Federal Environment Grants

This funding opportunity provides financial support to state agencies for conservation efforts aimed at recovering endangered and threatened marine and anadromous species, particularly those under NOAA's jurisdiction.

To support Nigeria’s Global Methane Pledge commitments to better monitor, reduce, and harness methane emissions towards its 2031 goal of reducing fugitive methane emissions from the oil and gas sector by 61 percent. Approach. Methane abatement is an emerging field for USAID/Nigeria, and we aim to tap into the expertise of local organizations and private companies already active in this sector to co-design a project that mitigates current and/or projected methane emissions in Nigeria. USAID/Nigeria encourages concepts with innovative or pilot approaches that use or develop tools, methods and/or business models to promote practices. We look for a partner who understands the current landscape of actors and proposes a concept that works within existing systems and government agencies to avoid duplication while engaging regularly with the oil and gas sector to ensure sustainability. A successful concept will focus on methane abatement, but will suggest holistic ways to support the environment that has been negatively impacted due to climate change and the oil and gas sector, specifically the mangrove forests. Geographic Focus. The target region of this activity is the Niger Delta. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas which traps heat and contributes to the overall warming of the planet thereby exacerbating climate change. It is the second largest contributor to global warming after carbon dioxide but is more than 80 times as potent in trapping heat in the atmosphere. Methane emissions must be reduced by 45 percent by 2030 to limit the global temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Improved management and utilization of Nigeria’s methane emissions is crucial to mitigating Nigeria’s contribution to climate change. Nigeria is the seventh largest methane emitter in the world and the largest in Africa with 235 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2022. As Africa’s largest oil producer, Nigeria’s methane emissions come primarily from its energy sector, with additional significant contributions from its agriculture and waste sectors. Nigeria was the largest gas flarer in 2022 with 5.3 billion m3 flared amounting to $610 million of unrealized revenue which could be used to generate power for millions of Nigerians. The International Energy Agency methane tracker estimates that about 71 percent of emissions from the oil and gas sector in Nigeria can be abated, half of which can be abated at no net cost. In recent years, Nigeria has committed to better monitor, reduce, and harness methane emissions, in part by joining the Global Methane Pledge in 2021 and enacting a methane guideline for the oil and gas sector in 2022, the first African country to do so. Despite these efforts, major gaps remain in implementing methane abatement activities in the country. The Nigerian government lacks fugitive methane emission estimation capabilities and relies on oil and gas companies’ self reported flare data. Meanwhile, there are not sufficient incentives for oil and gas companies to reduce methane emissions, and the infrastructure for converting flares for captive generation remains absent. The goal of this activity is to reduce current and/or projected methane emissions in Nigeria's oil and gas sector to contribute towards attaining Nigeria’s methane pledge.

The Department of the Interiors (DOI) Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is responsible for managing energy and mineral resources on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). BOEMs mission is to promote economic development and energy independence while ensuring protection of the environment. The Marine Minerals Program (MMP) within BOEM provides negotiated agreements for OCS sediment resources used in coastal restoration efforts. The MMP continues to look for better ways to serve the American people and to ensure that the nation receives the best value for its resources now and into the future. The Program provides information to support decision-making not only within the Department of the Interior, but also to coastal states and local governments to ensure the responsible use of OCS resources for coastal restoration activities.The Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA) Section 1346 mandates environmental and socioeconomic studies be conducted that are needed for the assessment and management of environmental impacts on the human, marine, and coastal environments which may be affected by offshore energy or other mineral development. The Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA), Section 1331 encourages state participation in policy and planning decisions related to OCS resources, including sand and gravel. OCSLA Section 1345 authorizes the use of cooperative agreements with affected States to meet the requirements of OCSLA, including sharing of information, joint utilization of available expertise, formation of joint monitoring arrangements to carry out applicable Federal and State laws, regulations, and stipulations relevant to outer continental shelf operations both onshore and offshore.Cooperative partnerships with states, through either a state agency or institution of higher learning, to conduct marine minerals investigations have successfully been completed since 1994

The 2025 Sea Scallop Research Set Aside Program is a grant that awards scallop quota to successful applicants for conducting research to enhance knowledge about the scallop fishery resource and contribute to scallop management decisions, with funding generated from the sale of the awarded quota.

This initiative seeks to improve water, sanitation, and hygiene services in urban and peri-urban areas of Côte d'Ivoire and Benin, particularly for low-income communities, by enhancing governance, fostering private sector engagement, and promoting sustainable investment in WASH infrastructure.

This funding opportunity supports research to create advanced nanosensor technology that can detect, monitor, and break down harmful pollutants, particularly PFAS, in water sources, encouraging participation from diverse research institutions, including those serving minority communities.

BOEM and its partners are seeking to develop, automate, and enhance the detection and classification of important species in high-resolution aerial imagery by leveraging cutting-edge technologies, such as deep learning computer vision frameworks. This study will develop detection and classification algorithms for protected species using artificial intelligence and machine learning. These algorithms will be used to analyze aerial imagery collected in the Gulf of Mexico by the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) under a separate agreement. This award will be a single-source cooperative agreement with a member institution of the Gulf Coast Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units.Furthermore, BOEM is interested in developing a web-based visualization tool that will provide status updates on USFWS and BOEM remote-sensing, aerial-imagery surveys conducted in the Gulf of Mexico in areas where energy development is occurring or will occur. This tool will be a valuable resource for stakeholdersincluding government agencies, researchers, and the public it will enable us to track the progress of ongoing surveys and access the latest data and information.Over the planned project timeline of five years, this study will develop the following:State-of-the-art detection and classification algorithms using artificial intelligence and machine learning to analyze aerial imagery gathered by the USFWS in the Gulf of MexicoA public-facing, web-based tool providing results of aerial surveys

The "Models To Predict The Removal Of Emerging Micropollutants From Water By Novel Adsorbents In Fixed-Bed Column Processes" grant aims to fund the development, testing, and deployment of innovative water technologies, specifically models for novel adsorbents, to improve drinking water quality by removing micropollutants, with a particular encouragement for minority serving institutions to apply.

This funding opportunity supports innovative projects and research aimed at sustainable fisheries management, protected species recovery, and marine ecosystem enhancement, targeting a wide range of applicants including educational institutions, nonprofits, and government entities.

This grant provides funding for innovative projects and programs that align with the National Weather Service's strategic goals, targeting researchers, organizations, and institutions focused on weather, climate, and environmental science.

The "Fiscal Year 2024 Tribal Wetland Program Development Grants" aim to assist tribal governments and intertribal consortia in developing or refining programs that protect, manage, and restore wetlands, with a focus on increasing wetland quantity and quality, and incorporating climate change and environmental justice considerations.

The U.S. Embassy Gaborone of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to carry out a Trash to Treasure program. The project will enable women waste collectors to access valuable business and life skills through a unique set of training and mentorship through a joint business and empowerment model, providing these women with skills and resources to make lasting change in their lives. Women in Botswana have a vital role in the waste value chain ranging from informal waste collectors and street sweepers to community recycling leaders. They have great potential to increase the amount of waste collected and recycled and to reduce the amount waste in the environment, especially plastic pollution However, due to gendered structural barriers, women usually lack opportunities and resources to realize their full potential in the waste sector and commonly face gender discrimination and even violence. The From Trash to Treasure project recognizes the critical role Botswana women play in the informal sector, filling gaps in service delivery, particularly in waste management. The project will help advance gender equality and economic security through the creation of green jobs in the waste sector. A comprehensive approach will enable women waste collectors to access business knowledge and valuable life skills that they wouldnt otherwise receive. The program combines a unique set of training, mentorship, as well as a joint business and empowerment model that provides women with skills and resources to make meaningful and lasting change in their lives. The proposed project includes the following activities: Enhance the capabilities and leadership of women waste collectors by providing specialized training in leadership, solid waste management, health and safety protocols, and entrepreneurial skills. This strategic empowerment will enable them to confidently engage with local government entities and the tourism sector, fostering formal partnerships that can lead to the growth and formalization of their waste management enterprises. Train women waste collectors to recycle waste materials and incorporate recycled materials into their production processes. This initiative will not only mitigate environmental impacts, but also promote resource conservation and demonstrate the potential for a circular economy in Botswana. The project aims to train at least 50 women waste collectors from Botswana on leadership, gender equality, solid waste management, health and safety, and business / entrepreneurial skills. The project will also cover waste management and recycling practices. It will also build capacity of women by training local women on business entrepreneurial and financial skills, allowing them to create quality products to be sold to tourists domestically, creating sustainable livelihoods.

This grant provides financial support for innovative projects that integrate solar energy production with cattle grazing, aimed at U.S.-based teams of solar developers and cattle ranchers.

This funding opportunity provides long-term financial support to innovative researchers in environmental health sciences, allowing them to pursue ambitious projects and consolidate existing grants while focusing on mentoring and diversity.

This competition provides over $4.2 million in cash prizes and resources to U.S.-based individuals and teams developing innovative solar energy technologies, with a focus on supporting solutions that benefit underserved communities.

This competition provides funding and support for teams developing innovative high-temperature seismic sensors to improve geothermal energy monitoring and enhance the understanding of subsurface conditions.

This grant provides funding and technical support to innovators and organizations developing sustainable solutions for reusing and repurposing end-of-life products, promoting a circular economy and reducing waste.

This grant provides funding for interdisciplinary teams of graduate students, researchers, and industry professionals to explore and propose solutions for integrating renewable energy into the U.S. electric grid.

This grant provides financial support to Historically Black Colleges, Tribal Colleges, and other Minority Serving Institutions to enhance their capacity to secure federal contracts and funding through training and mentorship.

Funding Opportunity Description Naval Weapons Station (NAVWPNSTA) Seal Beach Detachment Fallbrook (Detachment Fallbrook, installation) is located in north San Diego County, adjacent to Camp Pendleton and the town of Fallbrook. Detachment Fallbrook resides within the California Floristic Province, which is a Mediterranean type climate and is recognized as a biodiversity hotspot of global significance ecosystem known for high biodiversity and endemism. On the installation, there is a diversity of flora and fauna. The low-intensity land use requirement of the military mission has kept over 90% of Detachment Fallbrook lands as undeveloped and largely natural open space that supports a range of plant communities and provides habitat for many sensitive species, including federally listed threatened and endangered species. The intent of this project is to study five taxonomic groups: amphibians (including the federally endangered Arroyo Toad [ARTO, Anaxyrus californicus] and federally proposed Spadefoot Toad [Spea hammondii]; reptiles (including federally proposed Southwestern Pond Turtle [Actinemys pallida]); mammals (with a focus on bats [Chiroptera] and other mammals of potential management interest); plants (with a focus on rare, endangered, and species of potential management concern); and invertebrates (including the federally proposed Monarch Butterfly [Danaus plexippus]). One species, ARTO, is both a California species of special concern and a federally listed endangered species. The ARTO is surveyed regularly per a 2003 United States Fish and Wildlife Service (UFWS) Biological Opinion (BO) to support the implementation of fire management on the installation (FWS-SDG-04B0004-04F0005). Of particular interest with the ARTO is tracking the riverine portion of the population over time as well as characterizing its uplands occupancy. The installation also supports a diverse herpetofaunal population (reptiles and other amphibians). Numerous herpetofaunal species on the installation are considered California species of special concern and a couple, the Spadefoot Toad and Southwestern Pond Turtle, have been proposed for federal listing. This taxonomic group is routinely surveyed to assess diversity and trends in species within the installation, as well as monitor for exotic or rare species that may not have been detected yet. One group of mammals, the bats, has received a lot of conservation attention in North America in recent years. This is due in part to their ecological and economic value in the face of alarming population declines following the spread of a fungal disease known to be associated with white-nose syndrome. Bats occur throughout the installation, to include roosting in bat boxes and within manmade structures such as magazines; there are current mission/bat conflicts that require evaluation and management support. There are other mammalian species of potential management concern at Detachment Fallbrook that have been less well studied, including San Diego Black-tailed Jackrabbit, American Badger, and Woodrats. Plant diversity on the installation is high with over 600 plant species documented on Detachment Fallbrook. The majority of plant species are classified as native; however, approximately 30% are non-native. Detachment Fallbrooks 2016 Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan (INRMP) identifies which species have voucher specimens on file and which species are on the Detachment Fallbrook Watch List because more information (e.g., confirmation of presence) is needed. In response, botanical diversity at Detachment Fallbrook is surveyed periodically for differing management purposes, including early detection of invasive species, vigilance for rare or listed species, assessing parameters for habitat restoration and recovery, etc. Finally, in addition to being ecologically significant (e.g., as important food source, pollinators, decomposers, etc.), some invertebrate species in our region are of particular management interest because they are invasive pests (e.g., Gold-Spotted Oak Borer, Shothole Borer) or species at risk and/or proposed for listing (e.g., Monarch Butterfly). The Monarch Butterfly is known to occur on Detachment Fallbrook and is of current management interest because it is slated to be listed in 2024, but the Navy does not have good data on its potential habitat and distribution. Brief Description of the Anticipated Work: The Navy is seeking statements of interest that address two objectives: 1) to conduct mandatory surveys for ARTO, along with surveys for other amphibians and reptiles (with an emphasis on species proposed for federal listing), bats, plants and invertebrates (with an emphasis on Monarch Butterfly), and as required by the aforementioned BOs and DoD instructions. 2) to continue surveys for these taxonomic groups per requirements in accordance with the installations INRMP as enforced through 16 USC 670c-1 (Natural Resources Management - Sikes Act), Department of Defense (DoD) Instruction 4715.03 and Operation Naval Instruction 5090-1. Please see enclosure 1 for full scope of work and enclosure 2 for applicable terms and conditions.