Grants for Private institutions of higher education - Natural Resources

The United States Department of the Interior (Department), Bureau of Reclamations (Reclamation) Desalination and Water Purification Research Program (DWPR) works with Reclamation researchers and partners to develop innovative, cost-effective, and technologically efficient ways to desalinate and treat water. DWPR funding plays a critical role in iterating an idea from the lab to a real-world demonstration, yielding products that serve the water treatment community and attract commercialization interest. Reclamation is interested in research where the benefits are widespread but where private-sector entities are not able to make the full investment and assume all the risks. Reclamation is also interested in research that has a national significancewhere the issues are of large-scale concern and the benefits accrue to a large sector of the public. The goal of the DWPR program is to address the need to reduce the costs, energy requirements, and environmental impacts of treating impaired and unusable water. The program also aligns with Executive Order 14008, Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad, by investing in development and application of advanced water treatment technologies that expand access to otherwise unusable water resources, thereby increasing water supply flexibility under the risks of long-term climate change and shorter-term drought. For further information on the DWPR Program, see www.usbr.gov/research/dwpr.

This funding opportunity supports civil society organizations in the Caribbean to conduct a comprehensive assessment of biodiversity conservation efforts, share lessons learned, and foster collaboration among stakeholders.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for research organizations to improve the management of Lake Superior's water outflows and enhance water resource systems across the Great Lakes by developing new discharge equations and conducting uncertainty analyses.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for researchers at Michigan institutions to study the impact of PFAS contamination in agricultural systems and develop effective management strategies.

This grant provides funding for various organizations and entities to engage in collaborative conservation projects that protect and restore wetlands and habitats vital for migratory birds and wildlife across Canada.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations and educational institutions in specific Pennsylvania counties to develop workforce skills and enhance economic development initiatives.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to non-profits, local and tribal governments, and businesses for projects that promote renewable wood energy and innovative wood products, particularly in underserved communities and areas with high unemployment.

This grant provides funding to state, local, and tribal governments, educational institutions, and non-profit organizations to improve forest health and fire resilience in Oregon and Washington.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations working to combat the illegal trade of bushmeat from protected species in Central Africa, aiming to enhance wildlife conservation and community benefits.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for organizations within the Colorado Plateau CESU network to establish and maintain a network of high-frequency water quality sensors for monitoring river systems near reservoirs in New Mexico and southern Colorado.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for projects that restore wildlife habitats and enhance conservation efforts in Alaska, targeting state and local governments, tribal organizations, nonprofits, and educational institutions.

The 2025 NOAA Hawaii Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) program aims to enhance environmental literacy and stewardship among K-12 students and teachers in Hawaii through hands-on learning experiences that connect them with local environmental issues, Indigenous Knowledge, and climate science.

The Water Resources Preservation Grant Program, funded by the Upper Guadalupe River Authority (UGRA), provides cost-share funding to support the design and construction of stormwater management practices. These practices, referred to as Best Management Practices (BMPs), include Low Impact Development (LID), nature-based solutions, and Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI). The goal is to reduce, infiltrate, filter, and delay stormwater runoff, thus protecting the health of waterways in Kerr County. Eligible projects can apply for rebates that cover a portion of the costs associated with these practices, with the aim of reducing pollutants like Total Suspended Solids (TSS) and Bacteria by significant percentages. The program supports new constructions or retrofits, emphasizes distributed and centralized treatment methods, and requires adherence to specific design guidelines.

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) offers the Section 319(h) Grant Program to address nonpoint source (NPS) pollution affecting Illinois’ water resources. This program, funded through the Clean Water Act, supports projects that prevent, eliminate, or reduce water quality impairments caused by NPS pollution. Prioritized projects include those implementing approved watershed-based plans or Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Implementation Plans, with activities ranging from BMP implementation to monitoring and outreach efforts. The program encourages applications that demonstrate a comprehensive approach to NPS pollution control and offer sustainable environmental benefits. Grant renewed every year.

This funding opportunity supports initiatives by governments, nonprofits, and educational institutions in Oregon and Washington to conserve native plant biodiversity and restore habitats, with a focus on climate resilience and community engagement.

This grant provides funding for organizations within the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units program to monitor and analyze the reproductive success of the threatened wood stork in Lake Okeechobee and surrounding areas, ensuring informed ecosystem management in response to changing hydrologic conditions.

This grant provides funding for research and management studies that improve conservation practices in protected lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management, targeting eligible state and local governments, educational institutions, Native American tribes, and nonprofit organizations.

This grant provides funding to various organizations, including governments, educational institutions, and non-profits, to enhance the supply of native seeds for restoring public lands affected by disasters like wildfires and droughts.

This grant provides funding for various organizations in New Mexico to implement projects that promote rangeland conservation and management, focusing on improving land health and resilience against climate change.

This grant provides funding to various organizations, including local governments and nonprofits, to reduce wildfire risks and enhance community resilience in Oregon and Washington through fuels management and fire prevention initiatives.