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 "12/31/2023" 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 Amount | Geography | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EPA Region 4 Wetlands Program Development Grants | EPA |
Deadline unknown for 2017. Wetland Program Development Grants (WPDGs) 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. Implementation of wetland protection programs is not an eligible project under this announcement |
Conservation, Wetlands, Scientific Data | $100,000-$250,000 | EPA region 4; South; Southeast | Link | |
| Pollution Prevention Information Network Grant Program (PPIN) | EPA |
RFP Closed for FY 2016. The PPIN grant program funds grants/cooperative agreements that support a national network of P2 information centers that coordinate training and information resources across the nation to minimize any duplication of effort among state programs. The centers offer training and promote new P2 technologies. |
Pollution, Mitigation | $60,000 - $110,000 | National | Link | |
| EPA Source Reduction Assistance Grant Program | EPA |
Source Reduction Assistance (SRA) grants fund innovative source reduction approaches (also known as “pollution prevention” or “P2”). P2 means reducing or eliminating pollutants from entering any waste stream or otherwise released into the environment prior to recycling, treatment, or disposal. In keeping with the statutory authorities under this program, SRA grant projects must use one or more of the following technical assistance methods to carry out source reduction/P2 activities: a) research, b) investigation, c) experiments, d) education, e) training, f) studies and/or g) demonstration of innovative techniques. |
pollution prevention, waste prevention, research, education, training, hazardous materials | $20,000-$260,000 issued over a two-year funding period | National | Link | |
| Environmental Justice Governemnt to Government (EJG2G) Program | EPA |
Deadline passed. Most recent deadline: April 14, 2023. The Environmental Justice Government-to-Government (EJG2G) program provides funding at the state, local, territorial, and Tribal level to support government activities that lead to measurable environmental or public health impacts in communities disproportionately burdened by environmental harms. Model EJG2G programs should leverage existing resources to develop processes or tools that integrate environmental justice considerations into governmental decision-making at all levels. Applications submitted in response to this funding opportunity that will receive must address one of the following five broad categories:
Apply here: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=345311 |
public health, air pollution, climate mitigation, adaptation, toxins, community | up to $1,000,000 | National, US territories | 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. |
education, public health, social justice, recycling, waste management, BIL | up to $2,000,000 | Northwest, Southwest, Northeast, Southeast, National, Coastal, Alaska | Link | |
| Climate Pollution Reduction Grants | EPA | 06/15/2023 |
Deadline: June 15, 2023. EPA’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grants program will provide noncompetitive planning grant opportunities for Federally recognized Tribes, tribal consortia, and U.S. Territories interested in participating in the Climate Pollution Reduction Grants program. The Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CPRG) program will provide grants to states, territories, tribes, air pollution control agencies, and local governments to develop and implement plans for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and other harmful air pollution. Section 60114 of the Inflation Reduction Act provides an investment of $5 billion to support these efforts to develop and implement strong, local greenhouse gas reduction strategies. This two-staged grant program provides funding of $250 million for noncompetitive planning grants, and $4.6 billion for competitive implementation grants. An informational webinar intended specifically for tribes, tribal consortia and U.S. Territories will be held March 9, 2023 at 11am Pacific and will be recorded and posted to https://www.epa.gov/inflation-reduction-act/climate-pollution-reduction-.... Register for the webinar here. |
pollution, IRA, greenhouse gas, air quality, health | Varies | National, US territories, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico | Link |
| Pollution Prevention Grant: Environmental Justice in Communities | EPA | 06/06/2023 |
Application deadline: June 6, 2023. The purpose of the Pollution Prevention Grant: Environmental Justice in Communities is to provide technical assistance to businesses (e.g., information, training, expert advice) on source reduction, also known as pollution prevention (P2). Grantees must demonstrate that the project will improve human health and the environment in disadvantaged communities by implementing P2 approaches. This grant is funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. |
BIL, pollution, community health, technical assistance, Justice40 | $100,000 to $800,000 for the individual grant awards, or up to $1.2 million for multi-state or multi-tribal projects | National, US territories | Link |
| Healthy Places for Healthy People | EPA |
Deadline passed as of November 6, 2016. Deadline for 2017 unknown. Healthy Places for Healthy People will provide selected communities with expert planning assistance that centers around a two-day community workshop. A team of experts will help community members develop an implementable action plan that will focus on health as an economic driver and catalyst for downtown and neighborhood revitalization. |
community, neighborhood, infrastructure, economy, urban | unknown | National, Appalachia | Link | |
| Cool & Connected | EPA |
Deadline passed as of November 6, 2016. Deadline for 2017 unknown. Through Cool & Connected, a team of experts will help community members develop strategies and an action plan for using broadband service to promote smart, sustainable community development. Broadband access can provide new opportunities for people and businesses. A growing number of communities have combined broadband service with other local assets such as cultural and recreational amenities to attract and retain investment and people, including young people. This can help diversify local economies. Such efforts typically require planning among community leaders, businesses, and internet service providers. The Cool & Connected program will provide assistance to this end, helping communities take advantage of broadband service to create walkable, connected, economically successful main streets and small-town neighborhoods. |
internet, urban, infrastructure, technology, economic development | Unknown | National | Link | |
| Puget Sound Action Agenda – Climate Resilient Riparian Systems Lead | EPA |
Deadline Passed. Most recent deadline: March 31, 2023. This RFA announces the availability of funds and solicits applications from eligible applicants that are interested in acting as the Puget Sound Climate Resilient Riparian Systems Lead. The overall goal is to establish an innovative and collaborative riparian conservation program that provides financial incentives for landowners to set aside and restore riparian areas important for salmon recovery, while successfully implementing approaches to climate resiliency and riparian conservation that become a robust and sustainable program. |
riparian ecosystem, conservation, climate resiliency, salmon, flooding, erosion | Up to $30,000,000 | Puget Sound, Washington | Link | |
| Local Governments Reimbursement Program | EPA | 12/31/2023 |
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. |
Emergency Management, Disaster, Adaptation, Health, Natural Resources | Up to $25,000 per incident | Northwest, Southwest, Midwest, Northeast, Southeast, National, Alaska | Link |
| Clean Air Act Grants under the Inflation Reduction Act | EPA |
Deadline passed. Most recent deadline: April 17, 2023. EPA's Office of Air and Radiation is announcing approximately $25,000,000 in Clean Air Act (CAA) grants under section 60105(f) "Funding to Address Air Pollution: Clean Air Act Grants" of the Inflation Reduction Act. These funds will supplement annual funding for air pollution control agencies in support of activities under Clean Air Act Section 103. The funds will support efforts by air pollution control agencies and other organizations to partner with EPA to deliver cleaner air through programs that address air quality, transportation, indoor air, and climate change. Other activities may include planning and preparation for implementing other Inflation Reduction Act provisions. EPA regional offices will contact eligible entities about how to apply via Grants.gov. |
air quality, pollution, non-competitive, IRA, transportation, GHG emissions | Varies | National | Link | |
| Region 9 Indian Environmental General Assistance Program | EPA |
Most recent deadline: 1/14/2021. EPA provides GAP financial and technical assistance to tribal governments and intertribal consortia to assist tribes in planning, developing, and establishing the capacity to implement federal environmental programs administered by the EPA and to assist in implementation of tribal solid and hazardous waste programs in accordance with applicable provisions of law, including the Solid Waste Disposal Act (commonly known as the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, or RCRA). As described in the GAP Guiding Principles, this support promotes tribal government efforts to develop core environmental program capacities (administrative, financial management, information management, environmental baseline needs assessment, public education/communication, legal, and technical/analytical) and baseline capacities for media-specific programs (e.g., ambient air quality, water quality, managing waste, and other EPA-administered statutory programs). |
Adaptation, Regulatory, Environmental Justice, Natural Resources, Conservation, Health | $75,000 for first-time applicants. Total Funding will be determined after EPA receives its full budget from Congress. | Pacific Southwest | Link | |
| EPA Healthy Communities Grant Program--Northeast | EPA |
The Healthy Communities Grant Program is EPA New England’s main competitive grant program to work directly with communities to reduce environmental risks, protect and improve human health and improve the quality of life. The Healthy Communities Grant Program will achieve this through identifying and funding projects that: 1) Target resources to benefit communities at risk [areas at risk from climate change impacts, areas impacted by stormwater run-off, environmental justice areas of potential concern, urban areas and sensitive populations (e.g. children, elderly, tribes, and others at increased risk)]; 2) Assess, understand, and reduce environmental and human health risks; 3) Increase collaboration through community-based projects; 4) Build institutional and community capacity to understand and solve environmental and human health problems; 5) Advance emergency preparedness and resilience; 6) Achieve measurable environmental and human health benefits. In order to qualify as eligible projects under the Healthy Communities Grant Program, proposted projects must take place within New England states and must meet several criteria including: (1) Be located in and/or directly benefit one or more of the Target Investment Areas; and (2) Identify how the proposed project will achieve measurable environmental and/or public health results in one or more of the Target Program Areas |
Human Health, Risk Mitigation | $25,000 ceiling | Northeast | Link | |
| Environmental Justice Small Grants Program | EPA |
Deadline extended: 6/1/2021. The EJSG program awards grants that support community-driven projects designed to engage, educate, and empower communities to better understand local environmental and public health issues and develop strategies for addressing those issues, building consensus in the community, and setting community priorities. The EJSG program will award approximately $2.8 million nationwide for this competitive opportunity. EPA anticipates awarding approximately 56 grants ( about 5 per EPA region) of up to $50,000 each. These grants are for one-year projects. This opportunity places special emphasis on projects focusing on COVID-19 impacts, as well as climate and disaster resiliency. Additionally, EPA is emphasizing projects addressing diesel pollution in underserved communities living near ports and railyards as part of EPA’s Ports Initiative. Finally, to promote equitable accessibility to EPA grant funding and to assist small entities, approximately half of the total available funding under this announcement is intended to be reserved for small non-profit organizations as defined in the announcement. |
community-based organizations, underserved communities, environmental issues, health issues, environmental justice | up to $50,000 | United States | 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. |
Wetland Conservation, Water Pollution | Varies | Midwest | Link | |
| National Indoor Environments Program: Reducing Public Exposure to Indoor Pollutants | EPA |
This notice announces the availability of funds and solicits applications from eligible entities for demonstration, training, outreach and/or education cooperative agreements that will have a national scale impact to reduce exposure to indoor air contaminants and yield measurable environmental outcomes. |
Air Pollution, public health | Up to $200,000 annually for up to 3 years | Northwest, Southwest, Northeast, Southeast, National, Alaska, Midwest, US territories | Link | |
| Clean Diesel Tribal Grants | EPA |
Deadline Passed 04/03/2019. Deadline Unknown for 2020. EPA’s Office of Transportation and Air Quality is soliciting applications nationwide for Tribal projects that achieve significant reductions in diesel emissions and diesel emissions exposure, particularly from fleets located in areas designated as having poor air quality. EPA anticipates $2 million will be awarded to eligible Tribal applicants. |
air quality, fuel, diesel, reductions, | $2 million dispersed among applicants | National | Link | |
| Tribal Clean Air Act | EPA |
Deadline passed as of March 3, 2023. EPA Region 9 anticipates awarding approximately 30 grants to federally-recognized tribes within the Region 9 geographic area for funding tribal air pollution control programs, air quality education and assessment projects, and the development of tribal air program capacity. |
clean air, air pollution, education | It is expected that the awards will range from $50,000 to $120,000. | Pacific Southwest | Link | |
| EPA Region 3 Wetlands Program Development Grants | EPA |
Deadline unknown for 2017. Wetland Program Development Grants (WPDGs) 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. Implementation of wetland protection programs is not an eligible project under this announcement |
Conservation, Wetlands | $200,000-900,000 | Northeast, Southeast | Link | |
| Building the Capacity of Tribes to Address the Health Impacts of Climate Change | EPA |
Deadline passed as of July 15, 2016. Deadline for 2016 unkown. This notice announces the availability of funds and solicits proposals to enable tribal climate change and health impacts curriculum development and training, web communications, and outreach. |
Curriculum Development, Climate Impacts, Training, Outreach, Climate Education, Capacity Building | $600,000 total funding available | National | Link | |
| The Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaking Program | EPA | 06/30/2023 |
Deadline: June 30, 2023. The new Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaking (EJ TCGM) Program is a competition to select multiple Grantmakers around the nation to reduce barriers to the federal grants application process communities face and increase the efficiency of the awards process for environmental justice grants. Grantmakers will design competitive application and submission processes, award environmental justice subgrants, implement a tracking and reporting system, provide resources and support to communities, all in collaboration with EPA’s Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights. Apply on Grants.gov: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=346337 |
competition, environmental justice, community, IRA | Up to $50,000,000 | National, US territories | Link |
| EPA Pollution Prevention Grant Program | EPA |
Pollution Prevention (P2) Grants provide technical assistance to businesses in order to help them develop and adopt source reduction practices (also known as “pollution prevention” or “P2”). P2 means reducing or eliminating pollutants from entering any waste stream or otherwise released into the environment prior to recycling, treatment, or disposal. In keeping with the Pollution Prevention Act of 1990, EPA is encouraging P2 because implementing these approaches can result in reductions in toxic pollutants, the use of water, energy and other raw materials, while also lowering business costs. P2 grants are awarded to States, colleges and universities (recognized as instrumentalities of the state), and federally-recognized tribes and intertribal consortia. |
Pollution Prevention, Conservation, Efficiency, Greenhouse Gas Reduction | $40,000-$500,000 | Northwest, Southwest, Northeast, Southeast, National, Alaska, Midwest | Link | |
| EPA Brownfields Technical Assistance, Training, and Research | EPA |
Applications Accecpted Year-Round. The Technical Assistance to Brownfields (TAB) Communities Program helps communities, states, tribes and others understand risks associated with contaminated or potentially contaminated properties, called brownfields, and learn how to assess, safely clean up and sustainably reuse them. EPA funds three organizations—Kansas State University (KSU), the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) and the Center for Creative Land Recycling (CCLR)—to serve as independent sources of technical assistance. Each of these TABs has an extensive network of partners, contractors and other contacts that provides services across the country. They help communities tackle a variety of challenges related to identifying, assessing, cleaning up and redeveloping brownfields. The technical assistance comes at no cost to communities. This makes the TAB program a great resource for small, underserved, rural and other communities that might otherwise struggle to address their brownfields. |
Planning, Brownfields, Environmental Pollutants, Human Health, Infrastructure, Cleanup, Assessment, Urban Restoration | up to $200,000 per applicant | National | Link | |
| Clean School Bus Rebates | EPA |
Deadline passed. Most recent deadline: August 19, 2022. EPA’s new Clean School Bus Program is providing $500 million in funding to replace existing school buses with zero-emission and low-emission models. Beginning June 8 through August 10, EPA will be hosting a series of webinars on who is eligible, who is prioritized, and how to apply for the 2022 Clean School Bus Rebates. Learn more and apply here. |
Clean energy, transportation, zero-emission, education | Varies. | National | 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 | |
| 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. |
technical assistance, information exchange, environment, health, information technology, management | up to $1,500,000 | National | Link | |
| Pollution Prevention Grant: Environmental Justice Through Safer and More Sustainable Products | EPA | 06/20/2023 |
Deadline: June 20, 2023. The purpose of the Pollution Prevention Grant: Environmental Justice Through Safer and more Sustainable Products is to provide pollution prevention (P2) technical assistance to businesses (e.g., information, training, expert advice) in order to improve human health and the environment in disadvantaged communities by increasing the supply, demand and use of safer and more sustainable products, such as those that are certified by EPA’s Safer Choice program, or those that conform to EPA’s Recommendations for Specifications, Standards and Ecolabels for Federal Purchasing (Recommendations). |
BIL, pollution, air quality, technical assistance, health | $100,000 to $800,000 for individual projects; up to $1.2 million for multi-state or multi-tribal projects | National, US territories | Link |
| National Center for Sustainable Water Infrastructure Modeling Research (USEPA) | EPA |
The US Environmental Protection Agency, as part of its Science to Achieve Results (STAR) program, is seeking initial applications proposing the creation of a National Center for Sustainable Water Infrastructure Modeling Research that facilitates technology transfer of open source water infrastructure models and shares green infrastructure tools and research advancements with local communities and stakeholders. |
Research, Water, Infrastructure | Up to $4 million | Northwest, Southwest, Northeast, Southesat, National, Alaska | Link | |
| EPA's Office of Water supports the National Tribal Water Council (NTWC) | EPA |
Deadline passed as of August 11, 2016. Deadline for 2017 unknown. EPA's Office of Water supports the National Tribal Water Council (NTWC), composed of tribal governmental representatives, to increase communications, promote sharing of technical information and best management practices for Indian country, raise awareness of tribes on priority water issues, and facilitate tribal input on actions to protect water quality and provide safe drinking water in tribal communities. EPA supports the efforts of the National Tribal Water Council through a multi-year cooperative agreement to a recipient who manages and supports the operations of the Council, and assists in developing and completing products in coordination with the NTWC. Eligible recipients interested in managing the NTWC under this cooperative agreement may apply by submitting applications to EPA for this competitive process. |
intertribal, water health, water rights, water management | Total award $1,100,000. | National | Link |
