Funding

Funding Opportunities

National Environmental Information Exchange Network Grant Program

The EPA Exchange Network Grant Program is soliciting project applications to support the Environmental Information Exchange Network (EN) to:

Facilitate sharing of environmental data, especially through shared and reusable services.
Reduce burden and avoid costs for co-regulators and the regulated community.
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.
Increase data and IT management capabilities needed to fully participate in the EN.

Applications are due Weds, May 22, 2024.

White Nose Syndrome Grants to States and Tribes

White-nose syndrome (WNS) is a disease of hibernating bats caused by the invasive fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd). WNS is confirmed in 12 bat species in North America, including three that are federally listed as threatened or endangered and one that is proposed to be listed. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is offering financial assistance to wildlife and natural resource management agencies and departments of states, the District of Columbia, and federally-recognized Native American Tribes for efforts related to the management of WNS. The goal of this funding opportunity is to help our State and Tribal partners fulfill information needs, implement management actions for WNS and susceptible bat species, and actively engage in the National Response to WNS. Supported activities will include monitoring bat populations, implementing conservation actions for bats, supporting scientific information gathering, training personnel, managing WNS and the causative fungus, and maintaining expertise in bat conservation and management.

Applications are due Weds, May 8, 2024.

First Nations Development Institute (FNDI)

Advancing Tribal Nature-Based Solutions Grant

Tribes and Native communities are on the front lines of climate change, experiencing extreme weather, rising sea levels, extended drought, warming temperatures, and melting permafrost… To support climate action that addresses adaptation and disaster preparation, First Nations Development Institute established the “Advancing Tribal Nature-Based Solutions” project – designed to provide tribes and Native nonprofits with resources to support climate action that addresses adaptation and disaster preparation (e.g., wildfires, flooding, drought) through the application of nature-based solutions based on Native knowledge.

Nature-based solutions rely on animals, plants, and the environment to protect ecosystems and support human well-being and local biodiversity. Examples include:

Clam bed restoration to address flooding and beach erosion
Reintroduction of ecocultural plants to prevent erosion
Beaver restoration to promote water retention and carbon sequestration
Cultural burning to prevent sustain biodiversity
Grass farming to address desertification

First Nations will award 6 grants up to $200,000 each. Applications are due Wednesday, May 22, 2024.

USDA Forest Service Inflation Reduction Act Forest Landowner Support: Tribal Access to Emerging Private Markets for Climate Mitigation and Forest Resilience

This forecasted funding opportunity will be the second in an anticipated series of Forest Landowner Support programming. Forest Landowner Support programs are funded by Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) provisions (Public Law No: 117-169. Subtitle D, Sec. 23002(a), Competitive Grants for Non-Federal Forest Landowners). These programs fall under the authorities of the USDA Forest Service’s existing Landscape Scale Restoration Program, as authorized under Section 13A of the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2109a). This forecasted funding opportunity will solicit proposals for IRA provision Subtitle D, Sec. 23002 (a)(2) and (a)(3) which provide the USDA Forest Service with funding to support the participation of underserved and small-acreage forest landowners in emerging private markets for climate mitigation or forest resilience.

Applications are due Weds, August 21, 2024.

National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF)

America the Beautiful Challenge

Implementation Projects: $1 million to $5 million
Planning Projects: $200,000 to $2 million
Sentinel Landscape Grants: $250,000 to $1.5 million
National Forest Grants: $250,000 to $1.5 million
Private Forests, Rangeland and Farmland Grants: $200,000 to $500,000
MATCH IS COVERED for Tribal Nation applicants
Competitive Proposals will address two or more of the following ATBC Program Priorities:

Benefit At-Risk Fish, Wildlife, and Plant Species
Expand Habitat Connectivity
Deliver Conservation and Restoration Across Jurisdictions
Provide a Range of Ecosystem Services
Strengthen Ecosystem and Community Resilience
Expand Public and Community Access to Nature
Engage Local Communities
Support Tribally Led Conservation and Restoration Priorities
Contribute to Local or Tribal Economies
Contribute to Workforce Development
Advance the Restoration and Resiliency Framework and Keystone Initiatives

Advance Sentinel Landscape Partnership Priorities

Applicant Webinars: We will be hosting an applicant webinar series to assist Tribal Nations with the ATBC application process. See events page here.

Webinar 1: Introduction & Q&A on March 7 at 11am MST/1pm EST 
Webinar 2: Pre-proposal Components on March 14 at 11am MST/1pm EST 
Webinar 3: Easygrants System on March 21 at 11am MST/1pm EST 
Webinar 4: Proposal Finalizing and Formatting & Final Q&A on March 28 at 11am MST/1pm EST

Important Dates:

Pre-Proposal Due Date: Thursday, April 4, 2024, 11:59 ET 
Review Period: April – May 2024
Full Proposal (by invitation) Due Date: Tuesday, July 16, 2024, 11:59 ET 
Review Period: July – November 2024
Awards Announced: November 2024

Download the RFP: www.nfwf.org/programs/america-beautiful-challenge/americas-ecosystem-restoration-initiative-america-beautiful-challenge-2024-request-proposals?rfp

Tribal Wildlife Grants

Proposals Due June 21, 2024

The TWG Program provides opportunities for federally recognized Tribes to engage in fish and wildlife conservation efforts on their lands, many of which are located adjacent to DOI-managed lands. Many of the TWG Program-funded project activities increase fish and wildlife populations, allowing for hunting and fishing opportunities on and off Tribal lands. Additionally, the TWG Program funds project activities that align and assist the Service with Endangered Species Act (ESA) activities supporting downlisting, delisting, and preventing new species listings under the ESA.

Eligible projects include those that initiate, develop, or implement activities or programs that benefit wildlife and their habitat, including species of Native American cultural or traditional importance and species that are not hunted or fished. Activities may include, but are not limited to:

Planning for conservation of fish and wildlife, and their habitats
Conservation management actions for fish and wildlife, and their habitats
Field and laboratory research related to fish and wildlife resources
Natural history studies
Fish passages
Habitat mapping or evaluation
Field surveys and population monitoring
Restoration of habitat
Management of invasive species
Public education relevant to the proposed project

This year, an estimated 50-100 proposals are expected to be received and about 20-40 awards are expected to be issued.

Total Funding: $6.2 million estimated
Minimum Award: $10,000
Maximum Award: $200,000
No Match Required

TWG Opportunity Web Page
Download Program Description
Link to schedule Technical Assistance on this opportunity with NAFWS Staff

National Coastal Resilience Fund

Pre-Proposals Due April 10, 2024

National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF)’s National Coastal Resilience Fund (NCRF) Opportunity, will award over $140 million in funding in 2024! This opportunity is open to almost all entity types, including Tribes, (federally and non-federally recognized), organizations, for- and non-profits, states, educational institutions. It has NO MATCH REQUIREMENTS! NFWF expects awards to range between $100,000-$10,000,000.

NFWF will make investments in planning, design, and implementation of natural and nature-based solutions. The goal is to enhance protection for coastal communities from the impacts of storms, floods, and other natural coastal hazards and to improve habitats for fish and wildlife. NFWF will award approximately $140 million in grants to create and restore natural systems to increase protection for communities from current and future coastal hazards and improve habitats for fish and wildlife species.

Opportunity Web Page: National Coastal Resilience Fund 2024 Request for Proposals | NFWF
Download Program Description
Link to schedule Technical Assistance on this opportunity with NAFWS Staff

Rapid Response Fund for Aquatic Invasive Species

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 is administered within the existing authorities of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Fish and Aquatic Conservation program and coordinated through the 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.

Please note: To streamline the application process, the Notice of Funding Opportunity has been modified to accept proposals on a rolling basis, or until the Rapid Response Fund is depleted. The deadline for proposals is July 15, 2024 yet submitted proposals will be evaluated and awarded on a quarterly basis (as funds allow) follow the timeline below:

Proposals submitted from November 15 – January 15 will be evaluated with an anticipated award date of March 1.
Proposals submitted from January 16 – April 15 will be evaluated with an anticipated award date of June 1.
Proposals submitted from April 16 – July 15 will be evaluated with an anticipated award date of September 1.
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].

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!

Bureau of Indian Affairs: Access to Capital Clearinghouse
The BIA Access to Capital Clearinghouse is a large database of all federal grants that can be filtered by category, eligibility, and funding type. This is a great database to get to know all the large federal funding opportunities.

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.