Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NRCS NHQ WMBP NOFO0001458
The Wetland Mitigation Banking Program Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number: USDA NRCS NHQ WMBP NOFO0001458) is a discretionary grant program run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). For FY 2026, NRCS is making $3,000,000 available to support the development and establishment of wetland mitigation banks and related banking opportunities. The program is specifically aimed at creating mitigation options solely for agricultural producers who have wetlands that fall under the wetland conservation compliance provisions of the Food Security Act of 1985, as amended. In practice, that means the funding is intended to help set up mitigation banking pathways that agricultural producers can use to address compliance needs tied to wetlands on agricultural land.
This is a competitive grant program, meaning proposals will be reviewed and selected based on merit and alignment with program priorities rather than being awarded automatically to all eligible applicants. NRCS indicates that proposals must come from eligible entities listed in the notice (Section B.1), and the eligible applicant types are broad and include state, county, and local governments; special district governments; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations; nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status; for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); and small businesses. Even though many types of organizations can apply, the banks and banking opportunities supported with these funds are intended to serve agricultural producers dealing with wetland compliance requirements.
NRCS also states that priority will be given to establishing banks in states with significant numbers of individual wetlands, wetland acreage, and wetland conservation compliance requests. Based on NRCS data, the priority states identified for FY 2026 are Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. Applicants proposing projects in these states may be better positioned relative to NRCS stated priorities, since the agency is signaling where demand and compliance activity are most concentrated.
In terms of funding scale and anticipated awards, the maximum award size (award ceiling) is $1,000,000 per grant, and NRCS expects to make about 15 awards. The CFDA/Assistance Listing number associated with the opportunity is 10.933, and the funding activity focus is described across agriculture, environment, and natural resources, which fits the program's intent to create wetland mitigation infrastructure that supports both agricultural operations and wetland conservation compliance goals.
Key dates included in the notice show the opportunity was created on 2026-07-23, with an original application closing date of 2026-09-08. NRCS is also hosting a WMBP applicant webinar on July 30, 2026 at 3:00 pm Eastern Time, and participation details are provided through a Microsoft Teams event link: https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/4685b4dd-a1ce-4ad6-81e3-d4318799cb11@ed5b36e7-01ee-4ebc-867e-e03cfa0d4697. This webinar is intended to help prospective applicants understand the program and how to apply.Apply for USDA NRCS NHQ WMBP NOFO0001458
- The Natural Resources Conservation Service in the agriculture, environment, natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Wetland Mitigation Banking Program Fiscal Year (FY) 2026" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.933.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-07-23.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-09-08. (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 $1,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 15 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), 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.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Wetland Mitigation Banking Program (WMBP) FY 2026 Grant FAQs
What is this grant opportunity?
The Wetland Mitigation Banking Program (WMBP) Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 opportunity is a discretionary, competitive grant program administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). It is identified by Funding Opportunity Number USDA NRCS NHQ WMBP NOFO0001458.
How much funding is available under this FY 2026 opportunity?
NRCS is making $3,000,000 available for FY 2026 to support the development and establishment of wetland mitigation banks and related banking opportunities.
What is the purpose of the WMBP FY 2026 funding?
The funding is intended to support the development and establishment of wetland mitigation banks and related banking opportunities that create mitigation options solely for agricultural producers who have wetlands subject to the wetland conservation compliance provisions of the Food Security Act of 1985, as amended.
Who is the intended end user of the mitigation banks created with these funds?
The mitigation banks and banking opportunities supported with these funds are intended to serve agricultural producers who need mitigation pathways to address wetland conservation compliance requirements tied to wetlands on agricultural land.
Is this a competitive grant or a formula/entitlement program?
This is a competitive grant program. Proposals are reviewed and selected based on merit and alignment with NRCS program priorities, rather than being awarded automatically to all eligible applicants.
Who can apply for this grant?
NRCS indicates proposals must be submitted by eligible entities listed in the notice (Section B.1). The eligible applicant types described include:
- State, county, and local governments
- Special district governments
- Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education
- Private institutions of higher education
- Federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations
- Nonprofit organizations (with or without 501(c)(3) status)
- For-profit organizations (other than small businesses)
- Small businesses
Do applicants have to be agricultural producers to apply?
The opportunity lists a broad range of eligible applicant entity types (including governments, nonprofits, higher education, tribal entities, and businesses). At the same time, NRCS states the banks and banking opportunities funded through this program are intended to create mitigation options solely for agricultural producers facing wetland conservation compliance requirements.
What kinds of projects does NRCS want to fund?
NRCS is funding projects that support the development and establishment of wetland mitigation banks and related banking opportunities, with the goal of creating mitigation pathways for agricultural producers subject to wetland conservation compliance provisions.
What is the maximum award amount?
The award ceiling is $1,000,000 per grant.
How many awards does NRCS expect to make?
NRCS expects to make about 15 awards under this FY 2026 opportunity.
Which states are identified as priorities for FY 2026?
NRCS states priority will be given to establishing banks in states with significant numbers of individual wetlands, wetland acreage, and wetland conservation compliance requests. Based on NRCS data, the priority states for FY 2026 are:
- Georgia
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Nebraska
- Ohio
- Pennsylvania
- South Dakota
- Wisconsin
If my project is outside the priority states, can I still apply?
The notice indicates NRCS will give priority to establishing banks in the listed priority states for FY 2026. The information provided does not state that projects outside those states are ineligible, but it does signal that proposals in the priority states may be more competitive relative to stated priorities.
What is the Assistance Listing (CFDA) number for this opportunity?
The CFDA/Assistance Listing number associated with this opportunity is 10.933.
What funding activity areas does this opportunity fall under?
The opportunity is described as spanning agriculture, environment, and natural resources.
When was this funding opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on 2026-07-23.
What is the application deadline?
The original application closing date listed is 2026-09-08.
Is there an applicant webinar?
Yes. NRCS is hosting a WMBP applicant webinar intended to help prospective applicants understand the program and how to apply.
When is the applicant webinar and how do I join?
The webinar is scheduled for July 30, 2026 at 3:00 pm Eastern Time. NRCS provided a Microsoft Teams event link for participation: https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/4685b4dd-a1ce-4ad6-81e3-d4318799cb11@ed5b36e7-01ee-4ebc-867e-e03cfa0d4697
What does NRCS mean by focusing on wetland conservation compliance under the Food Security Act?
NRCS states the program is aimed at wetlands that fall under the wetland conservation compliance provisions of the Food Security Act of 1985, as amended. In practical terms (as described in the notice summary), the funding is intended to help set up mitigation banking pathways agricultural producers can use to address compliance needs tied to wetlands on agricultural land.
Where can I find the official identifier for this opportunity?
The Funding Opportunity Number is USDA NRCS NHQ WMBP NOFO0001458, and it is titled the Wetland Mitigation Banking Program Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 grant opportunity.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources
Previous opportunity: Food Safety Outreach Program-Collaborative Education and Training Projects
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for USDA NRCS NHQ WMBP NOFO0001458
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "USDA NRCS NHQ WMBP NOFO0001458", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.