Funding

Funding Opportunities

Webinars

Check out our events page for a series of webinars on the FY2024 funding opportunities through BIA.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 

Notice of Funding Opportunity: Rapid Response Fund for Aquatic Invasive Species 

This year, as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law authorization for ecosystem restoration, the Department of the Interior invested $1 million to establish a pilot Rapid Response Fund for Aquatic Invasive Species with an additional $1 million envisioned each year 2024 through 2026 as part of advancing a National Early Detection and Rapid Response Framework. The Rapid Response Fund will be administered within the existing authorities of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Fish and Aquatic Conservation program and coordinated through the Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) Task Force. In July 2023, the ANS Task Force approved The Model Process: Rapid Response Fund for Aquatic Invasive Species that outlines a structure and process for operation of the Fund. 

We are excited to announce that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, on behalf of the ANS Task Force, posted a Notice of Funding Opportunity (F24AS00018, Rapid Response Fund for Aquatic Invasive Species) on August 17, 2023 to request proposals that support the rapid response to a new species introduction within freshwater, estuarine, or marine waters of the United States, including the U.S. territories.  

The deadline for the first cycle of proposals is October 18, 2023.

After this cycle, we will continue with quarterly review and selections, anticipated to begin on or near November 1, 2023, February 1, 2024, and May 1, 2024. General information about the Fund and a list of Frequently Asked Questions can be found HERE. Additional questions may be directed to Susan Pasko, ANS Task Force Executive Secretary, at [email protected].  

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Seeks Project Applications for up to $36 Million in Fish Passage Funding

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking project applications for up to $36 million in fish passage funding. Projects will be part of a five-year, $200 million Bipartisan Infrastructure Law investment to restore aquatic ecosystems, through the National Fish Passage Program.  Selected projects will address outdated, unsafe or obsolete dams, culverts, levees and other barriers fragmenting our nation’s rivers and streams.

Fish passage projects reopen up travel routes for fish and aquatic wildlife.   

When rivers are fragmented by dams, culverts, or other diversions, they can become congested. These aquatic barriers have the same effect as roadblocks on a busy highway. Across the country millions of barriers block transportation networks for fish and other aquatic wildlife.  Fish passage projects help by finding blockages and either removing them or creating a detour that fish can use.

For decades, the National Fish Passage Program has implemented infrastructure projects with partners to improve the health of the nation’s waterways, reconnect rivers, improve climate resilience and enhance local economies. The program provides financial, technical and planning assistance to Tribes, communities, other agencies, and landowners to help remove barriers and restore rivers for the benefit of fish and people.

How to apply for funds:

Applicants must work with a Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office Biologist to be considered for funding. To begin this process, submit a Letter of Interest to your Regional Fish Passage Coordinator by November 17, 2023. The letter of interest is a brief document that outlines the applicant’s desire to work with the Service to propose a project for consideration under NFPP BIL FY2024.

Complete evaluation criteria, submission guidelines, and contact information will be available on Grant Solutions under F24AS00062.

NOAA

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), Tribal Engagement in Regional Ocean Partnership Priorities

This program complements a separate funding program for established Regional Ocean Partnerships (ROPs), which seeks to enhance and sustain the efforts of those ROPs to coordinate interstate and intertribal management of ocean and coastal management issues. The scope of work under this program focuses on encouraging or enhancing tribal involvement in or engagement with established ROPs, and/or tribal activities related to ROP priority actions. Proposals submitted under this competition must directly relate to priorities of established ROPs, either through tribal engagement in or with ROPs, or tribal activities closely aligned with ROP priorities.

Current Closing Date for Applications: August 30, 2023.

Coastal Habitat Restoration and Resilience Grants for Tribes and Underserved Communities

$45 million in funding is available for projects that will advance the coastal habitat restoration and climate resilience priorities of tribes and underserved communities under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act. Through this funding, NOAA will help support community-driven habitat restoration and build the capacity of tribes and underserved communities to more fully participate in restoration activities.

Of the $45 million in funding available, $20 million is specifically available to U.S. federally recognized tribes, Alaska Native Corporations, and organizations that represent tribes through formal legal agreements, through direct awards or subawards:

  • A direct award is an award where the tribe is the applicant, receives an award from NOAA, and administers the award.
  • A subaward to a tribe is an award where a non-tribal applicant receives a direct award from NOAA, but provides a specific amount of funding to a tribe to carry out a portion of the award.

The remaining $25 million will be available to all eligible applicants, to support opportunities for tribes and underserved communities to meaningfully engage in coastal habitat restoration activities.

Applicant Webinars: A pre-recorded applicant webinar is available for download in the “For Applicants” section below. We will also hold 3 live webinars with information for potential applicants:

After the webinars are completed, a list of applicant Frequently Asked Questions from the webinars will be posted on this page.

Contact [email protected] with questions.

Closing: December 19, 2023

NIDIS Coping With Drought: Building Tribal Drought Resilience With Support From The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)

NOAA’s National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS) has announced approximately $2 million in funding for projects to support tribal drought resilience as part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda. This investment will help tribal nations address current and future drought risk on tribal lands across the Western U.S. while informing decision-making and strengthening tribal drought resilience in a changing climate.

Proposals may request funding of up to $700,000 total to be disseminated in the first year and expended over three years in the form of cooperative agreements. A total of 3–5 projects may be funded depending on the project budget requested.

Applications should be developed by or in full partnership with tribal nations to fund the implementation of activities that address current and future drought risk in the context of a changing climate on tribal lands across the Western U.S. If the primary applicant is not a tribal government, full partnership with a tribal nation can be demonstrated by including at least one full investigator representing a federally recognized tribe on the project, and indicating through the budget and budget justification how funds are being disseminated to the tribal nation.

Competition activities could include, but are not limited to: conducting drought vulnerability assessments; developing drought plans and communication plans; and identifying primary drought impacts, optimal drought indicators, and/or triggers. Additional activities could include improving drought monitoring; developing drought dashboards with relevant drought data and real-time information; and demonstrating the application of drought data and information to enhance decision-making.

Important Dates:

  • The deadline for Letters of Intent submission is Thursday, November 2, 2023 by 11:59 p.m. ET. 
  • The deadline for application submission is Thursday, February 15, 2024 by 11:59 p.m. ET. 

Letters of Intent or applications received after the above deadlines will not be reviewed or considered.

NIDIS will host two informational webinars about this funding opportunity. Webinars will be recorded and posted on the competition web page.

NIDIS Coping with Drought Informational Webinar:
Competition Overview
Wednesday, October 4, 2023 at 4 p.m. ET.
Click here to register

NIDIS Coping with Drought Informational Webinar:
LOI Feedback & Application Requirements
Wednesday, December 6, 2023 at 2 p.m. ET.
Click here to register

USDA

National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program (NADPRP)

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) will provide up to $500,000 to Tribes and Tribal organizations to further animal disease prevention, preparedness, and response through the National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program (NADPRP).  This NADPRP Tribal Nations funding opportunity opens today and closes January 19, 2024.

In July 2023, APHIS announced the availability of up to $17 million in funds for NADPRP. While Tribes and Tribal organizations were eligible to apply for that funding opportunity (which closed October 20, 2023), the additional $500,000 was specifically designated for a separate funding opportunity for Tribes and Tribal organizations for animal disease preparedness and response activities.

This is the second year this funding opportunity targeting Indian Country is available, as APHIS seeks to continue to advance animal disease preparedness and response through its Farm Bill animal health programs.

Eligible applicants include federally recognized Tribes, their arms and instrumentalities, Tribal-serving organizations, and Tribal colleges and universities. APHIS will prioritize funding to project proposals aimed at:

  • Delivering outreach & education on animal disease prevention, preparedness, and response,
  • Increasing livestock and poultry and indigenous animal biosecurity,
  • Supporting training and exercises for Tribal animal agriculture sector responders,
  • Developing and implementing Tribal animal disease emergency response plans, and
  • Enhancing animal disease traceability for an animal disease outbreak.

The NADPRP addresses the risk of introduction and spread of high-consequence animal pests and diseases through cooperative or interagency agreements between APHIS and Tribes, States, livestock and indigenous animal producer organizations, Tribal organizations, land-grant universities, and other eligible entities. This program enhances APHIS’ animal health efforts through collaboration with animal health partners throughout the nation. Together, APHIS and its partners carry out high-value projects that enhance prevention, preparedness, detection, and response to the most damaging emerging and foreign animal diseases that threaten agriculture and food production across the United States.

The 2018 Farm Bill provided funding for these programs as part of an overall strategy to help prevent animal pests and diseases from entering the United States and reduce the spread and impact of potential disease incursions through advance planning and preparedness.

The funding opportunity announcement, including application instructions and additional information, is available on the NADPRP website. Applicants can also find information on the on the ezFedGrants website or the Grants.gov website by searching CFDA number 10.025 or Funding Opportunity Number USDA-APHIS-10025-VSSP0000-24-0003. Tribes and Tribal organizations may apply for this funding opportunity, even if they previously applied to the NADPRP funding opportunity that closed on October 20, 2023.

APHIS’ Office of National Tribal Liaison (ONTL) in partnership with NADPRP is offering a webinar to assist Tribal applicants with the application process. Two sessions of the webinar, “National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program (NADPRP) Tribal Funding Opportunity: Information for Applicants”, will be available, held on October 25, 2023, at 2:00 pm EST and November 6, 2023, at 1:00 pm EST. Each webinar will be recorded and posted to the NADPRP website for those unable to attend the live sessions. 

Webinar #1

Wednesday, October 25 at 2:00
3:00 PM ET / 2:00PM CT / 1:00PM MT / 12:00PM PT / 11:00AM AKT
Registration link: https://forms.office.com/g/HCp1gLW8Zd

Webinar #2

Monday, November 6
1:00 ET / 12:00PM CT / 11:00AM MT / 10:00AM PT / 9:00AM AKT
Registration link: https://forms.office.com/g/HCp1gLW8Zd

More information on these programs is available at: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/resources/farmbill

Community Wildfire Defense Grant Program

The Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service is again accepting applications for the Community Wildfire Defense Grant program. Now in its second year, this competitive program funded by President Biden’s infrastructure bill is designed to assist at-risk communities, including Tribal communities, non-profit organizations, state forestry agencies and Alaska Native Corporations with planning for and mitigating wildfire risks. Applications will be accepted for 90 days.

Individual grants will fund up to $250,000 to create and update community wildfire protection plans and up to $10 million for associated wildfire resilience projects. State, local and Tribal governments are encouraged to conduct planning exercises to assist their communities with wildfire preparedness, response and adaptation efforts. Projects must be completed within five years of the award obligation. The number of projects selected will be determined by available funding, which is up to $250 million.

Applications will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. eastern time on October 31, 2023.

Bureau of Indian Affairs

Annual Awards Program to Support Tribal Climate Resilience for Federally Recognized Tribes and Authorized Tribal Organizations

Provides financial support for Federally recognized Tribal Nations and authorized Tribal organizations through competitive funding opportunities to build Tribal resilience capacity. This year, TCR expects to award approximately $120 million to Tribes and authorized Tribal organizations to increase climate adaptation and resilience capacity and support related Tribal planning and implementation efforts. This is by far the largest amount of annual funding made available in the history of the Bureau of Indian Affairs’ Tribal Climate Annual Awards Program.

*Note that the award categories and requirements have changed. Based on feedback from Tribes, this year there will only be two categories for support; Category 1: Planning (maximum: $250,000) and Category 2: Implementation (maximum: $4,000,000). Also note that there are three set aside categories, including for Habitat Restoration and Adaptation that has no maximum amount. This Habitat Restoration and Adaptation can include habitat work for “landscapes at risk due to climate change impacts, such as forests and grasslands”.

If you have any questions, please contact the liaison for your region for assistance.

Closing date for this funding opportunity is October 13, 2023. Application Portal. 

DOE

Energy Future Grants

The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of State and Community Energy Programs (SCEP) has a deadline approaching for Full Application Submission on November 10, 2023 at 5:00 PM ET for the Energy Future Grants (EFG)! EFG provides $27 million in financial assistance and technical assistance to support local, state, and tribal government-led partnership efforts that will advance clean energy program innovation. EFG seeks to enhance energy affordability and access for communities, ensuring the broad benefits of a clean energy economy—including heath, economic development and jobs and emissions reductions—flow to disadvantaged communities.

EFG will provide support for approximately 50 multijurisdictional teams (ideally 3-4 or more state, local, and tribal government partners). Teams will further partner with community benefit organizations to turn innovative (novel or early action) ideas into solutions that address barriers to clean energy deployment. For any questions or to join the teaming partner list, please email [email protected].”

Funding Announcement link:

Program Website link and email:

Background/Eligibility-

  • Energy Future Grants (EFG) support community led-innovation, prioritizing planning and analysis to ensure the benefits of clean energy flow to disadvantaged communities (DACs).  ​
  • EFG awards will foster at least 50 multijurisdictional place-based partnerships for states/territories, local government, and tribes. The teams will partner with 3-4 or more jurisdictions to enhance proposed innovative strategies that maximize energy affordability and ensure the broad benefit of clean energy flow to disadvantaged communities (DACs). ​
  • Awards will support at least 200 unique engagements across the county. Examples include 4-5 large cities and towns working together with a single state on grid planning; 5-6 rural communities and tribes advancing a solution to deploy geothermal resources. ​
  • A successful project will have equitable innovation strategies, multi-jurisdictional partnerships, and scalable outcomes. ​

Leverage/TA-

  • Technical assistance will be available to help ensure EFG teams have the capacity and knowledge to design and deploy energy improvements that maximize energy affordability and benefit disadvantaged communities.
  • Awards will leverage DOE and other resources to speed and scale clean energy innovation.  ​
  • EFG is unique from other DOE programs like EECBG, LGEP, and Schools because it is intended to address groups that do not easily align with existing funding opportunities; EFG communities differ from these other programs because they will be at an advanced stage in terms of progress with strategic implementation plans. ​
  • Recipients of funding from other programs, such as the Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) program, are also eligible entities for EFG (Local governments, states, and tribes). Funds can be leveraged, or braided, with funds from their EECBG initiatives to maximize benefits. For example, EECBG awardees can be at any stage in development and EFG awardees must be at an advanced stage. Thus, recipients could use EECBG funds to build out innovative ideas and identify strategic implementation plans, then use EFG funds to conduct modeling and analysis of the same innovative idea for implementation. ​

Applications/Awards-

  • The application process entails submitting a Full Application by 11/10/2023 5 PM ET to Clean Energy Infrastructure Exchange or faxed in with a timestamp of no later than 5 PM ET, with the option to use a provided project narrative template. ​

·        SCEP anticipates making approximately 50 initial awards under this FOA and each award is anticipated to receive up to $500,000 of Federal funding. However, the amount awarded to each jurisdiction will depend upon the number of meritorious plans received.

Open Year Round

Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Outdoor Fund – Link to Page

This funding invests in programs, initiatives and projects aimed at,

  • Conserving Wildlife and Habitat
  • Connecting New Audiences to the Outdoors
  • Advocating for Access and Sportsmen’s Rights
  • Supporting Military and Veterans
  • Strengthening Communities in the Missouri Ozarks

Apply all year round!

Puget Sound Recovery Funding Announcements

This is a place to find those funding opportunities relevant to Puget Sound and salmon recovery. You can also use the Connections tab to find others that are interested in collaborating on the same funding opportunity. Clink the link above to see the funding opportunities and sign up for emails to be notified as new funding opportunities are posted.

National Wildlife Federation: Nature-based Funding Database
National Wildlife Federation’s interactive database for communities interested in pursuing federal funding and/or technical assistance for nature-based solutions. Use the filters below to search for nature-based solutions funding and technical assistance resources that fit your needs. – NWF 

Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Opportunities Database
In November 2021, President Biden signed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) into law increasing funding for existing federal programs and funding new programs. The Colorado River Collaborative created a new searchable database to identify funding opportunities through IIJA. See their Tribal Government Fact Sheet and search the database for funding opportunities.

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In Recognition of Their Support

Native American Fish and Wildlife Society would like to thank those organizations that provided us with support over the years. With them we grew an effective national communications network for the exchange of information and management techniques related to self-determined tribal fish and wildlife management.

Contact Us

Check out our events page for a series of webinars on the FY2024 funding opportunities through BIA