Natural Resource Grants

DOC NOAA - ERA Production · $0–$25M

Eligibility is limited to the states of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Nevada, California, and Alaska, and to federally recognized tribes of the Columbia River and Pacific Coast (including Alaska). The NOAA Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund supports projects that conserve threatened, endangered, or at-risk salmon and steelhead populations and their habitat, with awards up to $25 million. This is a government-and-tribal-only program with no path for private nonprofits, businesses, or individuals.

DOC NOAA - ERA Production · $40K–$220K

This NOAA/NMFS program funds projects to conserve endangered marine turtles linked to the Pacific Islands Region and impacted by federally managed U.S. commercial longline fisheries. Eligible applicants are a broad set of U.S. entities: organizations, individuals, institutions of higher education, 501(c)(3) nonprofits, commercial organizations, and state, local, and Native American tribal governments; federal agencies and their employees are not eligible. Awards range from about $40,000 to $220,000.

Fish and Wildlife Service · $25K–$300K

Open to applicants generally, but those that are not conservation-based organizations must demonstrate how their priorities meet the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and Joint Venture objectives. The program competitively funds habitat protection, restoration, and enhancement projects in the Great Lakes coastal zone to benefit fish, wildlife, and migratory birds, with awards from about $25,000 to $300,000. Projects must be located within or near the Great Lakes coastal area.

Bureau of Reclamation · $0–$400K

Open to Western U.S. states, tribes, irrigation and water districts, and other water/power-delivery entities (Category A), or to universities, nonprofit research institutions, and nonprofits acting in partnership with a Category A entity (Category B). Federal entities, individuals, and commercial/industrial organizations are not eligible, and applicants must be located in the Western U.S. or specified territories. Funding (up to about $400,000) supports improving hydrologic data, water-management tools, and forecasting.

DOC NOAA - ERA Production · $1–$1M

This NOAA (NCCOS) program funds development and testing of technologies and strategies to prevent, control, or mitigate harmful algal blooms. A broad range of U.S. applicants is eligible, including higher-education institutions, nonprofits, state/local and tribal governments, U.S. territories, Pacific Islands institutions, and for-profits; federal applicants may apply where legal authority exists, and foreign researchers must participate via a U.S. entity. Projects may request up to $500,000/year (focal area 1) or $1 million/year (focal area 2).

Fish and Wildlife Service · $50K–$1M

The Fish and Wildlife Service's National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program funds coastal wetland acquisition, restoration, and management. Eligibility is limited to State and Territory agencies designated by their Governor (typically a natural resource or fish and wildlife agency) in coastal and Great Lakes states; Louisiana is excluded. These are cost-share awards ranging from about $50,000 to $1 million, so a match is required. This is not open to nonprofits, businesses, or individuals.

Fish and Wildlife Service · $0–$1M

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Multistate Conservation Grant Program funds wildlife and sport fish restoration and recruitment/retention/reactivation projects that address regional or national priorities beyond a single state's capacity. Eligibility is narrow: applicants are generally states (and certain U.S. territories), the FWS, or groups of states, and projects must benefit at least 26 states or a majority of states in an FWS region or regional association, and address a 2027 AFWA Strategic Priority. Maximum award is up to $1,000,000. The deadline is July 14, 2026, within about a month.

U.S. Mission to New Zealand · $10K–$100K

The U.S. Mission to New Zealand invites proposals to advance U.S.-New Zealand economic, scientific, and cultural ties through capacity-building programs in areas like science cooperation, biotechnology, space, and shared democratic values. Eligible applicants are nonprofits (with or without 501(c)(3) status), public and private institutions of higher education, and independent school districts. Awards range from about $10,000 to $100,000. The deadline is July 15, 2026, within about a month.

U.S. Mission to New Zealand · $10K–$50K

The U.S. Mission to New Zealand invites proposals to advance U.S.-Cook Islands and U.S.-Niue maritime cooperation and economic and cultural ties, with projects encouraged to build local capacity. Eligible applicants are nonprofits (with or without 501(c)(3) status) and public and private institutions of higher education. Awards range from about $10,000 to $50,000. The deadline is July 15, 2026, within about a month.

DOC NOAA - ERA Production · $1–$400K

NOAA's Ocean Technology Transition Program funds projects that move ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes observing technologies from research toward operational or commercial use. Eligibility is broad, including industry, institutions of higher education, nonprofits, for-profits, and state, local, and tribal governments; federal agencies and foreign governments cannot be the prime recipient but may partner, and projects previously funded by this program are not eligible. Maximum award is up to about $400,000. The deadline is July 15, 2026, within about a month.

DOC NOAA - ERA Production · $1–$250K

Eligible applicants are broad, including U.S. higher-education institutions, nonprofits, state/local/tribal governments, U.S. territories and Pacific Island institutions, and for-profit organizations; foreign researchers must apply as subawards through an eligible U.S. entity, and investigators must be employees of an eligible entity. The program funds development of point-of-use technologies to detect harmful algal bloom toxins in seafood, with projects expected around $100,000 to $250,000 per year (not to exceed $750,000 per project). The deadline is within about three weeks.

Fish and Wildlife Service · $1–$850K

The notice does not state a specific eligible-applicant list; it only notes that applicants and key personnel cannot be listed in the SAM.gov Exclusions database, so review the full opportunity for who may apply. This Fish and Wildlife Service award funds the design and permitting for partial removal of a dilapidated weir on Butte Creek and construction of a rock ramp to maintain water diversion and fish passage at the Sutter National Wildlife Refuge. The maximum award is about $850,000. The application deadline is July 19, 2026, which is soon.

Fish and Wildlife Service · $0–$1.5M

The Clean Vessel Act grant program provides cost-sharing awards to build facilities that help recreational boaters dispose of waste properly. Eligibility is limited to governor-designated agencies of the states, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and listed U.S. territories; private marinas may only participate as subrecipients through a recipient. Awards run up to about $1.5 million. This is a cost-share program restricted to designated state and territory agencies, so most organizations cannot apply directly.

DOC NOAA - ERA Production · $50K–$200K

This NOAA program funds projects to sustainably manage coral reef fisheries, including developing fishery management plans and addressing science gaps. Eligibility is limited to regional fishery management councils, nongovernmental organizations or research institutions with demonstrated coral reef expertise, designated coral reef research centers, U.S. states, territories or local governments with reef authority, and Native entities. Awards are expected to range from $50,000 to $200,000, and proposals under $50,000 will not be accepted. Applicants must demonstrate specific coral reef conservation expertise, so this is narrowly targeted.

Natural Resources Conservation Service · $250K–$2M

The NRCS Conservation Innovation Grants Classic program funds development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies tied to agricultural production. It is open to all non-foreign, non-federal entities and individuals based in the United States, though applications must be submitted by a single entity (partners may be subrecipients). Awards range from about $250,000 to $2 million. Eligibility is fairly broad aside from the exclusion of federal and foreign applicants.

Natural Resources Conservation Service · $250K–$5M

This NRCS Conservation Innovation Grants On-Farm Trials program funds projects where awardees recruit agricultural producers and provide technical assistance and incentive payments to test innovative conservation practices. For-profit entities qualify if their primary business relates to agriculture, and nonprofits qualify if they have experience working with agricultural producers; individuals, partnerships, and foreign organizations are not eligible. Awards range from about $250,000 to $5 million. Applicants must already have access to a network of producers to recruit, which narrows who can realistically apply.

Fish and Wildlife Service · $2K–$500K

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking research, restoration, and Regional Project proposals under the Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act, open to states, Indian Tribes, and other interested entities. A key restriction is that proposed work must be within the Great Lakes Basin or affect a species present there. Funded proposals have ranged from about $2,000 to $500,000 (averaging around $217,000), with roughly $3.5 million expected this year, subject to Congressional appropriations.

Bureau of Land Management · $30K–$75K

This Bureau of Land Management program funds partnerships to study, protect, and manage cultural and paleontological heritage resources on public lands, including inventory, stabilization, collections care, education, and tribal engagement, with awards roughly $30,000 to $75,000. Individuals and for-profit organizations are not eligible. The program does not support hiring interns or crews under the Public Lands Corps Act; Youth Conservation Corps must apply under a separate NOFO.

Bureau of Land Management · $30K–$250K

This Bureau of Land Management program funds archaeological resource study, protection, and management in Lincoln County, Nevada, with awards roughly $30,000 to $250,000. Only proposals concerning resources at least 100 years old qualify under the Archaeological Resources Protection Act definition. Individuals and for-profit organizations are not eligible. The program does not support hiring interns or crews under the Public Lands Corps Act; Youth Conservation Corps must apply under a separate NOFO.

Fish and Wildlife Service · $25K–$200K

This Fish and Wildlife Service program provides Tribal Wildlife Grants to federally recognized tribal governments for projects benefiting fish, wildlife, and their habitats, with awards ranging roughly $25,000 to $200,000 (no single tribe may exceed $200,000 in combined federal request per year). Eligibility is limited to federally recognized tribes; tribal organizations and other entities may participate only as subrecipients or contractors. Tribes must be current on reporting for active awards to remain eligible. Funds cannot be used to acquire real property interests.