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​The Desert Fish Habitat Partnership FY 2026 Request For Proposals is Open!
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+++ Deadline to Apply is 5PM Pacific Time, February 21, 2025 +++
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The Desert Fish Habitat Partnership (DFHP) is proud to announce our FY2026 Request for Project Proposals. As one of 20 federally recognized National Fish Habitat Partnerships, DFHP is a collaborative effort represented by 11 western states, seven federal agencies, sovereign tribes and tribal organizations, non-governmental organizations, and private conservation groups that seek to cooperatively conserve native desert fish species across their historic ranges by protecting, restoring, and enhancing aquatic ecosystems. Project funding is made available to grantees annually through the National Fish Habitat Partnership (NFHP) Board.
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Eligible Projects
NFHP funds must be used for on-the-ground habitat projects (engineering assessment, design, construction, implementation, monitoring, etc.), scientific assessments, outreach or communication projects, or acquisition of real property. Funds may not be used for research projects. Types of eligible projects may include riparian or instream habitat protection, enhancement, and restoration; barrier removal or construction; range-wide population or watershed habitat assessments to prioritize and plan habitat conservation; and habitat-related community outreach and education actions.
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FY 2026 Focal Area
Up to 75% of DFHP’s NFHP funding may be allocated to a specific DFHP geographic region rotating on an annual basis, starting with the Lower Colorado, and followed by the Upper Colorado, Rio Grande and Basin and Range (see map below delineating geographic region boundaries). It is not guaranteed that a full 75% of NFHP funds will be allocated to projects within the focal geographic region of that year and project submissions from all geographic regions are welcomed and encouraged. Proposals will be judged on merit, first and foremost.
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FY2026 – Lower Colorado
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FY2027 – Upper Colorado
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FY2028 – Rio Grande
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FY2029 - Basin and Range
Available Funding
NFHP project funding from The ACE Act is authorized annually and the available FY2026 funding for NFHP projects nationwide will not be known until early 2025. Project funding allocated to DFHP varies annually but we anticipate it will be in the range of $150,000-$250,000 for FY26 based on previous years. This is a very competitive process, and we anticipate our pool of applicants to exceed available funding. Typical funding per project is within the range of $5k-$50k; however, proposals requesting over $50k are welcome and will be considered. There is a 1:1 non-Federal match requirement, which may include cash and/or in-kind labor, materials, or equipment if there are no Federal ties to those funds.
DFHP Request for Proposals (RFP)
Click here to read and download the FY26 RFP and Funding Announcement. Applications must be received by 5PM Pacific Time on February 21, 2025. Late applications may only be considered under special circumstances. If you have any questions, please contact the DFHP Coordinator, Jon Sjoberg, at jon.sjoberg@wafwa.org.
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DFHP Project Application Forms
There are three parts to the proposal. 1) The DFHP Project Application Form, 2) The Budget Template Worksheet, and 3) The Project Metrics Summary Worksheet. All documents must be downloaded and completed for project proposals seeking FY 2026 funding. The FY26 RFP (linked above) provides important information on proposal requirements and submission.
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DFHP Proposal Evaluation and Criteria Form
This document provides detailed criteria that the DFHP Steering Committee will consider when selecting and scoring projects for funding. Click here to download the document.
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Additional Documents to Assist in Completing the FY 2026 RFP
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1. Desert Fish Habitat Partnership Framework for Strategic Conservation of
