Natural Resource Grants

DOC NOAA - ERA Production · $1–$97.2K

This NOAA Sea Grant Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship places graduate students in marine and coastal policy roles. Students apply through their state Sea Grant program (not directly to Grants.gov), and the formal applicants to NOAA are Sea Grant College, Institutional, or Coherent Area Programs. Eligible students must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents enrolled in a U.S. graduate program. Each application package proposes $97,200 in funding, with about 35 fellowships anticipated; the deadline is August 26, 2026.

Bureau of Reclamation · $50K–$1M

This Bureau of Reclamation program funds drought relief and resiliency projects for a specific list of federally recognized Colorado River Basin tribes. Eligibility is narrow: only the designated tribes named in the announcement may apply, and many activity types (such as standalone studies, water purchases, certain biological and habitat work, and litigation support) are excluded. The maximum award is $1,000,000 per tribe, and no cost share is statutorily required though partnering and cost sharing are encouraged. This is restricted to listed tribal governments only.

Geological Survey · Amount varies

This U.S. Geological Survey award supports coordination of water resources research under the Water Resources Research Act. Eligibility is narrow: proposals are only accepted from designated Water Resources Research Act Institutes or Centers based at institutions of higher education, and applicants are directed to contact the grants specialist. No award amount is provided in the listing. This is not open to general nonprofits, businesses, or individuals.

DOC NOAA - ERA Production · Amount varies

This NOAA Broad Agency Announcement for the Office of Education seeks applications for special projects tied to NOAA's strategic and mission goals, including education and environmental work. Eligibility is broad: higher-education institutions, nonprofits, commercial organizations, international or foreign organizations and governments, individuals, and state, local, and tribal governments may apply, subject to the statutory authority for the specific activity. Federal organizations cannot be funded. No specific award amount is stated; contact program officials and submit to the appropriate line-office BAA.

Fish and Wildlife Service · $1–$500K

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Coastal Program provides technical and financial assistance for projects protecting and restoring fish and wildlife habitat in priority coastal ecosystems on public and private lands, through cooperative agreements. Projects must align with regional strategic plans; the program does not fund land acquisition or projects generating compensatory mitigation credits, and will not accept mitigation funds as non-federal cost share. All applicants are required to contact a local program office before applying. The stated maximum is about $500,000.

Fish and Wildlife Service · $1–$750K

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program funds habitat restoration and protection on private lands (including tribal, municipal, and non-governmental properties), mainly through cooperative agreements. Eligible projects must be on private lands and align with regional strategic plans; 501(c)(3) organizations should have IRS proof of status, and tribal applicants may need an authorizing resolution. All applicants are required to contact local PFW staff before applying. The stated maximum is about $750,000.

DOC NOAA - ERA Production · Amount varies

This NOAA Fisheries Broad Agency Announcement solicits proposals for special projects aligned with the agency's strategic plan and mission goals. It's broadly open to universities, nonprofits, businesses, individuals, and tribal/state/local governments, and even foreign organizations, though federal agencies can't apply directly. Applicants should route submissions to the correct NOAA Line Office BAA rather than this general notice. The deadline is September 30, 2026.

Bureau of Land Management · $30K–$220K

This Bureau of Land Management program funds Qualified Youth Corps organizations to run natural and cultural resource projects on public lands employing youth ages 16 to 30 (veterans up to 35), including tribal members. Individuals and for-profit organizations are explicitly ineligible, so this is aimed at nonprofit/qualified youth corps entities. Note an important restriction: applicants seeking to hire interns or crews under the Public Lands Corps Act must instead apply under a separate companion NOFO (15.243). Award amounts range from about $30,000 to $220,000.

Fish and Wildlife Service · $25K–$3.9M

This US Fish and Wildlife Service program funds land conservation projects in the Highlands Region of CT, NJ, NY, and PA, where a state, county, or municipal entity acquires land or land interests from willing sellers. Only the Lead State Agency designated by each Highlands state's Governor may apply, so eligibility is restricted to those specific government agencies (funds may be subawarded to counties or municipalities). Awards range from roughly $25,000 to $3.85 million, and the program covers up to 50% of project cost, meaning a non-federal match is required. Nonprofits, businesses, individuals, and most organizations cannot apply directly.

Fish and Wildlife Service · $25K–$2.3M

This US Fish and Wildlife Service program is the Base Funding round of the Highlands Conservation Act, funding land conservation projects in the Highlands Region of CT, NJ, NY, and PA. Only the Governor-designated Lead State Agency in each of the four states may apply, so eligibility is narrowly restricted to those government agencies (funds may be subawarded to counties or municipalities). Each state may request up to about $2.29 million, with awards from roughly $25,000 upward, and the program funds up to 50% of project cost, requiring a non-federal match. Nonprofits, businesses, and individuals cannot apply directly.

Fish and Wildlife Service · $100K–$600K

This Fish and Wildlife Service program funds implementation of aquatic invasive species management plans in the Great Lakes states. Eligibility is narrow: only a primary state natural resource agency in each Great Lakes state may apply, though that agency may designate another entity of any type to apply on its behalf. Awards range roughly from $100,000 to $600,000. Most applicants will need an existing state plan and a connection to a state natural resource agency to be eligible.

Fish and Wildlife Service · $20K–$100K

This Fish and Wildlife Service program funds development or implementation of tribal aquatic invasive species management plans in the Great Lakes Basin. Eligibility is narrow: only tribal natural resource agencies or organizations in the Great Lakes Basin may apply, though they may designate another entity of any type to apply on their behalf. Awards range roughly from $20,000 to $100,000. A relevant tribal AIS plan must exist or be developed as part of the work.

Fish and Wildlife Service · $20K–$923.8K

This Fish and Wildlife Service program funds interjurisdictional aquatic invasive species projects spanning Great Lakes state and tribal management plans. Eligibility is narrow: only Great Lakes states and tribes (or their designees) may apply, with one application sought from a state and tribal natural resource agency. Awards range roughly from $20,000 to about $924,000. It is aimed at state and tribal natural resource agencies.

Bureau of Reclamation · $1K–$120M

This Bureau of Reclamation program funds planning, design, and construction of seawater or brackish-water desalination facilities, with awards reported up to about $120 million. Eligible applicants are states and their subdivisions and public agencies such as tribes, municipalities, irrigation, water, and wastewater districts, and all applicants must be located in one of 17 named Western states. Federal entities, foreign entities, individuals, and institutions of higher education are not eligible. WaterSMART construction projects typically require a substantial non-federal cost share, so confirm the cost-share terms in the full announcement; this is a large-award, geographically restricted program for public water agencies.

Bureau of Reclamation · $1K–$40M

This Bureau of Reclamation Title XVI program funds planning, design, and construction of water reclamation and reuse projects, with awards reported up to about $40 million. Eligible applicants are state, regional, or local authorities such as states, tribes, municipalities, irrigation, water, and wastewater districts, and other water/power delivery organizations located in named Western states or territories; eligibility is further limited to sponsors of specific authorized Title XVI projects or projects qualifying under the WIIN Act. Federal entities, foreign entities, individuals, and institutions of higher education are not eligible. WaterSMART projects typically require a substantial non-federal cost share, so confirm terms in the full announcement; this is a large-award, narrowly restricted program for public water agencies.

Bureau of Reclamation · $50K–$3M

This Bureau of Reclamation program funds water resource projects such as conservation and efficiency, infrastructure improvements, and watershed restoration, with awards from about $50,000 up to $3 million. Eligible applicants are states, tribes, irrigation and water districts, water/power authorities, certain nonprofit conservation organizations partnering with those entities, and qualifying watershed groups; applicants generally must be in the Western U.S. or named territories. Federal entities, individuals, and institutions of higher education are not eligible, and projects require a cost share (typically 25-50 percent of total cost). This is a geographically restricted opportunity aimed at water-management organizations.

Washington Headquarters Services · Up to $100M

A Department of War (Washington Headquarters Services) non-research cooperative agreement program to help manage and sustain DoW land in the U.S. through natural and cultural resource projects supporting installation resilience and military readiness. Eligibility is very broad: public and private agencies, organizations, institutions, and individuals are invited to apply. Awards range widely, up to about $100 million. The broad eligibility, including individuals, is unusual, so confirm specific requirements in the announcement.

Bureau of Reclamation · $50K–$300K

Open to watershed groups — and the states, tribes, local governments, special districts, nonprofits, or universities that sponsor them — located in 19 western states and several U.S. territories. Federal entities and individuals cannot apply. Funds forming watershed groups and planning watershed-restoration and water-management projects, with awards of about $50,000–$300,000. Eligibility is narrow: you must be or sponsor a qualifying watershed group in an eligible state.

DOC NOAA - ERA Production · $15K–$75K

Open to individuals (as legal entities), commercial organizations, state/local/tribal governments, universities, and nonprofits; federal agencies and employees can't apply, and projects must be conducted in Alaska. Funds marine workforce training, seafood-safety and management education, fishing innovation, and consumer outreach. Awards are small, roughly $15,000–$75,000.

Department Of Natural Resources · Amount varies

This Illinois Department of Natural Resources capital grant line is restricted to recipients already named as line-item appropriations in the State of Illinois FY22 budget — it is not open to general applicants. It funds local government capital projects. Award amounts were not specified in the listing.