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Tennessee grants for Public and State controlled institutions of higher education

Explore 56 grant opportunities

American Electric Power Foundation Grants
Contact for amount
American Electric Power Foundation
Private
Rolling

Application Deadline

Not specified

Date Added

Sep 12, 2024

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations and government entities for projects that improve education, address essential human needs, promote social justice, and support environmental stewardship in communities served by American Electric Power.

Energy
Nonprofits
Grant Opportunity Fund (GO Fund)
Contact for amount
Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD)
State
Rolling

Application Deadline

Not specified

Date Added

Jan 22, 2026

This program provides financial support to economically distressed and at-risk rural communities in Tennessee, helping them meet matching fund requirements for larger state or federal grants.

Community Development
County governments
Farm Infrastructure Improvement Grant
$100,000
University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture
State

Application Deadline

Mar 4, 2026

Date Added

Jan 20, 2026

This funding opportunity provides financial support to licensed dairy farms in the southeastern U.S. to improve their infrastructure and operational efficiency, enhancing profitability and sustainability in the dairy industry.

Agriculture
For profit organizations other than small businesses
Tennessee Tire Environmental Act Program (TEAP)
$500,000
Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC)
State

Application Deadline

Apr 15, 2026

Date Added

Dec 4, 2023

This program provides financial assistance to Tennessee-based organizations for projects that promote innovative recycling and beneficial uses of scrap tires, enhancing environmental sustainability and community development.

Environment
Nonprofits
Area Development Program
Contact for amount
Appalachian Regional Commission
State
Rolling

Application Deadline

Not specified

Date Added

Jul 31, 2025

This funding initiative provides financial support to state and local governments in the Appalachian Region for projects that enhance critical infrastructure and promote business and workforce development to stimulate economic growth and resilience.

Community Development
Special district governments
National-Central Expanding Opportunities for Community Change
$350,000
Cultivating Healthy Environments – National-Central
Private
Rolling

Application Deadline

Apr 30, 2027

Date Added

Feb 14, 2025

This funding opportunity provides financial support to community organizations and local governments working to address environmental justice issues and improve public health in underserved communities across the U.S.

Environment
Nonprofits
Appalachian Regional Initiative for Stronger Economies (ARISE)
$10,000,000
Appalachian Regional Commission
State

Application Deadline

May 15, 2026

Date Added

Jul 28, 2025

This initiative provides funding to support large-scale economic development projects across the Appalachian region, focusing on workforce development, business growth, infrastructure improvements, and community capacity building.

Community Development
Nonprofits
FY 2025 Region 4 Wetlands Program
$600,000
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Federal

Application Deadline

Apr 6, 2026

Date Added

Feb 23, 2026

This grant provides funding to state, Tribal, and local governments in the southeastern U.S. to develop and improve programs for wetland conservation and management.

Environment
State governments
Bat Diet Characterization Focusing on Tricolored Bats and Little Brown Bats for Arnold Air Base, Tennessee
$227,181
U.S. Department of Defense (Fort Worth District)
Federal

Application Deadline

Mar 5, 2026

Date Added

Feb 6, 2026

This grant provides funding for research institutions to study the diets of vulnerable bat species at Arnold Air Force Base in Tennessee, aiming to enhance conservation efforts and support military environmental compliance.

Science and Technology
Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
Community Investment Program
$25,000
TC Energy Corporation
Private

Application Deadline

Nov 16, 2026

Date Added

May 5, 2025

This program provides funding to community organizations near TC Energy's operations in North America to support projects that promote equity, sustainable development, and community engagement.

Community Development
Nonprofits
FY25 Bureau of Land Management Invasive and Noxious Plant Management- Bureau wide
$500,000
U.S. Department of the Interior (Bureau of Land Management)
Federal

Application Deadline

Jul 23, 2025

Date Added

Jun 24, 2025

This funding opportunity provides financial support to state and local governments, tribal organizations, and nonprofits for projects aimed at managing and controlling invasive and noxious plant species on public lands across the U.S.

Natural Resources
State governments
Tennessee Governor's Investment in Vocational Education (GIVE)
$1,000,000
Tennessee Higher Education Commission
State
Rolling

Application Deadline

Not specified

Date Added

Nov 9, 2023

This funding initiative aims to create lasting partnerships among educational institutions, industries, and workforce agencies in Tennessee to address local skills gaps and ensure that training programs align with the needs of employers.

Education
Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
FY24 DEFENSE ESTABLISHED PROGRAM TO STIMULATE COMPETITIVE RESEARCH (DEPSCoR) CAPACITY BUILDING (CB)
$1,500,000
U.S. Department of Defense (Air Force Office of Scientific Research)
Federal

Application Deadline

Nov 25, 2024

Date Added

Mar 29, 2024

This funding opportunity provides financial support to universities in specific states and territories to enhance their research capabilities in science and engineering, aligning with the needs of the Department of Defense.

Science and Technology
Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
Urban & Community Forestry Assistance Grants
$40,000
Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA)
State

Application Deadline

Sep 27, 2024

Date Added

Sep 20, 2024

The Tennessee Urban and Community Forestry (U&CF) Assistance Program, announced by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry (TDF), is a grant opportunity provided in partnership with the Forest Service. This program aims to promote the creation, enhancement, and protection of urban and community forest ecosystems throughout Tennessee, supporting full-circle management of these valuable resources. The broader mission alignment for this program is rooted in fostering sustainable and healthy communities through environmental stewardship, which aligns with the strategic priorities of both the Forest Service and the Tennessee Department of Agriculture. The program targets units of local governments (city, town, county), non-profit 501(c)3 organizations, and public educational institutions. Community tree volunteer groups, neighborhood associations, or civic groups that are not 501(c)3 organizations are also eligible if they apply in partnership with a non-profit or local government. The impact goals are to integrate U&CF principles into planning, promote the role of U&CF in human health and wellness, cultivate diversity and leadership in the U&CF community, strengthen forest health and biodiversity, improve management and stewardship, and increase funding for U&CF initiatives. Key priorities for projects include extreme heat mitigation, urban wood utilization, urban food forests, and workforce development. The program also emphasizes increasing public awareness and environmental education to promote stewardship, as well as engaging with communities under the Justice40 initiative through outreach, education, and technical and financial assistance. This focus reflects a strategic theory of change that links targeted interventions in urban forestry to broader improvements in public health, environmental resilience, and social equity within Tennessee communities. Expected outcomes and measurable results include facilitating strong partnerships among various governmental and non-profit entities, increasing awareness and practice of full-circle management in urban forests, and improving community preparedness for natural disasters. The program also seeks to increase the number of communities participating in Arbor Day Foundation recognition programs and to increase awareness of the numerous benefits of trees, such as those related to extreme heat mitigation and stormwater management. Applicants can apply for amounts between $5,000 and $40,000, with projects expected to be completed within one year. Eligible projects encompass urban and community forestry management, tree planting, program development or capacity building, urban and community wood utilization, and workforce development.

Agriculture
City or township governments
Tennessee Specialty Crop Block Grant
Contact for amount
Tennessee Department of Agriculture
State
Rolling

Application Deadline

Not specified

Date Added

Dec 26, 2023

Federally funded program to enhance competitiveness of specialty crops such as fruits, vegetables, grapes, horticultural, etc. The purpose of the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) is to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. Specialty crops are defined as “fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops (including floriculture).” Projects must show a benefit to the specialty crop industry. This program is not designed for start-ups or projects that only benefit one operation. Universities, institutions, cooperatives, producers, industry, or community-based organizations may submit a proposal for funding. A review committee will select projects to be included in Tennessee’s state plan. This is a competitive program. Projects must directly impact multiple Tennessee producers. The Tennessee Department of Agriculture seeks to identify and support projects that are forward thinking with a positive, long-lasting impact on Tennessee Agriculture.

Agriculture
State governments
Individual Artist Fellowship
$10,000
Tennessee Arts Commission
Private

Application Deadline

Not specified

Date Added

Nov 20, 2024

This program provides financial support to exceptional professional artists in Tennessee across various disciplines, enabling them to further their creative work and enhance the state's cultural landscape.

Education
Private institutions of higher education
Cumberland Plateau Stewardship Fund
$1,000,000
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF)
Private

Application Deadline

Aug 1, 2024

Date Added

Jun 4, 2024

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) is inviting proposals for its Cumberland Plateau Stewardship Fund, aiming to restore and enhance critical forest, grassland, and freshwater habitats within the Cumberland Plateau region. This initiative aligns with NFWF's broader mission to sustain, restore, and enhance the nation’s fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats. The program's core strategy involves increasing the voluntary adoption of conservation practices on working agricultural lands, which contributes to NFWF’s strategic priority of supporting wildlife and improving ecological health through sustainable land management. The target beneficiaries of this grant program are the diverse habitats and species within the Cumberland Plateau, as well as landowners and communities in the region who will adopt conservation practices. The impact goals are multifaceted, seeking to improve soil health, water quantity and quality, and carbon sequestration. Ultimately, the program aims to foster resilient ecosystems that support both wildlife and sustainable human activities. The foundation's theory of change is predicated on the idea that by providing financial and technical assistance, they can incentivize conservation practices that lead to measurable environmental improvements and long-term ecological benefits. The program's priorities and focuses are clearly outlined through its program strategies. These include restoring previously mined lands, increasing the adoption of conservation practices on grazing and croplands, establishing, enhancing, and maintaining forest habitats, and restoring instream habitats to support aquatic species. A significant focus is also placed on expanding and coordinating technical assistance and outreach to landowners, recognizing the importance of local engagement and support for successful implementation of conservation efforts. Expected outcomes and measurable results include an increase in acres of restored habitats, improved water quality metrics, enhanced soil health, and greater carbon sequestration. The program anticipates awarding approximately $2.8 million in grants in 2024, with individual grant awards ranging from $250,000 to $750,000. Projects are expected to have a completion time of 24-48 months. Eligibility extends to non-profit organizations, state and local governments, Tribal Governments, and educational institutions, with a preference for projects within identified focal areas of Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia. The program’s success will be measured by the extent to which these conservation practices are adopted and the subsequent environmental benefits realized across the Cumberland Plateau.

Environment
County governments
Appalachian Regional Energy Hub Initiative
$5,000,000
Appalachian Regional Commission
State

Application Deadline

Jul 24, 2024

Date Added

Jun 13, 2024

The Appalachian Regional Energy Hub Initiative aims to strengthen regional economies by investing in energy resilience through research and planning grants, and implementation grants. The initiative focuses on establishing a regional energy hub for natural gas and natural gas liquids, including hydrogen production. Eligible applicants include local development districts, Indian Tribes, states, counties, cities, and higher education institutions, among others. The total funding available is $5 million, with a grant proposal due by July 24, 2024.

Energy
Nonprofits
Southeast Aquatics Fund 2024
$500,000
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF)
Private

Application Deadline

Jul 18, 2024

Date Added

May 23, 2024

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) is seeking proposals for its Southeast Aquatics Fund to voluntarily conserve aquatic habitats in the southeastern United States and Texas. This grant program directly aligns with NFWF's mission to sustain, restore, and enhance the nation's fish, wildlife, and plants. The fund's priorities are informed by the Longleaf Forests and Rivers Business Plan, adopted in 2018 and updated in 2023, which aims to conserve the extraordinary biodiversity across the Southeast. The primary target beneficiaries of this program are aquatic ecosystems and the diverse array of species that inhabit them, particularly those identified as focal species in the Conasauga River (GA) and Middle Coosa (AL) watersheds. These include various endemic and native fishes like the Alabama shiner, banded sculpin, blue shiner, and trispot darter. The impact goal is to advance specific goals and objectives of the Longleaf Forests and Rivers Business Plan and other relevant conservation plans, ultimately leading to healthier aquatic habitats. The program prioritizes work in northern Alabama and Georgia due to measurement and monitoring constraints, with funding available for a wide range of activities in the Conasauga River (GA) and Locust Fork and Middle Coosa (AL) watersheds. Projects benefiting the focal species in these areas will receive priority. The strategic priorities of the NFWF, as evidenced by the Longleaf Forests and Rivers Business Plan, emphasize a suite of aquatic species as indicators of healthy aquatic habitats in prioritized watersheds, reflecting a theory of change that by protecting these indicator species, the broader ecosystem health will improve. Expected outcomes include the conservation of aquatic habitat, the advancement of specific goals outlined in the Longleaf Forests and Rivers Business Plan, and positive impacts on focal species populations. While not explicitly detailed as "measurable results" in the provided text, the focus on indicator species suggests that the health and population trends of these species would serve as key metrics for success. Projects are anticipated to have a completion time of 24–36 months, with grant awards ranging from $150,000 to $500,000 from approximately $8.45 million available in 2024.

Environment
County governments
Tennesee Board of Architectural & Engineering Examiners
Contact for amount
Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance
State
Rolling

Application Deadline

Not specified

Date Added

Nov 6, 2023

The Board of Architectural and Engineering Examiners was created in 1921 to regulate architecture, engineering, landscape architecture and interior design in the State of Tennessee. The current requirements for the licensure or registration of architects and architectural firms, engineers, engineer interns and engineering firms, landscape architects and landscape architectural firms, and interior designers can be found in Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 62, Chapter 2.

Business and Commerce
Public and State controlled institutions of higher education