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 Sort descending Organization Grant Deadline Description Funding Amount Geography Website
Kresge Foundation kresge foundation

Funding opportunities take three forms: Open on an ongoing basis, without deadlines. Open for a limited time, with specific deadlines. By invitation from a Kresge program officer.­­­
Communities that address climate change head-on will be better prepared for new circumstances and uncertainties. Decisions about infrastructure, building design, land use, transportation and other policy and funding issues can make communities stronger, more equitable and more resilient to the changing climate.

Categories: Climate change, environment, social justice, food justice, agriculture, sustainability, conservation, carbon, emissions, adaptation, mitigation

Varies. National Link
Land Buy-Back Program for Tribal Nations DOI

Deadline Passed 09/30/2019. Deadline Unknown for 2020. The Secretary of the Interior established the Land Buy-Back Program for Tribal Nations (Buy-Back Program, Program) to implement the land consolidation provisions of the Cobell Settlement Agreement, which provided $1.9 billion to consolidate fractional land interests across Indian country. The Buy-Back Program allows interested individual owners to sell their land for immediate transfer to the recognized tribe that exercises jurisdiction. This effort will strengthen tribal sovereignty and put decision-making in the hands of the tribal government, freeing up resources that have been locked-up as land interests that have fractionated over time. The Buy-Back Program has announced 105 locations where land consolidation activities such as planning, outreach, mapping, mineral evaluations, appraisals or acquisitions are scheduled to take place through the middle of 2021. The Buy-Back Program is interested in partnering with the eligible tribes that have jurisdiction over these 105 locations, as well as any locations that may be added to the implementation schedule, to gain their direct participation in land consolidation efforts given the tribes’ unique qualifications to perform land consolidation activities for their reservations. Consequently, the Program intends to, whenever feasible and practical, enter into single source cooperative agreements with these eligible tribes to not only capitalize on their unique knowledge of their reservations but also to improve the overall effectiveness and efficiency of the Program. Eligible tribes will be given the opportunity to apply for a cooperative agreement, whenever feasible and practical, prior to the implementation of the Buy-Back Program at the location under their jurisdiction.

Categories: sovereignty, jurisdiction, reclamation, administration, management, self-determination

Land-based. United States Link
Land Defenders and Water Protectors Seventh Generation for Fund for Indigenous Peoples, Inc.

Deadline Passed 10/11/2019. Deadline Unknown for 2020. The Seventh Generation Fund for Indigenous Peoples is inviting proposals for the Land Defenders and Water Protectors Program: supporting Indigenous community-based organizations protecting Earth’s natural systems and ability to nurture and sustain life. Upholding Indigenous territorial sovereignty and self-determination, Native land stewardship practices, and the defense of sacred lands, waters and species. Potential projects may include:Peaceful direct actions and frontline organizingSacred site protectionEnvironmental education and issue advocacyIndigenous appropriate and traditional technologies

Categories: land, water, conservation, indigenous, community-based, sovereignty, stewardship, defense

$500-$10,000 National Link
Landscape Scale Restoration RFA 2020 USFS

Deadline Passed 10/10/2019. Deadline Unknown for 2020. The purpose of this competitive grant program is to encourage collaborative, science-based restoration of priority forest landscapes and further priorities identified in the State’s Forest Action Plans.

Categories: landscape restoration, forest management, coordination

$25,000-$600,000 National Link
Lenfest Ocean Program Lenfest Ocean Program

The Lenfest Ocean Program is interested in funding projects that elevate Indigenous Peoples in sharing their traditions, culture, knowledge, and wisdom to improve evidence-based decision-making for the management, conservation, and restoration of coastal marine species, habitats, and ecosystems. Until recently, Indigenous Peoples' ways of knowing were not considered in planning and management decisions, prompting recent calls to rectify this situation. Thus, the Lenfest Ocean Program is issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) to support: collection, analysis, and/or communication of Indigenous Knowledge and wisdom; and engagement approaches that facilitate the integration of this knowledge in ocean and coastal management decisions.

Categories: ocean, climate change

National Link
Local Food Promotion Program USDA, AMS

Deadline Passed for 2018. Deadline Unknown for 2019. The Local Food Promotion Program (LFPP) offers grant funds with a 25% match to support the development and expansion of local and regional food business enterprises to increase domestic consumption of, and access to, locally and regionally produced agricultural products, and to develop new market opportunities for farm and ranch operations serving local markets. There are two types of project applications: planning grants and implementation grants. LFPP Planning Grants are used in the planning stages of establishing or expanding a local and regional food business enterprise. LFPP Implementation Grants are used to establish a new local and regional food business enterprise, or to improve or expand an existing local or regional food business enterprise.

Categories: food security, local foods, agriculture, farm and ranch operations, development, food business enterprise

Planning grants: $25,000 - $100,000 Implementation grants: $100,000 - $500,000 National Link
Local Food Purchase Assistance Program USDA

Deadline passed. Most recent deadline: April 5, 2022. The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will establish cooperative agreements with state and tribal governments for the purpose of supporting local, regional, and socially disadvantaged farmers/producers through food purchasing under the Build Back Better Initiative. These cooperative agreements will allow for entities to procure local, domestic foods that are unique to their geographic area and meet the needs of the populations. In addition to increasing local food consumption, funds are expected to help build and expand economic opportunity for local and socially disadvantaged farmers/producers. Learn more and apply here.

Categories: Food assistance, economic opportunity, food storage, food distribution

National Link
Local Foods, Local Places EPA

Past Deadline: November 13, 2020. The Local Foods, Local Places program will provide selected communities planning assistance that centers around a two-day community workshop. At the workshop, a team of experts will help community members develop an implementable action plan that promotes local food and neighborhood revitalization. Eligible applicants include local governments, Indian tribes, and nonprofit institutions and organizations proposing to work in a neighborhood, town, or city of any size anywhere in the United States. We expect that many of the communities we select will be economically challenged and in the early phases of their efforts to promote local foods and community revitalization.

Categories: Economic development, accessibility, farmers, infrastructure development

Unknown National 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
Long Term Research in Environmental Biology (LTREB) NSF 12/31/2024

Rolling Deadline. The Long Term Research in Environmental Biology (LTREB) Program supports the generation of extended time series of data to address important questions in evolutionary biology, ecology, and ecosystem science. Research areas include, but are not limited to, the effects of natural selection or other evolutionary processes on populations, communities, or ecosystems; the effects of interspecific interactions that vary over time and space; population or community dynamics for organisms that have extended life spans and long turnover times; feedbacks between ecological and evolutionary processes; pools of materials such as nutrients in soils that turn over at intermediate to longer time scales; and external forcing functions such as climatic cycles that operate over long return intervals.

Categories: Environmental Biology, Scientific Research, Ecosystem Science, Community Research, Feedbacks.

Awards are not to exceed $90,000 total per year and $450,000 over a five-year effort. The foundation anticipates making six awards annually, pending availability of funds. The solicitation outlines renewal procedures following the initial award. National Link
LOUISIANA SEA GRANT COLLEGE PROGRAM NGO

SoI is required and due by 5 pm on Friday, March 3, 2017. Full Proposals: Full Proposals will only be accepted on May 22, 2017 if a SoI was submitted. For this funding opportunity, Louisiana Sea Grant seeks responsive research that provides scientific and socioeconomic information, design innovation, as well as policy guidance, for fisheries management, climate change adaptation, resilient communities, and ecosystem restoration in coastal systems and communities in Louisiana. Coastal Louisiana offers a laboratory of restoration, protection, and adaptation projects that together with laboratory studies, field investigations, models, and/or socioeconomic tools and synthesis products, offer innovative opportunities for research projects that should improve understanding of coastal ecosystem function and help predict the responses of ecosystems and communities to a changing climate and/or planning activities. SoIs must include an outreach plan that demonstrates a connection with user groups, such as resource managers, communities, and/or informal and formal learners. Proposed projects should be for a 24-month maximum duration (but may be less than 24 months). PIs should focus on outcomes that can be achieved during this timeframe.

Categories: climate change, marine, fisheries, aquaculture, commercial, industrial, ocean, health, adaptation, mitigation, estuary

Varies. Louisiana, Delta Link
Marine Debris Awards For Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice, and Accessibility National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, NOAA

Most Recent Deadline: December 18, 2023. The objective of the Marine Debris awards for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice, and Accessibility (DEIJA) is to further DEIJA initiatives to address and investigate the adverse impacts of marine debris by supporting marine debris prevention, research, monitoring, detection, response, removal, and coordination activities. The Foundation anticipates funding 10-15 implementation projects for 1 year. Potential projects can include support for marine debris removal events, curriculum development, small-scale removal of marine debris, coordination activities, and more.

Categories: ocean, community impact, pollution, education

$5,000 - $7,500 US, US territories Link
Marine Debris Challenge Competition.

Deadline Passed:: January 31, 2024. The Marine Debris Challenge Competition will support original, innovative, and transformational marine debris prevention and removal research that pushes the boundaries of existing technologies and approaches, changes the current landscape of marine debris mitigation, and ties that research to tangible outputs. Brief Description: Sea Grant anticipates approximately $16,000,000 in FY 2024 and 2025 federal funds will be available to support research to application projects that will address the prevention and/or removal of marine debris, with award periods of three years. Applications DO NOT require the standard 50% non-federal match for Sea Grant projects. However, applicants are strongly encouraged to combine NOAA federal funding with formal matching contributions and informal leverage from a broad range of sources in the public and private sectors. Eligible Applicants: This opportunity is open to any person or group within the United States or its territories, as well as tribal nations within those geographies. Applicants must submit proposals in partnership with a relevant Sea Grant program. Please note that it is not a requirement that investigators, including the PI, are part of a Sea Grant program. Applicants and awardees from the FY22 National Sea Grant Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) Marine Debris Challenge Competition are eligible to apply for these funds. Please carefully review the specific instructions for the Marine Debris Challenge Competition opportunity found on the Sea Grant Funding page. Questions about the competitions may be sent to oar.sg.marine-debris@noaa.gov.

Categories: Marine Debris, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, BIL, Sea Grant

National Link
Marine Debris Community Action Coalitions - FY2024-2025 National Sea Grant BIL

Most recent deadline: December 14, 2023.  The Marine Debris Community Action Coalitions funding opportunity will support the creation of coalitions and partnerships among communities, groups, and localities, especially those that have been traditionally underserved, to address marine debris prevention and removal. Brief Description: The National Sea Grant Office (NSGO) anticipates approximately $3,000,000 in FY 2024 and 2025 federal funds will be available to individual Sea Grant programs in order to support approximately 10-20 Marine Debris Community Action Coalitions. Each award will be no greater than $300,000. Applications DO NOT require the standard 50% non-federal match for Sea Grant projects. Eligible Applicants: This competition is open to all Sea Grant programs. Please carefully review the specific instructions for the National Sea Grant IIJA Marine Debris Community Action Coalitions opportunity found on Inside Sea Grant. 

Categories: Marine Debris, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, BIL, Sea Grant

Link
Marine Debris Removal NOAA

Most recent deadline was September 30, 2022. The overall objective of this $28 million funding opportunity is to make tangible, beneficial impacts to coastal and marine habitats and communities across a broad geographic scale, through a variety of marine debris removal methods. While there are a number of effective ways to address the sources and impacts of marine debris, this funding opportunity focuses on two distinct priorities aimed at making the largest measurable impact: 1) the development of large scale and high-value marine debris removal programs (hereafter “partnerships”) that can be responsive to local and regional marine debris removal needs, with a focus on large marine debris; and 2) the implementation of projects that use proven interception technologies that capture marine debris at or close to known marine debris sources or pathways. Learn more and apply here.

Categories: Marine conservation, debris removal, technological solutions, innovation, coastal restoration

$100,000 - $15,000,000 National 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
Marine Energy University Foundational R&D.

Most recent Deadline: February 20, 2024. Marine Energy University Foundational R&D. The U.S. Department of Energy’s Water Power Technologies Office (WPTO) and Wind Energy Technologies Office (WETO) has released a $14.5 million funding opportunity for pioneering research in marine and ocean renewable energy at U.S. colleges and universities. The funding opportunity will fund projects across four topic areas, which includes up to $1.5 million for projects that advance potential synergies between offshore wind and/or marine energy and aquaculture development (topic area descriptions from the solicitation are copied below). We would appreciate your helping sharing this announcement with relevant contacts and network. We’ve also shared this with NOAA Office of Aquaculture. For more information and the link to apply: Funding Notice: Marine Energy University Foundational R&D | Department of Energy. Concept papers are due by 5 p.m. ET on February 20th, 2024 and are required to be eligible to submit a full application. https://www.energy.gov/eere/water/funding-notice-marine-energy-universi…

National Link
Marine Mammal Commission Grants DOC

The Marine Mammal Commission carries out a small research program that supports projects aimed at meeting the conservation and protection goals of the Marine Mammal Protection Act. The Commission’s research program includes all relevant activities including basic and applied research, workshops, literature reviews, compilation of expert opinion, and drafting manuscripts.
The Commission encourages the submission of proposals for innovative and well-designed projects that address important conservation issues for marine mammals or marine ecosystems but that may be unlikely to obtain funding through traditional research agencies. On occasion, the Commission provides start-up or seed money for promising research projects that, once proven feasible, may be supported later by other federal agencies. The Commission encourages applicants to obtain additional support by collaborating with, or soliciting funds from, other institutions, organizations, or agencies.
The research program awards grants based on proposals submitted in response to general Requests for Proposals (RFPs), unsolicited proposals, and specific research topics identified by the Commission.

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

The amount of funds available varies from year to year, depending on the level of congressional appropriations. Since it was established in 1972, the Commission has supported more than 1,000 projects. Northwest, Southwest, Midwest, Northeast, Southeast, National, Alaska Link
Mary A. Crocker Trust NGO

The Mary A Crocker Trust is a charitable foundation located in San Francisco, CA. The Trust’s Environment program area focuses support on the areas of waste management and recycling, water quality, land use management, and sustainable agriculture and forestry. The Trust is primarily interested in Bay Area programs, with an annual award budget of approximately $500K. Typical award amounts range between $10K and $25K.

Categories: Conservation, Waste management

$10,000-$25,000 Northwest, San Francisco area Link
Matching Awards Program National Forest Foundation

Deadline passed. Most recent deadline: January 16, 2024. The National Forest Foundation is pleased to announce that it is currently soliciting proposals for its Matching Awards Program (MAP). With recent changes to the program, MAP: Connecting People to Forests now focuses primarily on in-person community engagement and completion of appropriate stewardship activities. Program goals are to create lasting change that will allow all communities, especially underserved communities, opportunities to benefit from activities on National Forest System lands or adjacent public lands. Learn more and apply here.

Categories: National forests, restoration, impacts, forest health, civic engagement, community involvement

In recent years, NFF has considered applications ranging from less than $5,000 to over $60,000. New applicants to MAP are encouraged to submit applications requesting under $30,000. National Link
Matching Fund Opportunity for Hydrographic Surveys and Request for Partnership Proposals National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Department of Commerce.

Most Recent Deadline: 2/26/2021. This notice announces a pilot program to assess whether there is sufficient stakeholder interest in matching funds with Coast Survey to partner on ocean and coastal hydrographic surveys. Proposals will be evaluated and prioritized for funding based on submitted justifications. Coast Survey will select proposals using the review process and criteria evaluation described in section IX of this notice. If there is sufficient interest in the pilot program, Coast Survey plans to increase its allocation for matching funds in future years, as appropriations allow. The goal of this pilot program is to leverage NOAA and partner funds to acquire more coastal and ocean mapping data to a consistent standard for projects during FY2022. If appropriated funds are available, NOAA will match funds contributed by selected entities for hydrographic surveys. Coast Survey will receive the contributions through memoranda of agreement using the authority granted to NOAA under the Coast and Geodetic Survey Act of 1947 to receive and expend funds for collaborative hydrographic surveys (33 U.S.C. 883e).

National Link
Mechanism for Time-Sensitive Research Opportunities in Environmental Health Sciences (R21) DHHS, NIH

Deadline passed 09/03/2019. Deadline Unknown for 2020. This funding opportunity announcement (FOA) is intended to support environmental health research in which an unpredictable event provides a limited window of opportunity to collect human biological samples or environmental exposure data. The primary motivation of the FOA is to understand the consequences of natural and man-made disasters or emerging environmental public health threats in the U.S. and abroad. A distinguishing feature of an appropriate study is the need for rapid review and funding (substantially shorter than the typical NIH grant review/award cycle) in order for the research question to be addressed and swiftly implemented. The shortened timeframe will be achieved by more frequent application due dates and expediting peer review, council concurrence and award issuance. The entire cycle, from submission to award, is expected to be within 3-4 months.

Categories: environmental health, research, disaster preparedness, environmental exposure, public health

The combined budget for direct costs for the 2-year project period may not exceed $275,000. No more than $200,000 may be requested in any single year. National Link
Microgrid 2014 MVP Challenge DOE

DOE is accepting applications for the Microgrid 2014 MVP Challenge, a competition to support resiliency and adaptation in communities across the nation. Entries will be judged according to four criteria: resiliency, clean energy system, efficiency, and cost effectiveness.

Categories: Clean Energy, Energy efficiency, Infrastructure

$100,000 National, Alaska, Northwest, Southwest, Northeast, Southeast, Midwest Link
Mini Grant Application for Partners for Places – Round 2. The Funders Network (TFN) and The Urban Sustainability Directors Network (USDN)

Most Recent Deadline: 7/30/2020. The Funders Network (TFN) and The Urban Sustainability Directors Network (USDN) offer the Partners for Places (P4P) fund to create or improve collaborative partnerships between local government leaders, place-based funders , and frontline community-led group(s). This grant opportunity intends to build these partnerships, so that the these groups can connect and align to produce work that advances an equitable sustainability project. The purpose is to address frontline community priorities and apply a racial equity approach to both collaboration and project planning / implementation. Review the most recent P4P invitation to apply here. Follow-on funding to awarded mini grants is competitive and not guaranteed. Mini grants strengthen the relationship between the applying partners in order to aid in the joint development of a full P4P application. Mini grant requests can be up to $10,000. For more information and to apply, visit: https://www.fundersnetwork.org/partners-for-places/.

Up to $10,000 National 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
Multi-Family Housing Direct Loans USDA

Applications accepted year round. This program provides competitive financing for affordable multi-family rental housing for low-income, elderly, or disabled individuals and families in eligible rural areas. This program assists qualified applicants that cannot obtain commercial credit on terms that will allow them to charge rents that are affordable to low-income tenants.

Categories: housing, rural communities, multi-family housing, improvement, development

varies Rural Areas Link
Multi-Family Housing Loan Guarantees USDA 12/31/2024

This program accepts applications on a continuous basis. The program works with qualified private-sector lenders to provide financing to qualified borrowers to increase the supply of affordable rental housing for low- and moderate-income individuals and families in eligible rural areas and towns. Construction, improvement and purchase of multi-family rental housing for low to moderate income families and individuals is the primary objective for this program. Funding may also be available for:Buying and improving landProviding necessary infrastructureFor a complete list see Code of Federal Regulations, 7CFR Part 3565.205

Categories: housing, rural communities, development, infrastructure

varies Rural Areas Link
Mutual Self-Help Housing Technical Assistance Grants USDA 12/31/2024

Applications accepted continuously. Provides grants to qualified organizations to help them carry out local self-help housing construction projects. Grant recipients supervise groups of very-low- and low-income individuals and families as they construct their own homes in rural areas. The group members provide most of the construction labor on each other’s homes, with technical assistance from the organization overseeing the project. Funds may be used to:Give technical and supervisory assistance to participating familiesHelp other organizations provide self-help technical and supervisory assistanceRecruit families, help them complete loan applications and carry out other related activities that enable them to participate

Categories: housing, rural areas, low-income communities, technical assistance

varies Rural Areas Link
National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program USDA

Deadline passed. Most recent deadline: 9/9/2022. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is announcing the availability of up to $17 million in funds in the National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program (NADPRP) to support projects in topic areas including, but not limited to: Develop, enhance, and exercise state and Tribal animal disease outbreak emergency response plans; Support livestock and poultry biosecurity; enhance animal disease traceability for a disease outbreak; Support outreach and education on animal disease prevention, preparedness, and response topics. Learn more and apply here.

Categories: Agriculture, livestock disease preparedness, education

Varies. National 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.

Categories: Research, Water, Infrastructure

Up to $4 million Northwest, Southwest, Northeast, Southesat, National, Alaska Link