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 Geography Website
EPA Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities Program EPA, NGO

Smart Growth America and Global Green USA are soliciting applications for technical assistance, which is available under grants EPA awarded to these two organizations through the Office of Sustainable Communities' Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities grant program. (Listen to the November 6 webinar about both offerings.) Global Green USA's technical assistance is based on the LEED for Neighborhood Development standard, which provides a nationally recognized method for creating neighborhoods that are walkable, bikeable, resource-efficient, and equitable. At the conclusion of the assistance, the team will provide recommendations for both physical and policy changes that can enhance neighborhood sustainability.

Categories: Sustainable Development, infrastructure, planning, policy, climate change

Grant provides assistance as opposed to cash National, Northwest, Northeast, Southwest, Southeast, Midwest, Alaska Link
Surdna Foundation NGO

Applications continued continuously; see website for more information.This foundation invests in projects that support their program areas of Sustainable Environments, Strong Local Economies, Thriving Cultures, Community Revitalization, and Effective Citizenry. Organizations are eligible for a max of three consecutive years of funding. Grants are assessed three times a year (February, May, and September), and must be submitted three to four months prior to staff review.

Categories: Sustainable Environments

Varies National Link
Tribal Support for Participation in the National Environmental Information Exchange Network EPA

Deadline Passed 02/22/2019. Deadline Unknown for 2020. This notice announces the availability of funds and solicits applications from eligible organizations to provide the outreach and technical assistance necessary to increase tribal participation in the National Environmental Exchange Network (EN), which is an element of E-Enterprise for the Environment (EE). The EN is an Internet-based system used by state, tribal and territorial partners to securely share environmental and health information with one another and EPA. The objective of the cooperative agreement is to strengthen the data and information technology (IT) management skills of tribes so they can fully participate in innovative technology efforts of the EN, and incorporate data schema, software, and services developed by EN partnerships into their environmental management programs.

Categories: technical assistance, information exchange, environment, health, information technology, management

up to $1,500,000 National Link
Great Lakes Funding Partnership Opportunity Model Forest Policy Program

This is an action-oriented implementation opportunity for communities in the Great Lakes. Model Forest Policy Program is inviting up to 6 communities to partner with us on a 3-year grant we are submitting to the Great Lakes Protection Fund.

Categories: technical support, Consultation, Ecosystem Protection, water quality, Development

Unknown Great Lakes area Link
ECOTECH GRANTS Captain Planet Foundation

Deadline passed as of December 30, 2016. Deadline for 2017 unknown. ecoSolution Grants (previously called “Small Grants”) have been the defining basis of Captain Planet Foundation’s work over the last 25 years. In that time, we’ve funded over 2,100 projects that have impacted 1.2 million youth around the world – actively fulfilling our mission to build the next generation of environmental stewards and change-agents. ecoSolution Grants are intended to support solution-oriented, youth-led projects that result in real environmental outcomes.

Categories: technology, climate impacts, environmental education, conservation, management, climate science

$500-2500. United States Link
North American Partnership for Environmental Community Action (NAPECA) Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC)

Deadline passed. Most recent deadline: January 18, 2024. This NAPECA grant cycle aims to support climate adaptation in North America by engaging and empowering communities, particularly Indigenous and local communities, in applying Indigenous Knowledge to strengthen community-based resilience to climate change. The CEC is calling for proposals from organizations to support environmental initiatives that will help North American communities enhance climate adaptation by working with Indigenous Peoples and local communities to recognize, apply, and protect traditional and Indigenous knowledge systems.Project examples include: participatory science and community research, conducting outreach or education, sharing good practices, capacity building and training environmental and community leaders, engaging youth and elders in environmental and knowledge transmission activities, supporting community discussions on climate change adaptation, vulnerability and risk assessment of climate change impacts, development of hazard maps, emergency and adaptation plans, development of tools to support climate change adaptation planning, and implementing small-scale adaptation options, such as planting native vegetation to support water retention, installing backflow water valves to reduce flooding, or practicing cultural burning and other solutions to reduce the risk to infrastructure from wildfire.

Categories: TEK, IK, adaptation planning, vulnerability assessment, community, culture, risk assessment, hazard mitigation

Up to C$185,000 North America 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
Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grants USDA

Past deadline: May 15, 2019. The DLT Program provides financial assistance to enable and improve distance learning and telemedicine services in rural areas. DLT grant funds support the use of telecommunications-enabled information, audio and video equipment, and related advanced technologies by students, teachers, medical professionals, and rural residents. These grants are intended to increase rural access to education, training, and health care resources that are otherwise unavailable or limited in scope.

Categories: telecommunications, rural, telemedicine

$500,000-$50,000 National Link
Funding Opportunity: pre-proposal request Western AK LCC Terrestrial Systems Theme USFWS, Western AK LCC (Western Alaska Landscape Conservation Cooperative)

RFP closed. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) receives funds to support collaborative science and knowledge activities of the Western Alaska Landscape Conservation Cooperative (LCC). The Service administers these funds through financial assistance on a competitive basis for projects, studies, and events that advance the scientific and public community’s understanding of large-scale changes in landscape characteristics and the impacts of these changes on important species.

Categories: Terrestrial Systems

Due to the limited funds available, modest funding requests (< $100,000.00) are encouraged, however, higher amounts may be requested with appropriate justification. National Link
Community Wood Energy and Wood Innovation Program U.S. Forest Service

Deadline Passed. Most recent deadline: March 23, 2023. The Community Wood Grant Program, launched in 2020, provides funding for grants to install thermally led community wood energy systems or to build innovative wood product manufacturing facilities. The Forest Service expects renewable wood energy systems installed under this program to use the most stringent control technologies. The program places extra emphasis on assisting sawmills in economically challenged areas to retool or add advanced technology. Read the funding announcement here.

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

Up to $1.5 million National Link
TEK Baseline Research NPS

Deadline passed as of June 30, 2017. Deadline for 2018 unknown, TEK is an interdisciplinary and collaborative field that gleans ecological information from traditionally associated tribes. This information will be used for active management of ecosystems, resulting in better stewardship. Tribes will be involved, including permission from the Tribal Councils for the project to proceed. To collect baseline information, this project has three research prongs.

Categories: Traditional knowledge, TEK, ecology, elders, indigenous science, climate change, management, conservation

Up to $32,000. National Link
FY 2017 and FY 2018 Training and Technical Assistance to Improve Water Quality and Enable Small Public Water Systems to Provide Safe Drinking Water Environmental Protection Agency

Deadline Passed 12/04/2017. Deadline for 2018 Unknown. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is soliciting applications from eligible applicants as described in Section III.A to provide training and technical assistance for small public water systems to help such systems achieve and maintain compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), and to provide training and technical assistance for small publicly owned wastewater systems, communities served by onsite/decentralized wastewater systems, and private well owners to improve water quality under the Clean Water Act (CWA). Training and technical assistance activities provided to these systems, communities and private well owners should be made available nationally in rural and urban communities and to personnel of tribally- owned and operated systems.

Categories: training, technical assistance, public water systems, wastewater systems, water quality

Up to $16,000,000 National Link
Novel and Enabling Carbon Capture Transformational DOE Office of Fossil Energy

Recent deadline: 11/22/2017. Deadline for 2018 unknown. The objective of this Funding Opportunity Announcement is to research, develop, and validate carbon dioxide capture transformational materials, processes, and enabling technologies at bench scale for pulverized coal or natural gas fired power plants that enable step change reductions in current CO2 capture cost and energy penalties in support of DOE’s Carbon Capture Program goal.

Categories: transformational technologies, carbon emissions

Up to $3,000,000 Link
2023 Nationally Significant Federal Lands and Tribal Projects Program

Deadline Passed. Most Recent Deadline: November 6, 2023. The Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act established the NSFLTP Program to provide Federal financial assistance to projects of national significance for construction, reconstruction, or rehabilitation of transportation facilities within, adjacent to, or providing access to Federal or Tribal lands. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Pub. L. 117-58, November 15, 2021, “Bipartisan Infrastructure Law,” or “BIL”) modified the program in several ways, including providing $55 million per year from the Highway Trust Fund, as well as authorizing up to an additional $300 million per year from the General Fund, for each of FYs 2022 through 2026. The BIL also reduced minimum project sizes from $25 million to $12.5 million, directed 50 percent of the funds towards Tribal transportation facilities, increased the Federal share of projects on Tribal transportation facilities to 100 percent and required funding of at least one eligible project submitted by the National Park Service for a unit of the National Park System with 3,000,000 annual visitors or more.

Categories: Transportation, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, BIL

National Link
Solicitation of Project Proposals for the Low or No Emission (Low-No) Program Department of Transportation

Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO): Solicitation of Project Proposals for the Low or No Emission Program (Low-No) Program. The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announces the availability of $85 million of Fiscal Year 2019 funds for the purchase or lease of low or no emission vehicles as well as related equipment or facilities. The main purpose of the Low-No Program is to support the transition of the nation’s transit fleet to the lowest polluting and most energy efficient transit vehicles. The Low-No Program provides funding to State and local governmental authorities for the purchase or lease of zero-emission and low-emission transit buses, including acquisition, construction, and leasing of required supporting facilities.

Categories: transportation, efficient, low emissions, pollution, facilities, construction, acquisition

Total Program Funding: $85,000,000
Expected number of awards: 45
National Link
Resilience and Durability to Extreme Weather Pilot Program U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration

Deadline Passed as of 2/09/2018. Deadline for 2019 Unknown. Natural disasters have become increasingly damaging and problematic to transportation systems in many locations within the United States, affecting the performance of the transportation network and straining state and Federal funding for repair and maintenance. Addressing this critical issue is included in the U.S. Department of Transportation Draft Strategic Plan for FY 2018 -2021, which includes development of new tools to improve transportation infrastructure durability and resilience as a priority innovation area. It also states that infrastructure should be made resilient and durable to withstand extreme weather events. This pilot program will assist U.S. DOT and FHWA in achieving these strategic objectives, reducing future maintenance costs over the full life-cycle of transportation assets.

Categories: transportation, highway resilience, durability, extreme weather impacts, engineering

$10,000-$250,000 National Link
RAISE Discretionary Grants DOT

Deadline Passed. Most recent deadline: February 28, 2023.  RAISE Discretionary Grants replace the pre-existing BUILD Transportation grants program. RAISE discretionary grants help project sponsors at the State and local levels, including municipalities, Tribal governments, counties, and others complete critical freight and passenger transportation infrastructure projects. The eligibility requirements of RAISE allow project sponsors to obtain funding for projects that are harder to support through other U.S. DOT grant programs.

Categories: Transportation, Infrastructure, Development

$1,000,000 - $25,000,000 National Link
Bridge Investment Program: Planning, Bridge Projects, and Large Bridge Projects DOT

Deadline passed. Most recent deadline: July 25, 2022. The DOT is accepting applications for three categories of Bridge Investment Program (BIP) funding opportunities: (1) Planning; (2) Bridge Projects (projects with eligible costs less than $100 million); and (3) Large Bridge Projects (projects with eligible costs greater than $100 million). The program allows up to 5% annually to go to projects to replace or rehab culverts to improve flood control and aquatic habitat connectivity. Learn more and apply here.

Categories: Transportation, infrastructure, flood control, habitat connectivity

$2,500,000 - $10,000,000,000 National Link
Public Transportation on Indian Reservations Program (Tribal Transit Program) Department of Transportation, Fedeal Transit Association

Deadline Passed 07/09/2019. Deadline Unknown 2020. The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announces the availability of approximately $5 million in funding provided by the Public Transportation on Indian Reservations Program (Tribal Transit Program (TTP)), as authorized by 49 U.S.C. 5311(c)(1)(A), as amended by the Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act (FAST), Public Law 114-94 (December 4, 2015). This is a national solicitation for project proposals and includes the selection criteria and program eligibility information for Fiscal Year 2018 projects. The primary purpose of these competitively selected grants is to support planning, capital, and, in limited circumstances, operating assistance for tribal public transit services. Funds distributed to Indian tribes under the TTP should not replace or reduce funds that Indian tribes receive from states through FTA’s Section 5311 program.

Categories: transportation, roads and highways, accessability

up to $300,000 Link
1994 Tribal College Extension Special Emphasis (TCEP-SE) USDA, NIFA

Deadline passed. Most recent deadline: 4/30/2020. The purpose of the TCEP is to enable 1994 institutions to deliver science-based, culturally relevant extension education programs designed to address public needs and improve quality of life. The TCEP is intended to be a component of the applicant 1994 institution's land-grant roadmap or strategic planning process. To the extent practicable, priorities should reflect NIFA's national critical needs areas: 1) Development of sustainable energy; 2) Increased global food security; 3) Adaptation of agriculture and natural resources to global climate change; 4) Reduction of childhood and adolescent obesity; and 5) Improved food safety.

Categories: tribal college extension program, sustainable energy, global food security, adaptation, agriculture, natural resources, climate change, food safety

$40,000-$200,000 National Link
American Indian and Alaskan Native STEM Engagement (MAIANSE) NASA

Deadline passed. Most recent deadline: March 8, 2022. MAIANSE CONNECT fosters STEM Ecosystems that focus on building connections between indigenous culture and NASA through community collaborations. Eligible institutions include Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), Native American Serving Non-Tribal Institutions (NASNTIs), and Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions (ANNHs), as identified by the U.S. Department of Education. MAIANSE CONNECT seeks proposals which include curriculum development, research activities, and student engagement with an overall goal to broaden participation in STEM. Learn more and apply here.

Categories: Tribal Colleges and Universities, STEM, community collaboration, curriculum development, research

Level 1 Awards will be funded up to $75K per year for a period of performance of two (2) years.

Level 2 Awards will be funded between $200-250K per year for a minimum period of performance of three (3) years, with the opportunity to extend performance for a maximum of five (5) years (subject to program approval and available funding).
United States Link
Tribal Organization Support for Tribal Climate Resilience Liaisons- North Central, Midwest, Northeast/Southeast Bureau of Indian Affairs

Deadline passed. Most recent deadline: December 17, 2021. The BIA Tribal Climate Resilience Program is pleased to announce the availability of funding to support the hiring of Tribal Climate Resilience Liaisons in the North Central, Midwest and Northeast/Southeast regions of the DOI Climate Adaptation Science Centers (CASCs) through the BIA's Tribal Resilience Program (Program). Eligible applicants include tribal non-profit, non-governmental organizations and tribally-controlled colleges or universities (TCUs) that serve federally-recognized tribes. Other entities may participate as sub-grantees. The BIA is collaborating with the Department of Interior (DOI) Climate Adaptation Science Centers (CASCs) to continue supporting tribal climate resilience needs and selected tribal organizations will enter into cooperative agreements with the BIA. This provides a mechanism for the BIA to provide the selected Tribal organizations with non-recurring funding for mutually agreed upon tasks in keeping with the climate science needs of the BIA and all tribal communities in the North Central, Midwest, and Northeast/Southeast CASC regions. The solicitation is available on grants.gov, and named TCRP-16241: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=336222.

Categories: Tribal governance, climate resilience, scientific research

Award ceiling: $400,000. North Central U.S., Midwest, Northeast, Southeast Link
Science for Sustainable and Healthy Tribes EPA

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as part of its Science to Achieve Results (STAR) program, is seeking applications proposing research on science for sustainable and healthy tribes. This solicitation is focused on research to develop sustainable solutions to environmental problems that affect tribes. The objectives of the awards to be made under this solicitation are to improve understanding of: 1) the health impacts of climate change on tribal populations; and 2) the health impacts of indoor air pollution exposures that derive from or are directly affecting traditional tribal life-ways and cultural practices. In both cases, projects should focus on impacts to vulnerable sub-populations of the Tribal communities. Proposals should also consider sustainable, culturally appropriate and acceptable pollution prevention, and adaptation/mitigation strategies.

Categories: Tribal Health, Adaptation, Mitigation

The total funding available is $6 million; individual projects may be funded for up to $920,000 Northwest, Southwest, Midwest, Northeast, Southeast, National, Alaska Link
Tribal Public Health Capacity Building and Quality Improvement Umbrella Cooperative Agreement Department of Health and Human Services, CDC

Deadline Passed 4/24/2018. Deadline for 2019 Unknown. Funding Opportunity #: CDC-RFA-OT18-1803. CDC announces a new cooperative agreement (CoAg) for eligible federally recognized American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) tribal nations and regional AI/AN tribally designated organizations to strengthen and improve the public health infrastructure and performance of tribal public health systems. The intent of this program is to assist in public health infrastructure improvement; workforce development; tribal data and information systems enhancement, including surveillance; and development and adaptation of evidence-based and evidence-informed interventions to increase the long-term sustainability of the collective tribal public health system. This program’s ultimate outcomes are 1) decreased morbidity and mortality among AI/ANs; 2) advanced capacity of Indian Country to identify, respond to, and mitigate public health threats; 3) improved capacity of the workforce to deliver essential public health services; 4) increased culturally-appropriate practice-based evidence programs and policies that are effective and sustainable throughout Indian Country; and 5) improved capacity to collaboratively and strategically address AI/AN health needs and advance health equity.

Categories: Tribal Health, public health, infrastructure, development, tribal data, adaptation, capacity building

$20,000-$500,000 National Link
Bureau of Indian Affairs Tribal Resilience Program Grants DOI, BIA

Deadline Passed 03/02/2020. Deadline Unknown for 2021. The Secretary of the Interior (Secretary), through the Office of Trust Services, Tribal Resilience Program (Program) solicits proposals from federally recognized tribes and tribal organizations as defined at 25 U.S.C. section 5304(l) to receive grants to support tribal resilience and ocean and coastal management and planning. This program supports tribes preparing for extreme events and harmful environmental trends that impact tribal treaty and trust resources, economies, infrastructure, and human health and safety. There are seven total award categories including: Adaptation planning; ocean and coastal management planning; capacity building; relocation, managed retreat, or prtoect-in-place planning. View the notice of funding opportunity here: https://www.bia.gov/sites/bia.gov/files/assets/bia/ots/tcrp/FY20TRPAwar…

Categories: tribal resilience program, ocean management, planning, adaptation, capacity building, relocation, extreme events, traditional knowledge

There is a limit of one award per category per tribal organization, not to exceed two awards per tribal organization. There are six total award categories-
Adaptation Planning (Categories 1-3):
Category 1. Trainings and Workshops (maximum: $150,000);
Category 2. Adaptation Planning (maximum: $150,000);
Category 3. Travel Support for Adaptation Planning (maximum: $15,000);

Ocean and Coastal Management Planning (Categories 4-5):
Category 4. Ocean and Coastal Management Planning: ($150,000);
Category 5. Travel Support - Ocean & Coastal: ($15,000);

Capacity Building (Category 6):
Category 6. Capacity Building for Scoping Efforts to Support Development of future;
Category 2 Proposals: (maximum: $50,000);
National Link
FY 22 National Urban and Community Forestry Grant Program USDA Forest Service

Deadline passed. Most recent deadline: April 13, 2022. The Forest Service is seeking to create a national innovative messaging for the Urban and Community Forestry Program that raises awareness of the critical and urgent need to plan, grow, and manage our urban forests to benefit all. Learn more and apply here.

Categories: Urban forestry, community forestry, management, innovation

$100,000 - 500,000. National Link
TD Green Streets Program TD Banks and Arbor Day Foundation

Deadline Passes December 11, 2017. Deadline for 2018 unknown. TD Bank and the Arbor Day Foundation are accepting applications to TD Green Streets, an annual program that supports innovative urban forestry initiatives in low-to-moderate-income neighborhoods. Ten $20,000 grants will be awarded for the purchase of trees, tree planting and maintenance, and educational activities. Up to 50 percent of the proposed funding can be used to purchase new trees. To be eligible for a TD Green Streets grant, qualified municipalities must be a current Arbor Day Foundation Tree City USA-designated community within TD Bank's U.S. footprint. In addition, the trees must be planted in neighborhoods identified as low-to-moderate-income. Municipalities are encouraged to apply in partnership with community partners such as nonprofit organizations, schools, businesses, etc.

Categories: urban forestry, tree planting, forestry education

$20,000 National Link
National Urban and Community Forestry Cost Share Grant Program USFS

Most Recent Deadline: 3/30/2020. The U&CF program requests innovative proposals that strengthen urban and community forest resiliency and align with the goals in the National Ten Year Urban Community Forestry Action Plan (2016-2026). Collaborative solutions may include but are not limited to: research; prevention; planning; policy; preparedness; implementation; best management practices; recovery; and reforestation that promotes the resilience of our Nation's urban and community forests. 

Categories: Urban Forests, Community Forests Assessment, Planning, Resilience, Forest Management, Natural Disasters, Prevention, Collaboration

$100,000-$300,000 National Link
Alaska State's First Lady Volunteer Awards State-funded

Deadline Passed. Most recent deadline: March 13, 2023. First Lady Rose Dunleavy invites Alaskans to recognize their fellow citizens who have performed extraordinary volunteer service by nominating them for the First Lady’s Volunteer of the Year Awards. The annual awards recognize volunteers who engage in unpaid charitable activities, demonstrate personal commitment to long-term volunteer services, and make a significant impact for Alaskans. An executive committee, comprised of Alaskan community members, will select award recipients to be recognized for their outstanding volunteer contributions.

Categories: Volunteer Recognition

unknown Alaska 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