Grants for Public and State controlled institutions of higher education - Environment

The purpose of this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is to support research that will advance the measurement and assessment of complex constructs relevant to minority health and health disparities.Research Objectives This initiative will support research to improve the measures and methods for complex social constructs that capture the lived experience of populations that experience health disparities. The NIH-designated U.S. populations with health disparities are racial and ethnic minority groups, sexual and gender minority groups, underserved rural populations, and socioeconomically disadvantaged populations of any race or ethnicity (https://www.nimhd.nih.gov/about/overview/). The objective of this initiative is to produce knowledge that can inform the field about the types of measurement approaches that may be most suitable for different health disparities-related research questions or specific populations, settings, or contexts. Projects are expected to examine the performance and utility of specific measurement and/or methodological approaches. Projects that simply use new or existing measures or methods to answer health disparities-related research questions, without examining their performance or utility, are not responsive to this FOA. Projects are encouraged to use multiple data sources across different levels and across multiple sectors when appropriate. However, because this initiative emphasizes capturing the lived experiences of individuals and populations, all projects are expected to include self-report measures or data in some way. Projects should also include relevant diversity (e.g., with respect to age, gender, race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, sexual or gender minority status, and/or geographic region) in sampling, enrollment, and data analysis needed to advance health disparities and health equity research and interventions development. Examples of potential study designs include but are not limited to the following: Testing the validity and reliability of one or more new or existing measures within a single project. Developing and validating new measures of complex social constructs (e.g., structural racism) that are associated with health disparities and health inequities. Examination of psychometric properties and/or patterns of findings with different measures of the same construct across existing studies or datasets. Mixed-methods approaches including the integration of qualitative and quantitative data (e.g., research in which qualitative interviews or focus groups inform the development of quantitative measures) in which participants complete quantitative measures and provide their perspectives on the measures via cognitive interviews, or other qualitative strategies. Examination of measurement of cultural or construct equivalence or invariance across populations with health disparities and subpopulations within these groups such as recent immigrants or persons with disabilities. Examination of utility and feasibility of incorporating novel data sources to assess higher-level determinants of health and health disparities such as structural racism. Examination of ethical issues related to different measurement or analytic strategies, including understanding and mitigating potential risk from individual or group harm from data collection, analysis or dissemination. Examination of alternative methods for collecting data for these measures. Examination of novel analytic methods for exploring the interacting influences of factors associated with health disparities that are measured at different levels, across time, and/or across settings. Areas of Research Interest NATIONAL EYE INSTITUTE The mission of the National Eye Institute (www.nei.nih.gov) is to eliminate vision loss and improve quality of life through vision research. The NEI supports basic and clinical research into diseases and disorders of the visual system and the special needs of people with impaired vision or who are blind. The NEI encourages innovative applications that will advance innovative development of new measures and methods, or testing and adaptation of existing measures and approaches, to address health disparities and health inequities in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and management of eye and vision conditions. NIMHD’s interests include, but are not limited to, the following: The lived experience of intersectionality, including self-identification, group affiliation, and multidimensional aspects of race and ethnicity as well as intersectional bias, stigma, and discrimination. Composite and cumulative exposure to adversity, including measures that encompass critical developmental periods, magnitude/frequency of exposure over time, and exposure and resilience across multiple levels and life stages. Measurement of protective and resilience factors, at both the individual (e.g., personality traits, psychological resources, behavioral skills) and sociocultureal levels (e.g., interpersonal, community, societal). The relationship between individual and higher-level determinants, including how neighborhood, community, and societal level determinants are associated with individual-level experiences, and in what circumstances higher-level social determinants can and cannot serve as proxies for individual-level determinants and vice versa. Advancing place-based indexes, composite measures and geocoded analysis, including best practices for clustering community and social level factors, level of granularity/area for specific purposes, ability to predict and explain health or health care disparities. Of interest are the extent to which these measures are predictive, and their usefulness in determining how structural racism and discrimination within regional or location specific conditions limit opportunities, resources, and power. Measurement of structural racism and discrimination, such as the facets, magnitude and cumulative effects of inequities in power, access, opportunities, treatment, and policy embedded in structures, institutions, and communities that contribute to inequities in health outcomes. Analytic methods to enable better understanding of the causes of health disparities, including identification of the causal pathways that connect the etiology (i.e., health determinants) with the effect (i.e., health disparities), especially with limited longitudinal data available. Advance analytic methods of small populations and population subgroups, including methods to analyze and interpret studies with large differences in population sample sizes (e.g., 100 vs 10,000). Methods are also needed to identify unique characteristics of population subgroups and within group heterogeneity. Development of culturally appropriate, unbiased health risk factors and outcome measures that are predictive across populations or tailored for populations. Testing and evaluation of accepted behavioral constructs in diverse populations to understand the science of behavior change in these groups. For example, measurement of behavioral intent is generally accepted as having a higher likelihood of actually doing this behavior although evidence in diverse communities is limited. National Cancer Institute The National Cancer Institute seeks applications that advance innovative development of new measures and methods, or testing and adaptation of existing measures and approaches, to address health disparities and health inequities in cancer prevention and control and survivorship. Applications of interest may include: Development, testing or adaptation of organizational, health system, and policy measures of structural racism, discrimination and SDOH. Advancement of measures and methods that facilitate development and testing of theories, models and frameworks that identify mechanisms by which Structural Racism influences cancer prevention and control outcomes at individual, interpersonal, healthcare, organizational and community levels. Advancement of methods and measures that facilitate development and testing of theories, models, and frameworks to identify when SDOH operate as moderators to multilevel or policy interventions and when a SDOH are/should be a target for interventions to reduce cancer health disparities. Approaches may consider the reinforcing and multi-sectoral influences of SDOH that may reinforce inequalities. Research to advance real-time/rapid assessment of SDOH measures and social risks that influence health behavior (e.g., diet, physical activity, sleep & alcohol) in multilevel interventions to reduce cancer health disparities and improve health equity. Research to develop, test, and validate measures to assess social determinants of health and other social factors (e.g., culture, power, trust, stigma, discrimination, intersectional identity) associated with cancer prevention and control outcomes using robust statistical approaches, such as exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, structural equation modeling, and analyses to assess within-group effects. Research to develop and validate pragmatic and actionable measures to identify or influence modifiable individual, social, community, or system factors that can reduce health inequities. Projects may include research to define and measure geographic units for area-based SDOH in diverse populations to improve cancer prevention and control. Research to validate new or existing measures of constructs associated with cancer health disparities (such as SDOH, social risk, community assets, culture, wealth, literacy). Approaches should include (but are not limited to) content, construct, convergent and discriminant reliability across and within populations experiencing disparities. Research to support the development of methods and measures that examine intersecting influences of healthcare access such as treatment costs, insurance coverage and out of pocket costs, geographic proximity to clinics, value of care, access to telehealth (e.g., technology and broadband access), and social topics such as clinician implicit bias. Integration of qualitative and quantitative research methods, in which qualitative methods are used to identify novel and emerging social and structural constructs contributing to health/ health disparities, and such knowledge is used to inform the development and validation of quantitative instruments to assess those constructs Apply stakeholder engaged approaches to identify and develop measures that are based on the interests and primary concerns identified by multiple groups, such as patients, providers, organizations, and communities, particularly for communities that are under resourced and small populations that have historically not been included in research or with whom measures have not been developed or validated in cancer prevention and control. Development of methods to examine individual and co-occurring factors associated with health inequities, such as demographic characteristics of patients and providers, geography, socioeconomic factors, and social constructs including implicit bias, overt and covert racism. Applications that advance the understanding of sleep disparities and how they affect cancer risk and/or cancer survivorship in underserved and marginalized populations, by developing or validating multidimensional sleep metrics, developing measures of cumulative sleep exposure , and integrating individual-level sleep metrics into a multilevel approach incorporating measurements of light, noise, and other personal, neighborhood or environmental intrapersonal and interpersonal influences on sleep behavior. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences The mission of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) is to discover how the environment affects people to promote healthier lives. The NIEHS seeks applications that advance innovative development of new measures and methods, or validation and adaptation of existing measures and approaches, to address the complex interplay of the physical, chemical, cultural, social, and built environmental factors that contribute to or exacerbate environmental health disparities. Applications of interest may include, but are not limited to: The use of mixed methods approaches that integrate qualitative and quantitative data collection methods and measures of factors that contribute to environmental health disparities, including how qualitative methods can inform the development and validation of quantitative surveys and instruments that evaluate these factors. Application and testing of methods and measures of SDOH, and structural racism and discrimination, to the study of environmental health disparities. Establishment of novel interdisciplinary collaborations (including, but not limited to, methodologists, behavioral scientists, exposure scientists, epidemiologists, bioinformaticians, biostatisticians, data scientists, social scientists) to incorporate concomitant chemical and built environmental factors with existing or developed measures of structural and individual racism into a multilevel assessment of environmental health disparities. Development, testing and adaptation of methods and measures that capture the lived experience of intersectionality to identify structural factors contributing to disproportionate exposures to chemical and non-chemical stressors at the community and individual level. Application of community engaged approaches to identify or develop measures that are based on the interests and primary concerns identified by multiple community stakeholders, such as parents, schools, organizations, and fence-line residents, particularly for communities that are under resourced and populations that have historically been combating environmental injustices and disparate rates of adverse health outcomes. Examination of the ethical issues related to methods and measurement approaches in the study of environmental health disparities, including issues around data harmonization and the collection of common data elements. Enhancement of existing place-based indices, environmental exposures models and geocoded data to account for social level factors, to explain environmental health disparities at the regional or community level. Of interest are the extent to which these measures demonstrate how placed-based structural racism and discrimination exacerbate environmental risk factors and/or limit protective factors. Novel use of SDOH and structural racism and discrimination methods and measures to guide the development of multi-level, evidence-based prevention and intervention strategies to reduce environmental health disparities. National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research NIDCR is interested in funding research that will advance measurement, analysis, and monitoring of social determinants of health that contribute to dental, oral, and craniofacial (DOC) health disparities and inequities within the U.S. population over time and across settings. To this end, NIDCR will support research to examine the performance and utility of measures and methodologic approaches to improve the measurement and assessment of social determinants of DOC health. Specific areas of research interest include but are not limited to: Examining approaches to measure, analyze, and/or monitor social and structural determinants of health affecting DOC health disparities and inequities in a population or across populations Elucidating intersectionality of social determinants of DOC health and their independent and synergistic effect on DOC health disparities and inequities within- and between-groups Examining methodologic approaches to analyze protective and resilience factors relating to DOC health disparities and inequities across a population and/or between subpopulations Examining the performance of measures to identify structural racism and discrimination and the impact on DOC health disparities and inequities among racial and ethnic minorities during the life-course Assessing the utility of geographic and area indices and analytical methodologies that inform DOC health care needs and the performance of DOC health systems in rural communities Assessing the utility and feasibility of using electronic health record (EHR) data to monitor DOC health disparities and inequities over time and/or across settings National Institute of Mental Health NIMH encourages research that addresses Institute priorities and is aligned with these recommended areas for domestic and global mental health research. Applicants may consider using the Research Domain Criteria (RDoC; https://www.nimh.nih.gov/research/research-funded-by-nimh/rdoc) approach in their work. Areas of interest include, but are not limited to: Applications on advancing methods for analyzing complex and dynamic systems that impact mental health disparities, including research on methods for estimating non-linear, dynamic, and time-varying relationships between SDOH and disparities in mental health service use, delivery and outcomes. Research on advancing methods for multilevel models examining mutable factors associated with disparities in mental health service use, delivery, and outcomes. Applications developing and/or refining methods for adequately powered analyses of mental health disparities experienced by smaller groups or subpopulations (e.g., when addressing intersectionality, conducting subgroup analyses) and low base rate mental health events (e.g., suicide deaths). Research to develop and validate measures and methods for expanding data capacity to appropriately represent disparities populations, incorporate SDOH, and reduce algorithmic bias in artificial intelligence and machine learning approaches for understanding risk and optimizing mental health care for populations with mental health disparities. Research to develop and validate measures and methods for integration of SDOH in health care decision-making processes and examine the impact of such integration on reducing disparities and achieving equity in mental health services outcomes. Research to develop or refine causal inference methods within quasi-experimental designs (e.g. General Causal Model, Directed Acyclic Graphs, Deterministic Structural Equation Models, Probabilistic Causal Models, Instrumental Variables), to address research questions addressing mental health equity for mental health disparity populations. Research to develop measures of quality of mental health care for mental health disparity populations. Development and validation of mental health measures that can be submitted to and endorsed by the National Quality Forum (https://www.qualityforum.org/map/) for use to advance equity and quality in mental health care as part of the Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS; https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Health-Plans/SpecialNeedsPlans/SNP-HEDIS) or as a quality indicator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (https://www.cms.gov/). Metrics that elucidate mechanisms at the individual, community, and organizational levels that result in disparities in specific adverse mental health outcomes across the lifespan, especially those that can point towards therapeutic targets. Assessments of how structural racism and discrimination impact trajectories of mental health disorders across the lifespan, particularly focusing on sequential and integrative relationships across neural, behavioral, and environmental factors that lead to disparities in mental health outcomes. Measures that systematically and reliably quantify individual exposure to factors that drive mental health disparities, including rigorous, lifestage-appropriate, and repeatable measures of environmental and sociocultural factors like neighborhood effects, access to and quality of healthcare, food and resource security, intersectionality, and cultural beliefs. Research on measures and approaches to be used in basic studies in healthy populations of interest addressing mechanisms of complex social, cognitive, affective and behavioral functioning. National Institute on Aging (NIA) NIA supports research to understand health differences and health inequities associated with race, ethnicity, gender, environment, socioeconomic status (SES), geography, access, and sociocultural factors over the life course and their impact on aging processes, and aging-relevant outcomes including Alzheimer’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease related dementias (AD/ADRD). The goals of this initiative are to (1) identify the environmental, social, cultural, and behavioral factors that drive disparities in health, well-being, healthcare, and mortality; and (2) develop strategies to reduce or eliminate those disparities and promote active life expectancy and improve the health status of diverse midlife and older adults. NIA's Health Disparities Research Framework reflects levels of analysis researchers might consider across each of the four domains, refines the causal pathways, and further refines potentially adaptable targets for interventions. Additionally, the framework reflects priorities and investments made in this important aging research area. The framework could also facilitate researchers identifying relevant expertise needed to expand their team and ultimately accomplish the proposed study’s goals and objectives. NIA’s interests in PAR-22-072, “Measures and Methods to Advance Research on Minority Health and Health Disparities-Related Constructs” include, but are not limited to, development of, or enhancements to, measures or methods for assessing constructs related to minority health and health disparities, such as the following: Methods that capture composite and cumulative exposure to adversity, structural racism, and discrimination. Measurement of protective (and resilience) factors that contribute to (or buffer against) health disparities in AD/ADRD outcomes, at both the individual (e.g., personality traits, psychological resources, behavioral skills) and sociocultural levels (e.g., interpersonal, community, societal). Analytic methods to generate causal evidence from observational and non-clinical studies to inform the prevention and mitigation of health disparities in AD/ADRD and increase confidence in observational results as evidence of treatment efficacy or effectiveness in populations underrepresented in AD/ADRD research. Development of analytical tools to dynamically assess health and exposure to risk and protective factors across multiple timescales, including mobile technology-based measures that capture lived experiences in “real time,” without imposing undue burden, particularly for populations that experience health disparities. Development of analytical tools and methods to promote and support research on the impact of social factors on molecular, cellular, genetic, and physiological mechanisms underlying disparate outcomes in aging and age-related pathologies, particularly for populations that experience health disparities. Development of approaches that integrate qualitative and quantitative data collection methods and measures of diverse environmental factors (chemical, physical, built, etc.) with social and behavioral factors associated with aging and age-related neuro-pathologies, including AD/ADRD. Development and use of methods for integrating social and behavioral data with molecular, cellular, genomic, other -omic and biological data in epidemiological studies of aging and age-related neuro-pathologies, including AD/ADRD. Methods to harmonize measures and conduct analyses using longitudinal cohort studies with heterogenous representation of individuals across different health disparities populations using NIA's Health Disparities Research Framework (i.e., across levels of analysis). Applications Not responsive to the FOA: Projects not conducting measurement and methodologic research, Projects conducting primary data collection outside of the U.S., and Projects that are exclusively qualitative. Non-responsive applications will not be reviewed. Applicants are strongly encouraged to reach out to the relevant scientific contacts to discuss whether their applications are responsive.

This funding opportunity is designed for research institutions affiliated with the Desert Southwest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit to study vegetation health and water use in the Lower Colorado River's riparian areas using remote sensing technologies.

This grant provides $1 million to a qualified nonprofit or educational institution in California to develop a project aimed at improving health outcomes and reducing disparities for low-income and marginalized communities in San Diego and Imperial Counties.

This funding opportunity supports a variety of organizations in California to develop and implement safer, sustainable pest management practices that protect public health and the environment while promoting economic vitality.

The Transition to Independent Environmental Health (TIEHR) Career Award is a 3-year bridge scholar development program for newly independent faculty who intend to pursue research careers in environmental health sciences. At the conclusion of the career development period the candidates are expected to demonstrate they can successfully compete for research funding in the environmental health sciences. All applications submitted to this Funding Opportunity Announcement must propose basic science experimental studies involving humans, otherwise referred to in NOT-OD-18-212 as prospective basic science studies involving human participants, that fall within the NIH definition of a clinical trial and also meet the definition of basic research.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to local governments, nonprofits, and educational institutions for projects that protect coastal habitats, improve public access, and enhance community resilience along the Illinois Lake Michigan shoreline.

The Monona County Community Partners Foundation (MCCPF) grant program aims to address present and emerging needs within Monona County, Iowa, by awarding grants in areas such as Arts & Culture, Civic, Education, Environment, Health, and Human Services. The grants are available to nonprofit organizations, units of local government, and public education institutions that serve Monona County and are tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The application process opens on December 1, and the deadline is March 1, with final determinations made in the first week of April. Grants typically range from $250 to $15,000, focusing on projects with potential for long-term impact and collaboration with other community groups. The MCCPF provides funding every other year. Applicants funded in 2024 are not eligible for the 2025 cycle. Priority is given to projects that collaborate with other nonprofits and have potential for long-term community impact.

Federal Awarding Agency Name: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) Funding Opportunity Title: Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) Classic for Federal fiscal year (FY) 2024 Funding Opportunity Number: USDA-NRCS-NHQ-RCPP-24-NOFO0001354 Assistance Listing: 10.932, Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) Due Date: NRCS must receive proposals by 4:59 p.m. Eastern Time on July 2, 2024. Note: The RCPP Classic and Alternative Funding Arrangement (AFA) FY 2024 notices of funding opportunity (NFO) will run concurrently. For information on AFA proposals please see Funding Opportunity Number USDA-NRCS-NHQ-RCPPAFA-24-NOFO0001355. The RCPP promotes the coordination of NRCS conservation activities with partners that offer value-added contributions to expand our ability to address on-farm, watershed, and regional natural resource concerns. Through the RCPP, NRCS seeks to co-invest with partners to implement projects that provide solutions to conservation challenges thereby measurably improving the resource concerns they seek to address. RCPP promotes collaboration with partners, stakeholders, and various communities, which is paramount to achieving equity in NRCS programs and services. Using guidance contained in this notice, partners propose projects that generate conservation benefits by addressing specific natural resource concerns in a state or multistate area by addressing one or more priority resource concerns within an NRCS-designated critical conservation area (CCA). NRCS and partners collaborate to design, promote, and implement RCPP projects on agricultural and nonindustrial private forest land. Through RCPP, NRCS may provide both financial assistance (FA) and technical assistance (TA) funds to project partners and agricultural producers for implementing projects. RCPP proposals are evaluated through a competitive proposal process based on three criteria: impact, partner contributions, and partnership and management. Up to $1.5 billion is available for RCPP projects through this announcement and the FY 2024 AFA announcement, which includes $300 million of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (2018 Farm Bill) funding and $1.2 billion of Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) funding. Proposals are accepted from all 50 States, the Caribbean Area (Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands), and U.S. territories in the Pacific Island Areas (Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands). NRCS will prioritize using IRA funds for projects that will implement climate-smart agriculture and forestry conservation activities as described in section F.(3)a. of this announcement. Up to $100 million is being made available specifically for NRCS to enter into programmatic partnership agreements with Indian tribes. This set aside will be shared by this announcement and the FY 2024 AFA announcement. Any unused funds may be available for other partnership agreements. Submissions: Proposals must be submitted through the RCPP portal. See section E of this announcement for information on using the RCPP portal to submit proposals. Access to the RCPP portal requires a level 2 eAuthentication credential or a Login.gov credential. Obtaining a new Login.gov credential involves multiple steps and can take several days to complete. Instructions are posted on the How to Apply to RCPP web page listed below. For More Information: Applicants are expected to contact the appropriate State Conservationists and state RCPP coordinators prior to submitting a proposal. NRCS will use a state conservation questionnaire to record the results of this conversation. Proposals without a completed questionnaire may have their score and ranking reduced. A list of state RCPP coordinators (as of the date of this announcements posting) is on the NRCS How to Apply to RCPP web page. Applicants can also email the RCPP inbox ([email protected]) with any questions about the announcement. The RCPP website is also a great source of current information about the program. Interested applicants are encouraged to participate in one or more of the webinars below to learn about the program and how to apply. 2024 RCPP NFO Applicant Outreach Webinar This webinar will provide general information for applicants submitting proposals for the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). The same material will be covered at both webinars followed by a question-and-answer section. Please refer to the RCPP website for more information. Regional Conservation Partnership Program Natural Resources Conservation Service (usda.gov) April 23, 2024, RCPP Applicant Outreach Webinar Registration Link 2pm to 4pm EDT - https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/e2f45f75-7ea4-410b-b1c9-567537cd2454@ed5b36e7-01ee-4ebc-867e-e03cfa0d4697 May 30, 2024, RCPP Applicant Outreach Webinar Registration Link 2pm to 4pm EDT - https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/226dcb51-0b57-43b1-b340-95e535238713@ed5b36e7-01ee-4ebc-867e-e03cfa0d4697 NRCS will schedule additional webinars on RCPP easements and providing outreach to tribal applicants. Information on all webinars will be posted to the RCPP how to apply page.

This program provides funding and support to entrepreneurs nationwide, particularly from Massachusetts, to help them develop and commercialize innovative climate technology solutions.

This funding opportunity provides financial assistance to state, Tribal, and local governments in EPA Region 3 to develop and improve wetland protection programs that enhance wetland health and increase wetland areas.

The Aquatic Stewardship Grant Program, formerly known as the Aquatic Education Grant Program, is organized by the ODNR Division of Wildlife. It aims to foster aquatic stewardship through hands-on educational experiences facilitated by partnering organizations. Eligible projects must offer an aquatic education learning experience and include educational components beyond mere fishing skills, aimed at promoting aquatic stewardship. A final report must be submitted to the ODNR Division of Wildlife upon project completion. Suggested activities include the Teen Leadership Fishing Retreat, OSU Stone Lab Program, Water Quality & Fish Monitoring Program, and Aquarium setup for the Trout in the Classroom program. Competitive activities are excluded. Grant renewed every year. Grant Annual opening/closing deadlines: February 1st to March 15th

The United States Agency for International Development in Vietnam (USAID/Vietnam) is seeking applications from qualified entities to implement the "USAID Reducing Pollution" activity. The overall objective of this activity is to reduce environmental pollution in targeted areas through a collective impact approach. The USAID Reducing Pollution project supports Vietnam’s efforts to address environmental pollution challenges in targeted areas through a collective impact approach. Working in close partnership with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment’s Vietnam Environment Administration (VEA), the project will demonstrate clear connections between environmental benefits and other social benefits, including public health, employment, and sustainable economic growth. COLLECTIVE IMPACT APPROACH A collective impact approach addresses complex challenges by mobilizing diverse actors to collaborate, identify ways to solve a shared problem, and take action based on their roles and comparative advantages. The USAID Reducing Pollution project will follow the collective impact framework to strengthen networks of local organizations, government, private sector, and academic institutions working together to prevent, mitigate, and reduce environmental pollution. SUPPORTING A PORTFOLIO OF COLLECTIVE IMPACT INITIATIVES The project will facilitate a broad consultative process with local government officials, community leaders, local organizations, and motivated businesses to identify 5-7 priority collective impact initiatives that reflect strong political will, community leadership, and engagement from private sector partners to address environmental pollution challenges. Preliminary consultations have identified air pollution and ocean plastics as areas of focus. GRANT-MAKING TO VIETNAMESE LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS To foster Vietnamese leadership in addressing environmental pollution, the project will make grants to a local organization to serve as the “backbone” for each collective impact initiative. These backbone organizations will serve as the local leaders for each initiative by building public support, advancing policy, leveraging additional funding, and designing and implementing targeted awareness and behavior change campaigns. Additional small grants to local research institutions and community-based organizations will provide targeted support for complementary research and advocacy efforts. EXPECTED RESULTS Through the Reducing Pollution project, USAID expects to attain the following results: 1) 5-7 collective impact initiatives launched, including air pollution and ocean plastics; 2) Grants awarded to one backbone organization to lead each initiative; 3) Capacity of backbone organizations and local actors strengthened to advance collective impact initiatives; 4) Sustainable funding mechanisms identified to strengthen long-term effectiveness of collective impact initiatives; and 5) New policies and guidance developed to support the 2020 Law on Environmental Protection and create a stronger enabling environment for addressing environmental pollution challenges.

This program provides funding to organizations in Maryland that promote equitable access to outdoor recreation for underserved communities, addressing barriers like transportation and cost.

Nature crimes, criminal forms of logging, mining, wildlife trade, land conversion, and associated criminal activities, as well as crimes associated with fishing, pose serious threats to the environment and to national security. They undermine the rule of law and fuel corruption. They also spread disease globally, drive species to the brink of extinction, and rob governments, indigenous peoples, and local communities of their natural resources and legitimate revenue. The goal of this program is to increase global grassroot civil society engagement in addressing nature crimes. To advance the policy goal described above, OES seeks one or two lead implementing partners to form consortia with grassroots civil society organizations across various countries to deploy community-led approaches that address global nature crime trends. By taking advantage of the valuable knowledge offered by these partners, OES aims to strengthen their efforts to expose nature crimes, hold perpetrators accountable, reduce profits from these crimes, and support the environment and local livelihoods.

Research grants support studies that address critical gaps in our understanding of natural history and contribute to the conservation and enhancement of aquatic ecosystems and healthy habitats. FAO seeks to fund projects that advance scientific knowledge and practical solutions for environmental challenges in the region, particularly those impacting aquatic biodiversity, water quality, and healthy habitats. Eligible projects include aquatic biodiversity assessments, water quality monitoring and analysis, development and application of innovative technologies and methodologies, collaborative research partnerships across disciplines and sectors, and habitat restoration and conservation efforts. FAO prioritizes projects that can result in scalable change and impact multiple counties. The maximum funding request per project is $25,000, with a total of at least $75,000 available to award. Eligible applicants include public and nonprofit organizations, academic institutions, and groups operating under fiscal sponsorship within the Muskingum Watershed and Appalachian Ohio regions. Applications must be submitted online, and supporting documents emailed to FAO by August 2, 2024. Grant decisions will be announced by September 30, 2024.

This funding opportunity is designed for organizations in specific CESU regions to assist the U.S. Army in managing and rehabilitating training lands at Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield in Georgia, while promoting environmental sustainability and military readiness.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is seeking grant proposals from applicants interested in conducting projects that will benefit some of Washington’s most imperiled wildlife. The Wildlife Diversity Grant Program aims to support recovery actions for a suite of Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) that are state-listed or candidates for listing. Grant funding can also be awarded for projects aimed at collecting data and information on species abundance, distribution, and habitat associations with priority for those whose habitats are under significant threat of incompatible development, land use, or resource management. Funding for the Wildlife Diversity Grant program comes from a significant investment by the state legislature to restore and protect biodiversity in Washington, and the Department expects this funding to be available in future biennia to continue this grant program. Priority Activities for Funding Priority activities include: Implementing recovery and conservation actions for eligible Washington endangered, threatened, sensitive, and candidate species that directly and measurably benefit species populations. These projects contribute to increased species abundance, distribution, population health, or clear abatement of direct threats. Collecting data and information on the abundance, distribution, habitat associations, or natural history of eligible state endangered, threatened, sensitive, and candidate species, with additional priority given toward species whose habitat is under significant pressure from development, land use, or resource management (i.e., shrubsteppe, eastside forest, prairies, and oak woodlands). Completing direct actionable steps toward achieving increased populations of eligible species (e.g., conservation translocation feasibility studies) or baseline data collection (e.g., developing survey protocols or assessing habitat use) for eligible species. Ineligible activities include habitat restoration, conservation easements, land acquisition, outreach and education, and projects that primarily target benefits for species outside the WDFW Wildlife Diversity Division’s scope of responsibility, including fish, aquatic invertebrates, wolves, and harvested wildlife. Review the grant opportunity announcement for more details on priority, eligible, and ineligible activities for inclusion in grant proposals, including a list of eligible species. How to apply Grant applicants must email their complete proposal to [email protected] no later than 11:59 pm on May 5, 2024. Please refer to the grant announcement for instructions on the required application components and their formats. Agency contact info Questions and communications concerning this grant opportunity may be directed to: Jenna Judge Wildlife Diversity Assistant Division Manager Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife [email protected]

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), in partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), is soliciting proposals to reduce whale mortality from fishing gear entanglement in Southern California. This grant directly aligns with NFWF's mission to sustain, restore, and enhance the nation's fish, wildlife, plants, and habitats for current and future generations by addressing a critical threat to cetacean populations. The program aims to provide compensatory restoration for injuries to cetaceans caused by the Refugio Beach Oil Spill (RBOS), thereby mitigating past environmental damage and fostering healthier marine ecosystems. The primary beneficiaries of this program are cetaceans in Southern California, particularly those susceptible to entanglement in fishing gear. The impact goals are to increase the capacity of the entanglement response network, improve documentation and disentanglement efforts, and broadly support activities that reduce serious injuries or mortalities from entanglements. This initiative contributes to the foundation's strategic priority of healthy oceans and coasts by safeguarding marine mammals. The program prioritizes several key areas to achieve its goals. These include directly enhancing entanglement response in Southern California, and potentially beyond if it benefits local cetaceans, coordinating with federal, state, and local resource agencies to improve the overall West Coast Marine Mammal Entanglement Response Program, and training and developing volunteer response capacity. Furthermore, proposals should outline how activities will contribute to the development of the overall capacity and infrastructure of the program. Expected outcomes include a more robust and efficient entanglement response network, a reduction in the number of entangled cetaceans, improved survival rates of entangled animals through effective disentanglement, and enhanced coordination among relevant agencies. Measurable results would likely involve metrics such as the number of successful disentanglements, the increase in trained responders, and the documented reduction in entanglement-related mortalities. An estimated $250,000 will be available for a Phase 1 project award, anticipated to last 1-2 years, with a priority geographic focus on the coastlines off Santa Barbara, Ventura, Los Angeles, and Orange Counties.

The Public Diplomacy Section (PD Spain) of the U.S. Embassy Madrid and U.S. Consulate General Barcelona welcomes proposals for creative, engaging projects that line up with PD Spains main objectives.That includes: Promote citizen participation in the fight against the climate crisis and facilitate better knowledge of the policies and actions of the United States in this area. Ensure that Spanish and /or Andorran students know the United States as a destination for their training, for summer work programs and for learning English. Promote security and defense alliances between the United States and Spain and the Atlantic Alliance (NATO). Communicate the importance of Spain being the venue for the 2022 NATO Summit, the role that Spain plays within NATO and the strategic concept of NATO in the near future. Explain the value of initiatives dedicated to women, peace and security. Support the areas of entrepreneurship, innovation and STEM to increase economic opportunities for young people in Spain and / or Andorra. Increase knowledge about how to do business in the US and highlight the role of Spain and Andorra in the global digital economy. Expand the reach of media literacy and support the media education programs of Spanish institutions with useful and accurate tools to increase understanding of false information and other tactics, to render misinformation campaigns targeting Spain ineffective. Communicate about the common values that the United States, Spain and the EU share and about the promotion of respect for human rights, democracy and the need for democratic changes in places like Venezuela, Cuba and Nicaragua, the power of the law against impunity, privacy, international order based on common rules, and a fair playing field. Encourage collaboration between Spanish and /or Andorran and American organizations that share the defense of human rights. Explore topics such as the rights of LGBTQI + community, racism, sexism, and the rights of people with disabilities. Promote the rights and equality of women, ethnic and religious minorities, the LGBTQI + community, refugees and migrants, people with disabilities and other marginalized populations in Spain and / or Andorra. All programs should ensure they promote diversity and inclusion. Please be aware that projects funded through this APSmustinclude an American element.That could involve a connection or partnership between Spanish and/or Andorran and American organizations or institutions.For example, an American expert could take part, in person or virtually, in your project.Activities might highlight or examine shared values between Spain and/or Andorra and the United States, national interests, etc.You may incorporate a U.S. approach or method you have learned about to addressing an issue or challenge facing your community, institution, or profession. Grant activities may take any number of forms, including academic competitions, cross-border exchanges, conferences, workshops, courses, curriculum development, exhibits, hackathons or app development, online projects, mock trials or moot court competitions, simulations and role-playing activities (e.g., Model Congress, Model United Nations), performances, or other activities. Project timelines should start no earlier than December 1, 2021, and start no later than September 30, 2022, with all activities being completed no later than December 2023. All activities and your evaluation or assessment of the project should be completed within 18 months of starting the project.

This funding opportunity supports innovative projects aimed at advancing electric vehicle technology and battery development, particularly for teams that include diverse stakeholders and focus on safety, cost reduction, and environmental justice.