Grants for Exclusive - see details - Natural Resources

The Partnerships for Aquatic and Watershed Restoration (PAWR) funding opportunity, issued by the USDA Forest Service, is a mechanism to establish partnerships and support projects addressing aquatic and watershed restoration needs. This opportunity is designed to build relationships with potential and existing partners and encourage collaboration on activities that improve water quality, facilitate aquatic organism passage, and increase the efficiency of restoration efforts on lands managed by the Forest Service. Submissions to this outreach opportunity enable the USDA Forest Service to evaluate ideas and programs for potential federal funding, with the goal of fostering collaborative partnerships that benefit local communities and ensure climate-resilient landscapes. The program’s purpose is to sustainably manage watersheds and enhance ecological integrity across 193 million acres of forest, grasslands, and waterways. Restoration efforts aim to protect and restore water quality, conserve aquatic biodiversity, and manage habitats for fish, wildlife, and plants. These efforts are critical for maintaining hydrologic and ecological functions and for providing educational, recreational, and climate-resilient benefits to the public. The initiative emphasizes science-based approaches and shared priorities with partners to accelerate restoration efforts and expand the capacity to achieve mutual goals. This funding opportunity does not have a specific monetary award ceiling or floor, as it is primarily designed to identify and develop partnership opportunities rather than provide direct funding through grants. Eligible applicants include a wide range of entities, such as for-profit organizations, non-profits, institutions of higher education, federal and state agencies, local and tribal governments, and special purpose districts like conservation and utility districts. The program actively seeks both new and existing partners to broaden participation and engagement in watershed restoration projects. Applicants are required to submit their proposals electronically, ensuring that all forms are properly saved with unique file names and uploaded as attachments. Specific instructions for completing and submitting the required forms are provided in the "Outreach of Interest Template Instructions" document. Applications must be submitted by January 23, 2025, and late submissions will not be accepted. The USDA Forest Service encourages potential partners to carefully review submission requirements and consult with the listed grantor contact for assistance. Applications will be evaluated based on their alignment with the program’s goals, including the potential for collaborative partnerships, the effectiveness of proposed activities in improving watershed and aquatic health, and the capacity to support ecological integrity and climate resilience. The Forest Service seeks projects that can advance shared priorities, promote innovative solutions, and build community engagement around aquatic restoration activities. The original closing date for submissions was February 7, 2025, but it has been updated to January 23, 2025. Additional information, including resources and detailed program guidance, is available through the Fisheries Program page on the USDA Forest Service website. For further inquiries, applicants can contact Robin Taylor-Davenport from the Outreach and Partnership Engagement Branch.

This Program Announcement is issued under the provisions of section 104 of the Water Resources Research Act of 1984 (codified at 42 USC 10301 et seq.) and amended by Public Laws 101-397, 104-147, 106-374, 109-471, and 117-58. The Water Resources Research Act directs the Secretary of the Interior to administer program grants to Institutes established under the provisions of section (a) of the Act. Water Resources Institutes or Centers have been established in each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam. The Institute in Guam also serves the Federated States of Micronesia and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. The Institute in Hawaii also serves American Samoa. Institute Directors or their designee(s) are responsible for submitting applications. Responsibility for administration of the State Water Resources Research Institute program has been delegated to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).Section 104(b) of the Water Resources Research Act of 1984 requires the Institutes or Centers to:(1) plan, conduct, or otherwise arrange for competent applied and peer reviewed research that fosters (A) improvements in water supply reliability;(B) the exploration of new ideas that (i) address water problems; or (ii) expand understanding of water and water-related phenomena;(C) the entry of new research scientists, engineers, and technicians into water resources fields; and(D) the dissemination of research results to water managers and the public.(2) "cooperate closely with other colleges and universities in the State that have demonstrated capabilities for research, information dissemination, and graduate training in order to develop a statewide program designed to resolve State and regional water and related land problems." (3) "cooperate closely with other institutes and other organizations in the region to increase the effectiveness of the institutes and for the purpose of promoting regional coordination."Applications submitted under this Announcement are to be in furtherance of these objectives and promote the national mission and objectives of the U.S. Geological Survey which are focused on providing water-quality and -quantity information, understanding water availability, addressing the influence of climate on water resources, and responding to water-related emerging needs. Specific areas of emphasis are at the discretion of the individual Institute or Center Directors.

For information on how to apply, please see the attached 'Outreach of Interest Template Instructions' document. This outreach of interest (OOI) functions as an outreach mechanism to cultivate relationships and connect with potential partners. This OOI is intended to solicit responses to explore future projects meeting the needs and interests of potential partners through partnership agreements within legislative authority with USDA Forest Service. USDA Forest Service would like to increase capacity to improve wildlife habitat through removal, modification and or addition of wildlife friendly fence by engaging partnerships from local communities who have a vested interest in management outcomes. New partnerships will foster co-stewardship between the USDA Forest Service through better representation of the public the agency serves, and with a shared commitment to wildlife conservation on USDA Forest Service lands. Your submission signals an opportunity for USDA Forest Service to explore with you your ideas/projects/programs and potential partnership opportunities. USDA Forest Service is committed to fostering a strong, collaborative partnership that benefits our fisheries and wildlife resources, and their habitats. Collaborative efforts are vital to wildlife conservation. Wildlife habitat improvement for terrestrial and aquatic species is a key focus area for the USDA Forest Service. One way this is accomplished is through the addition or removal of fences. Fences can be ecologically beneficial or detrimental depending on site specific conditions, design, project objectives, and affected species. For example, small scale exclosures may be designed to protect sensitive aquatic species or pollinator habitat from ungulate, recreational or other impacts, while removing old livestock fencing thats no longer in use, can increase connectivity for wide ranging species. Fences that are improperly placed or poorly constructed without current wildlife friendly specifications in mind can also lead to fragmented wildlife populations and habitat, as well as direct mortality to species moving across the landscape. This project supports the USDA Forest Services 2012 Planning Rule which emphasizes an all lands approach to managing ecosystems that transcends land ownership boundaries. Cooperation and collaboration among the USDA Forest Service, other agencies, tribes, and private landowners can help to enhance wildlife connectivity and ecologically resilient habitat. Current workload for wildlife habitat related fencing projects exceeds capacity. The project would engage community members and cultivate a vested interest in long term success and shared ownership in final outcomes; provide opportunities for job training, personal development, conservation service, and natural resource appreciation while cultivating the next generation of natural resource stewards.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for managing invasive aquatic plants and restoring natural habitats at Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska, targeting eligible state and local governments, tribes, and non-profit organizations.

This grant provides funding for non-federal partners to model oyster larval transport and hydrodynamics in Herring Bay, Maryland, to support ecological restoration efforts in the Chesapeake Bay.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for partners in the South Florida and Caribbean CESU network to conduct research and technical assistance focused on improving the conservation and management of imperiled sea turtle populations through data integration and analysis.

This Program Announcement is issued under the provisions of section 104 of the Water Resources Research Act of 1984 (Public Law 98-242), as amended by Public Laws 101-397, 104-147, 106-374, 109-471, and 11758. Section 104 of the Water Resources Research Act directs the Secretary of the Interior to administer program grants to Institutes established under the provisions of section 104(a) of the Act. Water Resources Research Institutes have been established in each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam. The Institute in Guam also serves the Federated States of Micronesia and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. The Institute in Hawaii also serves American Samoa. The addresses of the 54 Institutes are available at https://water.usgs.gov/wrri/index.php. Responsibility for administration of the Water Resources Research Act Program has been delegated to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

This funding opportunity provides financial support for research institutions and universities affiliated with the North Atlantic Coast Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit to develop advanced geospatial data infrastructures that enhance the integration and sharing of hydrology and elevation data.

This funding opportunity supports partnerships to restore national forest lands using native plants, focusing on community engagement and environmental stewardship, particularly with underserved groups and tribes.

This funding opportunity supports partnerships that include domestic academic institutions to develop innovative technologies for extracting and refining rare earth elements from unconventional sources, enhancing the U.S. supply chain and reducing environmental impact.

The Regional Site Readiness Program’s Planning Grant, funded by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, offers $100,000 to $500,000 to local governments, economic development organizations, nonprofits, for-profit organizations, and private landowners for planning and due diligence activities aimed at preparing industrial and manufacturing sites for future development across all counties in Illinois.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for research partnerships focused on assessing and managing polar bear populations in the Beaufort Sea regions, combining scientific and Indigenous knowledge to ensure sustainable subsistence harvests.

This grant provides financial support to community coalitions across the U.S. that aim to create quality jobs and promote an inclusive workforce in the clean energy sector.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for projects that protect and conserve rhinoceroses and tigers in Asia, focusing on habitat preservation, anti-poaching efforts, and community engagement.

The goal of this program is to detect, prevent, eradicate, and/or control invasive plant species to promote ecological resiliency, watershed stability, and biological diversity on Federal, State, other public or private lands in the Great Lakes Basin. An informational webinar will be held on July 24th, 2024, at 10am Central/11 am Eastern. Connection information will be posted on the website and on this opportunity. Recording and transcript PowerPoint Presentation (PDF) The webinar recording is also posted on our website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/r9/workingtogether/grants/?cid=FSEPRD898821.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for organizations in specific CESU regions to assist the Navy in managing and protecting natural resources at military installations in Hawaii, focusing on environmental compliance and conservation efforts.

The City of Naperville in Illinois is offering grants ranging from $10,000 to $100,000, funded by the National Multistate Opioid Settlement, for approved opioid remediation programs and services that benefit Naperville residents, with applications open to a wide range of organizations including school districts, medical providers, and non-profits.

A full proposal and proposed budget is NOT requested at this time.Brief Description of Anticipated Work: This effort will support habitat restoration and invasive species control with the use of targeted goat grazing to support the conservation of the federally endangered arroyo toad (Anaxyrus californicus) at Fort Hunter Liggett (FHL), Monterey County, California, See attached Request for Statement of Interest/Statement of Objectives for details. Anticipated Period of Performance: Base Period: 18 months from award date (12 months for technical and 6 months for administrative work. Follow-op periods: Six 18-month follow-on periods subject to funding availability.Responses or clarifications: Refer to RSOI Package for details. Clarifications or questions concerning this effort shall be emailed to the POCs listed in the RSOI Package by 19 July 2025.Timeline for Review of Statements of Interest: Refer to RSOI Package for details.

The Cultural Coalition of Washington County in Oregon is offering grants ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 to support arts, culture, and humanities projects that promote cultural diversity, community partnerships, and public engagement, with priority given to nonprofit organizations and educational institutions that serve the residents of Washington County.

The purpose of this Cooperative Agreement is to provide for Mexican Spotted Owl (MSO) surveys at Naval Observatory Flagstaff Station (Station). In order to accomplish this objective, the Cooperator shall conduct presence/absence surveys for MSOs at the same MSO calling stations censused from 2006 to 2023. The Cooperator shall follow the same survey methodology and calling routes as described in Johnson et al. (2007). All surveys will be designed and conducted in accordance with the current approved USFWS MSO protocol (USFWS 2003). The Cooperator shall document the age, sex, and activity (calling, foraging, roosting, etc.) of all MSOs or any other owl species detected during surveys. The Cooperator shall possess a current federal endangered species permit from the USFWS authorizing the Cooperator to conduct MSO surveys. Please see the statement of work, provided as a separate document, for a full description of the project.