Federal Funding Opportunities

$119 million available

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), through anticipated cooperative agreements from the Department of the Interior (DOI), Department of Defense (DOD), and the Department of Agriculture’s U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), is releasing the America the Beautiful Challenge (ATBC) 2024 Request for Proposals (RFP). The ATBC vision is to streamline grant funding opportunities for new voluntary conservation and restoration projects throughout the United States. This RFP consolidates funding from multiple federal agencies and the private sector to enable applicants to conceive and develop large-scale, locally-led projects that address shared funder priorities spanning public, Tribal and private lands. In year three of the ATBC, approximately $119 million will be awarded in nationwide funding to conserve, connect and restore the lands, waters and wildlife upon which we all depend.

The ATBC seeks to fund projects across the following themes:

1. Conserving and restoring rivers, coasts, wetlands and watersheds.

2. Conserving and restoring forests, grasslands and important ecosystems that serve as carbon sinks.

3. Connecting and reconnecting wildlife corridors, large landscapes, watersheds and seascapes.

4. Improving ecosystem and community resilience to flooding, drought and other climate-related threats.

5. Expanding access to the outdoors, particularly in underserved communities.

Deadline: Pre-proposals are due April 4, 2024. Full proposals (by invitation only) are due July 16, 2024.

$6 million available

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) Coastal Program is a voluntary, community-based program that provides technical and financial assistance primarily through cooperative agreements to coastal communities, conservation partners, and landowners to restore and protect fish and wildlife habitat on public and private lands. The Coastal Program staff coordinates with partners, stakeholders and other Service programs to identify geographic focus areas and develop habitat conservation goals and priorities within these focus areas. Geographic focus areas are where the Coastal Program directs resources to conserve Federal trust species and their habitats.

Deadline: May 30, 2024.

$2 billion available, funded through the Inflation Reduction Act

EPA is accepting applications on a rolling basis for $2 billion in Inflation Reduction Act funding available to support community-driven projects that build capacity for communities to tackle environmental and climate justice challenges, strengthen their climate resilience, and advance clean energy.

The Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grant program will fund community-driven projects that address climate challenges and reduce pollution while strengthening communities through thoughtful implementation. This will enable communities and their partners to overcome longstanding environmental challenges and implement meaningful solutions to meet community needs now and for generations to come.

There will be two tracks of funding under this opportunity. Track I will fund approximately 150 large, transformational community-driven investment grants of $10 million - $20 million. Track II will fund approximately 20 meaningful engagement grants of $1 million - $3 million. Grants cannot exceed three years in duration. Please review the NOFO for further information about the exciting opportunities under the Community Change Grants program and details about the application process.

Eligibility Condition: Applications must be submitted by: A partnership between two community-based non-profit organizations; or a partnership between a community-based non-profit organization and one of the following: a Federally Recognized Tribe; a local government; an institution of higher education.

Deadline: November 21, 2024.

$15 million available

The Partners for Fish and Wildlife (PFW) Program is a voluntary, incentive-based program that provides direct technical assistance and financial assistance primarily through cooperative agreements to private landowners to restore and conserve fish and wildlife habitat for the benefit of federal trust resources. The PFW Program is delivered through more than 250 full-time staff, active in all 50 States and territories. Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program staff coordinate with project partners, stakeholders and other Service programs to identify geographic focus areas and develop habitat conservation priorities within these focus areas.

Deadline: May 30, 2024.

$70 million available, funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

The NFPP is a voluntary program that provides direct technical and financial assistance to partners to remove instream barriers, restore aquatic organism passage, and restore climate resilient aquatic connectivity in rivers, floodplains, and coastal habitats for the benefit of Federal trust resources. The program targets aquatic connectivity opportunities that rebuild productive and sustainable fisheries, contribute to the recovery and conservation of the Service’s aquatic trust species, enhance watershed health, promote resilient ecosystems and communities especially in disadvantaged communities, and improve economic vitality, including local employment. NFPP aims to maintain or increase native fish populations to improve ecosystem resiliency and provide quality fishing experiences for the American people. Activities that restore aquatic connectivity and fish passage also support the modernization of the country’s infrastructure such as road culverts, bridges, and water diversions contributing to enhanced community resilience to the impacts from climate change and other public safety hazards. NFPP funds a variety of project types including, but not limited to dam removals, culvert replacements, floodplain restoration and reconnection, dike breaches, and reconnection of tidal habitats.

The NFPP is delivered through the Service’s Fish and Aquatic Conservation Program (FAC) across all States and territories. FAC staff coordinate with project partners, stakeholders, and other Service programs to identify and collaboratively develop and implement projects within regional priority areas. Project work plans are developed strategically, in coordination with partners, and with substantial involvement from FAC staff. Projects must be based upon sound scientific and technical principles, advance the Service mission, and promote aquatic ecosystem resilience. Applicants seeking funding under this program should contact the regional NFPP Coordinator that corresponds to the location of the project for additional information on regional priorities and coordination with FAC staff prior to applying for funding.

Deadline: December 31, 2024.

$250 million available, funded through the Inflation Reduction Act

The purpose of the Forest Legacy Program is to identify and conserve environmentally important forest areas that are threatened by conversion to non-forest uses. Providing economic incentives to landowners to keep their forest as forests encourages sustainable forest management and supports strong markets for forest products. Landowners may participate in the Forest Legacy Program by either selling their property outright or by retaining ownership and selling only a portion of the property’s development rights; both are held by state agencies or another unit of government. The use of a conservation easement, a legal agreement between a landowner and a non-profit land trust or governmental agency, allows the land to remain in private ownership while ensuring that its environmental values are retained.

Deadlines: There will be two submission and review processes for IRA funding consideration – one round in the winter (December 11, 2023, national deadline) and one round in the summer (May 20, 2024, national deadline).

$150 million available, funded through the Inflation Reduction Act

Support the participation of underserved forest landowners in emerging private markets for climate mitigation or forest resilience and support the participation of forest landowners who own less than 2,500 acres of forest land in emerging private markets for climate mitigation or forest resilience.

Deadlines:

Track A applications (proposal budgets > or = $2 million and less than $25 million): Oct. 21, 2023.

Track B applications (proposal budgets < $2 million): Aug.21, 2024.

Track C applications (administer a national competitive regranting program): Aug. 21, 2024.

Inflation Reduction Act allocated $3.25 billion over four years: $250 million in FY 2023, $500 million in FY 2024, $1 billion in FY 2025 and $1.5 billion in FY 2026

NRCS works one-on-one with producers to develop a conservation plan that outlines and enhances existing efforts, using new conservation practices or activities, based on management objectives for your operation. Producers implement practices and activities in their conservation plan that expands on the benefits of cleaner water and air, healthier soil and better wildlife habitat, all while improving their agricultural operations. CSP offers annual payments for implementing these practices on your land and operating and maintaining existing conservation efforts. CSP also offers bundles where you can select a suite of enhancements and receive a higher payment rate.

Deadlines: Year round. By state ranking date for current cycle.