The Tribal Climate Change Guide is part of the Pacific Northwest Tribal Climate Change Project. For more information, visit: https://tribalclimate.uoregon.edu/. If you would like to add to or amend information included in this guide, please complete this Google Form. If you have additions or suggestions for this website, please email kathy@uoregon.edu.

 

Funding

The Tribal Climate Change Funding Guide is intended to provide up-to-date information on grants, programs and plans that may assist tribes in addressing climate change through a broad range of sectors. We will update this guide regularly, so please check back often. If you have questions or updates for this guide, email: kathy@uoregon.edu. Please note that for entries that are accepting applications continuously, the grant deadline column will list "12/31/2024" as the grant deadline. This ensures that those grants will appear immediately after those grants with a set deadline.

Title Organization Grant Deadline Description Funding Amount Sort ascending Geography Website
Rural Broadband Access Loan and Loan Guarantee USDA

Deadline Passed 09/30/2018. Deadline Unknown for 2019. The Rural Broadband Access Loan and Loan Guarantee Program (Broadband Program) furnishes loans and loan guarantees to provide funds for the costs of construction, improvement, or acquisition of facilities and equipment needed to provide service at the broadband lending speed in eligible rural areas. For more information on other programs administered by RUS Telecommunications please visit : http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/all-programs/telecom-programs. Broadband loans provide funding on a technology-neutral basis for financing:The construction, improvement, and acquisition of facilities required to provide service at the broadband lending speed including facilities required for providing other services through the same facilitiesThe cost of leasing facilities required to provide service at the broadband Lending speed if such lease qualifies as a capital lease under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)An acquisition, under certain circumstances and with restrictionsFor additional detail see 7 CFR 1738

Categories: broadband access, internet, implementation, development, rural communities

varies Rural Areas Link
Telecommunications Infrastructure Loans & Loan Guarantees USDA 12/31/2024

Applications accepted year round. This program provides financing for the construction, maintenance, improvement and expansion of telephone service and broadband in rural areas. For more information on other programs administered by RUS Telecommunications please visit : http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/all-programs/telecom-programs

Categories: telecommunications, infrastructure, development, broadband, construction, rural communities

varies Rural Areas Link
Tree Assistance Program (TAP) USDA, FSA

The 2014 Farm Bill authorized the Tree Assistance Program (TAP) to provide financial assistance to eligible orchardists and nursery tree growers to replant or rehabilitate eligible trees, bushes, and vines lost by natural disasters. TAP is administered by the Farm Service Agency (FSA) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). To be considered an eligible loss:Eligible trees, bushes, or vines must have suffered more than a 15 percent mortality loss in a stand (adjusted for normal mortality) due to an eligible natural disaster;Mortality loss on a stand of eligible trees, bushes, or vines is based on:Each eligible disaster event, except for losses due to plant disease; andFor plant disease, the time period as determined by the FSA for which the stand is infected.The loss must not have been preventable through reasonable and available measures;The loss must be visible and obvious to the FSA representative; if the loss is no longer visible, FSA may accept other loss evidence and determine whether that other evidence substantiates that an eligible loss due to natural disaster occurred; and FSA may require information from a qualified expert to determine extent of loss in the case of plant disease or insect infestation

Categories: natural disasters, rehabilitation, replant, tree health, plant health

varies National Link
Tribal Energy Loan Guarantee Program DOE

Deadline Passed 09/19/2018. Deadline Unknown for 2019. This solicitation announcement (including all Attachments, the “Solicitation”) invites the submission of applications from qualified financial institutions for partial, risk-sharing loan guarantees from the United States Department of Energy (“DOE” or the “Department”) under Section 2602(c) of the Energy Policy Act of 1992, as amended (25 USC Section 3502(c)) (the “Act”), in support of debt financing for tribal energy development projects, as described in this Solicitation, that are located in the United States. The Act authorizes a new federal loan guarantee program (the “Tribal Energy Loan Guarantee Program” or “TELGP”) intended to benefit federally recognized Indian tribes and Alaska Native corporations, by increasing the capacity of the commercial debt markets for their energy development initiatives.

Categories: energy, tribal energy, development, capacity building

varies National Link
Staffing for Adequate Fire & Emergency Response Grants FEMA

Deadline past 2018. Deadline unknown for 2019. The Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grants (SAFER) was created to provide funding directly to fire departments and volunteer firefighter interest organizations to help them increase or maintain the number of trained, "front line" firefighters available in their communities. The goal of SAFER is to enhance the local fire departments' abilities to comply with staffing, response and operational standards established by the NFPA (NFPA 1710 and/or NFPA 1720).

Categories: firefighters, staffing, capacity building, training

Varies National Link
Native Voices Rising Native Americans in Philanthropy, Common Counsel Foundation

Most Recent Deadline: June 28, 2024. Native Voices Rising (NVR) is a project of Common Counsel Foundation and Native Americans in Philanthropy. NVR provides general operating support grants that are intended to strengthen Native-led organizations that are building community leadership and power to improve the wellbeing of their communities. Eligible organizations are rooted in a Native community, led by Native people, hold a vision for change that improves the lives of Native community members, engage large numbers of community members to take action together and seek to improve the policies and rules that impact the community.

Categories: community building, development, community health, community engagement

Varies National Link
Alaska Native Villages and Rural Communities Water Grant Program Environmental Protection Agency

No listed deadline. Significant human health and water quality problems exist in Alaska Native Villages (ANV) and other rural communities in Alaska due to lack of sanitation. To address these issues, Congress in 1996 authorized EPA to create the Alaska Native Villages and Rural Communities Grant Program, which is codified in 33 U.S.C. § 1263a.

The program assists these communities with the construction of new or improved wastewater and drinking water systems. Communities can also use the funding for training and technical assistance in system operations and maintenance.

EPA provides funds to the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to address the needs of rural and native Alaska communities. The DEC, in turn, administers these funds through its Village Safe Water (VSW) program. The VSW program’s goal is "to improve public health and compliance with environmental laws by upgrading the level of sanitation facilities in rural [Alaskan] communities through financial and technical assistance."

Categories: Water, sanitation, public health

Varies Alaska Link
Water Pollution Control (Section 106) Grants Environmental Protection Agency

Deadline varies based on individual grants. Section 106 of the Clean Water Act (CWA) authorizes EPA to provide financial assistance to states and eligible interstate agencies to establish and administer programs for the prevention, reduction, and elimination of water pollution. In 1987, Congress amended section 518(e) of the CWA to include provisions that allow EPA to treat an Indian tribe in a manner similar to a state (i.e., treatment in a manner similar to a state, or TAS) for the purpose of providing Section 106 funding.

Categories: water quality, water quality standards, water quality monitoring, pollution, source water

Varies National Link
Clean Water Indian Set-Aside Program Environmental Protection Agency, Indian Health Service (IHS) 12/31/2024

Submissions accepted on a rolling basis. The Clean Water Indian Set-Aside Grant Program (CWISA) provides funding to Indian tribes and Alaska Native Villages for wastewater infrastructure. The CWISA program is administered in cooperation with the Indian Health Service (IHS). The CWISA program provides funding for wastewater infrastructure to American Indian Tribes and Alaska Native Villages. Funds may be used for planning, design, and construction of wastewater collection and treatment systems. The CWISA program is administered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in cooperation with the Indian Health Service (IHS) Sanitation Facilities Construction program. 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: waste water infrastructure, monitoring, infrastructure

Varies National Link
Drinking Water Infrastructure Grants -Tribal Set-Aside Program Environmental Protection Agency

The 1996 amendments to the Safe Drinking Water Act (SWDA), established the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF). The DWSRF makes funds available to drinking water systems to finance infrastructure improvements.

The SDWA also authorized EPA to set-aside up to 1.5% of the DWSRF for grants to improve the infrastructure of drinking water systems that serve tribes (SDWA §1452i). Starting in 2010, Congress increased the tribal set aside funds to 2%.

Categories: drinking water

Varies National. Link
2023 State and National Native Nations Grants and Planning Competition Americorps

Dealine passed. Most recent deadline: April 5, 2023.  Through the 2023 notice of funding opportunity, AmeriCorps seeks to prioritize the investment of national service resources into disaster services like COVID-19 response, economic opportunities, education, Traditional Ecological Knowledge, Indigenous language, civic and social engagement, healthy futures and veterans and military families. Opportunities include three-year operating grants which engage AmeriCorps members in time-limited-service commitments and one-year planning grants to develop programs that implement evidence-based solutions to community needs.

Categories: disaster response, education, TEK, language, health, economy, community, Veterans

Varies National Link
The Northwest Climate Resilience Collaborative Community Grants Program NOAA, UW EarthLab, Northwest Climate Resilience Collaborative

Deadline passed. Most recent deadline: February 28, 2023. The Resilience Collaborative seeks to fund justice-focused, environmental and climate projects that advance community-centered resilience priorities. The Collaborative is particularly interested in supporting frontline communities and tribes or nonprofits and community organizations that serve frontline communities and tribes. Project topics can include capacity building, developing a community-centered resilience plan, developing Indigenous climate knowledge, and more. Awardees must be based in Washington, Idaho or Oregon. Funding amount (provided by NOAA and University of Washington EarthLab) varies based on level or project ranging from $5,000 up to $50,000 for one year. Projects of varying levels will be funded as follows: Level 1: $5,000 to $10,000; Level 2: $15,000 to $30,000; Level 3: $35,000 to $50,000. Additional information and an opoprtunity to have questions answered will be available at an informational webinar on Friday, January 20, 2023 and during open office hours Tuesday, January 24, 3-4:30 p.m. and Thursday, February 16, noon-1:30 p.m. More information is available here.

Categories: capacity building, community-building, Indigenous climate knowledge, resilience strategy, climate documenting, environmental justice

Varies Washington, Idaho, Oregon Link
Preventing Outages and Enhancing the Resilience of the Electric Grid DOE, National Energy Technology Lab

Deadline passed. Most recent deadline: August 31, 2023. Application deadline recently extended. Under Section 40101(d) Formula Grant Program of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), the Department of Energy will provide grants to States (including U.S. Territories) and Indian Tribes to improve the resilience of their electric grids. States and Indian Tribes may further allocate funds to “eligible entities”, as defined by Section 40101(d). These grants offer a unique opportunity to advance the capabilities of States and Indian Tribes, and their communities, to address not only current, but future resilience needs.

Categories: energy, electric grids, infrastructure, power, BIL

Varies National Link
Climate Pollution Reduction Grants EPA

Most recent deadline: May 1, 2024. Phase II Deadline for General Competition: April 1, 2024. Deadline for Tribes and Territories Only Competition: May 1, 2024. EPA has announced two competitions for CPRG implementation grants – a general competition for applications from states, municipalities, tribes, tribal consortia, and territories, and a competition only for tribes, tribal consortia, and territories. These competitions are open to entities that received planning grants to develop Priority Climate Action Plans (PCAPs) under phase 1 of the CPRG program, as well as entities that did not directly receive a planning grant that are applying for funds to implement measures included in an applicable PCAP. Eligible applicants may only apply for funding to implement measures contained in an applicable PCAP. For the general competition, EPA anticipates awarding individual grants between $2 million and $500 million, with funding tiers allowing comparably sized projects to compete against one another. For the competition for tribes and territories, EPA anticipates awarding individual grants ranging between $1 million to $25 million.

Categories: pollution, IRA, greenhouse gas, air quality, health

Varies National, US territories, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico Link
2023 AmeriCorps Seniors Native Nations and Indigenous Elders Senior Demonstration Program AmeriCorps

Deadline passed. Most recent deadline: April 5, 2023. Through the Native Nations and Indigenous Elders SDP funding opportunity, applicants must demonstrate how they will engage adults ages 55 and older to address one or more of the Indigenous Elders SDP priorities. AmeriCorps Seniors is open to proposals that are reflective of the needs of Indigenous and Native communities served by the applicant’s proposed program. Some examples of programs selected as part of this opportunity might include the following:    Programs promoting the preservation and teaching of Native and Indigenous languages and cultural practices.    Programming focused on helping Native and indigenous communities respond to and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.    Programs that support the quality of life of Veterans and Military Families, Caregivers, and Survivors.    Programs that provide social, economic, and/or educational services to Native and Indigenous people both on and off Native and Indigenous lands.    Programming that advances justice and equality in areas such as food sovereignty, climate change & conservation, and mental health services.      Programs that create workforce pathways for older adults, including deliberate training, certifications, and hiring preferences or support.

Categories: seniors, veterans, language, food sovereignty, mental health, conservation, workforce training

Varies National Link
SEARCH - Special Evaluation Assistance for Rural Communities and Households Grant USDA 12/31/2024

Rolling deadline. This program helps very small, financially distressed rural communities with predevelopment feasibility studies, design and technical assistance on proposed water and waste disposal projects.

Categories: water, waste disposal, rural

Varies Rural areas with a population of 2500 or less Link
Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program Office of State and Community Energy Programs 5/31/2025

The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program is a $550 million grant program funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. It is designed to assist states, local governments, and Tribes in implementing strategies to reduce energy use, to reduce fossil fuel emissions, and to improve energy efficiency. Tribal allocations can be viewed here: https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2023-01/IIJA%20%2840552%29%20EECBG%20Program_Attachment%201c.%20_Tribal%20Allocations_FINAL.pdf

Categories: energy, greenhouse gas, carbon emissions, energy efficiency

Varies National Link
FY 2023 Competitive Funding Opportunity; Low or No Emission Vehicle Program Department of Transportation, Federal Transit Administration

Deadline passed. Most recent deadline: April 13, 2023. The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announces the availability of approximately $1.22 billion in competitive grants under the Low or No Emission Grant Program (Low-No Program) for the purchase or lease of zero-emission and low-emission transit buses, including acquisition, construction, and leasing of required supporting facilities. Funds remain available for obligation for four fiscal years. This includes the fiscal year in which the amount is made available or appropriated plus three additional years. Apply here.

Categories: carbon emissions, transportation, transit facilities, clean energy, IIJA

Varies National Link
Safeguarding Tomorrow Revolving Loan Fund Program FEMA

Deadline passed. Most recent deadline: April 28, 2023. The Safeguarding Tomorrow through Ongoing Risk Mitigation (STORM) Act became law on Jan. 1, 2021 and authorizes FEMA to provide capitalization grants to states, eligible federally recognized tribes, territories and the District of Columbia to establish revolving loan funds that provide hazard mitigation assistance for local governments to reduce risks from natural hazards and disasters. These low interest loans will allow jurisdictions to reduce vulnerability to natural disasters, foster greater community resilience and reduce disaster suffering. Federally recognized tribes that received a major disaster declaration are eligible to apply. Currently, this includes 20 tribal nations.

Categories: hazard mitigation, technical assistance, drought, extreme heat, storms, wildfire, flood, earthquake, community resilience

Varies National, US territories Link
Clean Air Act Grants under the Inflation Reduction Act EPA

Deadline passed. Most recent deadline: April 17, 2023. EPA's Office of Air and Radiation is announcing approximately $25,000,000 in Clean Air Act (CAA) grants under section 60105(f) "Funding to Address Air Pollution: Clean Air Act Grants" of the Inflation Reduction Act. These funds will supplement annual funding for air pollution control agencies in support of activities under Clean Air Act Section 103. The funds will support efforts by air pollution control agencies and other organizations to partner with EPA to deliver cleaner air through programs that address air quality, transportation, indoor air, and climate change. Other activities may include planning and preparation for implementing other Inflation Reduction Act provisions. EPA regional offices will contact eligible entities about how to apply via Grants.gov.

Categories: air quality, pollution, non-competitive, IRA, transportation, GHG emissions

Varies National Link
Grid Resilience Formula Grants Department of Energy

Most Recent Deadline: June 17, 2024. Department of Energy (DOE) issued an amendment to the Administrative and Legal Requirements Document (ALRD) for the Grid Resilience State and Tribal Formula Grants Program, extending the deadline for States, Indian Tribes, and Territories to apply for grants and request allocations to Monday, June 17, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. ET.   The original deadline was today, April 17th.  The deadline extension reflects stakeholder feedback and provides additional time for States, Indian Tribes, and Territories to prepare applications. Applicants should submit their applications as soon as they are ready.  Applications will be processed on a rolling basis as they are received, and grants may be awarded prior to the June 17, 2024 deadline. For more information, visit: https://www.energy.gov/gdo/grid-resilience-statetribal-formula-grants-program

Categories: energy, infrastructure, grid, BIL

Varies National Link
Carbon Capture Large-Scale Pilot Projects DOE, Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED)

Deadline passed. Most recent deadline: July 7, 2023. Deadline for Concept Papers passed: April 5, 2023. The Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED), in collaboration with the Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM) and National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), is issuing this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) for Carbon Capture Large-Scale Pilot Projects. Awards made under this FOA will be funded with funds appropriated by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, more commonly known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). Carbon capture large-scale pilot projects will provide the support needed to test novel technologies at intermediate scale and under relevant conditions in both the power and industrial sector to:De-risk transformational carbon capture technologies and address community concerns through meaningful engagement and robust analysis of impacts, risks and benefits such as emissions, water usage, and jobs; andCatalyze significant follow-on investments from the private sector for first-of-a-kind (FOAK) commercial-scale demonstrations on carbon emission sources across the power and industrial sectors.

Categories: BIL, infrastructure, carbon, energy, GHG

Varies National, International Link
Public Transportation on Indian Reservations Program Department of Transportation

Most Recent Deadline: June 26, 2023. The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announces the opportunity to apply for $8.9 million in competitive grants for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 Public Transportation on Indian Reservations (Tribal Transit) Program. As required by Federal public transportation law, funds will be awarded competitively for any purpose eligible under FTA’s Formula Grants for Rural Areas Program, including planning, capital, and operating assistance for tribal public transit services in rural areas.  FTA may award additional funding that is made available to the program prior to the announcement of project selections. Applicants must provide transit service in a rural area with a population of less than 50,000.  A service area can include some portions of urban areas, as long as rural areas are also served.

Categories: public transit, BIL, infrastructure, rural

Varies National Link
Green and Resilient Retrofit Program US Department of Housing and Urban Development

Most Recent Deadline through March 2024. Part of the Inflation Reduction Act, the Green and Resilient Retrofit Program provides funding for direct loans and grants to fund projects that improve energy or water efficiency, enhance indoor air quality or sustainability, implement the use of zero-emission electricity generation, low-emission building materials or processes, energy storage, or building electrification strategies, or address climate resilience, of eligible HUD-assisted multifamily properties. Eligible owners primarily include owners receiving HUD rental assistance under Multifamily Section 8 project-based rental assistance, Section 202 Supportive Housing for Low-Income Elderly, and Section 811 Supportive Housing for Low-Income Persons with Disabilities. There are three different paths/cohorts depending on the properties' stages of development.

Categories: development, property, infrastructure, IRA, retrofit

Varies National Link
Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) USDA 12/31/2024

Deadline: Year round with periodic ranking cycles announced. The Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) protects the agricultural viability and related conservation values of eligible land by limiting nonagricultural uses which negatively affect agricultural uses and conservation values, protect grazing uses and related conservation values by restoring or conserving eligible grazing land, and protecting and restoring and enhancing wetlands on eligible land. ACEP has two components:Agricultural Land Easements (ALE) help private and tribal landowners, land trusts, and other entities such as state and local governments protect croplands and grasslands on working farms and ranches by limiting non-agricultural uses of the land through conservation easements.Wetland Reserve Easements (WRE) help private and tribal landowners protect, restore and enhance wetlands which have been previously degraded due to agricultural uses. 

Categories: IRA, farmland, conservation, wetlands

Varies National Link
Indigenous Animals Harvesting and Meat Processing Grant (IAG) Program USDA

Deadline passed. Most recent deadline: July 19, 2023. The Indigenous Animals Harvesting and Meat Processing Grant (IAG) Program will provide up to $50 million to improve tribal nations’ food and agricultural supply chain resiliency by developing and expanding value-added infrastructure related to meat from indigenous animals like bison, reindeer or salmon. The program will fund projects that focus on expanding local capacity for the harvesting, processing, manufacturing, storing, transporting, wholesaling or distribution of indigenous meats.

Categories: food sovereignty, capacity building, infrastructure

Varies National Link
Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-Saving Transportation Department of Transportation

Most Recent Deadline: August 18, 2023. The purpose of the PROTECT Formula and Discretionary Grant programs is to plan for and strengthen surface transportation to be more resilient to natural hazards, including climate change, sea level rise, flooding, extreme weather events, and other natural disasters through formula and competitive discretionary grants. Funding areas include: planning grants, resilience improvement grants, community resilience and evacuation route grants, and at-risk coastal infrastructure grants.

Categories: roads, infrastructure, transportation, BIL

Varies National Link
Climate Commitment Act Tribal Consultation Capacity Grant Program State of Washington Department of Ecology

Deadline passed. Most recent deadline: July 18, 2023. This is a non-competitive grant program to support Tribes to engage in the consultation process on spending decisions from accounts created in the Climate Commitment Act (CCA). Funds will be distributed equally among all tribes with accepted applications. The Legislature appropriated $16 million for the 2023-2025 biennium. $4 million will be made available during this application window. The remaining $12 million will be distributed in fall 2023, via a distribution method  being developed by the Governor’s Office of Indian Affairs (GOIA).

Categories: non-competitive, consultation, assistance, Washington Climate Commitment Act

Varies ‎Washington State Link
Climate Commitment Act Tribal Carbon Offset Assistance Grants State of Washington Department of Ecology

Deadline passed. Most recent deadline: July 18, 2023. This is a competitive grant program for Tribes to design, assess the feasibility of, and implement carbon offset projects within Washington State. These funds are intended to increase the number of offset projects developed on tribal land within the state. Up to $5,000,000 is available for the 2023-2025 biennium. Per the CCA, offsets can make up 8% of compliance obligation through 2026. Of that 3% must be on tribal lands. After that it is reduced to 6% and 2%, respectively, through 2030.

Categories: Washington Climate Commitment Act, assessment, carbon offset

Varies Washington state Link
Wetland Reserve Easements U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service 1/1/2025

Funding Available: Natural Resources Conservation Service offers technical & financial assistance to help farmers, ranchers and forest landowners. Land eligible includes privately held wetlands that were previously degraded due to agricultural uses and can be restored. 

Types of Projects: To enroll land through wetland reserve easements, NRCS enters into purchase agreements with eligible private landowners or Indian tribes that include the right for NRCS to develop and implement a Wetland Reserve Plan of Operations (WRPO).

Wetland Reserve enrollment options include:

  • Permanent Easements – Permanent easements are conservation easements in perpetuity. NRCS pays 100 percent of the easement value for the purchase of the easement. Additionally, NRCS pays between 75 to 100 percent of the restoration costs.
  • 30-year Easements – 30-year easements expire after 30 years. Under 30-year easements, NRCS pays 50 to 75 percent of the easement value for the purchase of the easement. Additionally, NRCS pays between 50 to 75 percent of the restoration costs.  
  • Term Easements - Term easements are easements that are for the maximum duration allowed under applicable State laws. NRCS pays 50 to 75 percent of the easement value for the purchase of the term easement. Additionally, NRCS pays between 50 to 75 percent of the restoration costs.
  • 30-year Contracts – 30-year contracts are only available to enroll acreage owned by Indian tribes and program payment rates are commensurate with 30-year easements.

Categories: Easement

Varies National Link