Annual Funding Opportunity

The California Fish Passage Forum receives funding through the National Fish Habitat Partnership via the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to advance shared goals of protecting, restoring, and enhancing fish habitat – with the Forum’s specific focus on anadromous fish populations in California. The Forum will award an estimated $155,00 in FY2027. To fund a diverse portfolio of projects, strong project proposals that request less than $100,000 are preferred. However, proposals of particular merit may be funded at a higher level, at the Forum’s discretion.

Unfortunately, the Forum always receives more applications than we have the funds to support. The Forum recommends applicants pursue a diversity of funding applications. Learn about other restoration funding sources from the Salmonid Restoration Federation Website – Funding Opportunites

Details

Funding Available

The Forum will award an estimated $155,00 in FY2027. To fund a diverse portfolio of projects, strong project proposals that request less than $100,000 are preferred.

Match Requirement

Eligible projects should aim for a 1:1 non-federal match, though match does not need to be fully secured before applying. Tribal-led projects are exempt from the match requirement.

Timeline

The application period is open June 15th 2026 through October 5th, 2026. Projects are ranked by an independent expert review committee. Applicants will be notified of project rank by November 1st, 2026. Projects selected for funding would likely receive funding in summer 2027. The funding process is dependent on the federal appropriations process and varies from year to year.

How to Apply

During the open RFP period, fill out the below application, and fill and attach the 3 appendices below to the online application form.