Funding

A successful matching grant program, Partners for Places creates opportunities for cities and counties in the United States and Canada to improve communities by building partnerships between local government sustainability offices and place-based foundations.
National funders invest in local projects to promote a healthy environment, a strong economy, and well-being of all residents. Through these projects, Partners for Places fosters long-term relationships that make our urban areas more prosperous, livable, and vibrant.

Categories: environmentalism, social justice, green space, economy, development, restoration, urban development

Most Recent Deadline: June 7, 2024 – The Southeast New England Program (SNEP) Opportunity to Advance Resilience (SOAR) Fund is an EPA New England program designed to improve climate resiliency in disadvantaged communities throughout southeast New England. With funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the EPA program will invest at least $5 million in SNEP disadvantaged communities by 2027. This Request for Proposal (RFP) represents the second round of funding for a total investment of over $2.5 million to date.

Categories: adaptation and resilience (1230)

Most recent deadline: May 1, 2024. This funding opportunity solicits research needed to advance our understanding of the properties and processes important to climate resilience in estuarine and coastal marine ecosystems to better inform coastal ecosystem management strategies

Types of Projects: 1) characterize, quantify, and define resilience for coastal ecosystems, especially those that have climate mitigation and adaptation and 2) develop methods to advance economic valuation of resilience benefits of coastal ecosystems.

Categories: Coast, Ecosystem, Climate, Resilience,

Deadline passed. Most recent deadline: February 3, 2022. The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), in coordination with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), announces the 2021 Emergency Coastal Resilience Fund (ECRF) to support projects that increase the resilience of coastal communities impacted by hurricanes and wildfires in 2020 and 2021. The fund supports conservation projects that create and restore natural systems to help protect coastal communities from the impacts of coastal storms, floods, sea-level rise, inundation, coastal erosion, wildfires and associated landslides/debris flows, and enable communities to recover more quickly from these events, all while improving habitats for fish and wildlife species. The ECRF seeks to fund shovel-ready projects to improve wildlife habitat that also improves community resilience and recovery both in and around impacted areas. An Informational webinar will be held December 7, 2021 3-4 p.m., register here. 

Categories: Coastal communities, resilience, recovery, restoration, hurricanes, wildfires, floods, sea-level rise

Proposals accepted anytime. The goal of the Environmental Sustainability program is to promote sustainable engineered systems that support human well-being and that are also compatible with sustaining natural (environmental) systems. These systems provide ecological services vital for human survival. Research efforts supported by the program typically consider long time horizons and may incorporate contributions from the social sciences and ethics. The program supports engineering research that seeks to balance society's need to provide ecological protection and maintain stable economic conditions.

Categories: Environmental Sustainability, Social Sciences Research, Environmental Ethics, Economic Sustainability, Engineering.

Deadline passed 09/03/2019. Deadline Unknown for 2020. This funding opportunity announcement (FOA) is intended to support environmental health research in which an unpredictable event provides a limited window of opportunity to collect human biological samples or environmental exposure data. The primary motivation of the FOA is to understand the consequences of natural and man-made disasters or emerging environmental public health threats in the U.S. and abroad. A distinguishing feature of an appropriate study is the need for rapid review and funding (substantially shorter than the typical NIH grant review/award cycle) in order for the research question to be addressed and swiftly implemented. The shortened timeframe will be achieved by more frequent application due dates and expediting peer review, council concurrence and award issuance. The entire cycle, from submission to award, is expected to be within 3-4 months.

Categories: environmental health, research, disaster preparedness, environmental exposure, public health

The purpose of the Clean Water Act Indian Set-Aside (CWISA) Program is to provide funding for wastewater infrastructure to federally recognized tribal governments and Alaska Native Villages. Funds may be used for planning, design and construction
of wastewater collection and treatment systems. The CWISA Program is adminis- tered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in cooperation with the Indian Health Service (IHS). The program was established by the 1987 Amendments to the Clean Water Act, in Section 518(c).The CWISA program is administered in cooperation with the Indian Health Service (IHS). To be considered for CWISA program funding, tribes must identify their wastewater needs to the IHS Sanitation Deficiency System. EPA uses the IHS Sanitation Deficiency System priority lists to identify and select projects for CWISA program funding.

Categories: clean water, wastewater, sanitation, Indian Health Service

The Marine Mammal Commission carries out a small research program that supports projects aimed at meeting the conservation and protection goals of the Marine Mammal Protection Act. The Commission’s research program includes all relevant activities including basic and applied research, workshops, literature reviews, compilation of expert opinion, and drafting manuscripts.
The Commission encourages the submission of proposals for innovative and well-designed projects that address important conservation issues for marine mammals or marine ecosystems but that may be unlikely to obtain funding through traditional research agencies. On occasion, the Commission provides start-up or seed money for promising research projects that, once proven feasible, may be supported later by other federal agencies. The Commission encourages applicants to obtain additional support by collaborating with, or soliciting funds from, other institutions, organizations, or agencies.
The research program awards grants based on proposals submitted in response to general Requests for Proposals (RFPs), unsolicited proposals, and specific research topics identified by the Commission.

Categories: Natural Resources, Wildlife, Research, Education, Conservation, Coastal, Water

The Strategic Technical Assistance Response Team (START) Program is part of the DOE Office of Indian Energy effort to assist in the development of tribal renewable energy projects. Through START, Tribes in the 48 contiguous states and Alaska can apply for and are selected to receive technical assistance from DOE and national laboratory experts to move projects closer to implementation.

Categories: Renewable energy, Infrastructure

Deadline passed. Most recent deadline: December 17, 2021. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) launched an opportunity announcement for the Local Energy Action Program (Communities LEAP) - an initiative designed to help environmental justice communities and communities with historical ties to fossil fuel industries take direct control of their clean energy future. The Communities LEAP pilot program provides supportive services valued at up to $16 million to help communities develop locally-driven energy plans to more effectively leverage public and private sector resources to reduce local air pollution, increase energy resilience, lower utility costs and energy burdens, and create good-paying jobs. This opportunity is specifically open to low-income, energy-burdened communities (including Tribes) that are also experiencing either direct environmental justice impacts, or direct economic impacts from a shift away from historical reliance on fossil fuels. Tribes must register in order to apply for this opportunity.

Categories: Clean energy, technical assistance, environmental justice, resilience, emissions, infrastructure, development

Most recent deadline: December 6, 2023. The California Strategic Growth Council recently released the Notice of Funding Availability for Round 2 of the Regional Climate Collaboratives (RCC) Program. RCC is a capacity building grant program that funds community-rooted and cross-sectoral partners to develop the processes, plans, and projects that will drive and sustain climate action in their communities. RCC invests in projects that advance the following key Program Objectives: Develop Actionable Plans and Projects, Build Social Infrastructure, Center Community Engagement and Decision Making, and Develop Equity-Centered Processes.

Categories: Energy, climate, resilience, environmental justice, underserved communities

The Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive (FINI) Grant Program supports projects to increase the purchase of fruits and vegetables among low-income consumers participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by providing incentives at the point of purchase. There are three categories of projects: (1) FINI Pilot Projects (awards not to exceed a total of $100,000 over one year); (2) Multi-year, community-based FINI Projects (awards not to exceed a total of $500,000 over no more than four years); and (3) Multi-year, FINI Large-Scale Projects (awards of $500,000 or more over no more than four years).

Categories: Food, nutrition

Rolling Deadline. The Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant program provides funding for rural projects through local utility organizations. USDA provides zero-interest loans to local utilities which they, in turn, pass through to local businesses (ultimate recipients) for projects that will create and retain employment in rural areas. The ultimate recipients repay the lending utility directly. The utility is responsible for repayment to USDA.

Categories: Economic Development, Rural Development, Grants and Loans

Most Recent Deadline for Track B & C: August 21, 2024. The Inflation Reduction Act Forest Landowner Support programming provides financial assistance grants for projects that support underserved and small-acreage forest landowner participation in emerging private markets for climate mitigation and forest resilience. The Inflation Reduction Act provides the Forest Service $450 million for Forest Landowner Support which will be made available through a series of funding opportunities. Bookmark this webpage to stay up to date on current opportunities and deadlines or contact SM.FS.LandownerIRA@usda.gov to be added to an email distribution list.

Categories: forest landowners, IRA, inflation reduction act

Funding unknown for 2017. President Obama has challenged us all to help win the future by out-educating, out-innovating, and out-building our competitors in the 21st century. Know someone who is doing extraordinary things to make a difference in your community? Nominate them to be a Champion of Change. We’ll consider your nominations as we feature people who are bringing about change in their communities on the White House website to share their ideas on how to win the future.

Categories: Leadership, Award, Climate Initiatives

National Coastal Resilience Fund. Pre-proposals are due on Tuesday, May 6, 2025. National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) National Coastal Resilience Fund has released a request for proposals. The National Coastal Resilience Fund (NCRF), established in 2018, invests in nature-based solutions that protect coastal communities while enhancing habitats for fish and wildlife. The National Coastal Resilience Fund invests in conservation projects that restore, increase and strengthen natural infrastructure such as coastal marshes and wetlands, dune and beach systems, oyster and coral reefs, rivers and floodplains, coastal forest, and barrier islands that mitigate the impacts of storms and other coastal hazards to communities. For more information, visit: https://www.nfwf.org/programs/national-coastal-resilience-fund/national….
 

Categories: Coasts, resilience, habitat restoration, extreme weather events, mitigation, community preparedness

The DOE Office of Indian Energy is now accepting applications for the third round of the Strategic Technical Assistance Response Team (START) Renewable Energy Project Development Assistance Program to provide Tribes with technical assistance with furthering the development of community- and commercial-scale renewable energy projects.

Categories: Renewable energy, Infrastructure

The Scholarship Fund provides financial assistance through scholarships to American Indian and Alaska Native students wishing to pursue post-secondary and graduate education and training. Funded in part by the Land Buy-Back Program for Tribal Nations (Buy-Back Program), the scholarship program is overseen by the Cobell Board of Trustees and administered by Indigenous Education, Inc., a non-profit corporation expressly created to administer the Scholarship Fund. Thus far, approximately $2.2 million has been awarded in graduate and undergraduate scholarships to highly qualified American Indian students.

Categories: scholarship, graduate funds, undergraduate funds, post-secondary, land buy-back

Deadline for 2018 passed 1/5/2018. Deadline for 2019 unknown. The Alaska Community Foundation’s goals for the Alaska Native Social Justice Fund grant cycle are to support strategic collaborations that prioritize leadership development and allow Alaska Native communities to use their own voices to identify and address the social justice issues that are the most important to their communities. These may include, but are not limited to access to and use of traditional resources, overrepresentation in the prison system, under-representation in the political process, and unequal access to education.

Categories: social justice, use of traditional resources

Most recent deadline: 12/17/2020. Call for Statements of Interest for Tribal Climate Adaptation Research Projects Federal Fiscal Year 2021. Deadline for Statements of Interest – December 17, 2020. The Northwest and Southwest Climate Adaptation Science Centers (NW CASC, SW CASC) invite statements of interest for tribal climate adaption research projects to be initiated in Federal Fiscal Year (FY) 2021. The NW CASC is seeking statements of interest for tribal climate adaptation research projects that focus on the following priorities, as identified and described in the NW CASC Science Agenda for 2018-2023: 1) management of aquatic resources, 2) management of at-risk species and habitats, 3) management of invasive species and diseases, 4) management of forest ecosystems, and 5) human dimensions of climate adaptation. Statements of interest that describe leveraging of existing projects will also be considered. The SW CASC is requesting statements of interest that specifically draw upon the application of traditional methods of ecosystem restoration and natural resource management, with special emphasis on fire in the context of climate change and adaptation. These projects can be used as seed funding in preparation for subsequent calls for proposals or focus on developing a process for implementing traditional practices and/or building bridges between western (conventional) and indigenous practices. Statements of interest that describe leveraging of existing efforts will also be considered.

Categories: climate adaption, research, endangered species, invasive species, forests

Deadline passed. Most recent deadline: 05/20/2021.The Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program announces the Call for Pre- proposals for Research & Education grants for 2022. With a Research and Education grant, a researcher and at least three (3) Producers work together to develop a proposal to conduct both research and education on a sustainable agriculture topic. Outreach activities may include on-farm/ranch demonstrations, farmer-to-farmer educational activities, and other approaches to assist producer adoption of sustainable agricultural practices. The goal of this program is to achieve results that can be communicated to producers and professionals; sustain and improve the environmental quality and natural resource base on which agriculture depends; improve the profitability of farmers/ranchers and associated agricultural businesses; and enhance the quality of life for farmers/ranchers in their local communities.

Categories: research and education, agriculture, sustainability farming, natural resources, ranching

Most Recent Deadline: May 31, 2024. The University of New Orleans Research and Technology Foundation (UNORTF) seeks written proposals for restoration projects and related scientific and public education projects for the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Restoration Program (PRP). This funding opportunity is made through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 6 and the FY22 Infrastructure and Investment Jobs Act.

Categories: restoration

DOT is making available funding to develop innovative programs and activities in public transportation that address the human resources needs of public transportation operators, as well as build pathways to long-term careers in the public transportation industry. DOT is giving additional consideration to proposals that advance training related to maintenance of alternative energy, energy efficiency, or zero emission vehicles and facilities used in public transportation, as well as submissions that are geographically diverse, target areas with high rates of unemployment, and address current or projected workforce shortages in areas that require technical expertise.

Categories: Infrastructure, Planning, career building, Research

The Russell Family Foundation aims to protect and restore Puget Sound by supporting an environmental education program. They support organizations that provide opportunities for outdoor environmental education experiences throughout Puget Sound. These organizations deliver outdoor experiential learning to students in 5th through 12th grade who live in urbanized areas.

Categories: Restoration, Conservation

Deadline Passed for 2018. Deadline Unknown for 2019. The Local Food Promotion Program (LFPP) offers grant funds with a 25% match to support the development and expansion of local and regional food business enterprises to increase domestic consumption of, and access to, locally and regionally produced agricultural products, and to develop new market opportunities for farm and ranch operations serving local markets. There are two types of project applications: planning grants and implementation grants. LFPP Planning Grants are used in the planning stages of establishing or expanding a local and regional food business enterprise. LFPP Implementation Grants are used to establish a new local and regional food business enterprise, or to improve or expand an existing local or regional food business enterprise.

Categories: food security, local foods, agriculture, farm and ranch operations, development, food business enterprise

Network for Landscape Conservation 2025 Catalyst Fund Request for Proposals. Applications Due: May 16, 2025. The purpose of the Catalyst Fund is to accelerate the pace and practice of landscape conservation and stewardship across the United States. The Fund makes strategic investments in strengthening the collaborative capacity of place-based, community-grounded Landscape Partnerships. Through generous support from the Doris Duke Foundation and the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, the Catalyst Fund will distribute approximately $400,000 this year through competitive grants to Landscape Partnerships that stand at pivotal points in their development. Funded Partnerships will also be invited to participate in a two-year peer learning program.  A portion of the Catalyst Fund is dedicated to supporting Indigenous leadership in landscape conservation and stewardship. We especially invite Partnerships that are led by Tribes and/or Indigenous organizations and communities to apply. For more information, visit: https://landscapeconservation.org/catalyst-fund/

Categories: Landscape conservation, collaboration, capacity-building

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) administers the Emergency Watershed Protection Program (EWPP) which responds to emergencies created by natural disasters. It is not necessary for a national emergency to be declared for an area to be eligible for assistance. The EWP Program is a recovery effort aimed at relieving imminent hazards to life and property caused by floods, fires, windstorms, and other natural disasters. All projects must have a project sponsor. NRCS may bear up to 75 percent of the eligible construction cost of emergency measures (90 percent within limited-resource areas as identified by the U.S. Census data). The remaining costs must come from local sources and can be in the form of cash or in-kind services

Categories: Watershed, Emergency Management

FY 2016 funding status unknown. The Obama Administration is committed to taking decisive action to combat climate change. Today, the Administration announced a new Climate Action Champions competition that will identify, showcase, and invest in up to 15 local and tribal governments across the country that demonstrate an ongoing commitment to cutting carbon pollution and preparing for the impacts of a changing climate. The competition will be administered by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), and will be implemented in collaboration with a broad range of Federal agencies.The Climate Action Champions’ dual focus on both mitigation of greenhouse gas pollution and building resilience to climate impacts at the local level makes this competition unique.

Categories: Adaptation, Mitigation, Implementation

Most recent deadline: September 30, 2024. Under the authority provided by Section 22 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1974 (PL 93-251), as amended, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers can provide states, local governments, other non-Federal entities, and eligible Native American Indian tribes assistance in the preparation of comprehensive plans for the development, utilization, and conservation of water and related land resources. Typical studies are only planning level of detail; they do not include detailed design for project construction. The program can encompass many types of studies dealing with water resources issues. Types of studies conducted in recent years under the program include the following: water supply/demand, water conservation, water quality, environmental/conservation, wetlands evaluation/restoration, dam safety/failure, flood damage reduction, coastal zone protection, and harbor planning.

There are two types of assistance available: (1) development of a Comprehensive Plans for planning for the development, utilization, and conservation of the water resources and (2) Technical Assistance related to the management of state water resources.

Categories: water, conservation, planning, water quality

Deadline: 2/5/2021. EPA provides Indian Environmental General Assistance Program (GAP) financial and technical assistance to tribal governments and intertribal consortia to assist tribes in planning, developing, and establishing the capacity to implement federal environmental programs administered by the EPA and to assist in implementation of tribal solid and hazardous waste programs in accordance with applicable provisions of law, including the Solid Waste Disposal Act (commonly known as the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, or RCRA. EPA administers this program in accordance with the statute, applicable federal regulations, including 40 CFR part 35, subpart B, and national guidance, including the Indian Environmental General Assistance Program Guidance on the Award and Management of General Assistance Agreements for Tribes and Intertribal Consortia (2013; hereafter GAP Guidance).

Categories: administrative, financial management, information management, environmental baseline needs assessment, public education/communication, legal, ambient air quality, water quality, managing waste