Tribal Nature-Based Solutions Climate Bond 2026 Solicitation

The Tribal Nature-Based Solutions (TNBS) Program was developed by the California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) to respond to feedback gathered from California Native American tribes during multiple consultations, including those held in relation to Governor Newsom’s Executive Order N-82-20, the Pathways to 30x30 Strategy, and the Natural and Working Lands Climate Smart Strategy. CNRA aims to foster meaningful and enduring partnerships with Native American tribes by supporting their unique environmental stewardship roles and priorities. The TNBS Program reflects CNRA’s recognition of the cultural, ecological, and climate-resilience importance of tribal-led nature-based efforts and is part of a broader statewide effort to implement sustainable, inclusive, and ecologically-informed policy. The TNBS Program is funded through Proposition 4, also known as the Climate Bond or the Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, Drought Preparedness, and Clean Air Bond Act of 2024. Under Public Resources Code Section 93040 and Chapter 6, Statutes of 2024, the California Legislature appropriated $10 million to support tribal multi-benefit nature-based solutions throughout the state. The funding is available until June 30, 2028, for encumbrance or expenditure. Out of this, approximately $9.2 million is earmarked for tribal projects, with remaining funds potentially allocated toward escrow-ready ancestral land return projects or other program needs such as direct expenditures or block grants. The program supports two main tracks: Ancestral Land Return and Escrow-Ready projects. The Ancestral Land Return grants have a minimum funding threshold of $1 million and can extend up to the full amount of available funds. Escrow-Ready grants do not have a minimum threshold but are similarly capped by the total available budget. Escrow-Ready applications are streamlined through a combined Step 1 and Step 2 package and forgo grant agreement negotiations. Instead, standard templates are used, with only the work plan, deed restriction, and budget subject to negotiation. Projects not funded in the Escrow-Ready review are automatically carried over to the standard review cycle. The grant application process is multi-phased. Step 1 requires submission of a Preliminary Project Proposal via CNRA's RAPTR (Resources Agency Tracking and Reporting) portal. Applications must be complete and compliant to advance. Selected applicants are invited to submit a Final Project Proposal in Step 2, including a presentation to TNBS Grant Staff. Projects advancing further may undergo a Step 3 site visit and further documentation review. Key dates include a solicitation opening on February 13, 2026, a preliminary application due date of April 15, 2026, and a final award announcement on November 23, 2026. Support is provided through resources and webinars. A two-session webinar on February 10, 2026, will review grant guidelines and application steps. Additionally, general office hours and Escrow-Ready-specific sessions will be held in February and March 2026, respectively. Applications are submitted through the RAPTR portal, with assistance available at [email protected] for applicants requiring support. For further guidance, downloadable forms and resources, including the Preliminary Project Proposal, Final Proposal Form, and Escrow-Ready Application Package, are available on the CNRA website. Through this program, CNRA seeks to promote ecological stewardship and climate resilience while honoring tribal sovereignty and cultural knowledge. The TNBS Program integrates traditional ecological practices into statewide conservation priorities, ensuring that California Native American tribes are leaders in achieving the state’s environmental goals.

Prepare proposals early; incomplete Step 1 applications may be excluded; Escrow-Ready applicants must accept default terms.