The Tribal Climate Change Guide is part of the Pacific Northwest Tribal Climate Change Project (TCCP). The TCCP is part of the L.I.G.H.T. Foundation (LF), is an independent, Indigenous-led, conservation 501(c)(3) nonprofit established on the Colville Indian Reservation in the traditional territory of the Nespelem Tribe in present-day north central Washington State. LF supports the restoration and cultivation of native Plant and Pollinator Relatives and the culturally respectful conservation of habitats and ecosystems which are climate resilient and adaptive. For more information about LF, visit: https://thepnwlf.org/. For more information about the Tribal Climate Change Project, visit: https://tribalclimate.uoregon.edu/. If you would like to add information to this guide, please email kathy.lynn.or@gmail.com.

 

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.lynn.or@gmail.com. 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 Geography Website
Yukon River Salmon Research and Management Assistance FY 2019 FWS

Deadline Passed 01/04/2019. Deadline Unknown for 2020. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) receives funds for implementation of the Yukon River Salmon Agreement with Canada which was reached in March 2001. The Yukon River Salmon Agreement of 2000 authorizes funds for implementation of the Agreement including funds for cooperative research and management projects on the Alaska portion of the Yukon River. The Service administers these funds through financial assistance on a competitive basis for projects/studies/events that advance the scientific community's and public's understanding of the biology and management of Chinook and chum salmon in the Yukon River of Alaska. This funding opportunity is a request for conceptual project proposals of one year in length addressing the needs of the priority Categories and Factors listed in the full announcement. Applicants are strongly encouraged to develop projects that incorporate local capacity with members of Yukon River communities in which they may be working. Coordinating projects with state and federal regulatory agencies is also recommended, but not mandatory.

Categories: Yukon River, salmon, research, management

$2,000-$120,000 Alaska, Yukon River Link
Engaging Colorado Front Range Youth and Local Communities at Rocky Mountain National Park through Conservation Projects DOI, NPS

Deadline Passed 05/30/2018. Deadline Unknown for 2019.  FOA#: P18AS00074. The principal purpose of the resulting agreements is to educate youth, promote community engagement, and cultivate the next generation of conservation professionals to promote a stewardship legacy at Rocky Mountain National Park. The project will provide opportunities for under-represented youth to learn about the environment by spending time working on conservation projects such as trail rehabilitation, historic rock wall repairs, conducting invasive plant removal, designing visitor wayside exhibits and trailhead information kiosks in the National Parks. The National Park Service will promote the public purpose of the agreement by engaging young adults in community-based work and offering internships and training, all of which provide exposure to the importance of parks and the conservation of our public lands. In the process, participants will add value to NPS by helping our staff and partners cultivate strong relationships with the youth and emerging adult demographics as project participants in our community-based projects. This agreement serves a public purpose by promoting and stimulating education, job training, development of responsible citizenship, productive community involvement, and furthering the understanding, appreciation, and conservation of our National natural and cultural resources. The projects awarded under this cooperative agreement will motivate youth and young adults to be involved with the natural, cultural and historical resource protection of their communities and would restore trust with the local communities.

Categories: youth, engagement, conservation, stewardship, education, community

$10,000-$350,000 Colorado Link
Tribal Training and Outreach Support for the American Indian Air Quality Training Program EPA, AIAQTP, R&IEL

Grant deadline unknown for 2016. This notice announces the availability of funds and solicits applications from eligible entities to provide tribal training, technical and outreach support for the American Indian Air Quality Training Program. The American Indian Air Quality Training Program (AIAQTP) provides workshop training, internships and technical support to tribal governments seeking to investigate, develop and establish air quality management programs for lands under their jurisdiction and provides opportunity for American Indian students to pursue environmental careers in the field of air quality management. The Tribal Air Monitoring Support Center is a component of the AIAQTP, and is a partnership effort between the selected grant recipient and EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation, hosted by the Radiation and Indoor Environments National (R&IEL) laboratory in Las Vegas, to provide a full spectrum of technical support to tribes undertaking air quality monitoring and related activities.

Categories: workshop training, technical support, internships, Air Quality

Up to $1,600,000 National, Las Vegas Link
FY18 Environmental Workforce Development and Job Training (EWJDT) Grants Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Deadline Passes December 15, 2017. Deadline for 2018 unknown. This notice announces the availability of funds and solicits proposals from eligible entities, including nonprofit organizations, to deliver Environmental Workforce Development and Job Training programs that recruit, train, and place local, unemployed and under-employed residents with the skills needed to secure full-time employment in the environmental field. Please note that eligible entities who received an EWDJT grant in Fiscal Year 2017 (FY17) are not eligible to apply for funding in FY18. While Environmental Workforce Development and Job Training Grants require training in brownfield assessment and/or cleanup, these grants also require that Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) training be provided to all individuals being trained. EPA encourages applicants to develop their curricula based on local labor market assessments and employers’ hiring needs, while also delivering comprehensive training that results in graduates securing multiple certifications.

Categories: workforce development, job training, environmental, hazardous and solid waste management, water quality improvement, chemical safety, pesticide management

The total funding available under this competitive opportunity is approximately $3,000,000, subject to availability of funds, quality of proposals received, and other applicable considerations for FY18. National Link
Climate Ready Workforce for Coastal and Great Lakes States, Tribes, and Territories Initiative NOAA Climate Program Office, Sea Grant

Deadline passed. Most recent deadline: November 30, 2023. Full Proposals due: February 13, 2024. Sea Grant and the NOAA Climate Program Office, with support from the NOAA Office for Coastal Management, seek to establish programs aimed at placing people across the country into good jobs that advance climate resilience and assisting employers in developing a 21st century workforce that is climate literate, informed by climate resilience, and skilled at addressing consequent challenges. NOAA will assist communities in coastal and Great Lakes states and territories so they may form partnerships that train workers and place them into jobs that enhance climate resilience. NOAA envisions making between 10-20 awards under this competition, at amounts ranging from $500,000-$10 million each. NOAA expects projects to range in duration from 24 months to 48 months, beginning no earlier than August 1, 2024. Resources from NOAA’s Climate Program Office, Office for Coastal Management, and National Sea Grant Office and its partners will be available to provide technical assistance to applicants and recipients to support these innovative efforts.

Categories: workforce development, community, technical assistance, clean jobs

$500,000-$10 million Coastal Link
Wood Innovations Funding Opportunity USDA Forest Service

Deadline Passed. Most recent deadline: March 23, 2023. The Wood Innovations Grant Program, launched in 2015, stimulates, expands, and supports U.S. wood products markets and wood energy markets to support the long-term management of National Forest System and other forest lands. National focus areas include mass timber, renewable wood energy, and technological development that supports hazardous fuel reduction and sustainable forest management Read the funding announcement here.

Categories: wood energy, wood products, hazardous fuels reduction, forest health, forest management, economic health, environmental health

The maximum for each award is $300,000. National Link
Women and Minorities in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Fields Program (WAMS) USDA

Deadline Passed 2/24/2020. Deadline Unknown for 2021. The purpose of this program is to support research, education/teaching, and extension projects that increase participation by women and underrepresented minorities from rural areas in STEM. NIFA intends this program to address educational needs within broadly defined areas of food, agriculture, natural resources, and human (FANH) sciences. WAMS-funded projects improve the economic health and viability of rural communities by developing research and extension initiatives that focus on new and emerging employment opportunities in STEM occupations.

Categories: women, minorities, STEM, rural, food security, sustainability, agriculture, natural resources, education, economic health

Up to $400,000 National Link
Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act DOI, FWS

Deadline for 2018 passed 1/8/2018. Deadline for 2019 unknown. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service requests interested entities to submit restoration, research and Regional project proposals for the restoration of Great Lakes fish and wildlife resources. The purpose of the Act is to provide assistance to States, Indian Tribes, and other interested entities to encourage cooperative conservation, restoration and management of the fish and wildlife resources and their habitats in the Great Lakes Basin.

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

$2,300-$1,200,000 Great Lakes, Midwest, Northeast Link
Bureau of Land Management Headquarters (HQ) Wildlife Program DOI, BLM

Deadline passed. Most recent deadline: April 3, 2023. The Bureau of Land Management Headquarters (HQ) Wildlife Program is focused on ensuring self-sustaining populations and a natural abundance and diversity of wildlife on public lands for the enjoyment and use of present and future generations. The program is responsible for managing habitats for wildlife species that depend on public lands for all or part of their life cycle. Program activities address habitat maintenance, restoration, and species conservation in cooperation with federal, state, Tribal governments, private landowners, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The HQ Wildlife Program works with partners and cooperating agencies/governments to align efforts to manage priority habitats and species, identify and implement strategies that promote building resiliency to climate change and environmental stressors, including drought; wild land fire; unusual weather events; and insects/disease.

Categories: wildlife, habitat restoration, hazard mitigation, climate resiliency, drought, wildfire, conservation, IRA

$25,000 - $1,500,000 National Link
Zoonotic Disease Grant Program U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Deadline passed. Most recent deadline: April 20, 2023. The Zoonotic Disease Initiative is a grant program focused on wildlife disease prevention and preparedness. Authorized under the American Rescue Plan (2021, H.R. 1319, Section 6003.3), the Initiative will provide $9 million in available funding to states, Tribes and territories to strengthen early detection, rapid response and science-based management research to address wildlife disease outbreaks before they cross the barrier from animals to humans and become pandemics. The highest priority for the funding is to increase organizational readiness and ensure a network of state, Tribal and territorial wildlife managers across the nation are prepared for zoonotic disease outbreaks. Strengthening partner capacity for wildlife health monitoring will allow for the early detection of diseases. Learn more and apply here. Grants for Tribes are open through NOFO F23AS00139. For more information, please contact Anna-Marie York at anna-marie_york@fws.gov.

Categories: Wildlife disease prevention, wildlife health, science-based management, monitoring

$75,000 - $775,000 National Link
BLM CA Experimental Mesoscale Forecast Products for Fire Weather, Smoke Dispersion, Transport, Fire Danger, Fire Behavior BLM

Deadline passed as of August 11, 2017. Deadline for 2018 unknown. Perform research and studies pertaining to wildland fire and resource management, to develop products and tools for all levels of decision making to meet the objectives of the National Fire Plan, and to seek information to improve decision making in wildland fire management.

Categories: wildland fire, wildfire, hazard, risk, prevention, fuels, management, climate change,

Varies.
California Link
BLM OR/WA Wildland Urban Interface Master Funding Opportunity BLM OR/WA, DOI

Deadline Passed 08/27/2019. Deadline Unknown for 2020. The National Fire Plan was implemented in 2001 to assist communities at risk from catastrophic wildland fires by providing assistance in the following areas: Implement hazardous fuels reduction activities, including the training, monitoring or maintenance associated with such hazardous fuels reduction activities, on federal land, or on adjacent nonfederal land for activities that mitigate the threat of catastrophic fire to communities and natural resources in high risk areas; Community programs that develop local capability including; assessment and planning, mitigation activities, Community/homeowner education and action plans Enhance local and small business employment opportunities. 

Categories: wildfires, hazardous fuels reduction, training, monitoring, natural resources, community preparedness

$3,000-$1,000,000 Oregon Washington Link
BLM Idaho Wildland Urban Interface Community Fire Assistance DOI, BLM

Deadline Passed 8/26/2018. Deadline Unknown for 2019. BLM has an opportunity to work with a partner organization to assist with Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) Community Fire Assistance established by the Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Act to allow the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to enter into financial assistance agreements with local communities to reduce the risk and impact of catastrophic wildfires. This program is in support of protecting the American family, putting America back to work, and creating a conservation stewardship legacy second only to Teddy Roosevelt by providing an opportunity to support planning and implementation of hazardous fuels reduction projects in Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) areas and education and outreach programs that help create fire adapted communities and resilient landscapes.

Categories: wildfires, conservation, stewardship, education, wildfire prevention, hazardous fuels reduction, adaptation

$100,000 Idaho Link
Wildfire Risk Reduction Program for Rural Communities New Mexico Counties

Deadline for 2018 past. Deadline for 2019 unknown. The 2018-2019 Wildfire Risk Reduction Grant Program grant cycle will give priority to applicants who request funding for outreach and education projects (i.e. Fire Adaptive Communities, Firewise, Ready, Set, Go) that encourage reducing wildfire risk on private lands and can show a direct benefit to BLM lands. The program is also encouraging CWPP updates for plans that are more than five years old. Requirements for CWPP updates are included with the program information. A limited number of hazardous fuel reduction projects will be considered and should focus on treatments to private lands with a direct benefit to BLM lands.

Categories: wildfire, risk reduction, BLM lands, education, hazards

up to $50,000 New Mexico Link
Wildfire Community Assistance in Montana, North Dakota & South Dakota DOI, BLM

This grant will be awarded to projects that 1) promote community assistance programs that will be used to develop local capability including, but not limited to; Wildfire planning, wildfire mitigation actions, and wildland fire education/prevention, 2) promote community-wide wildfire protection planning; conduct education programs about wildfire; and implement hazardous fuels reduction activities and related monitoring, on federal land, or on adjacent non-federal land, that reduce the wildfire risk to communities and benefit resources on federal land, and/or 3) promote Fire Adapted Communities.

Categories: Wildfire Mitigation and Adaptation, Community Resilience

Awards are for $125,000 Northwest, Midwest Link
North American Wetlands Conservation Act 2020-2021 U.S. Standard Grants FWS

Deadline Passed 07/03/2019. Deadline Unknown for 2020. The U.S. Standard Grants Program is a competitive, matching grants program that supports public-private partnerships carrying out projects in the United States that further the goals of the North American Wetlands Conservation Act. Projects must involve only long-term protection, restoration, enhancement and/or establishment of wetland and associated upland habitats to benefit migratory birds. This program supports the DOI and FWS mission of protecting and managing the nation's natural resources by collaborating with partners and stakeholders to conserve land and water and to expand outdoor recreation and access.

Categories: wetlands, riparian zone, conservation, restoration, monitoring, migratory birds, wildlife, aviary,

$100,000-$1,000,000 National, United States Link
Tribal Wetland Program Development U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Most recent deadline: 01/15/2021. Tribal Wetland Program Development Grants (WPDGs) assist tribal governments and intertribal consortia to develop or refine tribal programs which protect, manage, and restore wetlands. The primary focus of these grants is to develop/refine tribal wetland programs. The goals of EPA’s wetland program include increasing the quantity and quality of wetlands in the U.S. by conserving and restoring wetland acreage and improving wetland condition. In pursuing these goals, EPA seeks to develop the capacity of all levels of government to develop and refine effective, comprehensive programs for wetland protection and management.

Categories: wetlands, conservation, clean water act

$25,000-$250,000 National Link
FWS National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program FY 2015

Deadline passed as of June 30, 2017. Deadline for 2018 unknown. The Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection, and Restoration Act (Section 305, Title III, Public Law 101‐646, 16 U.S.C. 3954) established the National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program (NCWCGP) to acquire, restore, and enhance wetlands in coastal States through competitive matching grants to State agencies. The primary goal of the NCWCGP is the long‐term conservation of coastal wetland ecosystems. In FY 2013, the NCWCGP will fund 24 to 26 individual projects encompassing 4,690 to 5,500 acres of coastal habitat.

Categories: Wetlands, Coasts, Conservation

$25,000-$1,000,000. Northwest, Southwest, Northeast, Southeast, National, Alaska, Coastal Link
North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) U.S. Small Grants FWA

Deadline Passed 10/18/2018. Deadline Unknown for 2019.  The U.S. Small Grants Program is a competitive, matching grants program that supports public-private partnerships carrying out projects in the United States that further the goals of the North American Wetlands Conservation Act. Projects must involve only long-term protection, restoration, enhancement and/or establishment of wetland and associated upland habitats to benefit migratory birds. The program requires a 1:1 non-federal match and research funding is ineligible. This program supports the DOI and FWS mission of protecting and managing the nation's natural resources by collaborating with partners and stakeholders to conserve land and water and to expand outdoor recreation and access.

Categories: Wetlands Conservation, Migratory Bird Conservation

$1,000-$100,000 Northwest, Southwest, Northeast, Southeast, Midwest, National, Alaska Link
EPA Region 7 Wetland Program Development Grants EPA

Wetland Program Development Grants provide eligible applicants an opportunity to conduct and promote the coordination and acceleration of research, investigations, experiments, training, demonstrations, surveys, and studies relating to the causes, effects, extent, prevention, reduction, and elimination of water pollution. All proposals submitted under this RFP must be for projects that build or refine state/tribal/local government wetland programs.

Categories: Wetland Conservation, Water Pollution

Varies Midwest Link
WaterSMART Cooperative Watershed Management Program Phase I for Fiscal Year 2023 DOI Bureau of Reclamation

Most recent deadline: September 3, 2024. The objective of this NOFO is to invite states, Indian Tribes, irrigation districts, water districts, local governmental entities, non-profit organizations, Existing Watershed Groups, and local and special districts (e.g., irrigation and water districts, conservation districts, natural resource districts) to submit proposals for Phase I activities to develop a watershed group, complete watershed restoration planning activities, and design watershed management projects. See Section C.4. Eligible Projects for a more comprehensive description of eligible activities.A “watershed group,” as defined in Section 6001(6) of the Cooperative Watershed Management Act (see Section A.1. Authority for full citation) is a grassroots, non-regulatory entity that addresses water availability and quality issues within the relevant watershed, is capable of promoting the sustainable use of water resources in the watershed, makes decisions on a consensus basis, and represents a diverse group of stakeholders, including hydroelectric producers, livestock grazing, timber production, land development, recreation or tourism, irrigated agriculture, the environment, municipal water supplies, private property owners, Federal, state and local governments, Tribes, and disadvantaged communities. 

Categories: watershed, water resources

$10,000 - $300,000 National Link
Emergency Watershed Program State Contacts USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service

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

NRCS completes a Damage Survey Report which provides a site-bysite investigation of the work and measures necessary to protect life
and property from additional flooding and soil erosion. NRCS will
only provide funding for work that is necessary to reduce applicable
threats. Should sponsors want to increase the level of protection, the
sponsor will be responsible for paying 100 percent of the costs of the
upgrade and additional work
National Link
WATERSHEDS SMALL GRANTS PROGRAM Pierce County

Most recent deadline: May 1, 2024. Grants are available to projects within the Key Peninsula-Gig Harbor-Islands Watershed Council (KGI) which focus on drainage, water quality, and habitat issues within the WRIA15 watershed. Successful projects align with the current Action Agendas (or workplans) of the watershed councils and may include activities such as riparian plantings, invasive species removal, community clean-up events, nature-based education programs, and rain garden installations. 

Categories: Watershed, drainage, water quality, and habitat issues

Applications for individual grants up to $2,500 ($3,000 for the KGI Watershed) are now available. Northwestern Washington Link
Water & Waste Disposal Technical Assistance & Training Grants USDA Rural Development

Application Window is from October 1st - December 31st each year. This program helps qualified, private non-profits provide technical assistance and training to (a) identify and evaluate solutions to water and waste problems; (b) assist applicants in preparing applications for water and waste disposal loans/grants; and (c) assist associations in improving operation and maintenance of existing water and waste facilities in eligible rural areas.

Categories: Water, waste disposal, 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
Water & Waste Disposal Predevelopment Planning Grants USDA 12/31/2024

Applications accepted year round. This program assists low-income communities with initial planning and development of applications for USDA Rural Development Water and Waste Disposal direct loan/grant and loan guarantee programs. The area must also have a median household income below the poverty line or less than 80 percent of the statewide non-metropolitan median household income

Categories: water, waste disposal, planning, development, infrastructure, rural communities

Maximum of $30,000 or 75 percent of the predevelopment planning costs. Rural Areas, Tribal Lands Link
Urban Waters Small Grants EPA

EPA’s Urban Waters Program helps local residents and their organizations, particularly those in underserved communities, restore their urban waters in ways that also benefit community and economic revitalization. One of the ways the Urban Waters Program is accomplishing this mission is through the Urban Waters Small Grants Program. This program recognizes that healthy and accessible urban waters can help grow local businesses and enhance educational, recreational, social, and employment opportunities in nearby communities.

Categories: Water, urban communities, community revitalization

Up to $60,000 per award Unknown 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
Tribal Solid Waste Management Assistance Project EPA

The Tribal Solid Waste Interagency Workgroup was created to coordinate federal assistance to tribes to help them comply with the municipal solid waste landfill regulations. Successful proposals should characterize/assess open dumps, develop integrated waste management (IWM) plans, develop and implement alternative solid waste management activities/facilities; or develop and implement cleanup, closure, and post-closure programs for open dumps in Indian Country. Each proposal must address only one of the four proposal categories described above.

Categories: Water, Regulatory, Research

10 Individual awards ranging from $10,000 to $50,000 Northwest, Southwest, Midwest, Northeast, Southeast, National, Alaska Link
Emergency Community Water Assistance Grants USDA 12/31/2024

Applications accepted continuously. This program provides grants to assist rural communities that have had a significant decline in quantity or quality of drinking water. Grant may fund waterline extensions from existing systems, construction of new water lines; repairs to existing systems, construction of new wells, reservoirs, transmission lines, treatment plants, and other water sources. Priority is given to areas with less than 10,000 people, low-income areas, and communities facing imminent decline and shortage of water.

Categories: Water, Natural Resources, Health, Emergency

Individual awards range from 150,000 to $500,000 depending on the severity of decline in quantity or quality of water. Northwest, Southwest, Midwest, Northeast, Southeast, National, Alaska Link