The Reservoir Fisheries Habitat Partnership (RFHP) is proud to announce our Request for Proposals for federal FY2027 funding of fish habitat enhancement projects in reservoirs.

Available Funding

RFHP anticipates approximately $94,000 in Federal funding for “on-the-ground” projects in FY2026. Grants will be capped at $75,000 but grants for lesser amounts will be considered.

Bear in mind that the grant request must be matched by a minimum of 1:1 non-Federal funds for Federal monies. RFHP anticipates funding 1-3 projects @ $10,000-$75,000 each from Federal funds. Given the amount of funding available at this time, RFHP grants should be considered as a partial funding source for projects with multiple funding sources and partners, and special consideration will be given to projects with more than the minimum match. All contributions (cash and/or in-kind) must be expended during the project period. Eligible costs will be paid for work done no earlier than contract approval.

We welcome multi-year projects, but do limit long-term funding of the same project year-after-year. Specifically, funding for a second year of the same/very similar work within the previous three years is capped at $50,000. Funding for a third year within the previous three years is capped at $30,000. A phase is characterized by unique objectives and methods relative to the previous phase. A new phase with unique scope is eligible for full funding.

Deadline

Applications are due by 11:59pm Central time on October 1, 2026.

Proposal Requirements: Review the grant requirements here or download the PDF directly at the bottom of this page. Grants must be submitted using the online submission form below. Timelines may use an April 1, 2027 starting date, but the actual start date will be determined by completion of the contract document. All proposals require confirmation of the applicant's current or pending registration with SAM and access to GrantSolutions and ASAP.

Who is RFHP?

The RFHP is a nationwide partnership established to promote and facilitate the conservation of habitat for fish and other aquatic species in reservoirs and is one of 20 federally recognized National Fish Habitat Partnerships in the U.S. It is the only one dedicated to manmade reservoirs, which are products of society’s need for water and its many uses. Many habitat impairments come along with reservoirs, and RFHP seeks projects that address large-scale habitat issues, implement best practices, foster partnerships across the landscape, and enrich quality of life through fishing and reservoir improvement.

Clean water and healthy aquatic habitat in reservoirs and their connected waterways are not optional for our nation’s future. Healthy reservoir systems are critical if we are to provide water in sufficient quantity and quality to support humans and their communities, and the aquatic life that thrives within their waters. We envision a future of healthy reservoir systems that are sustained by collaborative action to benefit (1) people, their communities, and their economies and (2) fish and other aquatic species, and their communities, for future generations. It is a future where:

• Our partnership leads in identifying and implementing, through collaborative partnerships, priority habitat projects within reservoirs and their associated waters to protect, restore, and enhance important fisheries;
• Sustainable management of reservoir systems is supported by broad public participation based on dialogue, collaboration, and consensus building;
• Partners who have not traditionally worked together in addressing reservoirs and connected lands and waters will now plan, fund, and support actions to protect aquatic habitat in those systems;
• Reservoirs are managed as part of encompassing natural systems that include both upstream and downstream flow components, and terrestrial areas impacting or influenced by those components;
• The value of healthy and sustainable reservoir systems are understood and appreciated by the millions of Americans who use them and the elected officials who determine the policies that govern them;
• Our partnership is instrumental in motivating and coalescing reservoir stakeholder groups and other conservation partnerships to support and implement actions that address priority aquatic habitat needs in reservoirs, downstream waters, and associated watersheds;
• Sustainable economic development is predominant and contributes toward the conservation of healthy reservoir systems nationwide;
• Adequate information systems and communication networks exist to support the development of best management practices and appropriate technologies to support the conservation of fish habitat in reservoir systems;
• Our partnership can scientifically contribute to informed policy decisions on the management of reservoir systems and their future modification;
• Recreational uses of reservoir systems are expanded, made more available to all Americans, and connected through volunteerism to the conservation of those systems;
• Regulatory agencies and ownership jurisdictions within reservoir systems cooperate to establish seamless management and conservation.

To read more about why we do what we do, please check out RFHP's strategic plan.

Strategic Plan