Federal Natural Resources Grants

Department of the Interior - Bureau of Land Management Arizona (AZ) State Office Wildlife Program

This funding opportunity is designed for California-based organizations with expertise in shorebird monitoring to conduct research on endangered beach-nesting birds at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, supporting conservation efforts and environmental stewardship.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for governments, educational institutions, tribal organizations, and nonprofits to advance ecosystem restoration and biodiversity through the use of native plants, particularly in areas affected by disasters and invasive species.

This grant provides funding for National Estuarine Research Reserves to undertake coastal habitat restoration, planning, and land conservation projects that benefit coastal ecosystems and support underserved communities.

This funding opportunity provides financial assistance to at-risk communities, including local governments and Tribes, to develop wildfire protection plans and implement projects that reduce wildfire risks and enhance resilience.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to state and local governments, tribal entities, nonprofits, and educational institutions in Oregon and Washington to improve outdoor recreation access and services, particularly for underserved communities.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for projects that protect and restore aquatic habitats and water resources on public lands in Idaho, prioritizing ecological health and community engagement, particularly for underserved populations.

Notice of Funding Opportunity SummaryRevision to close dateThe Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), an agency under the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), is announcing the potential availability of funding for agreements for the purpose of leveraging NRCS resources, addressing local natural resource issues, encouraging collaboration and developing state and community-level conservation leadership. Proposals must be for projects based in the Caribbean Area (Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI)) and focus on conservation issues as noted in Section A (2) of this notice. Collaborative projects that provide on-the-ground support for Caribbean NRCS Field Offices are highly encouraged. Research proposals will not be accepted, nor considered. NRCS anticipates that the amount available for support of this program in FY 2024 will be up to $1,500,000.00. Proposals are requested from City or township governments, county governments, Federally recognized Native American tribal governments, state governments, nonprofits having or not having a 501 (c)(3) status with the IRS (other than institutions of higher education), or institutions of higher education for competitive consideration of awards for 2 projects between 1 and 3 years in duration. Organizations may use this opportunity to request additional funding for existing agreements in the Caribbean Area.Awarded organizations may be required to attend administrative training and may be required to present project updates in the form of a formal presentation to the Caribbean NRCS leadership.This notice identifies the objectives, eligibility criteria, and application instructions for projects. Proposals will be screened for completeness and compliance with the provisions of this notice. Incomplete and/or non-compliant proposals may be eliminated from competition, and notification of elimination will be sent to the applicant.For new users of Grants.gov, see Section D. of the full Notice of Funding Opportunity for information about steps required before submitting an application via Grants.gov.Key DatesApplicants must submit their applications via Grants.gov by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on May 22nd, 2024. For technical issues with Grants.gov, contact Grants.gov Applicant Support at 1-800- 518-4726 or support@grants.gov. Awarding agency staff cannot support applicants regarding Grants.gov accounts.For inquiries specific to the content of the NFO requirements, contact the federal awarding agency contact (section G of this NFO). Please limit questions to those regarding specific information contained in this NFO (such as dates, page numbers, clarification of discrepancies, etc.). Questions related to eligibility, or the merits of a specific proposal will not be addressed.The agency anticipates making selections by June 1st, 2024 and expects to execute awards by July 20th, 2024. These dates are estimates and are subject to change.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to state and local governments, tribal organizations, and nonprofits for projects aimed at managing and controlling invasive and noxious plant species on public lands across the U.S.

The U.S. Standard Grants Program is a competitive, matching grant program that supports public-private partnerships carrying out projects in the United States that further the goals of the North American Wetlands Conservation Act. The program promotes partnerships projects that must involve a) only long-term protection, restoration, enhancement and/or establishment of wetland and associated upland habitats to benefit diversity of wetland ecosystems and b) maintaining an abundance of waterfowl (ducks, geese, and swans) and other populations of wetlands-associated migratory birds consistent with the objectives of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan, U.S. Shorebird Conservation Plan, Waterbird Conservation Plan for the Americas, and Partners in Flight Bird Conservation Plan. The program requires a 1:1 non-federal match and research funding is ineligible. This program supports the Department of Interior and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service mission of protecting and managing the nation natural resources by collaborating with partners and stakeholders to conserve land and water and to expand outdoor recreation and access. Also, this program contributes to efforts to reduce climate pollution, support climate resilience, support land conservation and biodiversity efforts and leverage partnerships.

The IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management National Operations Center (NOC) Forest and Woodlands Resource Management grant aims to fund projects that enhance wildfire resilience, promote sustainable forest management and bioenergy through biomass utilization, with a focus on restoring forest and woodland ecosystems, supporting sustainable wood products, reforestation, and salvaging dead or dying timber, offering between $25,000 to $500,000 per project, with a total fund of $800,000 available, and applications are due by September 30, 2024.

This grant provides funding to a wide range of organizations, including governments, nonprofits, and educational institutions, to promote recreational fishing and boating, enhance public engagement, and support conservation efforts across the United States.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for short-term projects that enhance local governance, infrastructure, education, and public safety in U.S. territories and freely associated states.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to federally recognized Tribes and Tribal Energy Development Organizations for the exploration and development of energy and mineral resources on Indian land.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for organizations affiliated with the Great Lakes-Northern Forest CESU to conduct advanced research in automated landform mapping and geospatial data enhancement using machine learning and lidar technology.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to partners in the Great Rivers Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit for developing innovative monitoring strategies to manage invasive aquatic species in the Mississippi River Basin.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations affiliated with the Colorado Plateau Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit for research aimed at improving land reclamation practices following energy and mineral extraction in the western United States.

This funding opportunity provides a portion of the annual catch limit of Atlantic sea scallops to various eligible organizations and individuals for research projects that enhance scientific understanding and management of the scallop fishery.

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 funding opportunity is designed to support citizen science projects that enhance federal fisheries stock assessments and improve understanding of climate change impacts on fish stocks and fishing communities.