Continuing its commitment to strengthening American agricultural communities, Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM) is accepting applications for its 2008 Community Partnership Grant Program. The program will award up to four grants of $10,000 each for community-improvement projects in cities and towns where ADM operates. The program will award grants to qualified tax-exempt, nonprofit, educational, or community organizations in ADM communities. In order to be eligible to receive a grant, applicants must apply on behalf of a public charity under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, not a private foundation under section 509(a). Application deadline: June 30, 2008.
The Environmental Protection Agency announces the availability of funds and solicits proposal packages for Asthma, Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS), Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Tools for Schools (TfS), and General IAQ projects from eligible entities. Proposed projects must support demonstration, training, outreach and/or education activities to reduce exposure to indoor air pollutants and yield measurable environmental outcomes. Eligible applicants include: City, Township, County, State governments; Public, Private, State controlled institutions of higher education; and Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized). Award ceiling: $50,000. Application deadline: August 22, 2008.
The Richard C. Bartlett Environmental Education Award is awarded annually to an outstanding educator who has successfully integrated environmental education into his or her daily education programs. The award will be given to an educator who can serve as an inspiration and model for others. A $5,000 cash award will be provided for the recipient to continue their work in environmental education. Application deadline: June 30, 2008.
The American Hiking Society 2009 National Trails Fund is open for applications. The National Trails Fund is the only privately funded, national grants program dedicated solely to building and protecting hiking trails. Now in its eighth year, the fund has awarded nearly $382,000 to 105 grassroots organizations all over the United States working to establish, protect, and maintain foot trails in America. American Hiking will be awarding two different types of National Trail Fund grants in 2009: American Hiking Society Trail Grants, which will range from $500-$4,999 each; and Nature Valley Trail Grants, which will be for $5,000 each. Twenty applicant organizations for the Nature Valley Trail Grants will be selected as prospective grant recipients and will be featured on Nature Valley's Web site. Nature Valley Trail Grant award winners will be chosen by public vote from October 1 through 31, 2008. The top ten projects will each receive $5,000. Applicants must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Projects that will be considered for the 2009 grants are as follows: projects that have hikers as the primary constituency, though multiple human-powered trail uses are eligible; projects that secure trail lands, including acquisition of trails and trail corridors and the costs associated with acquiring conservation easements; projects that result in visible and substantial ease of access, improved hiker safety, and/or avoidance of environmental damage; and projects that promote constituency building surrounding specific trail projects, including volunteer recruitment and support. Application deadline: August 15, 2008.
This NSF program supports research to measure and model the concentration and distribution of gases and aerosols in the lower and middle atmosphere. Also supports research on the chemical reactions among atmospheric species; the sources and sinks of important trace gases and aerosols; the aqueous-phase atmospheric chemistry; the transport of gases and aerosols throughout the atmosphere; and the improved methods for measuring the concentrations of trace species and their fluxes into and out of the atmosphere. Eligibility is unrestricted. Application deadline: not specified.
In honor of Earth Day, Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) has announced its first Blue Water Project Leadership Grants pool. The RBC Blue Water Project is a wide-ranging multiyear program designed to foster a culture of water stewardship in Canada and abroad, so that people have clean fresh water today and tomorrow. The first phase of the project, announced in late 2007, is a ten-year, $50 million grant program comprising three streams: Visionary, Leadership, and Community Action Grants. The first Visionary Grant was a $10 million commitment to the One Drop Foundation, established by Cirque du Soleil founder Guy Laliberte. The Community Action Grants stream will be open for application in June 2008. RBC Blue Water Project grants focus on two key areas: watershed protection and programs related to safe drinking water. Grants are available to support projects in Canada, the U.S., and the other thirty-six countries in which RBC operates and will range from $25,000 to $500,000 each, up to a total of $1.5 million. Deadline: June 30, 2008.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is issuing this Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) soliciting applications from eligible applicants for the planning, arranging, administering and/or conducting of conferences, workshops, and/or meetings that focus on research to protect human health and safeguard the environment. Specifically, EPA is interested in supporting scientific and technical research conferences that address the following research program areas: human health; ecosystems, water, and security; economics and sustainability; air and global climate change; and technology. Eligible applicants include: public/private nonprofit institutions located in the U.S.; state and local governments; Federally Recognized Indian Tribal Governments; and U.S. territories or possessions. Award ceiling: $500,000. Application deadline: January 7, 2008; June 5, 2008; and December 9, 2008.
Budweiser and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation are accepting applications for the 2008 Budweiser Renewable Energy and Wildlife Conservation Research Prize. The prize will recognize and support a single innovative project that advances new technologies or practices that contribute to making renewable energy a practical energy alternative. The $100,000 total prize will be awarded in consideration of a project's ability to develop or evaluate new cost-effective renewable energy technologies for industrial application while demonstrating the measurable benefits such practices can have in advancing wildlife conservation. Consideration will be given to the degree of innovation, cost-effectiveness, and transferability of the practice. Projects that demonstrate additional financial commitment in the form of cash or in-kind matching funds at a ratio equal to 1:1 are strongly encouraged. Eligibility for the research prize is open to accredited post- secondary academic institutions, public agencies, and nonprofit organizations working collaboratively on advancing renewable energy and wildlife conservation research. Funds may be used for items such as salaries and benefits, student stipends, travel, publication expenses, and supplies. Application deadline: August 15, 2008.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is interested in receiving Center cooperative agreement applications that address the etiology and prevention of injuries resulting from production agriculture/forestry/fishing. Eligible applicants include: for-profit organizations; non-profit organizations; public or private institutions, such as universities, colleges, hospitals, and laboratories; units of State governments; units of local governments; eligible agencies of the Federal government; domestic institutions; units of State Tribal government; units of Local Tribal government; and faith-based or community-based organizations. Award ceiling: $1,200,000. Letters of Intent Receipt Date(s): October 30, annually. Application deadline: November 30, 2008.
The National Science Foundation seeks research aimed at understanding changing seasonality in the arctic system. There now exists abundant evidence that pervasive changes are underway in the patterns of seasonality in the Arctic. The timing and dynamics of key events such as spring melt and fall freeze-up are shifting in response to a changing arctic climate, impacting the interconnected physical, biological, and human components and processes of the arctic system. Interdisciplinary proposals are sought that employ field studies, retrospective investigation, modeling, or synthesis to explore how changes in succession (here, the sequence, nature, and timing of critical seasonal events, to include but not be limited to ecological succession) affect the linkages between, and feedbacks among, components and processes of the arctic system, thus altering the characteristics and functioning of the system as a whole. Eligible applicants include: U.S. universities and colleges located in the U.S.; foreign organizations; independent museums, observatories, research labs, professional societies and similar organizations in the U.S. associated with educational or research activities; and other Federal Agencies and Federally Funded Research and Development Centers. Total program funding: $10,000,000. Application deadline: October 10, 2008.
The CHS Foundation invests in the future of agriculture and rural communities through a strong commitment to education. Funding is program-oriented, and requests should fall into one of the six program areas: Agricultural and Cooperative Scholarships; Rural Youth Leadership Development; Returning Value to Rural Communities; Cooperative Education; Farm and Agricultural Safety; and Emergency Assistance/Disaster Relief. The CHS Foundation supports national efforts related to its mission. Funding is also available for programs within the CHS trade territory for regional, multi-state, or state-wide projects. Applications accepted on an ongoing basis exception for Cooperative Education Grants due September 30, 2008.
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announces the availability of funds for the Clean Fuels Grant Program to assist non-attainment or maintenance areas in achieving or maintaining the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for ozone or carbon monoxide (CO). Additionally, the program supports emerging clean fuel and advanced propulsion technologies for transit buses and markets for those technologies. Eligible applicants include: City, Township, County, State Governments. Award ceiling: $28,753,000. Application deadline: July 21, 2008.
The goals of this NSF program are to: (i) advance knowledge about the processes that force and regulate the atmosphere's synoptic and planetary circulation, weather and climate, and (ii) sustain the pool of human resources required for excellence in synoptic and global atmospheric dynamics and climate research. Research topics include, but are not limited to, theoretical, observational and modeling studies of the general circulation of the stratosphere and troposphere; synoptic scale weather phenomena; processes that govern climate; the causes of climate variability and change; methods to predict climate variations; extended weather and climate predictability; and development and testing of parameterization of physical processes. Eligibility is unrestricted. Application deadline: open.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service solicits interest in exploring the possibility of pursuing a cooperative agreement for habitat assessment, protection, and/or restoration, or simply receiving technical advice for its Coastal Program. Coastal ecosystems comprise less than 10 percent of the Nation's land area, but support far greater proportions of our living resources. Specifically, coastal areas support a much higher percentage of the Nation's threatened and endangered species, fishery resources, migratory songbirds, and migrating and wintering waterfowl. Eligible applicants include: federal, state, interstate and intrastate agencies; local and tribal governments; public nonprofit institutes and organizations (such as conservation organizations, watershed councils, land trusts, schools and institutions of higher learning); U.S. territories and possessions; and private landowners, including individuals and businesses. Application deadline: September 30, 2008.
The Home Depot Foundation makes grants to 501(c)3 tax exempt public charities in the United States and Canada that support and result in community engagement that: Incorporate trees and landscape into the community development plans of neighborhoods as part of the infrastructure to control stormwater runoff, create a sense of place, and provide shaded recreational opportunities; Incorporate the strategic use of trees and landscape to reduce utility bills, provide connectivity and reduce the "heat island" effect created by increased buildings and impervious surfaces; and Educate and engage citizens about the important role trees play to our overall health, economic success and social well being of our communities. A prospective applicant must pass the Eligibility Test in order to access the application. Application deadlines: September 15, 2008.
The Compton Foundation offers grant funding in the areas of Peace and Security, Environment and Sustainability, and Population and Reproductive Health, with a special emphasis on projects that explore the interconnections between these categories. Applicants must submit a copy of the organization's 501(c)(3) IRS tax exemption letter. A proposal online form is available online. Deadline: September 7, 2008.
The objective of the Conservation Trust is to support conservation activities around the world as they fit within the mission of the National Geographic Society. The trust will fund projects that contribute significantly to the preservation and sustainable use of the Earth's biological, cultural, and historical resources. The Conservation Trust's supports cutting edge programs that might be overlooked by other organizations, due to the risk involved in working with new investigators and in new fields. Applicants must provide a record of prior research or conservation action as it pertains to the proposed project. Funding is not restricted to United States citizens. Researchers planning work in foreign countries should include at least one local collaborator as part of their research teams. Award ceiling: $20,000. Online pre-application submission is required. Application deadline: open.
The Environmental Protection Agency announces the availability of funds and solicits proposals to advance energy efficiency and clean energy programming and policies, including corporate greenhouse gas management, through cost-effective strategies. Proposals should demonstrate the potential to create lasting change in the market for energy efficient and clean generation products, services, and best practices. Eligible applicants include: City, Township, County, State governments; Public, State controlled institutions of higher education; Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized); and Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education. Total Program Funding: $6,000,000. Application deadline: August 6, 2008.
Cottonwood Foundation will only award grants to organizations that meet all four of the following criteria: protect the environment; promote cultural diversity; empower people to meet their basic needs; and rely on volunteer efforts. This foundation supports organizations for which "small grants will make a big difference." Only charitable, non-profit organizations will be funded by Cottonwood Foundation. Political and religious organizations, government agencies, for-profit businesses, individuals, and universities are not eligible. Award ceiling: $1,000. Application deadline: ongoing.
The program from USDA is designed to provide one-time seed funding to help initiate work requiring immediate attention until other longer-term resources can be secured to address the following issues: Honey Bee Colony Collapse Disorder and Uganda (Ug99) Strain of Wheat Stem Rust. Applications may be submitted by State agricultural experiment stations, land-grant colleges and universities, research foundations established by land-grant colleges and universities, colleges and universities receiving funds under the McIntire-Stennis Cooperative Forestry Research Act, and accredited schools or colleges of veterinary medicine for the purpose of facilitating or expanding ongoing State-Federal food and agricultural research programs that: (i) promote excellence in research on a regional and national level; (ii) promote the development of regional research centers; (iii) promote the research partnership between the Department of Agriculture, colleges and universities, research foundations, and State agricultural experiment stations for regional research efforts; and (iv) facilitate coordination and cooperation of research among States through regional research grants. Award ceiling: $90,000. Application deadline: September 30, 2008.
The Curtis and Edith Munson Foundation focus its grant making efforts on the conservation of natural resources in North America and the Caribbean Basin with an emphasis on the U.S. Its major program areas are: Marine resource conservation and management with a particular interest in fisheries; South Florida Ecosystems (Everglades, Biscayne Bay, Florida Bay, and Florida Keys); and environmental issues in Alabama and the D.C. Metro Area. Additional areas are reserved for pre-selected organizations. Site specific grants are restricted to South Florida and Alabama. Award ceiling: $80,000. Interested applicants must submit a Letter of inquiry and project summary by April 7 or September 1, annually. E-mail inquiries are encouraged. Full proposal deadlines: October 6, 2008.
The Ecosystem Science Cluster from NSF supports research on natural, managed, and disturbed ecosystems, including those in terrestrial, freshwater, and wetland (including salt marsh) environments. Descriptive and manipulative approaches in field, mesocosm, and laboratory settings are supported, with the expectation that the bulk of the research is question- or hypothesis-driven. Proposals are encouraged, but not necessarily required to incorporate new or existing quantitative or conceptual models for the purpose of integration or synthesis. Proposals may focus on areas such as: biogeochemistry; decomposition of organic matter; belowground nutrient cycling and energy flow; primary productivity; radiatively active gas flux; element budgets on watershed, regional, continental, or global scales; relationships between diversity and ecosystem function; ecosystem services; and landscape dynamics. Eligibility is unrestricted. Full Proposal Deadlines: July 9, 2008.
The Elizabeth Ordway Dunn Foundation makes programmatic grants which significantly increase the ability of non-profit organizations to carry out their stated missions in fields of primary interest to the Directors. Currently their interest is focused on, but not limited to, on Florida environmental issues which include: Preservation of biological diversity; Protection of coastal and fresh water ecosystems; Conservation of land and wildlife resources; Comprehensive planning and growth management; Environmental health; Energy conservation and renewable resource development; Sustainable development; Pollution prevention and toxics use reduction. All applicants must be tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and classified as "not a private foundation" under Section 509(a). Grant size will vary depending on need but typically range from $10,000 - $50,000. Application Deadlines: September 15, 2008.
The Energy Foundation is a partnership of major donors interested in solving the world's energy problems. The Foundation's mission is to advance energy efficiency and renewable energy - new technologies that are essential components of a clean energy future. The primary role is to provide resources to the institutions that most effectively leverage change. Eligible applicants include: nonprofit charitable organizations classified as 501(c)(3) public charities by the Internal Revenue Service. Award ceiling: $50,000. Application deadline: ongoing.
The Environmental Justice Small Grants Program (EJSG) is designed to provide funding for eligible applicants working on, or planning to work on, a project that addresses a local environmental and public health issue within an affected community. The EJSG Program is a multi-statute program designed to help communities understand and address their exposure to multiple environmental harms and risks. Eligible applicants include: various. Award ceiling: $20,000. Application deadline: June 30, 2008.
The Foundation awards several grants each year for research or education in topics pertaining with any aspect of solid waste management. Project topics could deal with any aspect of the following, but are not limited to: waste generation rates and composition; waste minimization; collection and transport; sorting, recycling, and remanufacture; disposal options (e.g. landfilling or incineration); waste or energy recovery (e.g., composting, landfill gas to energy); innovations in collection and transportation equipment development; employee health and safety; sustainability of resources; life-cycle assessment of waste management; educating corporate customers in purchasing environmentally preferable waste services; and development of high school and college educational programs. Grants awards range from $10,000 up to $500,000. Awards are decided at Committee meetings held three times per year: April, August and December 2008.
The goal of the ERSP from the U.S. Dept of Energy is to support innovative, fundamental research investigating the coupled physical, chemical, and biological processes affecting the transport of subsurface contaminants at DOE sites. Applications should address hypothesis-driven research to define the key physical, chemical, and biological processes influencing the form and mobility of DOE contaminants in the subsurface. Specific Science Elements of interest to this Notice include: 1) Subsurface Physical, Chemical and Biological Processes; 2) Subsurface Microbial Ecology and Community Dynamics; 3) Novel Measurement and Monitoring Concepts, and; 4) Exploratory Research. Eligibility is unrestricted. Application deadline: January 14, 2009.
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) Equine Fund provides grants to nonprofit equine welfare organizations in the United States for programs that protect and aid horses suffering from cruelty and neglect. Most ASPCA Equine Fund grants fall into one of three categories: capital improvements, emergency grants, or education-related grants. Grants for hay, feed, and medical care are restricted to large cruelty seizures or impounds only. Grants are not available to start-up equine rescue organizations or to aid in the relocation of an organization. Applicants must have nonprofit 501(c)(3) status. Award ceiling: $5,000. Application deadline: open.
The Fish Passage from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is a voluntary program that reconnects fish species to historic habitats. Project funding is for fish passage restoration by removing or bypassing barriers to fish movement. Primary project types include dam removal, culvert renovation, designing and installing fishways, installing fish screens, and barrier inventories to identify additional fish passage impediments. Projects must comply with all applicable Federal, State, Tribal, and Local regulations. Projects for any Federal or State mitigation are not eligible for funding. Projects proposals requested between $1,000.00 and $100,000.00 are most attractive. There is no required match; however a 50% cost share is highly encouraged. Application deadline: open.
The FishAmerica Foundation, the American Sportfishing Association's conservation and research arm, provides funding to nonprofit organizations such as sporting clubs, civic associations, conservation groups, and state agencies in the U.S. and Canada for projects designed to enhance fish populations, restore fish habitat, improve water quality, and advance fisheries research, thereby increasing the opportunity for sportfishing success. Conservation Project grants fund hands-on, action-oriented projects that have clear and identifiable benefits to sport fish populations, the sport of fishing and/or directly enhance water quality, habitat, and/or sport fish populations. The average conservation grant is $7,500. Research Project grants fund research projects that have regional or national implications. The committee prefers to fund national model projects. The average research grant is $15,000. Application deadline: July 31, 2008.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Office of Regulatory Affairs (ORA), Division of Federal-State Relations (DFSR) in collaboration with Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN) and Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM), is announcing the availability of an agreement of Limited Competition only to states with current FDA Food Safety contracts to provide funding to State agency food protection regulatory programs. Such programs are eligible to apply for a 3 year cooperative agreement to develop and sustain an all Food Hazards Rapid Response team, encompassing both food and feed protection programs, through a process to further enhance and build the infrastructure of State food protection programs. The goal of FDA's ORA Cooperative Agreement Program is to enhance, complement, develop and improve State manufactured food protection regulatory and surveillance programs. Eligible applicants include: State governments. Award ceiling: $500,000. Application deadline: August 15, 2008.
The Food Safety Inspection Service's (FSIS), Food Emergency Response Network (FERN) currently comprises more than150 federal, state, and local government regulatory laboratories with varying capacities to perform threat agent testing. FERN has 41 cooperative agreements already in place which target state, local, and tribal FERN labs in an effort to augment the network's microbiological, chemical, and radiological threat agent testing capacities. The current FERN cooperative agreement labs also focus on developing better diagnostic capabilities for threat agent testing within the Network partner laboratories. These current cooperative agreements enhance the ability to analyze for microbiological, chemical and radiological threat agents utilizing FERN methods and improve laboratory capacities for food defense assignments and outbreak response. In support of the network, FERN has established a training program conducted by FDA and USDA which provide numerous trainings opportunities for FERN partner laboratory personnel to enhance their technical expertise. This new proposed Training Support cooperative agreement will augment the current FERN Training program and expand the number of training opportunities with industry vendors via regional/national meetings. This new Training support cooperative agreement would support the purchase of equipment and supplies required in an effort to coordinate with the existing training program, and reimbursement of personnel expenses. Eligible applicants include: nongovernment, nonprofit organizations. Application deadline: July 11, 2008.
The mission of the Captain Planet Foundation is to fund and support hands-on environmental projects for children and youth. The foundation's objective is to encourage innovative programs that empower children and youth around the world to work individually and collectively to solve environmental problems in their neighborhoods and communities. Through environmental education, the foundation believes that children can achieve a better understanding and appreciation of the world in which they live. Applicants must be at least 18 years old to submit a proposal. Grant proposals are reviewed over a period of three months from the date of submission deadline. Deadlines for submitting grant applications are June 30, September 30, December 31, 2008.
The Office of Compliance (OC), within EPA's Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA), is soliciting proposals for states and tribes to strengthen their ability to address environmental and public health threats, while furthering the art and science of environmental compliance. Projects under this Solicitation Notice will be used to build and expand the capacity and ability of the states and tribes to operate their environmental compliance and enforcement program. These funds cannot be used for the actual implementation of the compliance program. Eligible applicants include: State governments and Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized). Award ceiling: $200,000. Application deadline: July 8, 2008.
The National Science Foundation`s Division of Earth Sciences (EAR) is accepting proposals for its Geomorphology and Land Use Dynamics Program. Geomorphology and Land-Use Dynamics supports innovative research into processes that shape and modify landscapes over a variety of length and time scales. The program encourages research that investigates quantitatively the coupling and feedback between such processes, their rates, and their relative roles, especially in the contexts of variation in climatic and tectonic forcings and in light of changes due to human impact. Proposals may involve scientists at one organization or collaborative efforts of associated researchers from different organizations working on coordinated projects. Award ceiling: $2,500,000. Application deadline: July 16, 2008.
The Conservative Program assists in the conservation of great apes by enhancing: protection of at-risk ape populations; transfrontier ape conservation; habitat/ecosystem conservation and management; applied research on ape populations and their habitat including surveys and monitoring; conservation education; protected area/reserve management in important ape range; development and execution of ape conservation management plans; strengthening of local capacity to implement conservation programs; wildlife inspection, law enforcement and forensics skills; and efforts to decrease human-ape conflict. Eligible applicants include: nonprofits; public, private, and state controlled institutions of higher education; for profit organizations; qualified individuals; and government agencies responsible for ape conservation and protection and any other organization with demonstrated experience in ape conservation. Award ceiling: $50,000. Application deadline: ongoing.
Created by Enterprise Community Partners with the Natural Resources Defense Council, Green Communities is a five-year initiative to build more than 8,500 environmentally healthy homes for low-income families in the U.S. The initiative provides grants, financing, tax-credit equity, and technical assistance to developers who meet Green Communities criteria for affordable housing that promoted health, conserves energy and natural resources, and provides easy access to jobs, schools, and services. Green affordable housing developers who want to convene intensive working sessions with the development team and others who share an interest in promoting health and livability are eligible for grants including non-profits, public housing authorities, for-profit entities, and tribally designated entities. Applications are accepted on an open basis.
The Kresge Foundation supports the construction and renovation of facilities through green planning grants in two main areas: facility needs of nonprofit organizations that do not have environmental-focused missions, such as human service agencies, universities and colleges, health care organizations or cultural organizations; or projects that represent significant national, regional, and/or local innovation in sustainable design. Eligible applicants include: nonprofit organizations with 501(c)3 designations not classified as private foundations by the IRS; hospitals accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations; and universities/colleges that are fully-accredited, degree granting institutions. Government entities are eligible for consideration, only if there is a nonprofit organization operating the programs offered within the facilities or there is a support arm that raises private funds to support its operations. Application deadline: open.
HSBC established HSBC in the Community (USA) Inc. to carry out its mission with a philanthropic strategy focused primarily on the following two critical issues: education and the environment. The Foundation concentrates their education giving efforts on those less fortunate; underprivileged young people and schools in economically deprived areas. Under the Environment giving areas they will consider support for programs that promote good environmental practices, and programs that increase environmental public awareness. In line with federal regulations, the foundation can only make grants to organizations registered with the IRS as 501(c)(3) public charities. In addition, public schools and school districts or other government agencies are eligible to receive grants under IRS rules. Deadline: rolling.
Hydrologic Sciences focuses on the flow of water and transport processes within streams, soils, and aquifers, with particular attention given to spatial and temporal heterogeneity of fluxes and storages of water and chemicals over a wide range of scales, to geolimnology and to interfaces with the landscape, microbial communities, and coastal areas. Studies may also deal with processes in aqueous geochemistry and with the physical, chemical, and biological processes within water bodies. Eligibility is unrestricted. Application deadline: December 1, 2008.
Do Something is inviting America's middle and high schools to reduce their carbon footprint this fall through the "Increase Your Green" competition. Participants must make concrete efforts toward reducing the environmental impact of their school during the eight-week competition. All initiatives must be youth-designed and led. A representative from each group must submit an online report of the school or club's actions to save energy, reduce waste, and raise awareness during the competition. Winners will be chosen based on the impact of their school's actions during the competition. The main judging categories are: energy saved; garbage reduced, recycled, and reused; number of people involved/impacted; and innovative quality of actions and ideas. The competition is open to middle and high schools. Participating schools are eligible for a first-place prize of $1,500, a banner, plaque, and eco-friendly gift bags. Three second-place prizes of $500 each will also be awarded. Winners will be featured on the Do Something Web site and in local press. Students should register their club or school to receive an "Increase Your Green" action guide with tip sheets and materials (e.g., stickers, posters, flyers) to help launch the competition at their schools. The competition opens October 13 and closes December 8. The deadline for online submission forms detailing action taken during the competition is December 15, 2008.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as part of its Science to Achieve Results (STAR) program, is seeking applications to develop advanced concepts for linking public health protection with water infrastructure sustainability. Innovative and integrative approaches are sought for monitoring, modeling, operation, and management of drinking water distribution and storage systems and wastewater collection systems that can lead to improved water quality and reduced health risks. Eligible applicants include: public nonprofit institutions/organizations (includes public institutions of higher education and hospitals) and private nonprofit institutions/organizations (includes private institutions of higher education and hospitals) located in the U.S., state and local governments, Federally Recognized Indian Tribal Governments, and U.S. territories or possessions. Award ceiling: $600,000. Application deadline: July 29, 2008.
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection shall develop a competitive and innovative grant program for counties, municipalities, special districts, and nonprofit organizations that have legal responsibility for the provision of solid waste management service. The applicant must: demonstrate technologies or processes that represent a novel application of an existing technology or process to recycle or reduce waste, or that overcome obstacles to recycling or waste reduction in new or innovative ways; demonstrate innovative processes to collect and recycle or reduce materials targeted by the department and the recycling industry; or demonstrate effective solutions to solving solid waste problems resulting from waste tires, particularly in the areas of enforcement and abatement of illegal tire dumping and activities to promote market development of waste tire products. Program funding: $2,000,000. Application deadline: September 2, 2008.
The Robert and Patricia Switzer Foundation provides Leadership Grants that may address any environmental issue, however there must be a clear partnership between the Fellow and the non-profit agency that accomplishes three things: advances the professional career, expertise and leadership of a Switzer Fellow; builds the capacity of a nonprofit or public agency to effectively address issues of environmental quality through the skills provided by the Switzer Fellow; and achieves measurable improvement on a specific environmental issue or condition through the work of the Switzer Fellow. Eligible applicants include: U.S.-based environmental organizations with 501(c)(3) status, government agencies, or educational institutions. Support for Fellows doing international work may be considered as long as a U.S.-based host organization is the grantee and all other criteria are met. Award ceiling: $40,000. Application deadline: October 1, 2008.
Mantis presents the Mantis Awards for charitable and educational garden projects that enhance the quality of life in their host communities. NGA selects 25 outstanding applicants to receive Mantis tiller/cultivators. Any nonprofit garden program may apply. In the past, winners have included schools, churches, correctional facilities, parks departments, youth camps, community gardens, and many others. These are groups turning slim resources into bountiful gardens with far-reaching benefits, from increasing their community's access to fresh nutritious foods to educating the public about the importance of gardening in our nation's history. Applicants must operate a charitable or educational program that is not for profit and not offer the tiller as a prize for fundraising (e.g., auction or raffle).
The Moloka'i Environmental Protection Fund (MEPF) of Tides Foundation was established to protect Moloka'i's environment and to improve the community's ability to achieve protection through environmental advocacy and access to legal services. To qualify for a grant from the MEPF of Tides Foundation, the grant applicant must be a non-profit organization or be fiscally sponsored by a non-profit organization. Funding is available to support the following activities: Educational outreach; Reforestation; Sustainable/diversified agriculture; Native plant and species propagation; Environmental studies; and Sustainable economic development. Award ceiling: $5,000. 2006 MEPF Grant proposals are accepted on an ongoing basis. Decisions are made 2-3 times a year.
The National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program provides States with a means of protecting and restoring these coastal wetlands. Projects can include acquisition of a real property interest (e.g., easement or fee title) in coastal lands or waters from willing sellers or partners (coastal wetlands ecosystems) for long-term conservation; or restoration, enhancement, or management of coastal wetlands ecosystems for long-term conservation. Funding efforts may include: restoring wetland hydrology by plugging drainage ditches, breaking tile drainage systems, installing water control structures, dike construction, or re-establishing historic connections with waterways; planting native vegetation; and removal of exotic plants and animals that compete with native fish and wildlife and alter native habitats. Eligible applicants include: any agency or agencies designated by the Governor of a coastal State. Award ceiling: $1,000,000. Application deadline: June 27, 2008.
The National Fish Habitat Action Plan is a national investment strategy to leverage federal and privately raised funds to protect, restore and enhance the nation's fish and aquatic communities through partnerships that foster fish habitat conservation. Funds will support national and regional coordination activities, as well as cost-shared projects to protect, restore, or enhance fish habitats. All or a portion of project funds may be transferred to partner organizations if the Service lacks the capability to implement a project. Projects eligible for support are fish habitat projects ranked highly by Fish Habitat Partnerships and identified in the Fisheries Operational Needs System (FONS). Application deadline: open.
The National Geographic Society's Young Explorers Grants offer opportunities to individuals between the ages of 18 and 25 to pursue research, exploration, and conservation-related projects consistent with National Geographic's existing grant programs, including the Committee for Research and Exploration, the Expeditions Council, and the Conservation Trust. The Program supports a variety of projects and an age-range of applicants generally not covered by other sources of funding. Applicants are not required to have advanced degrees; however, a record of prior experience in the fields of research, conservation, or exploration should be submitted as it pertains to the proposed project. U.S. citizens and foreign nationals are invited to apply. Researchers planning work in countries abroad should make great effort to include at least one local collaborator as part of their team. Award ceiling: $5,000 each. Deadline: open.
In FY 2008, the Research Initiative (NRI) Competitive Grants Program from USDA will accept applications for fundamental research, mission-linked research, and integrated research, education, and extension projects addressing key problems of National, regional, and multi-state importance in sustaining all components of agriculture (farming, ranching, forestry, aquaculture, rural communities, human nutrition, processing, etc.). Program Areas include: Agribusiness Markets and Trade, Agricultural Prosperity for Small and Medium-Sized Farms, Air Quality, Animal Genome, Animal Growth and Nutrient Utilization, Animal Protection and Biosecurity, Animal Reproduction, Arthropod and Nematode Biology, Bioactive Food Components for Optimal Health, Biobased Products and Bioenergy Production, Biology of Weedy and Invasive Species, Food Safety, Global Change Initiatives, Human Nutrition and Obesity, Improving Food Quality and Value, Managed Ecosystems, Microbial Biology, Microbial Genomics, Nanoscale Science and Engineering for Agriculture and Food Systems, Plant Biology, Plant Biosecurity, Plant Genome, Rural Development, Soil Processes, and Water and Watersheds. Award ceiling: $1,500,000. Eligibility requirements and deadlines vary by program.
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation seeks proposals for projects that assist organizations to be effective co-stewards of important natural resources within the National Wildlife Refuge System. The program provides competitive seed grants of $1,500 to $5,000 each to creative and innovative proposals that seek to increase the number and effectiveness of organizations interested in assisting the Refuge System nationwide. Eligible applicants are nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status or organizations that have applied for such status, including refuge Friends organizations, cooperative and interpretive associations, Audubon chapters, and other citizen support organizations interested in assisting a National Wildlife Refuge or group of refuges and the Refuge System as a whole. Grants will be provided to support proposals that fall within the following areas of emphasis: Start-up Grants to assist starting refuge Friends organizations with formative and/or initial operational support; Capacity Building Grants to strengthen the capacity of existing refuge Friends organizations to enable them to be more effective; and Project Specific Grants for support of a specific project (e.g., conservation education programs for local schools, habitat restoration projects, building an observation tower, developing and providing interpretive materials and programs, or watchable wildlife programs). Application deadline: September 5, 2008.
The Noah's Wish Fund at the Greater New Orleans Foundation has announced a Request for Proposals for programs designed to benefit animal victims of Hurricane Katrina. The purpose of the fund is to reimburse organizations in the United States for direct operating costs associated with any of the following Hurricane Katrina animal emergency relief activities or recovery services: rescued, fostered, or provided sanctuary to animal victims; veterinary care of injured, sick, and traumatized animal victims; transportation of animal victims; temporary and long-term shelter for displaced animals; intake and identification activities for animal victims; coordination of lost and found animal victims; coordination and distribution of emergency animal supply and food donations; and locating permanent homes for unclaimed or surrendered animal victims. Approximately $1 million in total funding is available through the program. To be considered for a grant, an organization must clearly demonstrate it provided emergency relief/recovery services to animal victims of Hurricane Katrina and will use Noah's Wish funds to recover the cost of those services. The reimbursement grant amount will not exceed $50,000 for any organization with eligible documented expenses incurred during the period beginning August 29, 2005, and ending December 31, 2007. Eligible applicants are 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations or governmental entities. Application deadline: July 1, 2008.
The U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is seeking applications proposing an observational exposure measurement study to identify and characterize the determinants of exposure for early lifestages (i.e., very young children <3 years of age) to chemicals in their environment. Very young children represent an important lifestage that may be more vulnerable to chemicals in the environment because they are physiologically and behaviorally different from adults. Eligible applicants include: Public, Private, State, Controlled Institutions of Higher Education; City, Township, County, State governments; Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized); and Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS. Award ceiling: $2,500,000. Application deadline: July 15, 2008.
The Oceanographic Technology and Interdisciplinary Coordination (OTIC) Program from NSF supports a broad range of research and technology development activities. Unsolicited proposals are accepted for instrumentation development that has broad applicability to ocean science research projects and that enhance observational, experimental or analytical capabilities of the ocean science research community. Specific announcements for funding opportunities are made for additional projects involving Coastal Ocean Processes, FSML: Improvements in Facilities, Communications, and Equipment at Biological Field Stations and Marine Laboratories and the National Ocean Partnership Program. Eligibility is unrestricted. Application deadline: not specified.
NSF supports construction, conversion, acquisition, and operation of major shared-use oceanographic facilities. The University-National Oceanographic Laboratory System (UNOLS) schedules these facilities and expeditionary programs. This program supports expensive facilities that are necessary for NSF-funded research and training of oceanographers. Examples of these facilities are ships, submersibles, large shipboard equipment, and shared-use instruments to collect and analyze data. NSF encourages local contributions from nonfederal funds; however, there is no fixed requirement for institutional contributions. Eligibility is unrestricted. Application deadline: open.
The Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) grants program is open to all applicants residing in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. OFRF particularly encourages farmers, ranchers, researchers, and extension personnel to consider applying for funding. The foundation offers grants in the areas of Research and Education and Outreach. Research Grants provide support for research on organic farming and food systems and the dissemination of these research results to the greater agricultural community. Proposals must involve farmers or ranchers in project design and implementation and take place on working organic farms or ranches whenever possible. In addition, proposals should articulate how the proposed research project will foster the improvement or adoption of organic farming systems. OFRF will only fund projects in North America (which includes Canada, the United States, and Mexico). The average research grant awarded in OFRF's last funding cycle was $13,300. OFRF will not fund a project for more than $15,000 per year except for fruit research grants, for which the maximum grant size is $20,000 per year. Education and Outreach Grants fund the development of educational opportunities and materials that are pertinent to organic agricultural production or marketing and are aimed at organic producers and/or those considering making the transition to organic certification. OFRF will also accept proposals to fund activities that promote information sharing among organic agricultural researchers and organic farmers and ranchers. OFRF usually does not fund development of educational materials targeted primarily at consumers or the general public or programs for children. The average education/outreach grant awarded in OFRF's last funding cycle was $8,883. Proposals are considered twice a year. The deadlines and notification dates for the next two granting cycles are July 15, 2008, and November 17, 2008.
The National Science Foundation solicits research to utilize key geological, chemical, and biological records of climate system variability to provide insights into the mechanisms and rate of change that characterized Earth's past climate variability, the sensitivity of Earth's climate system to changes in forcing, and the response of key components of the Earth system to these changes. Important scientific objectives of P2C2 are to: provide comprehensive paleoclimate data sets that can serve as model test data sets analogous to instrumental observations; and enable transformative syntheses of paleoclimate data and modeling outcomes to understand the response of the longer-term and higher magnitude variability of the climate system that is observed in the geological record. Eligible applicants include: universities and colleges; non-profit, non-academic organizations associated with educational or research activities; for-profit organizations; state educational offices or organizations; local school districts; and unaffiliated individuals. Award ceiling: $1,000,000. Application deadline: October 15, 2008.
The Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program has authorized the Secretary of Interior to provide technical and financial assistance on a competitive basis to private landowners interested in restoring, enhancing, and managing fish and wildlife habitats on their own lands. The program's goal is to secure at least 50 percent of project costs from non-Service sources, but this goal applies to the program as a whole, and does not have to be achieved on a project-by-project basis. Funding above $25,000 for an individual project must be approved at the Washington Office level. Eligible applicants include: private landowners, Tribal Governments, local governments, and educational institutions and organizations. Applicants interested in applying must contact the Local Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program coordinator. (Florida applicants must call Dr. Ronnie J. Haynes at (404) 679-7138. Application deadline: varies according to region.
Miami-Dade County's agricultural lands are a unique and economically important resource. On September 20, 2007, the Board of County Commissioners adopted a resolution creating the County's Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) Program. The PDR Program implements the will of Miami-Dade County voters by utilizing General Obligation Bond funds to preserve agricultural land. This program serves as one mechanism for farmland preservation by providing the County with the ability to purchase residential development rights from willing property owners, ensuring that the related properties remain undeveloped and available for agricultural uses. For further information, please call the office of the Agricultural Manager at (305) 971-5091.
Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) has announced the third and final component of its Blue Water Project grants pool for 2008. Community Action Grants ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 each, up to a total of $200,000 for 2008, are available to support local and community projects in Canada, the United States, and the Caribbean that are dedicated to watershed protection. The overall Blue Water Project grant strategy and guidelines were developed in collaboration with an advisory panel of North American water experts. The panel determined that Community Action Grants should focus on watershed protection because local water resources are best protected by effective watershed management. Problems that occur in one part of a watershed such as pollution, overconsumption, degraded habitat, or mismanagement affect people, agriculture, industry, and natural habitats elsewhere. The RBC Blue Water Project is a wide-ranging multiyear program to help foster a culture of water stewardship in Canada and abroad, so that people have clean, fresh water today and tomorrow. The first phase of the project, announced in late 2007, is a ten-year, $50 million grant program comprising three streams: Visionary, Leadership, and Community Action Grants. Application Deadline: Open.
The Research Fellowship Program (RFP) is administered by WCS-Global Conservation's Training & Capacity Building Program and jointly funded by the Conservation Leadership Programme (CLP). The RFP is a small grants program designed to build capacity for the next generation of conservationists through supporting individual field research projects that have a clear application to the conservation of threatened wildlife and wildlife habitat. Projects sought are based on sound and innovative conservation science and that encourage practices in conservation that can contribute to sustainable development. The RFP will not limit any eligible individual from applying, however, most of the grantees are professional conservationists from the country of research and/or post-graduates pursuing a higher degree. The RFP supports marine or terrestrial field research in Africa, Asia, and Latin America regardless of the nationality of the applicant. In addition, the RFP accepts applications from Native Americans (U.S.) and First Nation Peoples (Canada) who intend to conduct work on native lands on issues of direct relevance to wildlife. Award ceiling: $25,000. Application deadline: September 15, 2008.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Research solicits ground based research in the fundamental space biology areas of microbial, plant and cell biology. Fundamental space biology addresses basic questions of how life responds to gravity and space environments. The force of gravity plays a major role in shaping life into its myriad forms. Fundamental space biology uses ground based space environment analogs supplemented with space based investigations to probe the fundamental nature of life in order to enhance our understanding of how life responds to physical phenomena and physical forces on Earth and serve as the basic biological foundation in support of exploration. Eligible applicants include: educational institutions, industry, nonprofit organizations, NASA centers, and other Government agencies. Award ceiling: unspecified. Application deadline: September 8, 2008.
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., which operates Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises, established the Ocean Fund in 1996 to support marine conservation organizations working to preserve the world's oceans. Ocean Fund grants are made to a variety of nonprofit groups and institutions conducting activities (e.g., research, education, and innovative technologies) directly related to marine conservation. Grants will average between $25,000 and $50,000 each, although there is no absolute maximum, and applicants must provide proof of their 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. Deadline: June 30, annually (funding requests). Organizations will be invited to submit formal applications by September 30, 2008.
Wild Ones is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the use of natural landscaping with native plant species as an ecologically better alternative to traditional landscaping practices. Wild Ones members and chapters work with schools and nature centers to plant and maintain natural landscapes in these centers of learning. In 1996, the Wild Ones board of directors started the Lorrie Otto Seeds for Education (SFE) Fund to further foster such projects. Schools, nature centers, and other nonprofit and not-for-profit places of learning (including houses of worship) with a site available for this stewardship project may apply for an SFE grant. Project goals should focus on the enhancement and development of an appreciation for nature using native plants. Projects must emphasize involvement of students and volunteers and increase the educational value of the site. Creativity in design is encouraged but must show complete and thoughtful planning. The use of and teaching about native plants and the native plant community is mandatory and must be appropriate to the local ecoregion and site conditions (soil, water, sunlight). Funds will be provided only for the purchase of native plants and seed. Cash awards range from $100 to $500 each. Successful grants are eligible for partnership with SFE native plant nursery partners for discounts on seed, plants, etc. Application deadline: November 15, 2008.
The Shell Marine Habitat Program, a partnership between the Shell Oil Company and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, provides grants for conservation projects that benefit marine and coastal habitats in and around the Gulf of Mexico. The program's Project Area includes the gulf coasts of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, and the gulf coast of Florida from Tampa north and west through the panhandle. Projects of particular interest include those that protect or restore estuarine, coastal, and marine habitats; provide benefit for multiple species, both resident and migratory; offer opportunities for the hands-on participation of volunteers; take place in communities where Shell has facilities; and provide education or action programs intended to minimize harm from monofilament entanglement and other marine debris. Priority will be given to projects that build new or enhance existing partnerships with local communities, nonprofits, and local, state, and federal government agencies. Preproposal deadlines: April 1 and September 1 annually. Full proposal deadlines: June 1 and November 1, 2008.
The Sophie Prize is an international award of $100,000 presented annually in the field of environment and sustainable development. The Sophie Prize was established in 1997 by the Norwegian author Jostein Gaarder and his wife Siri Dannevig to inspire people working toward a sustainable future. Voluntary organizations, independent research institutions, and individuals worldwide with knowledge or interest in environment and/or sustainable development or other closely related topics can nominate candidates for the prize. Candidates nominated by themselves, by their staff, or by honorary officers will not be taken into consideration. The prize is awarded to one or several persons or an organization who/which has created awareness of alternatives to modern-day development and/or initiated such alternatives in a pioneering or particularly inventive manner. Application deadline: November 1, 2008.
The Endangered Species Program of the Southeast Region provides financial assistance on a competitive baiss to educators, researchers, non-federal agencies, private businesses, individuals and other partners interested in the conservation and recovery of endangered, threatened, candidate, and/or species of conservation interest. Applicants should have a demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the biology and conservation needs of endangered, threatened, candidate, and species of conservation interest to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in the southeastern U.S., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Award ceiling: $300,000. Application deadline: Ongoing.
The USDA Water and Environmental Programs division announces program funding for Water Resource Studies that will evaluate and recommend sources of dependable water supply that can be developed and used by rural communities (at or below 10,000 inhabitants) in one or more of the hurricane affected states of Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas. The objectives for the Technical Assistance and Training Grant program are to: identify and evaluate solutions to water and waste disposal problems in rural areas; assist applicants in preparing applications for water and waste grants made at State level offices; and to improve operation and maintenance of existing water and waste disposal facilities in rural areas. Applications will be accepted from October 1 through December 31, 2008.
TogetherGreen will annually select 40 individuals from both within and outside the Audubon network to sharpen their conservation skills and take on new leadership challenges. Selected Fellows will receive a $10,000 grant through their organization to support a conservation action project; funding to support participation in a five-day Leadership Institute and follow-up retreat; networking opportunities to meet and collaborate with other TogetherGreen Fellows; and the chance to establish strong professional connections with Audubon staff and other leaders in the conservation field. Applicants may be budding volunteer leaders or mid-career environmental professionals. They must have a passion for conservation, the desire to learn and grow, and a commitment to making a difference. Application deadline: June 27, 2008.
The Wallace Genetic Foundation supports nonprofit organizations that believe in the long-term conservation of the soil and of the environment, rather than exploitation of natural resources for temporary profits. Areas of interest include: Sustainable agriculture; Protection of farmland near cities; Plant genetic research; Biodiversity protection; and Environmental education. The Foundation seeks to fund organizations whose work promises to provide long-term national or global benefit. Proposals are reviewed throughout the year.
Through the Waterway Assistance Program, the Florida Inland Navigation District financially cooperates with local governments to alleviate problems associated with the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway and associated waterways within the District. Eligible waterway related projects include navigation channel dredging, channel markers, navigation signs or buoys, boat ramps, docking facilities, fishing & viewing piers, waterfront boardwalks, inlet management, environmental education, law enforcement equipment, boating safety programs, beach re-nourishment, dredge material management, environmental mitigation, and shoreline stabilization. Local match is required. Up to 75% is provided for public navigation projects. All other project categories are eligible for up to 50% funding assistance. Application deadline: April 1, 2009.
The purpose of this competitive grants program from U.S. Fish and Wildlife is to protect fish, wildlife and plant resources in the Western Hemisphere through: academic and technical training in conservation and management of biological resources; training in management of nature reserves and other protected areas; community-level conservation education for natural resources; technology transfer and information exchange to promote international collaboration; and promotion of networks, partnerships and coalitions that assist in the implementation of conventions, treaties, protocols and other international activities for the conservation of biological resources. Eligible applicants include: small businesses; nonprofits; for profit organizations; private, public and state controlled institutions of higher education; state, county, city, and township governments, individuals; and federal, state and local government agencies in Latin America and the Caribbean. Preference will be given to proposals requesting $50,000 or less. Higher amounts may be requested with appropriate justification. Deadline: open.
