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Environment & Climate Federal Grants 2026

EPA, NOAA, and USDA grants for environmental research, conservation programs, climate resilience, and natural resource management.

ACTIVE OPPORTUNITIES: 22 // TOTAL FUNDING CAPACITY: $198,352,000 // STATUS: LIVE

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Environmental and climate funding from the federal government spans a broad range of programs managed by multiple agencies. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) funds environmental research, pollution reduction, water quality, and environmental justice programs through competitive grants and cooperative agreements. NOAA funds ocean, coastal, and atmospheric research, fisheries management, and climate observation systems. USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Forest Service manage conservation programs for agricultural land, wetlands, and forests. The Department of the Interior funds wildlife conservation through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. In recent years, the Inflation Reduction Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act have significantly expanded federal environmental funding, creating new programs in climate pollution reduction, environmental justice, clean water infrastructure, and ecosystem restoration. State agencies, tribal governments, nonprofits, universities, and municipalities are among the most common recipients in this sector.

The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022 injected an unprecedented level of environmental grant funding into the federal system — over $369 billion in climate and clean energy investments over ten years. The EPA received new authority and funding for Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund programs (Solar for All, National Clean Investment Fund), Environmental Justice grants at a scale not previously available, and Climate Pollution Reduction Grants for state and local implementation. NOAA's Climate-Ready Coasts and coastal resilience programs are expanding. USDA's conservation programs are receiving record funding under the IRA, with EQIP, CSP, and RCPP all seeing significantly increased appropriations through 2031. For environmental nonprofits and community organizations, the environmental justice funding wave represents the largest expansion of accessible federal environmental grants in history — with lower financial capacity requirements and a specific focus on frontline communities that have historically faced barriers to federal grant participation.

Environment & Climate — Frequently Asked Questions

What EPA grants are available to nonprofits?

EPA offers several competitive grant programs accessible to nonprofits, including the Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem-Solving Cooperative Agreement, the Environmental Justice Government-to-Government Program, Solid Waste Management grants, and Pollution Prevention grants. EPA also funds research through its Science to Achieve Results (STAR) program, which is open to academic institutions and research organizations. Most EPA grants require applicants to register in SAM.gov and submit through Grants.gov.

Can local governments apply for climate grants?

Yes. Local governments and municipalities are among the primary recipients of EPA Climate Pollution Reduction Grants, HUD Community Development Block Grants for climate resilience, and USDA Rural Development environmental programs. NOAA also provides coastal resilience funding to state and local coastal management agencies through its Coastal Zone Management program. The specific eligibility depends on jurisdiction size, location, and whether the community qualifies as disadvantaged for environmental justice purposes.

Are there federal grants for conservation land purchases?

The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), administered by the National Park Service, provides grants to state and local governments for acquiring and developing parks and open spaces. USDA's Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program helps preserve agricultural land through conservation easements. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service funds habitat acquisition through the North American Wetlands Conservation Act. These programs typically require matching funds from the applicant.

What is EPA's Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund and who can apply?

The Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF), created by the Inflation Reduction Act, distributes $27 billion through three programs. The National Clean Investment Fund ($14B) funds national green banks and clean energy financing entities. The Clean Communities Investment Accelerator ($6B) funds community lenders serving low-income areas. Solar for All ($7B) funds states, territories, tribal governments, and nonprofits to expand residential solar access in low-income communities. Most GGRF funding flows through EPA-selected intermediaries rather than direct community grants.

How do tribal nations access federal environmental grants?

Tribal governments have access to multiple dedicated environmental funding streams: EPA's General Assistance Program (GAP) provides baseline capacity-building funding to all federally recognized tribes; EPA's Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaking Program has significant tribal set-asides; USDA's Tribal Forest Program funds forest management on tribal lands; and the Interior Department's Bureau of Indian Affairs funds environmental programs including water infrastructure and hazardous waste cleanup. Tribes can also compete for most general EPA, USDA, and DOI environmental grants as government entities.

Active Environment & Climate Federal Grants (22)

SEC_ID: NOAA-NMFS-FHQ-2024-27611 09/30/2026

FY 2024 – 2026 Broad Agency Announcement (BAA), National Marine Fisheries Service

Award Ceiling Agency Discretion

This BAA is for the National Marine Fisheries Service, also known as NOAA Fisheries. The purpose of this notice is to request applications f...