Workplace Safety for Workers Affected by Climate Change Grant

The Workplace Safety for Workers Affected by Climate Change Grant is administered by the Washington State Department of Health for the 2025–2027 biennium. The program’s primary focus is the health and safety of agricultural workers facing climate-related hazards such as extreme temperatures, wildfire smoke, drought, and flooding. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics defines agricultural workers as individuals who maintain crops, tend livestock, and perform related physical labor and machinery operation under the supervision of farmers, ranchers, and agricultural managers. Tasks range from planting, irrigating, and harvesting crops to feeding livestock, operating farm machinery, applying pesticides, and administering animal vaccines. The grant aims to address occupational health challenges amplified by climate change, especially for populations in high-risk outdoor labor. Community-based and community-led organizations are particularly encouraged to apply due to their ability to address cultural and linguistic needs, overcome logistical barriers, and respond to environmental justice concerns. The grant has two main funding types. Project funding allows individual organizations or partnerships to receive between $100,000 and $250,000 to improve agricultural worker health and safety. Pass-through funding awards, totaling $500,000 each, enable recipient organizations to sub-grant funds to other community-based organizations across Washington State. The Department of Health anticipates awarding 6–15 project grants and 2–3 pass-through grants. The funding timeline begins with an application release date of August 15, 2025. Information sessions will be held in English and Spanish, with the option for other languages upon request. Scheduled webinars include August 26, 2025 (Spanish), August 27, 2025 (English), and September 9, 2025 (English). Applications are due by September 30, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. The Department of Health expects to conduct an internal review in October 2025, notify recipients by November 17, 2025, and begin agreements on January 1, 2026. The period of performance runs through June 30, 2027. Applications must be submitted via email to the Environmental Justice Grants Program, with all required forms completed. Materials will be available on the program’s website, and applicants may request them in languages other than English. Applicants with specific accommodation needs may request formal interviews to supplement their submissions. The Department offers technical assistance through information sessions and direct consultation with grants staff. The Workplace Safety for Workers Affected by Climate Change Grant is funded through Washington’s Climate Commitment Act, which invests in reducing climate pollution, creating jobs, and improving public health. The Act uses a cap-and-invest approach to channel funds toward climate-related programs, including environmental justice initiatives such as this grant. This program prioritizes protecting agricultural workers—defined to include farmworkers, nursery and greenhouse workers, farm and ranch animal farmworkers, and agricultural equipment operators—from occupational hazards linked to climate change. Funded projects are expected to demonstrate measurable improvements in workplace health and safety, cultural responsiveness, and equitable community engagement. The grant underscores the Department of Health’s commitment to addressing environmental justice and ensuring that vulnerable worker populations benefit from climate adaptation and safety measures.