FY27 Program information
The Eastern Brook Trout Joint Venture (EBTJV) is accepting pre-applications for brook trout habitat conservation and restoration projects. EBTJV is one of 20 partnerships within the National Fish Habitat Partnership and supports on-the-ground projects that conserve, reconnect, and restore habitat to sustain healthy, self-sustaining populations of wild brook trout across their native eastern range.
Funding Available
Awards of up to $50,000 are available for eligible on-the-ground conservation and restoration projects. Funding must be matched with nonfederal contributions* (this requirement is waived for Tribal projects).
Overview of the Process
The FY27 funding process consists of four stages that move projects from initial coordination through federal funding decisions:
- Required Coordination with EBTJV Point of Contact
- Pre-Application Submission (Required)
- Invitation-Only Full Proposal
- Program and Federal Review (NFHP and USFWS)
Final funding decisions are made at the federal level following National Fish Habitat Partnership (NFHP) and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) review.
Application Process
From application to award, projects move through several stages of review and coordination involving EBTJV, the National Fish Habitat Partnership (NFHP), and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS).
EBTJV manages the application, technical review, and project recommendation process. Final funding decisions are made by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and depend on the FY27 federal budget.
The three applicant steps within the EBTJV process are outlined below.
Step 1: State or Federal Point of Contact (Required Coordination)
Applicants are required to contact their EBTJV state or federal point of contact before submitting a pre-application.
Reach out early in the process and provide a brief summary of your proposed project, including its location, objectives, partners, and anticipated timeline. This coordination helps ensure alignment with state priorities and local watershed conditions.
Applicants invited to submit a full proposal must include a support letter from their EBTJV state or federal point of contact with the final proposal package.
A list of EBTJV state and federal points of contact is available here:
Step 2: Pre-Application (Required)
Submit a brief pre-application by July 15, 2026, through Jotform. Please contact us if you need assistance.
This form replaces last year's "Intent to Apply" form. It includes additional project-specific questions beyond simple notice of interest and is used to evaluate project eligibility, readiness, and alignment with EBTJV priorities.
Responses will be reviewed to select up to five applicants to be invited to submit a full proposal.
Step 3: Invitation-Only Full Proposal
In late July or early August, up to five applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal. Because available funding is limited this year, EBTJV anticipates supporting 1–2 projects.
Applicants may reference prior-year scoring criteria. The FY27 evaluation rubric will be posted on the EBTJV website when full proposal invitations are issued.
Following EBTJV review and ranking, a recommended project list will be submitted to the National Fish Habitat Partnership (NFHP) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) for final funding decisions.
Examples of Eligible Projects
Projects may include, but are not limited to:
- restoring aquatic connectivity by removing small dams and replacing undersized culverts;
- reducing competition from non-native species, including removal efforts;
- planting native trees and shrubs along streams to provide shade and stabilize streambanks;
- adding woody material to streams to increase habitat complexity, improve sediment transport, and reconnect groundwater processes;
- restoring native brook trout to watersheds where populations have been extirpated; and
- implementing watershed conservation practices that reduce sediment and nutrient pollution.
These examples are not exhaustive. Project suitability depends on local conditions, and practices that are appropriate in one watershed may not be appropriate in another.
Examples of previously funded projects may also help applicants understand the scale and types of projects typically supported by EBTJV. Previously funded projects are available here.
Projects are evaluated in context of whether the root causes of brook trout decline have been or will be addressed as a first step, and if available physical and biological data have been considered: e.g. data on population genetics, non-native species, stream temperatures, and available habitat and watershed variables. Additionally, efforts to maintain or improve public access, educate the public and other stakeholders about the conservation actions, and monitor project outcomes should ideally be included as components of a successful project (but are not eligible as a stand alone project).
We also strongly encourage you to look at the EBTJV FY26 Scoring Criteria. This outlines how applications will be scored, and should help you know if your project will rank well. Consultation with your EBTJV federal or state representative is also meant to help you in this process.
Eligible Applicants
State, county, and local governments
Federal resource and land management agencies
Private, Public, and State controlled institutions of higher education
Watershed groups and coalitions
Nonprofits having a 501 (c)(3) status with the IRS
Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized)
Match Requirement
*Projects that cannot provide a full 1:1 non-federal match are still encouraged to apply. Please contact the EBTJV Coordinator to discuss your project before deciding not to apply.
EBTJV also requires that at least 0.75:1 non-federal ratio is in-hand or pledged by the time you submit your full proposal, if invited. Greater match funding among all sources will result in a more competitive project proposal. There is no match requirement for projects done by a federally recognized tribe.
Projects should have a minimum of a 1:1 contribution from non-federal funding sources. To qualify as non-federal, non-federal funds contributions must not come from, be matched to, or otherwise tied to a federal source. Match may include cash, time, materials, or other in-kind services. Match can be generated at any time but must be spent during the project performance period, which is expected to begin in the summer of 2027, unless prior approval is granted by the USFWS Program Officer.
Additional Required Elements (for those invited to a full proposal)
If invited to submit a full proposal, you will need to submit the following forms and information in addition to the full proposal:
Program budget
Metrics table
Letter of Support from the State or Federal EBTJV Point of Contact - You must obtain a letter of support from the appropriate EBTJV state or federal point of contact for your project in advance of the application deadline so that it is attached to your application. (Initial contact is required by all who submit a pre-application, prior to July 15). See description above.
Landowner letter: If the project is located on private land, a landowner consent letter is needed. EBTJV does not currently have a template landowner consent letter, but you may provide your own.
Site photos. Upload numbered photos to the web form. A separate table is provided to add a caption and photo credit for each photo uploaded. In the past we have used a USFWS photo release form; in lieu of that we have a checkbox to authorize EBTJV’s use of your images.
Federal Funding and Compliance
Funding is provided through the National Fish Habitat Partnership under the America’s Conservation Enhancement Act (ACE Act). Successful applicants will complete additional grant agreement steps with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 2027 and must have an active SAM registration in order to receive federal funds.
FY27 Funding Timeline
The timeline below highlights key dates in the FY27 funding process. For a description of each application stage and the roles of EBTJV, NFHP, and USFWS, please see above.
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| June 22, 2026 | Pre-application information and submission link become available on the EBTJV website. |
| June 22 – July 15, 2026 | Applicants initiate required coordination with their EBTJV state or federal point of contact. |
| July 15, 2026 | Pre-applications due via Jotform. |
| Late July – Early August 2026 | Up to five applicants are invited to submit full proposals. |
| September 2, 2026 | Full proposals due, including a support letter from the applicant's EBTJV state or federal point of contact. |
| November 15, 2026 | EBTJV submits its recommended project list to the National Fish Habitat Partnership (NFHP). |
| Winter 2026–2027 | NFHP compiles project lists from all Fish Habitat Partnerships and submits them to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). |
| May – June 2027 | USFWS announces final award decisions and funding amounts (dependent on the federal budget). EBTJV anticipates supporting 1–2 projects at approximately $50,000 each. |
| May – June 2027 | Selected applicants complete grant agreement and compliance requirements with USFWS. |
| Summer 2027 | Following USFWS grant agreement approval, projects may begin implementation. |
Note: Funding decisions are contingent upon federal appropriations and are outside the control of EBTJV and NFHP.
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