.g., illegal stocking)?
Yes. Education that promotes sound angling practices, conservation, and responsible use of aquatic resources is an eligible activity.
Would outreach or signage related to water access in a new state park be considered eligible?
Yes, if the signage is focused on increasing awareness or participation in fishing or boating (i.e., motorized boating or non-motorized boats used for fishing). Construction of access infrastructure is not eligible.
Are projects involving motorized watercraft allowable?
Yes. Projects involving motorized boating are eligible and encouraged. Non-motorized boating activities are only eligible when there is a clear and direct connection to fishing.
Is research eligible, and what types (e.g., social science, conservation)?
Yes. Social science and marketing research are eligible if they support one or more of the five purposes of the NOCP. Proposals involving research on conservation topics must clearly demonstrate how the research directly supports one or more of the five purposes of the NOCP.
Are land or water acquisition or habitat restoration projects eligible?
No. Land and water acquisitions and habitat restoration project are ineligible for funding.
Are activities involving shellfish (e.g., crab, clam, shrimp) considered eligible under this grant?
No. Only activities involving sport fish are eligible. Sport fish means aquatic, gill-breathing, vertebrate animals with paired fins, having material value for recreation in the marine and fresh waters of the United States.
Are short-term hires or staff support eligible if needed to carry out the project?
Yes. Personnel costs for existing or new staff, whether short-term or permanent, are allowable and are limited to time spent on approved grant activities.
Can funding support participant travel or stipends to attend workshops?
Yes. Participant support costs such as travel and stipends are allowable and must be itemized in the budget and described in the Budget Narrative, including how these costs support objective(s) proposed in the application.
Can funding be used for prizes or incentives to encourage participation in grant-funded activities?
Yes. Prizes and incentives are allowable costs if reasonable and necessary for supporting the project鈥檚 objectives, included in the budget, and described in the Budget Narrative. Prizes and incentives must be cost-effective and commensurate with the intended purpose of the project objectives. For example, if an objective is to hold a fishing derby event to encourage or motivate participation in fishing, prizes or participation incentives may be an item the derby participant would use to continue fishing on their own after the event concludes.
What constitutes an unreasonable prize?
Lavish, luxury, or high-value items (e.g., expensive electronics, cash equivalents) are likely unreasonable. Modest prizes or incentives directly tied to project objectives are acceptable.
Would a scholarship prize for students pursuing fisheries-related careers be allowable?
No. Scholarships for pursuing fisheries-related careers are not allowable because fisheries-related career development is not directly tied to carrying out one or more of the five purposes of the NOCP. In addition, it is unlikely that academic scholarships would be supporting expenses occurring entirely within the approved grant period.
What is considered 鈥渆quipment鈥� under this program, and what does the $10,000 threshold mean?
Equipment is tangible property with a useful life >1 year and a per-unit cost 鈮� the lesser of your organization鈥檚 capitalization threshold or $10,000. If equipment acquisition is proposed as part of a project, it must be included in the budget and described in the Budget Narrative, including an explanation for how the equipment is cost-effective and necessary and reasonable for supporting project objectives. Also see .
Is there a preference for nonprofit vs. state agency lead applicants?
No. All eligible entities are treated equally and reviewed based on merit.
Is it allowable to pay partners (e.g., guides, instructors) for their services?
Yes. Partners can be paid for services as contractors or subrecipients, depending on the nature of their role with the grant-funded project.
Can a federal employee (e.g., university faculty affiliated with USGS) serve as a co-Principal Investigator?
Yes. Though federal agencies are not eligible applicants, federal employees may participate in a grant-funded project as a co-Principal Investigator or other key project participant as long as an eligible entity is the applicant. Identify the federal employee鈥檚 faculty role, describe the role of the federal employee in the project, and disclose any potential conflicts of interest in writing.
Can federal agencies be included as project partners or provide letters of support?
Yes. They may provide support, data, or collaboration as partners or in letters of commitment. In your Project Narrative, describe any anticipated needs for federal substantial involvement, including technical assistance, collaboration, data sharing, or coordination with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service staff.
Can supporting letters from community-based groups (e.g., lake associations) be submitted?
Yes. Letters of support from community groups may be included to demonstrate stakeholder interest, but they do not factor into the merit review score. However, letters of commitment from project partners who will be involved in the project are expected as documentation of planned collaboration and should be included, as applicable.
What types of letters are most helpful to include?
Letters of commitment are required, if applicable. These letters should describe the partner鈥檚 role in the project and outline how the partner will contribute to proposed activities. General letters of support from entities who are not involved in the project are optional and are not considered during merit review.
Should partner costs be listed as subawards or contracts in the budget?
The use of a subaward or contract agreement depends on the partner鈥檚 role. Subawards are appropriate when the partner is involved in the grant-funded project, including but not limited to, helping to carry out the project鈥檚 objectives, leading or assisting with project decision-making, and reporting on project performance. Contracts are generally used for goods or services that are provided by vendors within normal business operations in competitive environment. See also for determination guidance.
Are indirect costs allowed?
Yes. Applicants may:
- Use their organization鈥檚 Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA) or a voluntary reduction in this rate
- Use the De minimis rate (up to 15%) as defined by
- Propose not to include indirect costs
Applicants are encouraged to justify their approach clearly. available for demonstrating effective management of indirect costs.
Is there a cap on indirect costs?
No. There is no cap on indirect. Applicants may use their negotiated indirect cost rate or up to 15% of the de minimis rate but must justify the rate and explain how it supports project delivery. Bonus points are available for demonstrating effective management of indirect costs. See also and pages 14 and 20 of the NOFO.
How is lobbying defined under this opportunity?
Lobbying is defined under as influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or an employee of a Member of Congress. Applicants must report lobbying activities on Federal form SF-LLL. This form must be included with your application if you are requesting more than $100,000 and you or your organization has used or plans to use funds other than Federal funds for lobbying, as defined under , related to the proposed project. Using Federal funds to influence an action related to a Federal award is prohibited.
Where can applicants find a terms and conditions document for awarded projects?
General terms and conditions for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service can be found at FWS General Award Terms and Conditions. General terms and conditions for the Department of the Interior can be found at . These links are also provided in the NOFO on page 23. Project-specific terms and conditions may be added to a Notice of Award upon application review and approval.
Should applicants consider whether an award will be issued as a grant or a cooperative agreement?
No. FWS will determine the type of funding agreement for each award based on the level of anticipated federal involvement described in the application. Substantial federal involvement defines when funding will be awarded as a cooperative agreement rather than a grant. There is no preference for either type of agreement.
Who is involved in reviewing and selecting proposals, and what are the selection criteria?
A National Review Panel of up to 8 subject matter experts will score proposals using published criteria. A ranked list of proposals will be provided to the FWS Director, who will make the final award decision. Final award selections may require additional review and approval by the Department of the Interior.
Will applicants receive reviewer comments or scoring feedback after the selection process?
Individual scores and reviewer comments will not be shared directly. However, applicants may request general feedback after the selection process is complete.
Can applicants submit questions while preparing their proposals, including questions about eligibility, the application process, or grant submission system issues?
Yes. Contact FWS staff for programmatic or administrative questions. Please include Holly Richards and Karen Bennett on questions emailed to the FWS:
