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.eduPlease note that for entries that are accepting applications continuously, the grant deadline column will list "12/31/2023" as the grant deadline. This ensures that those grants will appear immediately after those grants with a set deadline.

Title Organization Grant Deadline Description Category Funding Amountsort descending Geography Website
Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Pacific Northwest CESU USGS

Deadline passed 4/16/2019. Deadline 2020 unknown.The US Geological Survey is offering a funding opportunity to a CESU Partner for research on the Oregon Spotted Frog. The overarching objective is to provide high-quality demographic information for use by management agencies and other interested parties and to assess management actions. Specific questions are 1) how does seasonal survival of frogs relate to changes in water level; 2) what is population growth rate following pond creation; 3) what are positive and negative effects of beaver on frogs (for use as a restoration tool); 4) What is the range of individual survival for this species in the wild; and 5) what are the positive and negative effects of bullfrog removal on this species?

Oregon Spotted Frog, management actions, planning, water levels, beavers, habitat restoration, species management up to $66,000 Oregon Link
Regional Initiative to Accelerate CCUS Deployment DOE

Deadline Passed 06/03/2019. Deadline Unknown for 2020. The primary objective of this Funding Opportunity Announcement is to award projects that identify and address onshore regional storage and transport challenges facing commercial deployment of Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage (CCUS). Projects will focus on Addressing Key Technical Challenges; Facilitate Data Collection, Sharing, and Analysis; Evaluate Regional Infrastructure; and Promote Regional Technology Transfer.

carbon storage, utilization, energy, storage, data collection, infrastructure, technology up to $7,000,000 Link
Native American Agriculture Fund 2019 RFA NAAF

Deadline passed. Most recent deadline: 5/25/2021. NAAF’s mission, as a private charitable trust created for educational and charitable purposes, is to support Native American farmers and ranchers and promote their continued engagement in agriculture. NAAF was created after conclusion of the lengthy Keepseagle v. Vilsack litigation and was designed for the purpose of addressing four areas important to the success of Native farmers and ranchers:  business assistance, agricultural education, technical support and advocacy.

agriculture, Native Farmers, Native Ranchers, business assistance, agricultural education, technical support, advocacy up to $75,000 National Link
NOAA National Sea Grant College Program 2018 NOAA

Deadline Passed as of 3/2/2018. Deadline for 2019 Unknown. As part of the NAI, this competition is designed to foster the expansion of a sustainable U.S. ocean, coastal and Great Lakes aquaculture sector by addressing one or more of the following priorities: (a) supporting the development of emerging systems or technologies that will advance aquaculture in the U.S., including projects that will help stimulate aquaculture production by nascent industries; (b) developing and implementing actionable methods of communicating accurate, science based messages and information about the benefits and risks of U.S. marine and Great Lakes aquaculture to the public; and (c) increasing the resiliency of aquaculture systems to natural hazards and changing conditions. Successful applications must describe projects that clearly address major constraints, barriers or hurdles limiting aquaculture production in the U.S.

coasts, great lakes, aquaculture, sustainability, resiliency, technology Up to $75,000 West Coast, East Coast, Great Lakes area Link
Colorado Conservation Innovation Grant NCRS

Deadline passed as of June 2, 2017. Deadline for 2018 unknown. The purpose of CIG is to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies, while leveraging the Federal investment in environmental enhancement and protection in conjunction with agricultural production. CIG projects are expected to lead to the transfer of conservation technologies, management systems, and innovative approaches (such as market-based systems) into NRCS technical manuals and guides or to the private sector. CIG is used to apply or demonstrate previously proven technology in order to increase adoption with an emphasis on opportunities to scale proven, emerging conservation strategies. CIG promotes sharing of skills, knowledge, technologies, and facilities among communities, governments, and other institutions to ensure that scientific and technological developments are accessible to a wider range of users. CIG funds projects targeting innovative on-the-ground conservation, including pilot projects and field demonstrations.

climate change, sustainability, conservation, management, prevention, restoration Up to $75,000. Colorado Link
Partners for Fish and Wildlife FWS

Applications Due: September 30, 2022. The Partners for Fish and Wildlife (PFW) Program is a voluntary, incentive-based program that provides direct technical assistance and financial assistance in the form of cooperative and grant agreements to private landowners to restore and conserve fish and wildlife habitat for the benefit of federal trust resources. The PFW Program is delivered through more than 250 full-time staff, active in all 50 States and territories. Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program staff coordinate with project partners, stakeholders and other Service programs to identify geographic focus areas and develop habitat conservation priorities within these focus areas. Apply here.

conservation, management, restoration, rehabilitation, development up to $750,000 United States, National Link
WaterSMART Drought Response Program: Drought Resiliency DOI, BOR

Last Deadline: August 5, 2020. The objective of this FOA is to invite states, tribes, irrigation districts, water districts, and other organizations with water or power delivery authority to leverage their money and resources by cost sharing with Reclamation on Drought Resiliency Projects that will increase the reliability of water supplies; improve water management; and provide benefits for fish, wildlife, and the environment to mitigate impacts caused by drought.

Drought Resiliency, Planning, Infrastructure, Water Management, Drought Mitigation, Natural Resource Management up to $750,000 Western U.S. Link
Human and Ecological Health Impacts Associated with Water Reuse and Conservation Practices (USEPA) EPA

The US Environmental Protection Agency, as part of its Science to Achieve Results (STAR) program, is seeking applications to conduct research on and demonstration of human and ecological impacts of treated wastewater applications (reclaimed water and wastewater reuse), and water conservation practices including the use of non-traditional water sources as well as more comprehensive long-term management and availability of water resources.

Resesarch, Wastewater, water quality, Water Conservation Up to $750,000 Northwest, Southwest, Northeast, Southeast, National, Alaska Link
Ocean Exploration FY 2018 NOAA

Deadline Passed 12/08/2017. Deadline for 2018 Unknown.NOAA’s Office of Ocean Exploration & Research (OER) seeks to enhance ocean exploration and scientific knowledge of the unknown or poorly known areas of the ocean. This entails identifying, describing and creating baseline characterizations of new ocean habitats, marine resources and/or processes. In this Announcement, OER is seeking proposals focused on three topics including: 1. Exploration of the deep marine environments in the US EEZ and US Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) of the Gulf of Mexico; 2. Discovery and exploration of prehistorically and historically significant submerged marine heritage sites in the Gulf of Mexico within the US EEZ and the US Outer Continental Shelf (OCS); and 3. Novel or innovative technologies and methodologies that could increase the pace and scope of ocean exploration, especially exploration of deep environments including the water column and archaeological sites.

ocean, marine, coastal, habitat, explore, document, research, baseline, marine biology Up to $750,000. National, United States Link
Fiscal Year 2018 National Sea Grant College Program Dean John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship NOAA

Deadline passed as of April 7, 2017. Deadline for 2018 unknown. The Sea Grant Act includes a legislative mandate to provide an educational experience in the policies and processes of the Legislative and Executive Branches of the Federal Government for students enrolled in graduate or professional programs that have an interest in ocean, coastal and Great Lakes resources and in the national policy decisions affecting those resources.

conservation, coastal, community, climate change, marine, health, ecosystem, student, graduate, funding Up to $80,000. National Link
Tribal and Insular Area Grants: Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) EPA

Most Recent Deadline: 7/09/2021. EPA anticipates awarding approximately $5 million in DERA funding under this announcement. A total of $4.5 million will be made available to tribal governments (or intertribal consortia) and Alaska Native villages, and $500,000 will be made available to insular area governments. EPA anticipates awarding five to ten cooperative agreements to tribal governments (or intertribal consortia) and Alaska Native villages and two to four cooperative agreements to insular area governments. This year's Request for Applications (RFA) has no mandatory cost share requirement and sets funding limits to $800,000 for tribal applicants and $250,000 for insular area applicants. Each applicant may submit up to two applications. Although funding for both tribes and insular areas is planned under this single RFA, the applications will be competed separately.  Tribal applications will be reviewed, ranked and selected by one review panel, and insular area applications will be reviewed, ranked and selected by a separate review panel. EPA's ten regional offices will manage awards. The number and size of cooperative agreements made under this announcement are subject to the availability of funds, the quality of applications received, and other considerations. 

Emissions Reduction, Mitigation, Energy efficiency up to $800,000 Northwest, Southwest, Northeast, Southeast, National, Alaska, Midwest Link
Systems-Based Research for Evaluating Ecological Impacts of Manufactured Chemicals EPA

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as part of its Science to Achieve Results (STAR), and Chemical Safety for Sustainability (CSS) research programs is funding grants with the goal of applying systems-based approaches for identifying, addressing, and reducing uncertainties from limited exposure data and stressor-response relationships.EPA is seeking applications focusing on integrated, transdisciplinary research that would advance scientific understanding of potential for impacts to ecosystem wellbeing associated with the use of manufactured chemicals.Specifically, the RFA solicits proposals for systems-based research to develop and apply innovative metrics and modeling approaches to improve evaluation of ecological resilience and impact analyses, and to support environmental sustainability. Successful proposals will translate emerging and advanced methods, data, and computational tools to address complexity of these systems and distill drivers of adverse outcomes to ecological organisms and populations.

Research, Chemical Pollution Up to $800,000 Northwest, Southwest, Northeast, Southeast, Midwest, Alaska, National Link
The FY 2022 Assistance to Firefighter Grants (AFG) FEMA

Deadline passed. Most recent deadline: February 10, 2023. The purpose of the AFG Program is to enhance the safety of the public and firefighters with respect to fire and fire-related hazards. The program provides direct financial assistance to eligible fire departments, nonaffiliated emergency medical service (EMS) organizations, and State Fire Training Academies (SFTA). The funds provide critically needed resources that equip and train emergency personnel to recognized standards, enhance operational efficiencies, foster interoperability, and support community resilience.

Since 2001, AFG has helped firefighters and other first responders obtain critically needed equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training and other resources necessary for protecting the public and emergency personnel from fire and related hazards.

In awarding grants, the Administrator of FEMA is required to consider the following:

  • The findings and recommendations of the Technical Evaluation Panel (TEP).
  • The degree to which an award will reduce deaths, injuries, and property damage by reducing the risks associated with fire related and other hazards.
  • The extent of an applicant’s need for an AFG grant and the need to protect the United States as a whole.
  • The number of calls requesting or requiring a firefighting or emergency medical response received by an applicant.
fire-related hazards, emergency preparedness, public safety, firefighters up to $9,000,000 National Link
Higher Education Multicultural Scholars Program (MSP) USDA, NIFA

Deadline Passed 06/20/2018. Deadline Unknown for 2019. The purpose of this competitive undergraduate scholarship grant program is to increase the multicultural diversity of the food and agricultural scientific and professional workforce, and advance the educational achievement of all Americans by providing competitive grants to colleges and universities.

diversity, food and agriculture, higher education up to $945,000 National Link
Hazardous Waste Management Grant Program for Tribes EPA

Deadline Passed 08/01/2019. Deadline Unknown for 2020. This notice announces the availability of funds and solicits applications from federally-recognized tribes or intertribal consortia for the development and implementation of hazardous waste programs and for building capacity to address hazardous waste management in Indian country.  In accordance with the EPA Indian Policy of 1984, EPA recognizes tribal governments as the primary parties for managing programs for reservations.

To maximize the benefits to tribes from the limited funding to support the Hazardous Waste Management Grant Program for Tribes, EPA has reassessed the criteria used to evaluate Applications submitted for funding through this grant program beginning in FY 2015.  The goal of this effort is to provide technical assistance to a greater number of tribes for activities that involve hazardous waste management on tribal lands.

Hazardous Waste Management up to $98,000 Northwest, Southwest, Northeast, Southeast, National, Alaska, Midwest Link
FY 2018 Fire Prevention and Safety Department of Homeland Security

Deadline Passed 12/21/2018. Deadline Unknown for 2019. The purpose of the FP&S Grant Program is to enhance the safety of the public and firefighters with respect to fire and fire-related hazards by assisting fire prevention programs and supporting firefighter health and safety research and development. The objective of the FY 2018 FP&S Grant Program is for grantees to carry out fire prevention education and training, fire code enforcement, fire/arson investigation, firefighter safety and health programming, prevention efforts, and research and development.

fire prevention, safety, public health, research and development, training, hazards up to 23,000 National Link
Tribal Wildlife Grants Program DOI, USFWS

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 2021 Tribal Wildlife Grants Program. Deadline: June 18, 2021. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is pleased to announce the availability of funding through the Tribal Wildlife Grants (TWG) Program.  The TWG Program was created to support the development and implementation of programs for the benefit of wildlife and their habitats and species of Tribal cultural or traditional importance, including species that are not hunted or fished. The TWG Program provides opportunities for federally recognized Tribes to engage in fish and wildlife conservation efforts on their lands, many of which are located adjacent to DOI- managed lands. Many of the TWG Program-funded project activities increase fish and wildlife populations, allowing for hunting and fishing opportunities on and off Tribal lands. Additionally, the TWG Program also funds project activities that align and assist the Service with Endangered Species Act (ESA) activities supporting downlisting, delisting, and preventing species listing under the ESA.  Estimated Total Program Funding:   $6,000,000; Award Ceiling: $200,000; Award Floor: $10,000. Eligible Applicants: Federally recognized tribal governments. For more information, visit: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=332220. Contact Information:  If you have difficulty accessing the full announcement electronically, please contact DJ Monette at DJ_Monette@fws.gov.   

Natural Resources, Wildlife, Water, Fisheries, Conservation, Research, Education, Conservation, habitat, Wildlife, preservation Up to a maximum of $200,000 for a single project. Minimum of $10,000. Northwest, Southwest, Midwest, Northeast, Southeast, National, Alaska Link
Drivers and Environmental Impacts of Energy Transitions in Underserved Communities EPA

Deadline passed. Most recent deadline: April 28, 2022. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as part of its Science to Achieve Results (STAR) program, is seeking applications proposing community-engaged research that will address the drivers and environmental impacts of energy transitions in underserved communities. For purposes of this competition and the evaluation of applications, “underserved communities” refers to populations sharing a particular characteristic, as well as geographic communities, that have been systematically denied a full opportunity to participate in aspects of economic, social, and civic life, including people of color, low income, rural, tribal, indigenous, and other populations that may be disproportionately impacted by environmental harms and risks. Learn more and apply here.

Energy transitions, community-engaged research, underserved communities, environmental justice Up to a total of $1,125,000 per regular award, and up to a total of $650,000 per early career award, including direct and indirect costs, with a maximum duration of four years. National Link
Integrating Human Health and Well-Being with Ecosystem Services EPA, Sustainable and Healthy Communities (SHC) Research Program

Unknown for 2017. Specifically, this research examines how communities can integrate ecosystem services with human health and well-being to inform their decision making and management practices. This RFA aims to develop information that allows communities to integrate environmental, societal and economic information and to better manage multiple stressors and their cumulative impacts on humans and ecosystems. The ultimate goal is to help communities achieve their own objectives while taking advantage of more relevant and accessible information about ecosystem services.

Community Development, Community Resilience, Climate Resilience, Public Health, Management, Ecosystem Services. Up to a total of $600,000 for regular awards and $400,000 for early-career awards, including direct and indirect costs, with a maximum duration of three years. National. Link
Cooperative Landscape Conservation and Adaptive Science Funding Opportunity FWS, DOI

USFWS uses a science-based, adaptive framework for setting and achieving cross-program conservation objectives that strategically address the
problems fish and wildlife will face in the future. This framework, called Strategic Habitat Conservation, is based on the principles of adaptive management and uses population and habitat data, ecological models, and focused monitoring and assessment efforts to develop and implement strategies that result in measurable fish and wildlife population outcomes. In addition, by leveraging resources and strategically targeting science to inform conservation decisions and actions, Landscape Conservation Cooperatives (LCC) are being established to create a network of partners working in unison to ensure the sustainability of America's land, water, wildlife and cultural resources.

Conservation, Management Vairies; $16,000,000 in total funding Northwest, Southwest, Northeast, Southeast, National, Alaska, Midwest 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.

Sustainable Environments Varies National Link
CSC Research Funds CSC, DOI

Seven of the eight U.S. Department of the Interior Climate Science Centers (Alaska, North Central, Northeast, Pacific Islands, South Central, Southeast and Southwest) and the National Climate Change and Wildlife Science Center (NCCWSC) are seeking Statements of Interest (SOIs) and Proposals for funding in Fiscal Year 2015. Projects are invited that support CSC/NCCWSC science priorities (see weblink for more information). Note that letters of inquiry are due by 6/17/2014, see weblink for more information about deadlines.

Conservation, Research Varies Southwest, Northeast, Southeast, National, Alaska, Pacific Islands Link
Grants for Gardens NGO

Annie's offers Grants for Gardens donations to schools and other educational programs that help build school gardens. Since 2008, we've helped fund to more than 270 gardens.

Development, Food Security, Gardens Varies Northwest, Southwest, Northeast, Southeast, National, Alaska, Midwest Link
Coastal CODE Grants Alaskan Brewing Co.

Most Recent Deadline: 9/30/2021. Alaskan Brewing Co. has committed 1% of all proceeds from Alaskan Icy Bay IPA to support the cleanup of waterways and coastlines in an initiative call the Coastal CODE (Clean Oceans Depend on Everyone). The Coastal CODE provides grants to organizations and activities that promote the health of the Ocean and the waterways that lead to it, the Coastal CODE Fund grants money to projects that promote: beach, lake or waterway cleanup activities or water habitat restoration. Please note that this grant is on a rolling deadline.

conservation, restoration, oceans, lakes varies Alaska, Northwest Link
Indigenous Voices Fund NGO 12/31/2023

Rolling Deadline. Alaska Conservation Foundation’s Indigenous Fund (previously called the Travel Fund) supports conservation organizations on the ground addressing critical conservation issues. The current focus of the Indigenous Voices Fund is protecting the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Bristol Bay, the Tongass National Forest, and efforts to prevent hardrock mining across Alaska. The Indigenous Fund enables key staff to travel to hearings, testify in front of decision-makers, and reach important audiences that require travel to/from Alaska, including rural Alaska, as well as Washington DC.

Environmental Justice, travel Varies Alaska Link
Rural Housing Site Loans USDA 12/31/2023

Applications accepted year round. Rural Housing site loans provide two types of loans to purchase and develop housing sites for low- and moderate-income families:

  • Section 523 loans are used to acquire and develop sites only for housing to be constructed by the Self-Help method. Refer to RD Instruction 1944-I for more information about the Self-Help program
  • Section 524 loans are made to acquire and develop sites for low- or moderate-income families, with no restriction as to the method of construction. Low-income is defined as between 50-80% of the area median income (AMI); the upper limit for moderate income is $5,500 above the low-income limit
housing, rural communities, development Varies Rural Areas Link
Hewlett Foundation Grants NGO

Applications Accepted Continuously. The Hewlett Foundation’s Environment Program is committed to reducing these emissions to avoid the most severe effects of climate change. We pursue our goal with strategies in the following areas: Clean Power--Increase renewable energy and energy efficiency while reducing fossil fuel development and use for electricity generation.Clean transportation--Increase fuel efficiency and access to transit, biking and walking options, while constraining the growth of high-carbon fossil fuels for transportation. Building broad support--Engage diverse members of the public. The Hewlett Foundation also has a grant program dedicated to conserving land in the US West.

Conservation, Energy efficiency, Sustainable Development Varies Northwest, Southwest, Northeast, Southeast, National, Alaska, Midwest Link
Alfred P. Sloan Foundation NGO

Applications accepted continuously. This foundation offers grant assistance in 6 major program areas. Two such areas are the “Public Understanding of Science,” and the “Basic Research” areas. Through these programs, the foundation offers grants for high-quality, original STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) research that benefits the scientific community, as well as increases the public understanding of relevant and complex scientific issues. A grant applicant must first submit a letter of inquiry that outlines the idea of the grant, since the foundation does not accept unsolicited grant proposals. If accepted, the applicant will receive notice to submit a full proposal for evaluation.

Research Varies Northwest, Southwest, Midwest, Northeast, Southeast, National, Alaska Link
Tribal Equity Grants Program USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture

Deadline is Ongoing. The 1994 Land-Grants use Equity to support faculty who develop classes and degree programs that teach science and math to Native Americans. The programs focus on agriculture, natural resources and human sciences. The faculty strive to graduate students who can achieve their life goals. Since many 1994 Land-Grants are two-year schools, some students aspire to advanced degrees. Other students seek training to begin a vocational career in agriculture. Still other students want to earn certifications just to improve their daily lives. Faculty have used Equity funding to help build laboratories, conduct remedial courses, create new degree programs in forestry and provide students stipends so they can complete their education. The goal is to graduate empowered students who can embrace their future with new skills and knowledge.

math, science, agriculture, natural resources, human sciences, vocational training, education Varies National 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; and
    • For 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
natural disasters, rehabilitation, replant, tree health, plant health varies National Link

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