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 Organizationsort ascending Grant Deadline Description Category Funding Amount Geography Website
Tribal Solid Waste Management Assistance Project EPA

The Tribal Solid Waste Interagency Workgroup was created to coordinate federal assistance to tribes to help them comply with the municipal solid waste landfill regulations. Successful proposals should characterize/assess open dumps, develop integrated waste management (IWM) plans, develop and implement alternative solid waste management activities/facilities; or develop and implement cleanup, closure, and post-closure programs for open dumps in Indian Country. Each proposal must address only one of the four proposal categories described above.

Water, Regulatory, Research 10 Individual awards ranging from $10,000 to $50,000 Northwest, Southwest, Midwest, Northeast, Southeast, National, Alaska Link
Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program FY 2019 EPA

Deadline Passed March 26, 2019. Deadline Unknown for 2020. EPA’s Office of Transportation and Air Quality is soliciting applications nationwide for projects that achieve significant reductions in diesel emissions, particularly from fleets operating at or servicing goods movement facilities 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.

Energy, Diesel Varies Northwest, Southwest, Midwest, Northeast, Southeast, National, Alaska Link
Pollution Prevention Grant: Environmental Justice in Communities EPA

Deadline passed. Most recent 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
EPA 2022 Tribal EJ Small Grants Opportunity EPA

Deadline passed. Most recent deadline: May 19, 2022. EPA has announced the availability of up to $1.6 million in American Rescue Plan (ARP) funding to support Tribal government efforts to establish or modify programs on environmental justice, water and air quality issues. Congress made up to $1.6 million in ARP funding available to Tribes, recognizing the importance of supporting Tribal public engagement programs and related priorities that have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. EPA anticipates awarding 16 to 20 grants nationwide in amounts of up to $100,000 per award. Applicants should plan for projects to begin on 1 October 2022. Learn more and apply here.

Environmental justice, water quality, air quality, public engagement, COVID-19 Applicants may request up to $100,000. National Link
FY 2019 National Environmental Information Exchange Network Grant Solicitation Notice EPA

Deadline Passed 04/08/2019. Deadline Unknown for 2020. The EPA Exchange Network Grant Program is soliciting project proposals that use the Environmental Information Exchange Network (EN) to:

  • Facilitate sharing of environmental data, especially through shared and reusable services.
  • Streamline data collection and exchanges to improve its timeliness for decision making.
  • Increase the quality and access to environmental data through discovery, publishing, outbound, and analytical services so it is more useful to environmental managers.
  • Develop foundational EN shared services to reduce burden and avoid costs for co-regulators and the regulated community.
  • Expand and improve participation in the EN by strengthening the requisite information management and technology capabilities for interested parties to fully participate in the EN
Regulatory, Research, Environmental Data, Decision Making Up to $400,000 Northwest, Southwest, Midwest, Northeast, Southeast, National, Alaska 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
Air Climate and Energy (ACE) Centers EPA

Deadline Unknown. Closed. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as part of its Science to Achieve Results (STAR) program, is seeking applications for Air, Climate and Energy (ACE) Centers. EPA is interested in supporting research on the development of sound science to systematically inform policy makers at the state and local levels regarding the development of innovative approaches to enable effective implementation of air pollution control strategies to achieve the greatest public health benefits by reducing exposure to harmful air pollution

Research, Air Pollution Control, public health Up to $10,000,000 Northwest, Southwest, Northeast, Southeast, National, Alaska, Midwest 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
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
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.

Emissions Reduction, Clean Energy, Transportation Infrastructure, Mitigation Varies Northwest, Southwest, Northeast, Southeast, National, Alaska, Midwest 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
Environmental Education Grants EPA

Deadline passed. Most recent deadline: December 6, 2021. Under the Environmental Education Grants Program, EPA seeks grant applications from eligible applicants to support environmental education projects that promote environmental awareness and stewardship and help provide people with the skills to take responsible actions to protect the environment. This grant program provides financial support for projects that design, demonstrate, and/or disseminate environmental education practices, methods, or techniques. The total estimated funding for this competitive opportunity in U.S. EPA Region 10 is up to $300,000. The Region expects to award three or four grants for no less than $50,000, and no more than $100,000 each. Region 10 covers the states of Alaska (AK), Idaho (ID), Oregon (OR), and Washington (WA). View the Region 10 request for applications (RFA) here

Environmental education, stewardship, awareness The Region expects to award three or four grants for no less than $50,000, and no more than $100,000 each. Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington Link
Clean Water Indian Set-Aside Program Environmental Protection Agency, Indian Health Service (IHS) 12/31/2023

Submissions accepted on a rolling basis. The Clean Water Indian Set-Aside Grant Program (CWISA) provides funding to Indian tribes and Alaska Native Villages for wastewater infrastructure. The CWISA program is administered in cooperation with the Indian Health Service (IHS). The CWISA program provides funding for wastewater infrastructure to American Indian Tribes and Alaska Native Villages. Funds may be used for planning, design, and construction of wastewater collection and treatment systems. The CWISA program is administered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in cooperation with the Indian Health Service (IHS) Sanitation Facilities Construction program. To be considered for CWISA program funding, tribes must identify their wastewater needs to the IHS Sanitation Deficiency System. EPA uses the IHS Sanitation Deficiency System priority lists to identify and select projects for CWISA program funding.

waste water infrastructure, monitoring, infrastructure Varies National Link
FY18 Environmental Workforce Development and Job Training (EWJDT) Grants Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Deadline Passes December 15, 2017. Deadline for 2018 unknown. This notice announces the availability of funds and solicits proposals from eligible entities, including nonprofit organizations, to deliver Environmental Workforce Development and Job Training programs that recruit, train, and place local, unemployed and under-employed residents with the skills needed to secure full-time employment in the environmental field. Please note that eligible entities who received an EWDJT grant in Fiscal Year 2017 (FY17) are not eligible to apply for funding in FY18. While Environmental Workforce Development and Job Training Grants require training in brownfield assessment and/or cleanup, these grants also require that Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) training be provided to all individuals being trained. EPA encourages applicants to develop their curricula based on local labor market assessments and employers’ hiring needs, while also delivering comprehensive training that results in graduates securing multiple certifications.

workforce development, job training, environmental, hazardous and solid waste management, water quality improvement, chemical safety, pesticide management The total funding available under this competitive opportunity is approximately $3,000,000, subject to availability of funds, quality of proposals received, and other applicable considerations for FY18. National Link
FY 2017 and FY 2018 Training and Technical Assistance to Improve Water Quality and Enable Small Public Water Systems to Provide Safe Drinking Water Environmental Protection Agency

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

training, technical assistance, public water systems, wastewater systems, water quality Up to $16,000,000 National Link
Alaska Native Villages and Rural Communities Water Grant Program Environmental Protection Agency

No listed deadline. Significant human health and water quality problems exist in Alaska Native Villages (ANV) and other rural communities in Alaska due to lack of sanitation. To address these issues, Congress in 1996 authorized EPA to create the Alaska Native Villages and Rural Communities Grant Program, which is codified in 33 U.S.C. § 1263a.

The program assists these communities with the construction of new or improved wastewater and drinking water systems. Communities can also use the funding for training and technical assistance in system operations and maintenance.

EPA provides funds to the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to address the needs of rural and native Alaska communities. The DEC, in turn, administers these funds through its Village Safe Water (VSW) program. The VSW program’s goal is "to improve public health and compliance with environmental laws by upgrading the level of sanitation facilities in rural [Alaskan] communities through financial and technical assistance."

Water, sanitation, public health Varies Alaska Link
Water Pollution Control (Section 106) Grants Environmental Protection Agency

Deadline varies based on individual grants. Section 106 of the Clean Water Act (CWA) authorizes EPA to provide financial assistance to states and eligible interstate agencies to establish and administer programs for the prevention, reduction, and elimination of water pollution. In 1987, Congress amended section 518(e) of the CWA to include provisions that allow EPA to treat an Indian tribe in a manner similar to a state (i.e., treatment in a manner similar to a state, or TAS) for the purpose of providing Section 106 funding.

water quality, water quality standards, water quality monitoring, pollution, source water Varies National Link
Drinking Water Infrastructure Grants -Tribal Set-Aside Program Environmental Protection Agency

The 1996 amendments to the Safe Drinking Water Act (SWDA), established the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF). The DWSRF makes funds available to drinking water systems to finance infrastructure improvements.

The SDWA also authorized EPA to set-aside up to 1.5% of the DWSRF for grants to improve the infrastructure of drinking water systems that serve tribes (SDWA §1452i). Starting in 2010, Congress increased the tribal set aside funds to 2%.

drinking water Varies National. Link
Region 6 Indian General Assistance Program Environmental Protection Agency

Deadline: 2/5/2021. EPA provides Indian Environmental General Assistance Program (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. EPA administers this program in accordance with the statute, applicable federal regulations, including 40 CFR part 35, subpart B, and national guidance, including the Indian Environmental General Assistance Program Guidance on the Award and Management of General Assistance Agreements for Tribes and Intertribal Consortia (2013; hereafter GAP Guidance).

administrative, financial management, information management, environmental baseline needs assessment, public education/communication, legal, ambient air quality, water quality, managing waste No more than $115,000 Southwest Link
Agriculture of the Middle Accelerator Program Ecotrust

Deadline Passed 10/07/2019. Deadline Unknown for 2020. The Ag of the Middle Accelerator is a two-year business development program providing formal instruction from experts in accounting and finance, taxation, credit, and sales and marketing for farmers, ranchers, and fishermen.

farmers, ranchers, fishing operations, business development, food production unknown Oregon, California, Washington, Alaska 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.

economic recovery, construction, natural disaster, resilience, mitigation, emergency assistance Total Program Funding: $587,000,000 National Link
Ecolab Foundation Grants EcoLab Foundation

Deadline Passed for 2017. Deadline for 2018 unknown. Focus Areas of Giving- Youth and Education: programs that promote youth development, particularly for youth at-risk, Civic & Community Development: affordable housing, work readiness, crisis assistance and hunger relief, Environment & Conservation: hands-on environmental learning programs, Arts & Culture: arts education for children and youth as well as support for museums and the performing arts.

climate change, conservation, social justice, civic engagement, housing, shelter, food justice, adaptation, mitigation Varies. Nationalo, regional Link
Earthlab Innovation Grants EarthLab

Deadline: January 26, 2023 at 5 pm PST. EarthLab is looking to fund projects that demonstrate co-creation and partnership between community partners and University of Washington researchers, interdisciplinary collaboration, action at the intersection of climate (both mitigation and adaptation) & social justice, and the potential for growth of the project or partnership. The Innovation Grants Program has $300,000 available for the current funding cycle, with a maximum budget request of $75,000 per project. For more information and to apply, click here

Environment, scientific research, climate, social justice, community involvement, interdisciplinary collaboration Maximum of $75,000 per project. National Link
Oregon Domestic Well Safety Program (DWSP) DWSP, Oregon Local Public Health Authorities

Deadline passed as of December 12, 2016. Deadline for 2017 unknown. This request for proposals (RFP) is intended to increase the capacity of Oregon Local Public Health Authorities (LPHAs) and tribal public health authorities, particularly those that have identified domestic wells and water security as local priorities through county hazard assessments*. The Oregon Health Authority's (OHA) Domestic Well Safety Program (DWSP) intends to provide grants to support outreach efforts identified by LPHAs in their proposals to this RFP. In working with LPHAs, the DWSP will help plan and deliver outreach and interventions to communities of concern, as identified by LPHAs.

water safety, water health, access, infrastructure $7,500 Oregon Link
Bridge Investment Program: Planning, Bridge Projects, and Large Bridge Projects DOT

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

Transportation, infrastructure, flood control, habitat connectivity $2,500,000 - $10,000,000,000 National Link
RAISE Discretionary Grants DOT

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

Transportation, Infrastructure, Development $1,000,000 - $25,000,000 National Link
Northeast Resilient Landscapes Fund (Rolling Basis) Doris Duke Charitable Foundation

As changing climate threatens to unravel decades of work to protect wildlife habitats, land protection must focus on the places most likely to harbor plants and animals. Recognizing that challenge, we launched the Resilient Landscapes Initiative to integrate climate science into conservation planning and to protect resilient landscapes throughout the eastern United States. OSI partners with conservation organizations in the Northeast to assemble networks of protected lands most likely to preserve plant and animal diversity in a changing climate. The Fund supports projects in four focus areas in New England, the mid-Atlantic, and the Central Appalachians offering the greatest opportunity to conserve missing links for resiliency in the overall landscape. The Fund provides capital grants and loans to qualified non-profits for the acquisition of land or conservation easements on climate-resilient lands, capitalized with a grant from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation.

climate change, conservation, landscape, sustainability, adaptation, mitigation Varies. West Virginia, Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Massachusetts, Southern New Hampshire, Maine Link
Southeast Resilient Landscapes Fund Doris Duke Charitable Foundation

2017 deadline: 11/06/2017. Deadline for 2018 Unknown. Capitalized with a grant from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, the Southeast Resilient Landscapes Fund (Fund) provides capital grants and loans to land protection projects within three selected regions of the southeast. Projects must lie in one of OSI’s resilience focus areas, demonstrate the use of Resilient Landscape concepts and meet the other grant criteria detailed below. OSI awards grants to qualified non-profit organizations through a competitive process with the assistance of an advisory board comprised of experts with knowledge of natural resources, conservation policy and land conservation funding.

climate change, environmental protection, conservation, sustainability, adaptation, mitigation $100,000-$400,000. the Southern Cumberlands in Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee; the Southern Blue Ridge in North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee; and the Greater Pee Dee River in South Carolina and North Carolina Link
Tribal Energy Development and Capacity-Building (TEDC) Grant Program DOI; OIEED

No RFP announced for 2016 as of 4/13/2016. The TEDC grant program helps tribes in assessing, developing, or obtaining the managerial and technical capacity needed to develop energy resources on Indian land and properly account for energy resource production and revenues, as provided for under Title V. Section 503 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005.

Energy Development Varies Northwest, Southwest, Northeast, Southesat, National, Alaska Link
Western Washington Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office Fisheries Restoration Opportunities DOI-FWS

Deadline passed as of August 31, 2017. Deadline for 2018 unknown. Proposals will only be considered for project locations within western Washington State, specifically for: Chehalis River watershed in southwest Washington State. Proposals may include but are not limited to: fish passage, in-stream and riparian habitat restoration, introduced species management (including aquatic invasive species), or education and outreach, Lake Sammamish specifically related to kokanee restoration and monitoring, Tribal Employment Rights Ordinance (TERO) employment at Makah and Quinault National Fish Hatcheries, Analysis of migratory patterns in bull trout in western Washington, Status assessments of Olympic mudminnow, or Analysis of scales and bony structures from anadromous fish.

fisheries, wetlands, restoration, hatcheries, aquatic resources, conservation, research, salmon, habitat Up to $100,000. Washington state Link

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