2026 National Coastal Resilience Fund (NCRF) Now Open For Applications

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) has announced it has opened applications for grants from the 2026 National Coastal Resilience Fund (NCRF). Pre-proposals are due Tuesday, March 31. Applicants approved to submit a full proposal will need to do so by Wednesday, June 24.

The program will provide individual grants of up to $7 million to coastal communities for projects that create and restore natural systems, increase protection from current and future hazards, and improve habitats for fish and wildlife. Funding is available for:

• Community Capacity Building and Planning
• Site Assessment and Preliminary Design
• Final Design and Permitting
• Restoration Implementation

A pre-proposal webinar is available from NFWF.

Proposals need to address these priorities: nature-based solutions, community risk reduction benefits, and fish and wildlife benefits. The full request is available on the NFWF website. A PDF tip sheet for applicants is also available and more information can be found on NFWF's Application Information page.

GZA has been helping businesses, utilities and communities become more resilient to climate change and extreme weather since 2010. We can help you determine your proposed project’s eligibility, and guide you on which types of projects are highly competitive for federal grants for future phases of planning, design, permitting and construction. We look forward to the opportunity to support you through the grant application process and in building a more resilient community.