Funding Opportunities
Open Funding Opportunities: ​​​​​​​​​​
​
Water Resources Applications (NASA Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences)
This program supports the integration of NASA Earth observations into decision-making for water management through co-developed, user-centered solutions. These may include forecasting anomalies and risks (medium to subseasonal-to-seasonal scales), developing and implementing resilience strategies, managing water systems, and adapting to weather extremes and economic impacts.
Proposed projects should significantly improve existing information products that are currently available to water managers, as well as address and facilitate their use. Overall, the proposed work should enhance current decision frameworks and strategy development by water managers and their organizations.
Priority focus areas for water resources management solutions include the following:
• Drought Resilience and Water Scarcity Management;
• Integrated Water Infrastructure for Stormwater and Floodwater Management;
• Water System Risk Assessment and Adaptive Management;
• Sustainable and Efficient Water Use Across Sectors (Hydropower, Municipal Supply, and Irrigation); and
• Water Allocation, Optimization, and Transboundary Cooperation Projects must include at least one NASA Earth observation capability.
Expected Annual Program Budget for new awards: $3 million
Expected new awards: 10-12
Closing November 14, 2025
​
Mountains to Sea Graduate Research Fellowship | North Carolina Sea Grant
North Carolina Sea Grant, in collaboration with the North Carolina Water Resources Research Institute, is accepting applications for proposals focused on North Carolina coastal and freshwater resources. Graduate students in good academic standing who attend an accredited North Carolina college or university are eligible to apply. Applicants should propose one-year research projects that they will conduct under the guidance of a faculty advisor. The award amount for selected projects is $10,000. Proposals should align with the strategic plans of NC Sea Grant and/or NC WRRI, and are encouraged to address one or more of the following focus areas:
-
Algal bloom processes and impacts
-
Aquatic invasive species
-
Community resilience planning
-
Economics, planning, and/or policy related to water resources management
-
Emerging regulated and unregulated contaminants of concern
-
Erosion and sediment control
-
Green stormwater infrastructure & nature-based solutions
-
Innovative uses of machine learning
-
Microplastic pollution
-
Surface and groundwater quality and/or quantity
-
Trash, litter, and marine debris
-
Urban flooding
-
Water treatment, including aquaculture effluent
Deadline: November 17, 2025
​
NC Sea Grant-Albemarle-Pamlico National Estuary Partnership Fellowship
Open to Graduate students in North Carolina and Virginia
This fellowship is supported by North Carolina Sea Grant and the Albemarle-Pamlico National Estuary Partnership (APNEP). The opportunity provides funding for graduate students based in North Carolina and Virginia to conduct applied research within the APNEP management area.
Fellows must conduct research that addresses focus areas identified in the North Carolina Sea Grant Strategic Plan and management actions identified in the APNEP Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan. Up to $10,000 per year for two years (administered as a student stipend through NC Sea Grant)
Closing November 17, 2025
​
Restore America’s Estuaries is pleased to announce the 2025 funding cycle for the National Estuaries Program (NEP) Watersheds Grants. Competitive grants ranging from approximately $200,000-500,000 will be awarded to organizations, partnerships, and municipalities working to improve clean water, healthy ecosystems, and habitat restoration. The Program is a nationally competitive grants program designed to support projects that address urgent, emerging, and challenging issues threatening the well-being of estuaries within the 28 NEP boundary areas. This grant program funds projects aimed at addressing the following Congressionally-set priorities:
-
Loss of key habitats resulting in significant impacts on fisheries and water quality such as seagrass, mangroves, tidal and freshwater wetlands, forested wetlands, kelp beds, shellfish beds, and coral reefs;
-
Coastal resilience and extreme weather events including flooding and coastal erosion related to sea level rise, changing precipitation, warmer waters, or salt marsh, seagrass, or wetland degradation or loss and accelerated land loss;
-
Impacts of nutrients and warmer water temperatures on aquatic life and ecosystems, including low dissolved oxygen conditions in estuarine waters;
-
Stormwater runoff which not only can erode stream banks but can carry nutrients, sediment, and trash into rivers and streams that flow into estuaries;
-
Recurring harmful algae blooms;
-
Unusual or unexplained marine mammal mortalities; and
-
Proliferation or invasion of species that limit recreational uses, threaten wastewater systems, or cause other ecosystem damage.
LOI’s are due November 21, 2025 by 8 pm ET / 5 pm PT.
​
Charleston County Settlement Communities project
The Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor (GGCHC) is pleased to announce we are now accepting rolling applications for the Charleston County Settlement Communities Project within Charleston County.
This is a one-time funding opportunity available to 501(c)(3) organizations that identify as Settlement Communities located in Charleston County. The funding opportunity aims to provide organizations with support to expand their mission-driven services impacted by the COVID pandemic. The funding is made possible through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA). Additional partners on this project include Charleston County, The Center for Heirs Property, and The College of Charleston’s Riley Center. Funding amounts range from $25,000 – $50,000 per project.
Applications due December 15, 2025
​
Conference Travel Grant Type 1 (up to $1000): For advanced undergraduate and graduate students who have never attended a wetland scientific conference and who have limited funds for travel. The grant will cover in person or virtual attendance.
Conference Travel Grant Type 2 (up to $1600): For advanced undergraduate and graduate students with limited funding to present their wetland research findings at a conference. The grant will cover in person or virtual attendance.
Field Travel Grant Type 1 ($1000): For outstanding graduate students with limited funding to defray travel expenses associated with thesis or dissertation research on wetlands.
Field Travel Grant Type 2 ($600): For promising undergraduate students to attend a field course or workshop focused on wetlands.
The Seneca Award ($2000): For an outstanding student qualifying for a Field Type 1 grant AND whose research focuses on wetland plant ecology or restoration.
Applications due on December 19, 2025.
​
National Fish Passage Program FY25
The National Fish Passage Program (NFPP) provides technical and financial assistance to partners to remove instream barriers and restore aquatic connectivity, improve community safety, and support local economies. Fish passage projects benefit communities by reducing flood risk, improving recreational opportunities, and improving roads while supporting native fish populations and aquatic ecosystems. NFPP project examples include dam removals, culvert replacements, floodplain restoration, and the installation of fishways. It is estimated that for every $1 million invested by the program, $1.5 million in value is added to the economy.The program is delivered through U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) field offices nationwide. Local Service staff work with partners to identify and implement projects. Projects are based on sound science, advance the Service mission, and promote aquatic connectivity. Contact regional NFPP Coordinator in your area for information about program priorities and application process.
Closing December 31, 2025
​
Garden Club of America Coastal Wetlands Studies Scholarship
The Garden Club of America (GCA) offers merit-based scholarships and fellowships in areas related to conservation, ecology, horticulture, and pollinator research. The Coastal Wetlands Studies scholarship promotes wetlands conservation through the support of young scientists in their field work and research. Each $5,000 award funds one graduate student annually for field-based research in coastal wetlands. Applications are reviewed by a selection committee of practicing wetland scientists at CCRM. The Garden Club of America selects the final award winners from the Center's nominees. Application opens November 1.
Deadline is January 10, 2026
​
Parks and Open Space Florida Forever Grant Program
The Parks and Open Space Florida Forever grant program provides funding to local governments and eligible nonprofit environmental organizations for acquisition of community-based parks, open space and greenways that further outdoor recreation and natural resource protection needs identified in local government comprehensive plans. The program provides local governments the opportunity to leverage local dollars with state dollars to optimize conservation benefits and encourages both public-private partnerships and land acquisition initiatives. The Parks and Open Space Florida Forever Grant Program requires local governments to provide a minimum 25% match, except for nonprofit environmental organizations and small local governments (defined as municipalities with a population less than 10,000 and counties with a population less than 75,000).
Application Deadline: January 19, 2026
​
FY2025 Disaster Supplemental Grant Program | U.S. Economic Development Administration
The EDA Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Disaster Supplemental Grant Program makes approximately $1.45 billion available to support economic recovery activities in areas that received major disaster declarations because of hurricanes, wildfires, severe storms and flooding, tornadoes, and other natural disasters occurring in calendar years 2023 and 2024.EDA’s Disaster NOFO provides funding through three funding pathways:
-
Readiness Path – Capacity building and strategic planning projects that set the stage for future investment.
-
Implementation Path – Standalone construction and non-construction projects that help communities recover from natural disasters and advance recovery and growth.
-
Industry Transformation Path – Coalition-led, multi-project portfolios that transform regional economies through targeted industry development.
Applications for Readiness and Implementation grants will be accepted on an ongoing (rolling) basis. Applications for Industry Transformation grants are due March 3, 2026 at 5:00 pm Eastern Time.
​
Climate Smart Communities Initiative
CSCI awards provide funding and technical assistance to advance community-based climate resilience in communities or regions that are highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Grants typically range from $60,000 to $115,000 based on the scope of work proposed in the application. The program prioritizes funding for communities that include historically disinvested populations at increased risk to climate-related impacts. The competition is open to US-based project teams composed of a climate adaptation practitioner and representatives from a local or regional government entity and a community-based organization.
November 13, 2025: An informational applicant webinar will be held at 2:00pm ET. The recording will be posted here when available.
February 5, 2026: Recommended date to assemble all three required applicant partners. Learn more below in Step 1: Assemble Partners.
Grant Application deadline: March 12, 2026
​
National Sea Grant Law Center 2024-2027 Program Development Funds
The National Sea Grant Law Center (Law Center) is accepting proposals for small-scale research projects that seek to address timely or pressing legal questions related to ocean, coastal, or Great Lakes law. This funding is intended to support emerging research needs or innovative pilot research projects that may eventually develop into larger, full scale research projects. They are also intended to help a Sea Grant program build legal capacity by generating legal research findings that can be incorporated into extension, education, and communication programming. Requests for Program Development (PD) funds are limited to a maximum request of $10,000 and a one-year project period.
LOIs for one-year projects will be accepted on a rolling basis through August 1, 2026.
Full proposals for one-year projects will be accepted on a rolling basis through October 1, 2026.
​​
Applications accepted on a rolling basis: ​
​
The foundation makes grants to US based qualified charitable organizations. To date we have funded organizations that address the following areas of interest:
-
Environment (US headquartered organizations operating programs in the US or elsewhere in the world),
-
Human Services
-
Disaster relief (US headquartered organizations responding to disasters in the US or elsewhere in the world on an occasional basis),
-
Other (US headquartered organizations operating programs in the US or elsewhere in the world).
Nonprofit organizations that qualify for public charity status under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or public schools and libraries are eligible for contributions or grants.Grants typically range between $5,000 - $10,000. Our foundation has two grant cycles: June and December. A completed application must be submitted online, using the Common Grant Application, by midnight (23:59:59) Central Time (CT) on either April 30 or October 31.
​​
Climate Change and Human Health Seed Grants - Burroughs Wellcome Fund
We are primarily, but not exclusively, interested in activities that build connections between basic and early biomedical scientific approaches and ecological, environmental, geological, geographic, and planetary-scale thinking, as well as with population-focused fields, including epidemiology and public health, demography, economics, and urban planning. Also of interest is work piloting new approaches or interactions aimed at reducing the impact of health-centered activities, such as developing more sustainable systems for healthcare, care delivery, and biomedical research.
Another area of interest is preparation for the impacts of extreme weather and other crises that can lead to large-scale disruptions, immediately affecting human health and the delivery of healthcare. Public outreach, climate communication, and education efforts focused on the intersection of climate and health are also appropriate for this call. This program supports work conceived through many kinds of creative thinking. Successful applicants include academic scientists, physicians, and public health experts, community organizations, science outreach centers, non-biomedical academic departments, and more.
Proposals will be accepted on a rolling basis through July 2026. A review will be conducted quarterly.
Deadline dates for the upcoming cycles are:​
-
Jan 22, 2026
-
April 23, 2026
-
July 23, 2026
​
The Nature Conservancy (TNC) has been awarded grant funding through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Transformational Habitat and Coastal Resilience grant program to increase the scale and accessibility of living shorelines and nature-based solutions across coastal South Carolina. The SC Office of Resilience will partner with TNC on this project.
TNC's Living Shorelines Community Assistance Program will prioritize applicants who fit the following criteria:
-
Private landowners on waterfront property who are experiencing shoreline erosion and require financial assistance to address it.
-
Under-resourced communities and neighborhoods with waterfront public spaces experiencing shoreline erosion.
-
Small businesses and organizations on waterfront property experiencing shoreline erosion.
-
Culturally significant sites threatened by shoreline erosion.
Prescreening form now open, application due dates TBA
​
Health and Extreme Weather Research Award Program,The Natural Hazards Center
The Natural Hazards Center is issuing a new call for proposals focused on Health and Extreme Weather. Funds will support awards in the amount of $10,000 to $50,000 each. Proposals will be accepted on a rolling basis until funds are expended.
All applicants are encouraged to attend the Proposal Information Q&A Session on November 7, 2025 from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. MST to learn more about this funding opportunity, ask questions, and receive proposal development support
Award Details
-
Available funds will support awards of $10,000 to $50,000 each.
-
The lead investigator must be from an academic institution based in a U.S. state, territory, or tribal nation and have a Ph.D. or its equivalent.
-
The extreme weather event under study must have occurred within 6 months or less of proposal submission.
-
The geographic focus of the research must be in the United States or its territories.
-
The 6-page, single-spaced proposal should follow the Proposal Submission Guidelines.
Proposals will be accepted on a rolling basis until funds are exhausted.
​
Community Disaster Resilience Fund (Spin Global)
The Community Disaster Resilience Fund exists to mobilize private capital towards public benefit projects that significantly reduce exposure to threats and hazards while increasing economic opportunities, especially for underserved and historically marginalized populations. We are working with private and public entities to make generational investments in community resilience measured by their social and economic impacts. The Community Disaster Resilience Fund is directing private equity and pension fund investments toward infrastructure projects with a minimum value of $100 million up to $50 Billion USD. We are currently seeking project applications from entities with an Investment Grade Rating (IGR) of Baa3 or BBB- or above by Moody's. Our initial areas of interest include energy, communications, transportation, and water projects. The Fund seeks projects that will both reduce risk to disasters and enhance economic opportunities in underserved and marginalized communities through private-public partnership.
​
Grants Relating to Safety At Sea: The Foundation encourages grant applications supporting projects which complement the safe operation of boats, both sail and power. Innovative projects resulting in the development of cost effective personal safety equipment, modified operational and training protocols, and methods to increase crew awareness of the need for continued attention to safety are of particular interest.
Grants Relating to the Environment of the Sea: The Foundation seeks grant applications in support of projects intended to increase our understanding of the factors affecting the marine environment both natural and man-made and the best ways to minimize adverse impacts associated with small boat operations. Such efforts might include technologies facilitating "green boats", efforts to conserve coastal and estuarine land, and educational efforts directed at improved stewardship of our oceans and navigable lakes.
Grants are generally limited to approximately to $10,000 or less. We favor organizations which lack substantial operating budgets.The Foundation's Board meets twice annually - in March and October - to consider grant proposals. Proposal deadlines are February 1 for the March meeting and September 1 for the October meeting. Proposals received after the deadlines will be reviewed during the following funding cycle.
​
The Duke Energy Foundation is focused on strengthening and uplifting communities with grant funding. The foundation accepts grant applications for $20,000 and less throughout the year on a rolling basis for the following focus areas: Vibrant Economies, Climate Resiliency, Opportunity and Inclusion.
​
Emergency Community Water Assistance Grants, USDA (Rolling Applications)
This program helps eligible communities prepare for, or recover from, an emergency that threatens the availability of safe, reliable drinking water.
What is an eligible area?
• Rural areas and towns with populations of 10,000 or less, including Tribal lands and colonias in eligible areas.
• The area must have a median household income less than the state’s median household income for non-metropolitan areas.
How can funds be used?
Water source grants can be used to construct a water source, intake or treatment facility. The maximum amount for water source grants is $1 million.
Water distribution systems grants can be used to:
• Construct waterline extensions
• Repair breaks or leaks in existing water distribution lines
• Perform water line maintenance necessary to replenish the water supply
• Purchase or maintain water storage tanks
The maximum amount for the distribution systems grant is $150,000.
​
The Civic Foundation awards grants to small, local nonprofits committed to North Carolinians with the goal of making a deeper impact on community-based charities that meet specific needs of their neighbors. They focus on areas of health care, housing, human services and hunger. Up to $25,000 may be awarded each quarter.
​
National Grants - Ben & Jerry's Foundation
The National Grassroots Organizing Program (NGO) offers two-year unrestricted, general operating support grants of up to $30,000 per year, with an average grant size of $20,000 per year, to small (budgets under $350,000), constituent-led grassroots organizations throughout the United States and its territories. The broad goals of this grant program are to further social and environmental justice, with the primary purpose to support local leadership and grassroots organizing activities.
​
We support efforts that strengthen the ability of communities to determine their own economic, environmental and social well-being, and that help people control those forces that affect their lives. These efforts may:
-
promote economic justice and development through community organizing, coalition building and policy reform efforts;
-
work to prevent the disposal of toxics in communities, and to link environmental issues with economic and social justice;
-
link community-based economic and environmental justice organizing to national and international reform efforts.
The Foundation provides grants for general support, projects, and collaborative efforts. We also welcome innovative proposals designed to build the capacity of social change organizations working in our areas of interest. Priority is given to organizations with annual budgets of under $1 million.
​
Small Business Infrastructure Grant Program | NC Commerce
Local governments in North Carolina located in areas impacted by Hurricane Helene can apply for grants from the new Small Business Infrastructure Grant Program (SmBIZ), a $55 million dollar fund designed to rebuild the damaged infrastructure that small businesses rely on to operate and thrive.
Timeline: there will be a continuously open grant window, with first awards announced June 30, 2025.
​
One SC Fund: Disaster Response
The One SC Fund is now accepting grant applications from nonprofits to support Hurricane Helene relief, recovery, and rebuilding efforts.
The One SC Fund provides grants to nonprofits to fund disaster relief, recovery and rebuilding assistance programs from state-declared emergencies. Organizations may request up to $25,000.When applications are open, they are reviewed on a rolling basis. Declinations are sent via email. All organizations receiving an award have six months to expense grant funds.​
​
Conservation - Richard King Mellon Foundation
Our application portal is open and accepting grant applications for funding through its Conservation program. All applicants should apply using the General Application. Applications may be submitted on a rolling basis.
The Foundation’s Conservation program has four investment areas: habitat conservation; stewardship; activation; and sustainable communities. The Foundation uses innovative financial approaches across all four investment areas, including program-related investments (PRIs) and other mechanisms to maximize the impact of its funding.
​
Truist Foundation Western NC Recovery and Resiliency Fund - Center for Disaster Philanthropy
CDP will address medium- and long-term needs to help strengthen the region’s housing and small businesses. Our grantmaking will be guided by our assessment of damages, systemic marginalization, community capacity and unmet needs to support the area’s equitable recovery.
​
Rapid Response to Extreme Weather Events Across Food and Agricultural Systems funding by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
Applications must be submitted within 45 days of an extreme weather event and disaster. Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a continuous basis.
Glenn W. Bailey Foundation: Grant funding for projects that support educational opportunities for STEM learning (including college/university programs) and “innovative environmental projects.”
Accepts Letters of Intent on a monthly basis.
​
The Rural Water Loan Fund (RWLF) is a funding program specifically designed to meet the unique needs of small water and wastewater utilities. The RWLF provides low-cost loans for short-term repair costs, small capital projects, or pre-development costs associated with larger projects. The RWLF was established through a grant from the USDA/RUS, and repaid funds used to replenish the fund and make new loans. Disaster recovery or other emergency loans are available. Loan amounts may not exceed $200,000 or 75% of the total project cost, whichever is less.​
​
Natural Hazards Center
Quick Response Research Award Program
​​​
Pulitzer Center
The Pulitzer Center is now accepting applications for its initiative focused on climate change and its effects on workers and work. We encourage freelance and staff journalists with ambitious enterprise and strong in-depth reporting ideas to apply for Pulitzer Center support to cover the intersection of labor and climate in their communities.
Applications accepted on a rolling basis.
​
Funding Databases: ​​​
Flood Funding Finder from the American Flood Coalition: An interactive website to simplify the complex federal grants system and to help communities identify and prioritize opportunities to fund flood resilience. ​​
​
Georgia Department Of Natural Resources Division: Grant Opportunities
Stay up to date on current and future grant opportunities available through the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.
​
​Local Infrastructure Hub Funding Pathfinder Tool and Grant Search
​
Nature-Based Solutions Funding Database
National Wildlife Federation’s interactive database for communities interested in pursuing federal funding and/or technical assistance for nature-based solutions.
​
Southeast Regional Partnership for Planning and Sustainability (SERPPAS) Funding Opportunities
​
The EPA’s Water Finance Clearinghouse has two searchable databases: Funds and Resources. The Funds database contains potential funding sources for water infrastructure. The Resources database contains resources such as reports, case studies, and webinars about financing mechanisms and approaches that can help communities access capital to meet their water infrastructure needs. The Clearinghouse also hosts Water Finance learning modules which provide information on different financing sources and funding topics related to water infrastructure investments.​
​
NC Resilience Exchange Funding Database
​
Grant Writing Assistance and Funding Resources:
​
Pro Bono Help for Southeast Disaster Recovery Grants, Southern Economic Advancement Project (SEAP)
From SEAP: Disasters disrupt lives, communities, and local budgets. Accessing recovery funds shouldn’t be an added burden. That’s why we’re excited to launch a new initiative offering pro bono grant writing and strategy advice for public and nonprofit sector entities across the Southeast. Whether you’re facing a tight deadline for a FEMA or HUD application or just starting to plan your recovery strategy, we’re here to help.​
​
SEAP Language Reframing Guide: This guide offers tips on adjusting proposals under the new rules. If your organization is considering applying for federal dollars to keep serving your community, we encourage you to take a look.
​​​​
Climate Philanthropy Catalyst Coalition Resource Library
​
Funding and Financing Coastal Resilience (NOAA Office for Coastal Management)
​
Funding for Climate Justice: This site was created to help the climate justice movement in the U.S. better understand federal funding opportunities and relevant movement resources. This website also serves as a hub for information on legal, technical, financial, and other resources to protect climate funding from clawbacks and communities from harm. Among the publicly available resources we have collected and summarized, you will find comprehensive overviews of what funding is at risk, trackers on federal orders and actions as well as trackers for movement litigation initiatives, hubs for locating retracted federal data, and recommendations for how to protect your organization and your funding legally.
​
Grant Proposal Development Resources (NOAA Office for Coastal Management )
​
Hometown Strong Rural Grants Program
The Hometown Strong Rural Grants team focuses on getting federal dollars into rural communities and providing the capacity, training, and finance planning support these communities need in order to be successful in federal funding. We provide direct, free-of-charge grantwriting support to rural towns, counties, and regions to increase federal funding for projects within North Carolina, offering a comprehensive approach to long-term financial planning through grant strategies that leverage federal, state, and private funds.​​​​