The Tribal Nature-Based Solutions (TNBS) Climate Bond 2026 Solicitation is administered by the California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) to support California Native American tribes in implementing multi-benefit, nature-based climate solutions. This initiative is part of the broader Climate Bond funding authorized under Proposition 4 and the 2025 Budget Act, specifically guided by Public Resources Code Section 93040. The grant is designed to facilitate land acquisition, habitat restoration, cultural fire and wildfire resilience, ocean and coastal protection, and other projects that restore ancestral lands and strengthen tribal ecological stewardship within California.
Approximately $9.2 million is available through this grant program for projects that benefit California Native American tribes. This includes land purchases, conservation easements, and instream flow or water rights acquisition. Funds may be used to support direct expenditures, block grants, contracts, or competitive grant allocations. Eligible projects must be located in California and must demonstrate a direct benefit to California Native American tribes. Tribally led entities, inter-tribal consortia, and nonprofit tribal organizations may apply, and non-tribal 501(c)(3) organizations may apply in partnership with tribes.
Applications are accepted during an annual solicitation cycle, administered through a two-step process using the RAPTR Submission Portal. The 2026 application window opens on February 13, 2026. Step 1 applications, including Escrow Ready Applications, are due by April 15, 2026. Applicants invited to Step 2 will be notified by May 29, 2026, with Step 2 applications due by August 29, 2026. Site visits, if applicable, will occur between early September and mid-October 2026. Final award decisions are scheduled for announcement on November 23, 2026.
Escrow Ready Projects—a special funding track—must encumber funds (enter into grant agreements) by March 31, 2027, close escrow by July 30, 2027, expend funds by January 1, 2029, and submit final invoices by March 31, 2029. These projects must be partially funded and able to demonstrate that the TNBS grant will complete acquisition at Fair Market Value. If not funded through the Escrow Ready track, such projects will be reviewed during the Standard Grant Process.
There is no formal matching requirement; however, projects with secured partial funding from other sources are given priority. The minimum award for Ancestral Land Return projects is $1 million, while no minimum exists for Escrow Ready projects. The ceiling in both cases is the full amount of available funds, although actual award sizes will vary depending on project readiness and merit.
The grant program does not require a Letter of Intent, and the performance period varies by project. Applicants must prepare and submit required materials through the state’s online portal and adhere to the official TNBS Climate Bond 2026 Final Guidelines. For assistance or questions, contact the CNRA TNBS Grant Program at [email protected] or 1-916-653-5656.
Priority is given to projects with secured co-funding that demonstrate completion of acquisition at Fair Market Value.
