Colorado Science and Technology Grants

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is offering a funding opportunity to a CESU partner to support a study of grassland bird communities under a changing climate. Over the last half-century, populations of grassland birds declined by more than any other bird group in North America. This is because native grasslands have largely been converted to agricultural row crops, and the remaining prairies have become degraded through altered fire regimes, woody encroachment, the spread of invasive plants, and human development. Land managers and conservation organizations are racing to preserve and restore these ecosystems to stem further loss of grassland birds. Given limited resources, bird habitat models are needed to help managers prioritize where conservation efforts will be most effective. In addition to habitat loss and degradation of native grasslands, increasing greenhouse gas emissions will likely change temperatures and rainfall patterns across the Great Plains. This changing climate is expected to alter vegetation communities and the bird species that depend on them. To date, predictions of bird response to a changing climate have focused on changes in temperature and precipitation, but vegetation productivity also depends on factors such as vegetation type and soils. By studying how vegetation influences grassland birds across the western Great Plains, are creating maps of projected bird distribution, given vegetation and land-use change under multiple future climate scenarios. Predictive bird distribution maps will help land managers and other decision-makers understand how the site-level projects fit within regional and climatic contexts. A web-based application and raining modules accompanying these maps will increase capacity among Federal, State, Tribal, and private partners in their conservation planning under a changing climate.

This grant provides matching funds to nonprofit and locally-owned newsrooms in Colorado to support their year-end fundraising campaigns, helping them raise awareness and financial support for public service journalism in their communities.

The 2024 Bloomington Arts Commission (BAC) Operations Grant is designed to support 501(c)3 nonprofit arts organizations based in Bloomington, Indiana. This grant aligns with BAC's mission to foster a vibrant arts community by providing essential operational funding. The grant's primary objective is to ensure the fiscal soundness and organizational capacity of arts organizations that demonstrate a clear mission and planning to achieve it. Funding can be utilized for various organizational costs, including overhead, staff salaries, and programmatic expenses, reflecting a commitment to the holistic health of the arts sector. The target beneficiaries are nonprofit arts organizations with a primary mission centered around arts, located in Bloomington, Indiana. These organizations must possess a 501(c)(3) designation from the IRS and have an annual operating budget not exceeding $500,000. The grant aims to empower these organizations to address community needs, engage in larger community dialogues, and connect with diverse communities within Bloomington. The expected outcome is a more robust and inclusive arts landscape within the city, with organizations that are fiscally stable and actively contributing to the cultural fabric. The grant prioritizes organizational capacity, community impact, and equity and inclusion. Evaluation criteria specifically assess whether an organization demonstrates a clear mission and planning, is fiscally sound, and has committed staff or volunteers. For community impact, the focus is on whether the organization addresses a community need, engages in broader community dialogues, and reaches out to various communities in Bloomington. Furthermore, a strong emphasis is placed on an organization's actionable steps to increase equity and inclusion, ensuring that the grant supports a diverse and accessible arts environment. Measurable results include an increase in the number of financially stable arts organizations, enhanced community engagement through arts programming, and demonstrable progress in equity and inclusion initiatives within recipient organizations. While specific financial outcomes are tied to up to 5% of an organization's operating budget (not exceeding $5000), the broader impact is seen in the sustained operation and growth of Bloomington's arts sector. The BAC's strategic priority is to cultivate a thriving arts ecosystem through direct financial support and by encouraging responsible organizational practices and meaningful community engagement.

This funding opportunity is designed for partners affiliated with the Colorado Plateau Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit to conduct research on drought conditions and sagebrush habitat resilience in dryland ecosystems.

This program provides funding to individuals, businesses, nonprofits, and government entities in Telluride for projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote sustainability within the community.

This grant provides funding for local artists, organizations, and nonprofits in Basalt to create public art projects or ongoing arts programs that enhance community engagement and cultural appreciation.

This program provides funding to commercial property owners and managers in Boulder to create affordable spaces for small businesses, particularly those owned by women and minorities, helping them thrive in the community.

The U.S. Geological Survey Southwest Biological Science Center (SBSC) is offering a funding opportunity to provide research to (1) understand the biotic and abiotic constraints on successful reclamation, (2) develop reclamation effectiveness assessment workflows, and (3) identify management practices that promote reclamation success. These are currently significant scientific challenges for management of surface disturbance following oil and gas developed and other land disturbing activities in arid landscapes.

The Disability Inclusion Fund (DIF) at Borealis Philanthropy is actively seeking applications from organizations dedicated to advancing disability inclusion, rights, and justice. This grant program is deeply aligned with Borealis Philanthropy's broader mission to foster a more vibrant, just, and joyful world for people with disabilities. The fund's strategic priorities are rooted in intersectional cross-movements and collaborative efforts, supporting initiatives ranging from arts and culture to policy and advocacy that dismantle ableism and promote authentic representation of disabled people. The primary beneficiaries of DIF grants are organizations whose work is driven by and accountable to the disability justice movement, with a particular emphasis on those most impacted by injustice and exclusion. This includes disabled people with multiple and intersecting social and political identities, such as race, gender identity, class, and sexual orientation. The fund prioritizes organizations led by disabled people, specifically Black, Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC), queer, gender non-conforming, and women with disabilities, where over 50% of the leadership (management staff, advisory committees, or governing boards) identify as disabled. DIF's core focuses include promoting radical inclusion by removing barriers and ensuring access, valuing lived experience, and emphasizing the leadership of those most impacted. The program also fosters cross-movement solidarity, encouraging collaboration and bridge-building among disability justice activists and across various social movements like Black lives, climate change, immigration rights, labor rights, racial justice, and queer and trans liberation. This approach reflects a theory of change that believes systemic change occurs through interconnected movements and the empowerment of marginalized communities. Expected outcomes include strengthening grassroots disabled-led organizations, expanding their operational capacities for ongoing movement building, and driving narrative change that dismantles ableism in policy, society, and culture. Measurable results will stem from work that moves practices of disability inclusion and justice forward through community organizing, mutual aid, advocacy, and policy work, as well as strategies that celebrate and elevate the authentic representation of disabled people in arts, media, and literature. This two-year grant opportunity provides $75,000 per year, totaling $150,000, for eligible U.S.-based or U.S. territory-based 501(c)3 organizations or fiscally sponsored entities with an annual budget under $1 million.

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.

This funding opportunity supports projects that improve habitats and migration routes for big game species in the western U.S., targeting conservation organizations, state and tribal agencies, and community groups involved in wildlife management.

This grant provides funding to Colorado nonprofits and schools to enhance access to arts education for historically marginalized youth through collaborative projects with professional artists.

This funding opportunity supports projects that preserve and promote the cultural heritage and natural resources of South Park, Colorado, encouraging applications from individuals and organizations dedicated to enhancing the community's historical landscape.

This program recognizes and honors influential leaders in Colorado's agriculture industry who have made significant contributions to various agricultural fields and community involvement.

The Arts in Society Grant, funded by the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT), aims to leverage the arts to address civic and social challenges within Colorado communities. This program aligns with a broader mission of fostering community development and social justice through creative engagement, recognizing the arts as a powerful tool for societal change and problem-solving. The grant offers both financial and organizational support, indicating a commitment to not only fund projects but also to nurture the growth and impact of participating artists and organizations. The target beneficiaries for this grant are broad, encompassing Colorado artists, activists, nonprofit organizations, universities and schools, government agencies, human service groups, neighborhood organizations, and healthcare organizations. The program particularly encourages applications from individual artists and non-arts organizations, emphasizing inclusivity and a cross-sector approach. The impact goals are centered on empowering these diverse groups to collaborate on projects where artists, organizations, and a target community work together to address specific social issues, ultimately leading to positive community transformation. The program's priorities and focuses include fostering collaboration, building support networks, and illustrating the impact of arts in cross-sector projects. Grantees are expected to attend learning community meetings to build support and share resources, underscoring a strategic priority of community building and knowledge exchange among participants. Another key focus is the promotion of grantee work through various marketing channels, highlighting the program's commitment to showcasing successful initiatives and advocating for the value of arts in society. Expected outcomes and measurable results include the successful completion of projects within 24 months, with an emphasis on projects that demonstrably engage a social issue and involve collaborative efforts. The mini-documentary highlighting grantee work and participation in evaluation processes are crucial mechanisms for measuring and illustrating the impacts of the arts in these cross-sector endeavors. This suggests a strategic priority of OEDIT to document and disseminate the effectiveness of arts-based solutions to civic and social challenges, thereby validating and expanding the theory of change that art can be a catalyst for tangible societal improvement.

This funding opportunity is designed for research institutions and organizations within the Rocky Mountain Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit to study the interactions and resource use among cattle, wildlife, and wild horses in Utah's fragile ecosystems.

This funding opportunity is designed for research institutions and partners within the Colorado Plateau CESU network to develop software and data visualization tools that enhance long-term water quality monitoring at Lake Powell.

The 2025 Small Grants Program, offered by Boulder County Parks & Open Space (BCPOS), provides funding for research and biological inventories on open space lands. The program aims to enhance resource management practices and improve visitor experiences through data-driven insights. Grants of up to $12,500 are available, with a proposal deadline of January 9, 2025. Applicants will be notified of funding decisions by February 20, 2025, and final reports must be submitted by December 8, 2025, to ensure complete payment. BCPOS has identified priority research topics in areas such as Plant Ecology, Wildlife, Forestry and Fire, Education and Outreach, and Invasive Plants. These topics include projects such as assessing the impacts of invasive species, evaluating fire behavior in cheatgrass-dominated areas, and creating habitat connectivity models. Proposals are not limited to these areas, and researchers are encouraged to propose innovative projects aligned with the department’s mission. Proposals must follow a specific format and include sections such as an abstract, introduction, methods, budget, and researcher qualifications. Applications must not exceed six double-spaced pages (excluding cover pages, maps, and resumes) and should be submitted electronically via the Research on Open Space webpage. Researchers are advised to contact BCPOS staff to discuss their topics before submission. If a proposal is initially incomplete, researchers may resubmit once before the deadline. Eligibility is open to universities, government agencies, private organizations, and individuals, including students with faculty sponsorship. Research must occur on BCPOS properties or conservation easements, with prior landowner permission if required. Overhead costs cannot exceed 15%, and there is no requirement for matching funds. Grant recipients are expected to deliver detailed reports, including raw data and mapping products, formatted according to BCPOS guidelines. For interdisciplinary projects, collaboration with other local entities, such as the City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks, is encouraged. For more information or to discuss proposals, applicants can contact program coordinator Raquel Robles at rrobles@bouldercounty.gov.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofits and community projects in Montrose County, Colorado, that enhance local services and quality of life, particularly for underserved populations.