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The information on this page is intended as a supplemental resource for applicants. Please download and carefully read the Notice of Funding Opportunity for complete eligibility details and application instructions. 

Staus: Currently Seeking Proposals
Funding Opportunity Number: F26AS00014
Assistance Listing Number: 15.653
Application Deadline: August 17, 2025 at 11:59 PM ET (via GrantSolutions.gov) 

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is seeking applications from eligible applicants to implement the National Outreach and Communications Program (NOCP) through innovative programs that may be conducted at various geographic scales, ranging from local or state to regional or national levels. Applications must address one or more of the five purposes of an outreach and communications program, which are defined in the Sportfishing and Boating Safety Act of 1998 (16 U.S.C.777c-777g) as programs 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. 

Estimated Total Funding: $26 million

Award Range:

• Band 1: Local scope â€� $100,000 to $500,000
• Band 2: State or regional scope â€� $500,000 to $5,000,000
• Band 3: National scope â€� $5,000,000 to $26,000,000

Funding is awarded for up to 2 years and is subject to availability of Trust Fund receipts.

Background and Funding Source

The National Outreach and Communication Program was established by the Sportfishing and Boating Safety Act of 1998 (Public Law 105-178) to reverse declining trends in participation rates in angling and boating in the early 1990’s. Fishing and boating participation are important to our nation’s economy and fund much of our nation’s aquatic resource conservation through the sale of state fishing licenses and the grant programs funded from the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund. â€�   

The NOCP is funded by 2% of the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund, supported by excise taxes on fishing equipment, motorboat fuel, and other sources. Because of this, the annual amount of funding available will vary depending on the trust fund income generated by excise taxes. Since 2007, the amount awarded for the NOCP has been between $10.7 and $14.2 million per year.