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
Tribal Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program FY 2018 EPA Office of Transportation and Air Quality

Deadline Passed 04/03/2019. Deadline Unknown for 2020. EPA’s Office of Transportation and Air Quality (OTAQ) is soliciting proposals nationwide for projects that achieve significant reductions in diesel emissions in terms of tons of pollution produced by diesel engines and diesel emissions exposure, particularly from fleets located in areas designated as having poor air quality. Further, priority for funding will be given to projects which result in outcomes that benefit affected communities, those that engage affected communities with respect to the design and performance of the project, and those which can demonstrate the ability to promote and continue efforts to reduce emissions after the project has ended. 

Categories: emissions, alternative energy, sustainability, climate adaptation, air quality

Awards will range from $0-$800,000. United States 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. 

Categories: Emissions Reduction, Mitigation, Energy efficiency

up to $800,000 Northwest, Southwest, Northeast, Southeast, National, Alaska, Midwest Link
National Clean Diesel Funding Tribal Assistance Program EPA

EPA’s Office of Transportation and Air Quality is soliciting proposals nationwide for Tribal projects that achieve significant reductions in diesel emissions in terms of tons of pollution produced by diesel engines and diesel emissions exposure, particularly from fleets operating in areas designated by the Administrator as poor air quality areas.

Categories: Emissions Reduction, Clean Energy, Transportation Infrastructure, Mitigation

Varies Northwest, Southwest, Northeast, Southeast, National, Alaska, Midwest Link
Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) FEMA

Most recent Deadline: February 29, 2024. The application period is now open for FEMA's FY23 Hazard Mitigation Assistance Grant Programs. The BRIC program priorities are to Enhance climate resilience and adaptation, Promote equity and prioritize disadvantaged communities, Incorporate nature-based solutions, Incentivize natural hazard risk reduction activities, and Encourage the adoption and enforcement of updated building codes. For those interested in Direct Technical Assistance (DTA) for BRIC, they can help design holistic, equitable hazard mitigation solutions. $1B is available for the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) Grant Program: https://www.fema.gov/grants/mitigation/building-resilient-infrastructur…. BRIC Direct Technical Assistance Request: https://www.fema.gov/grants/mitigation/building-resilient-infrastructur…

Categories: Emergency, management, mitigation, pre-disaster, risk reduction

$1B is available for the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) Grant Program. National Link
Advancing Tribal Nature-Based Solutions Grant First Nations Development Institute

Most Recent Deadline: May 22, 2024. Tribes and Native communities are on the front lines of climate change, experiencing extreme weather, rising sea levels, extended drought, warming temperatures, and melting permafrost. The IPCC’s Fifth Assessment Report demonstrates that climate change affects Indigenous peoples more severely and earlier than other populations. Many tribes and Native communities are located in remote and coastal locations, which increases their vulnerabilities to flooding and wildfire. Furthermore, subsistence and cultural practices rely on healthy ecosystems that are stewarded by Native peoples. To support climate action that addresses adaptation and disaster preparation First Nations established the second project under its newly created Climate Initiative, Advancing Tribal Nature-Based Solutions. This project is designed to provide tribes and Native nonprofits with resources to support climate action that addresses adaptation and disaster preparation (e.g., wildfires, flooding, drought) through the application of nature-based solutions based on Native knowledge. For more information and to apply, visit: https://www.firstnations.org/rfps/advancing-tribal-nature-based-solutions-grant

Categories: Emergency response planning and preparation
Climate proofing infrastructure and services
Climate risk governance and capacity building
Wildlife management and habitat restoration
Workforce development initiatives (e.g., community training opportunities, youth conservation programs, paid internships)
Capacity building for the organization and staff (e.g, specialized trainings, transportation)
Departmental and programmatic development and advancement
Updating tribal climate adaptation and resource management plans

Total requested funds in project budgets under this funding opportunity should not exceed $200,000. National Link
FEMA Emergency Management Performance Grants (EMPG) Program FEMA

The purpose of FEMA’s Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) program is to make grants to States, to assist State, local, tribal, and territorial governments in preparing for all hazards. The EMPG program supports efforts to build and sustain core capabilities across the nation. Past outcomes have included strengthening governance integration, approved emergency plans, trainings, and whole community approaches to emergency management. FEMA anticipates awarding approximately 58 grants with an available funding amount of $332 million. Periods of performance will last 24 months.

Categories: Emergency Response

Varies Northwest, Southwest, Midwest, Northeast, Southeast, National, Alaska, International (US Territories) Link
Local Governments Reimbursement Program EPA 12/31/2024

Rolling Deadline. In the event of a release (or threatened release) of hazardous substances, EPA may reimburse local governments for expenses related to the release and associated emergency response measures. The Local Governments Reimbursement Program provides a "safety net" of up to $25,000 per incident to local governments that do not have funds available to pay for response actions.

Categories: Emergency Management, Disaster, Adaptation, Health, Natural Resources

Up to $25,000 per incident Northwest, Southwest, Midwest, Northeast, Southeast, National, Alaska Link
Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honey Bees, and Farm-raised Fish (ELAP) USDA, FSA

ELAP provides financial assistance to eligible producers of livestock, honeybees and farm-raised fish for losses due to disease, certain adverse weather events or loss conditions, including blizzards and wildfires, as determined by the Secretary. ELAP assistance is provided for losses not covered by other disaster assistance programs authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill and the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018, such as losses not covered by the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) and the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP).

Categories: emergency assistance, disaster resources, extreme weather events

National Link
Wetlands Mitigation Banking Program (NRCS) NRCS (National Resources Conservation Service), USDA

RFP Closed for 2016. Expect Announcement Winter of 2016-17. The purpose of this notice is to announce the availability of Wetland Mitigation Banking Program grant funds for the development and establishment of mitigation banks and banking opportunities solely for agricultural producers with wetlands subject to the Wetland Conservation Compliance provisions of the 1985 Food Security Act (as amended).

Categories: Eligibility includes federally recognized Native American tribal governments.

Up to $1,000,000 per award. National. Link
Funding Opportunity for Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure State of Washington, Department of Ecology

Deadline Passed 02/04/2020. Deadline Unknown for 2021. The Washington Department of Ecology will open a grant opportunity to install or upgrade existing publicly available direct current fast chargers (DCFC) along high-traffic transportation corridors. Preliminary information on eligibility and minimum criteria is available to provide applicants sufficient time to prepare this funding opportunity. Additional detail, including scoring criteria and process, will be available in the grant guidelines when the funding opportunity opens on December 3, 2019.

Categories: Electric vehicles, transportation, installation, charging stations

up to $600,000 Washington state Link
Tribal Colleges and Universities Program NSF

The Tribal Colleges and Universities Program (TCUP) provides awards to Tribal Colleges and Universities, Alaska Native-serving institutions, and Native Hawaiian-serving institutions to promote high quality science (including sociology, psychology, anthropology, economics, statistics, and other social and behavioral sciences as well as natural sciences), technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education, research, and outreach. Support is available to TCUP-eligible institutions (see the Additional Eligibility subsection of Section IV of this solicitation) for transformative capacity-building projects through Instructional Capacity Excellence in TCUP Institutions (ICE-TI), Targeted STEM Infusion Projects (TSIP), TCU Enterprise Advancement Centers (TEA Centers), and Preparing for TCUP Implementation (Pre-TI). Collaborations that involve multiple institutions of higher education led by TCUP institutions are supported through Partnerships for Geoscience Education (PAGE) and Partnerships for Documentary Linguistics Education (PADLE). Finally, research studies that further the scholarly activity of individual faculty members are supported through Small Grants for Research (SGR) and Science Education Alliance Phage Hunters Advancing Genomics and Evolutionary Science in Tribal Colleges and Universities (SEA-PHAGES in TCUs). Through the opportunities highlighted above, as well as collaborations with other National Science Foundation (NSF) units and other organizations, TCUP aims to increase Native individuals' participation in STEM careers and improve the quality of STEM programs at TCUP-eligible institutions. TCUP strongly encourages the inclusion of activities that will benefit veterans.

Categories: Education, scholarship, academia, graduate, research

$200,000-$3,000,000 Northwest, Southwest, Northeast, Southeast, National, Alaska, Midwest Link
NSF Science, Engineering and Education for Sustainability Fellowship NSF

This fellowship is no longer offered through the NSF. Through the SEES Fellows Program, NSF seeks to advance science, engineering, and education to inform the societal actions needed for environmental and economic sustainability and human well-being while creating the necessary workforce to address these challenges. The Program's emphasis is to facilitate investigations that cross traditional disciplinary boundaries and address issues of sustainability through a systems approach, building bridges between academic inquiry, economic growth, and societal needs. The Fellow's proposed investigation must be interdisciplinary and allow him/her to obtain research experiences beyond his/her current core disciplinary expertise.

Categories: Education, Research

Unknown; $7,000,000 in total funding Northwest, Southwest, Midwest, Northeast, Southeast, National, Alaska Link
Consumer Recycling Education and Outreach Grant Program EPA

Deadline passed. Most recent deadline: February 15, 2023. The EPA is seeking applications proposing projects that inform the public about new or existing residential or community recycling programs; provide information about the recycled materials that are accepted as part of a residential or community recycling program that provides for the separate collection of residential solid waste from recycled material; and increases collection rates and decreases contamination in residential and community recycling programs. Projects will improve consumer recycling education with the goal of achieving separate collection of recycled material across the nation, maximizing the efficient reuse of materials, and identifying strategies that otherwise result in an increase in volume of recyclable materials. The EPA also recognizes and encourages applications that demonstrate evidence-based messaging and strategies associated with effective communication campaigns designed to increase prevention, reuse, repair, remanufacture, recycling, anaerobic digestion, and composting in communities and/or decrease contamination in the recycling stream. This approach to community-informed messaging goes beyond education only by emphasizing researching the audience, building trust, and reducing audience barriers while emphasizing benefits for desired action.In addition, the EPA is seeking applications for recycling education and outreach projects that address environmental justice concerns and focus predominantly on addressing the disproportionate and adverse human health, environmental, climate-related and other cumulative impacts, as well as the accompanying economic challenges of such impacts, resulting from industrial, governmental, commercial and/or other actions that have affected and/or currently affect people/communities of color, low income, tribal, and indigenous populations, and if applicable, other vulnerable populations, such as the elderly, children, and those with pre-existing medical conditions. Apply here.

Categories: education, public health, social justice, recycling, waste management, BIL

up to $2,000,000 Northwest, Southwest, Northeast, Southeast, National, Coastal, Alaska Link
Ocean Acidification Program Education Mini-Grant Program NOAA

Deadline passed. Most recent deadline: February 23, 2024. Up to $50K support is available for ocean acidification education and outreach focused on underserved and/or Indigenous communities or Tribes. Priority goals include engaging diverse audiences in ocean acidification education and outreach, matching ocean acidification communication needs with existing research, education and outreach activities, while developing innovative approaches for community involvement. 

Categories: education, ocean acidification, workforce development, ocean literacy, stewardship

$50,000 - $400,000 National Link
Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Competitive Grants Program USDA

Deadline passed as of June 28, 2017. Deadline for 2018 unknown. The Agriculture and Natural Resources Science for Climate Variability and Change Challenge Area RFA focuses on the societal challenge to adapt agroecosystems and natural resource systems to climate variability and change and implement mitigation strategies in those systems. In the Agriculture and Natural Resources Science for Climate Variability and Change Challenge Area RFA, specific program areas are designed to achieve the long-term outcome of reducing the use of energy, nitrogen, reducing GHG emissions from practices, and water in the production of food, feed, fiber, and fuel; reduce GHG emissions from these agroecosystems; and increase carbon sequestration. Project types supported by AFRI within this RFA include multi-function integrated research, education, and/or extension projects and Food and Agricultural Science Enhancement (FASE) Grants.

Categories: Education, Natural Resources, Research, Adaptation, Mitigation, Land, Health, Energy, Water

Varies Northwest, Southwest, Northeast, Southeast, National, Alaska, Midwest Link
Minority Serving Institutions Partnership Program Department of Energy

Deadline Passed 02/15/2019. Deadline Unknown for 2020. The Minority Serving Institutions Partnership Program (MSIPP) within the Department of Energy’s (DOE), National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) Office of Science, Academic Alliances and Partnerships subprogram funds academic programs to develop NNSA’s next-generation technical workforce. NNSA funds scientific academic programs to develop the next generation of highly trained technical workers able to support its core mission and to ensure there is a strong community of technical peers, external to the NNSA national laboratories, capable of providing peer review and scientific competition to strengthen the basic fields of research relevant to the NNSA. MSIPP aligns investments in university capacity and workforce development with DOE/NNSA mission areas to develop the needed skills and talent for DOE/NNSA’s enduring technical workforce at the laboratories and production plants, and to enhance research and education at under-represented colleges and universities.

Categories: education, minority serving institutions, energy, science, academic research

$500,000-$1,000,000 National Link
Higher Education Challenge Grants Program NIFA

Deadline passed as of May 30, 2017. Deadline for 2018 unknown. Projects supported by the Higher Education Challenge Grants Program will: (1) address a state, regional, national, or international educational need; (2) involve a creative or non-traditional approach toward addressing that need that can serve as a model to others; (3) encourage and facilitate better working relationships in the university science and education community, as well as between universities and the private sector, to enhance program quality and supplement available resources; and (4) result in benefits that will likely transcend the project duration and USDA support.

Categories: education, higher education, graduate school, collaboration, curriculum,

Varies. National Link
Environmental Literacy Grants: Supporting the education of K-12 students and the public for community resilience NOAA

The deadline for pre-applications for Priority 1 of the Fiscal Year 2020 Environmental Literacy Program (ELP) Funding Opportunity has passed. Only those institutions that receive authorization from NOAA are eligible to submit a full applicationThe goal of this funding opportunity is to build environmental literacy of K-12 students and the public so they are knowledgeable of the ways in which their community can become more resilient to extreme weather and/or other environmental hazards, and become involved in achieving that resilience.

Categories: Education, environment, education, community, resilience, knowledge building

Total funds available are $3,000,000; individual projects may be funded up to $1,000,000 Northwest, Southwest, Midwest, Northeast, Southeast, National, Alaska Link
Seventh Generation Fund for Indian Development NGO

RFP closed for 2016. The Seventh Generation Fund is an Indigenous non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and maintaining the uniqueness of Native peoples throughout the Americas. It offers an integrated program of advocacy, small grants, training and technical assistance, media experience and fiscal management, lending its support and extensive expertise to Indigenous grassroots communities. Its Sustainable Communities Program Area provides seed money, organizational support and technical training to Native grassroots community-based projects striving for holistic community health and renewal. It supports traditional agricultural methods, renewable forms of energy and sustainable strategies for development that preserve or restore traditional life-ways for future generations.

Categories: Education, Energy, Environmental Justice, Health, Research

Individual awards of up to $5,000 Northwest, Southwest, Northeast, Southeast, National, Midwest, Alaska Link
Preserve America Initiative Internal Funding Program NOAA

This popular internal funding program is designed to stimulate efforts within NOAA to preserve, protect and promote the agency's heritage assets. Projects from FY05 through FY12 have varied in scope from interpreting historic and cultural resources in NOAA's care to capturing oral histories of NOAA employees and constituents. Must be partnered with a NOAA partner.

Categories: Education, Conservation, Research

Individual awards of up to $12,000 Northwest, Southwest, Midwest, Northeast, Southeast, National, Alaska Link
Marine Education and Training Mini Grant Program (NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service) NOAA

RFP closed in Feb 2016. Projects are being solicited to improve communication, education, and training on marine resource issues throughout the region and increase scientific education for marine-related professions among coastal community residents, including indigenous Pacific islanders, Native Hawaiians and other underrepresented groups in the region.

Categories: Education, communication, training, Marine

Up to $15,000 Coastal communities, Hawaii, Pacific Islands Link
Alaska Marine Education and Training Mini-Grant Program NOAA, Department of Commerce

Deadline passed. Most recent deadline: April 22, 2023. The National Marine Fisheries Service is soliciting competitive applications for the fiscal year 2023 Alaska Marine Education and Training Mini-Grant Program. Projects are being solicited to improve education and training on marine resource issues throughout the region and increase scientific education for marine-related professions among coastal community residents.

Categories: education, coastal, marine, natural resources

Up to $50,000 Alaska Link
Tribal Colleges Extension Program USDA

Deadline passed. Most recent deadline: June 14, 2022. The purpose of the Tribal Colleges Extension Program (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. Learn more and apply here. Download the RFA here.

Categories: Education, agriculture, training, development, research, technology, development, tribal youth, food security, community

$60,000 - $200,000 National Link
America the Beautiful Challenge - 2024 Challenge Grant National Fish and Wildlife Foundation

Most Recent Deadline for Pre-Proposals: April 4, 2024. The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), through anticipated cooperative agreements from the Department of the Interior (DOI), Department of Defense (DOD), and the Department of Agriculture’s U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), is releasing the America the Beautiful Challenge (ATBC) 2024 Request for Proposals (RFP). The ATBC vision is to streamline grant funding opportunities for new voluntary conservation and restoration projects throughout the United States. This RFP consolidates funding from multiple federal agencies and the private sector to enable applicants to conceive and develop large-scale, locally led projects that address shared funder priorities spanning public, Tribal, and private lands. For more information, visit: https://www.nfwf.org/programs/america-beautiful-challenge/americas-ecos…;

Categories: Ecosystem restoration, equity, community leadership, workforce development, conservation

National Link
Bureau of Land Management OR/WA Invasive and Noxious Plant Management DOI, BLM

Deadline Passed. Most recent deadline: March 16, 2023. One of the BLM's highest priorities is to promote ecosystem health and one of the greatest obstacles to achieving this goal is the rapid expansion of weeds across public lands. These invasive plants can dominate and often cause permanent damage to natural plant communities. If not eradicated or controlled, noxious weeds will continue to jeopardize the health of the public lands and to constrain the myriad activities that occur on public lands. BLM Invasive and Noxious Plant Management Programs work to prevent, detect, inventory, control and monitor weed populations on public lands.

Categories: ecosystem health, invasive plants, noxious weeds, public lands, monitoring

$3,000-$1,000,000 Oregon, Washington Link
International Engagement Ready Communities Competition USDOE

Deadline passed as of June 12, 2017. Deadline for 2018 unknown. This program is designed to support empirical research on successful international engagement strategies and develop best practice reports and a competitiveness assessment tool. These elements will be incorporated into a user-friendly economic development organization (EDO) toolkit and training guide to help local communities assess and increase their ability to become globally competitive while enhancing their trade and FDI promotion activities.

Categories: economy, global trade, business, support, planning, policy, management, growth, infrastructure

$600,000 National Link
Native American Business Development Institute Grant NABDI, DOI, BIA

The Office of Indian Energy and Economic Development (IEED), through its Native American Business Development Institute (NABDI), is soliciting proposals from federally recognized American Indian Tribes and Alaska federally recognized Tribal entities for technical assistance funding to hire consultants to perform feasibility studies of economic development opportunities. These feasibility studies will empower American Indian Tribes/Alaska federally recognized Tribal entities and Tribal businesses to make informed decisions regarding their economic futures. Feasibility studies may concern the viability of an economic development project or business or the practicality of a technology a Tribe or entity may choose to pursue.  Grant selection priority will be given to applicants whose proposals focus on businesses and projects located in Opportunity Zones.

Categories: economy, business, development, infrastructure, growth, technology, energy

National Link
FY2019 EDA Disaster Supplemental Economic Development Administration

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. This investment assistance will help communtiies and regions devise and implement long-term economic recovery strategies through a variety of non-construction and construction projects, as appropriate, to address economic challenges in areas where a Presidential declaration of a major disaster was issued under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Act as a result of Hurricane Florence, Michael, and Lane, Typhoons Yutu and Mangkhut, and of wildfires, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and other natural disasters occurring in calendar year 2018, and tornadoes and floods occuring in calendar year 2019.

Categories: economic recovery, construction, natural disaster, resilience, mitigation, emergency assistance

Total Program Funding: $587,000,000 National Link
ANA Funding Opportunity Social and Economic Development Administration for Native Americans

Deadline Passed. Most recent deadline: March 31, 2023. The purpose of the Social and Economic Development Strategies (SEDS) program is to promote economic and social self-sufficiency for American Indians, Alaska Natives, native Hawaiians, and Native American Pacific Islanders from American Samoa, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. The SEDS program supports the principal that social and economic development are inter-related and essential for the development of thriving Native communities. The Administration for Native Americans (ANA) is interested in support community-driven projects designed to grow local economies, increase the capacity of tribal governments, strengthen families, preserve Native cultures, and increase self-sufficiency and community well-being. Funded SEDS projects will reflect specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and timebound outcomes and include specific strategies for reducing or eliminating community problems and achieving long-range community goals. 

Categories: Economic development, Sustainable Development, Community Development

$100,000-$400,000 Alaska, Indian Tribes, Pacific Islands, Hawaii, Guam, National Link
Environmental Solutions for Communities Grants Program NGO

RFP closed. Expect Announcement before Winter 2016. Wells Fargo and the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation seek to promote sustainable communities through Environmental Solutions for Communities by supporting highly-visible projects that link economic development and community well-being to the stewardship and health of the environment. Funding priorities include 'greening' traditional infrastructure and public projects such as storm water management and flood control, urban forestry, and education and training of community leaders on sustainable practices.

Categories: Economic development, Sustainable Development

Varies National, Northwest, Southwest, Northeast, Southeast, Alaska, Midwest, Please see website for more details as within regions priority is given to projects from certain areas Link