Region 5 Fiscal Year 2025 Wetland Program Development Grants

The EPA's Region 5 is offering Wetland Program Development Grants (WPDGs) in Fiscal Year 2025 to assist state, Tribal, territory, and local government agencies, as well as interstate or intertribal entities, in developing or refining wetland protection and restoration programs. Applications are due by April 6, 2026, with anticipated funding between $1,481,000 and $2,962,000 across 15-20 awards. Eligible applicants include Indian Tribes, state and local governments, Institutions of Higher Education, interstate agencies, and intertribal consortia in EPA Region 5 (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin). Projects must develop or refine wetland programs, with two tracks: Track One for Wetland Program Plans (WPP) and Track Two for Non-WPP. A minimum 25% cost share is required, though Tribal applicants can waive this if the grant is included in a Performance Partnership Grant (PPG). Ineligible activities include wetland program implementation projects, fundraising, land purchases, and conventional wetland restoration. The program emphasizes increasing wetland quantity and quality through capacity building and adherence to environmental standards.