The Reservoir Fisheries Habitat Partnership (RFHP) is pleased to announce the FY2027 Request for Proposals for on-the-ground fish habitat enhancement projects in reservoirs. RFHP is one of 20 federally recognized National Fish Habitat Partnerships and the only partnership dedicated specifically to manmade reservoirs.

RFHP seeks projects that:

• Address large-scale or system-level habitat issues
• Implement best management practices
• Foster strong partnerships across landscapes
• Improve ecological function and recreational fishing

Available Funding

For FY2027, RFHP anticipates approximately $500,000 in Bass Pro Shops funding to support habitat improvement projects.

Grant Size

• Maximum request: $100,000
• Requests up to $75,000: Standard 25% match required
• Requests above $75,000: Must follow the tiered match requirement (see Section 3)
• Smaller requests are welcome and encouraged

RFHP expects to fund approximately 6–9 projects in the 2027 cycle.

All match contributions must be expended within the project period, and funds may only reimburse costs incurred after contract approval. Federal and non-federal funds can be used as match.

Match Requirements (Tiered System)

Base Match Requirement

• Requests up to $75,000 require a 25% match (1:3).

Tiered Match Requirement for Requests Over $75,000

For grant requests above $75,000, the minimum match increases by 5% for every $5,000 (or fraction thereof) above $75,000.

Tiered Match Table

Match contributions may be cash, in-kind, or a combination of both.

Multi-Year Project Eligibility

Multi-year projects are allowed; however, RFHP limits repeated funding of the same or substantially similar project phases.

• Second year of similar work within the last 3 years: Maximum $50,000
• Third year within the last 3 years: Maximum $30,000

A new phase is defined by distinct objectives and methods compared to prior phases and is eligible for up to the full $100,000.

Application Deadline

All applications must be submitted by 11:59 PM Central Time on March 10, 2026.

Applicants may assume a project start date of November 1, 2026, though the final start date will depend on the execution of the contract documents.

Proposal Requirements

Applicants must review the RFHP grant requirements, available on the RFHP website or as a downloadable PDF.

All applications must be submitted through the RFHP Online Submission Portal.

Required Components

• Project Title and Applicant Information
• Executive Summary
• Project Narrative (objectives, methods, partnership roles, timeline)
• Statement of Need
• Expected Outcomes and Metrics
• Budget and Budget Justification
• Match Documentation
• Maps, Designs, or Technical Appendices (if applicable)
• Letters of Support (optional unless otherwise noted)

Evaluation Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated on the following criteria:

• Relevance to RFHP Mission
• Ecological Benefit and Expected Outcomes
• Technical Feasibility and Methods
• Strength of Partnerships and Collaboration
• Match Level (above minimums preferred)
• Cost-Effectiveness
• Long-Term Sustainability

Online Application System

This grant is available for Friends of Reservoirs members only. You must be logged in to your account to apply.

Terms and Conditions

Awardees must agree to:

• Comply with all reporting requirements
• Participate in status checks and evaluation activities
• Maintain accurate financial records for possible auditing
• Adhere to all state and federal regulations applicable to project work

Contact Information

For questions about this RFP or project eligibility, please contact:

Doug Nygren
RFHP Coordinator
forcoordinator@gmail.com