CaliforniaEnvironment & Conservation Grants (2026)

Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery

The fundamental goal of the Program is to support start up costs for bag drop recycling programs in order to increase the California Refund Value (CRV) beverage container redemption opportunities utilizing innovative projects.

Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery

The fundamental goal of the Program is to support start-up costs for mobile recycling programs to increase the California Refund Value (CRV) beverage container redemption opportunities that utilize innovative projects.

Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery

Eligible Applicants Private, nonprofit entities, in addition to being registered and in good standing with the California Secretary of State, must also be registered and in good standing with the California Department of Justice, and appear on their Registry of Charities and Fundraisers.  If a nonprofit entity is excluded from registering with the Department of Justice, proof must be provided with the application. Eligible applicants include:  Dealer Cooperatives  A dealer cooperative is a stewardship organization that is exempt from taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the federal Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and formed for the purpose of providing redemption opportunities pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 14578 and consists of member dealers and has an approved dealer cooperative stewardship plan.  A dealer cooperative is voluntary for a dealer to join pursuant to Section 14578. Individual Application An Individual Application is one in which a single eligible entity will be responsible for grant implementation.  The applicant in an Individual Application will be responsible for the performance of the grant and all related documentation.  In addition, the applicant will be the only entity receiving any real or personal property that is purchased with grant funds. Eligible Projects/Products All projects must be located within an unserved zone identified within the CalRecycle approved dealer cooperative stewardship plan. Eligible projects include: · Mobile Programs. Consist of either: redemption in-person through staffed systems that are moved between different redemption locations pickup-service redemption at the consumer's addresses within unserved zones. · Bag Drop Programs.  Consist of consumers depositing empty beverage containers in a sealable bag, box, or other container into a designated Bag Drop receptacle for later collection and redemption. · Reverse Vending Machines (RVMs).  Consist of deployment of automated machines that accept empty beverage containers and provide payment to customers at time of deposit.

Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery

Tire-Derived Aggregate (TDA) is made from shredded tires as an alternative to conventional lightweight aggregates that is: Lightweight Free-draining Less expensive Eligible Applicants Include: -All California local government entities, including cities, counties, and cities and counties. -Special districts, including transportation districts. -Joint Powers Authorities in which all JPA members are also eligible applicants. -Public school districts. -All California state agencies, including offices, departments, bureaus, and boards. -University of California, California State University, and California Community Colleges. -Private, for-profit entities.      Defined as a business intended to operate at a profit and return a profit to its owner(s).      The business must be California-based, or if in another state, must have an operational presence in   California: see Application Guidelines and Instructions for complete details and restrictions. -Non-profit organizations, except private elementary or secondary schools, registered with the federal government under section 501(c)(3), (c)(4), (c)(6), or (c)(10) of the Internal Revenue Code. -Qualifying Tribal Entities.       A Qualifying Tribal Entity is defined as a tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or community, residing within the borders of California, which:           Is recognized for special programs and services provided by the United States to Indians because of the               status of its members as Indians or:           Can prove that it is a government entity and meets the criteria of the grant program. Eligible projects include: Category 1: Mechanically Stabilized TDA for retaining walls. Category 2: Low Impact Development, stormwater mitigation including stormwater infiltration galleries. Category 3: Lightweight film, slope stabilization, embankment fill, landslide repair, and retaining walls. Category 4: Vibration mitigation under rail lines. Category 5: Landfill application, aggregate replacement projects such as leachate and gas collection systems, drainage layers, and leachate injection.   How to apply: Funding - CalRecycle Home Page  Applications due July 16, 2026.

Department of Forestry and Fire Protection

The application will consist of a concept proposal followed by review and selection. Selected applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal followed by a second review and selection period. Concept proposals are due by 3 p.m. (PDT), July 30, 2026. Full invited proposals are due by 3 p.m. (PST), November 18, 2026. The Forest Health Research Program (hereafter “Research Program”) was established as part of CAL FIRE’s plan for implementing the California Forest Carbon Plan. It is one of several CAL FIRE programs funded through the California Climate Investments (CCI) program, Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. The mission of the Research Program is: To identify and prioritize research topics in forest health and fire science critical to the State of California To fund sound scientific studies that support forest landowners, resource agencies, and fire management organizations within the state To ensure scientific information generated from the program is made available to support decision making and policy To further the goals of the Wildfire and Forest Resilience Action Plan, California Forest Carbon Plan, the California Natural and Working Lands Implementation Plan, CCI, and AB 32 Global Warming Solutions Act The program, procedures and requirements apply only to “stand-alone research” projects, where research-related activities are the only activities proposed. The following topics have been identified as priorities for study for the Research Program for FY 2026-27: Recovery, restoration, regeneration and reforestation strategies following wildfires and other disturbances in an altered future climate. Implementation, effectiveness, impacts, and tradeoffs of current and alternative management strategies to reduce unwanted wildfire impacts to communities, improve hydrologic functions including water quality and supply, improve air quality, sustain and promote biodiversity, mitigate impacts of pests, pathogens, and invasive species, and/or increase beneficial fire effects.  Methods of ecological monitoring to continually evaluate effectiveness, impacts and benefits of vegetation treatments at various scales.  Community resilience to wildfires and other ecological disturbances under current and future climate conditions. Traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) and tribal forest and fire management, especially research by tribal organizations or indigenous researchers. Forest products and utilization of forest residues related to fuel reduction and forest health treatments.Improved prediction of wildland fire spread, behavior, severity, and potential impacts, particularly under extreme weather conditions and/or within the wildland-urban interface.  In addition, the following special topic has been identified as priorities for the Research Program for FY 2026-27: Utilizing novel applications of FireSat Quick Beam Instrument data to answer ecological questions.

Department of Fish and Wildlife

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife seeks proposals for highest priority projects associated with the implementation of an NCCP. The intention of this Proposal Solicitation Package (PSP) is to solicit proposals of the highest quality that are consistent with the goals of the NCCP Program. To help achieve this intention, the PSP provides guidance on Applicant eligibility, the grant process and deadlines, and application and submission procedures. Proposals must address the highest priority tasks associated with the implementation of an NCCP such as: Management Activities: Immediate management actions on newly acquired NCCP reserve lands. Restoration/Enhancement: Restoration or enhancement of habitats or species populations on NCCP reserve lands. Monitoring: Design and implementation of biological monitoring programs identified in an NCCP, including the establishment of sampling methods, monitoring plots, data collection, management, and analysis. Reserve Management Plans: Development and implementation of individual reserve management plans. Mapping: New or updated mapping in support of NCCP management or monitoring activities, such as vegetation community mapping. Targeted Studies for Adaptive Management: Studies to evaluate management actions for covered habitats or species, and whether such actions are meeting stated goals or require adjustments through adaptive management. Other: Other non-land acquisition priority tasks, identified by the applicant and implementing partners, which are needed to ensure effective implementation of the NCCP. This solicitation opens on June 1st, 2026, and closes at 8:00 pm (PDT) July 31st, 2026.

IBM

Global challenge calling developers to build solutions for natural disaster preparedness and climate change using cloud, AI, blockchain, and IoT.

Clean Water Action

Grassroots clean water advocacy and environmental health programs

Mothers Out Front

Parent-led climate action and clean energy campaigns

Elemental Excelerator

Awards up to $1M to startups deploying climate solutions in communities that need them most. Focus on equity and community benefit.

Bureau of Indian Affairs

Funds tribal climate adaptation planning, ocean/coastal management, and community relocation for climate-threatened tribal communities.

Greenlining Institute

Environmental equity and clean energy access in communities of color

WE ACT for Environmental Justice

Environmental health and justice organizing in communities of color

Bureau of Indian Affairs

Supports tribal energy resource development, energy infrastructure planning, and capacity building for tribally owned energy projects.

U.S. Department of Energy

Provides financial and technical assistance to tribes for energy development, energy efficiency, and renewable energy projects on tribal lands.

Activate (formerly Cyclotron Road / DOE-affiliated)

Two-year fellowship for scientists and engineers to advance breakthrough energy and climate technologies. Provides $100K+ stipend, lab access, and mentorship.

Surdna Foundation

Just and sustainable communities through environmental and social programs

Strategic Growth Council

The Transformative Climate Communities Program (TCC), established by AB 2722 (Burke, 2016), invests in community-led climate resilience projects in the state’s most overburdened communities. The program objectives are to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve public health and the environment, and support economic opportunity and shared prosperity. TCC’s unique, place-based strategy for reducing greenhouse gas emissions is designed to catalyze collective impact through a combination of community-driven climate projects in a single neighborhood. The Project Development Grants support disadvantaged communities by funding pre-development and basic infrastructure activities that advance the communities’ climate and community resilience goals and prepare them for future funding opportunities aligned with the TCC Program Objectives. Project Development Grants should respond to previous community planning efforts that identified priority projects and need additional project development and basic infrastructure support funding to get ready for future resilience funding. SGC developed this pilot grant type in Round 5 TCC in response to the expressed support gap between Planning and Implementation Grant funding and to meet communities where they are in their climate resilience efforts, and will continue it into Round 6.  Disadvantaged Unincorporated Communities (DUCs), Tribal Communities, Planning Grant Grantees, and Previous Implementation Grant Applicants will be prioritized for Project Development Grants, with DUCs given the most priority. TCC Implementation Grants and Planning Grants support holistic neighborhood proposals and planning activities, respectively, to advance community-led goals and projects. Please see separate Grants Portal entries for information on Planning Grants and Implementation Grants. A wide variety of activities and costs can be funded through the grant. Please see the Round 6 Guidelines for a list of example eligible activities. Multiple Co-Applicants are required. A diverse range of community, business and local government stakeholders must form a Collaborative Governance Structure to develop a shared vision of transformation for their community. Applicants must include community engagement activities and address climate resilience through the proposal. Applicants may also address other transformative elements such as displacement avoidance and workforce development, if applicable. Applicants from Tribal Communities, Tribally-owned non-profits, and with Project Areas in Disadvantaged Unincorporated Communities are prioritized for Application Technical Assistance. July 31, 2026, is the priority deadline to request Application Technical Assistance via the TA Application Request Form. Application TA services may be available to additional applicants depending on funding availability and TA provider capacity, after the July 31st deadline. 

Strategic Growth Council

The Transformative Climate Communities (TCC) Program, established by AB 2722 (Burke, 2016), invests in community-led climate resilience projects in the state’s most overburdened communities. The program objectives are to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve public health and the environment, and support economic opportunity and shared prosperity. The Planning Grants intend to support planning activities to prepare prepare low-income, disadvantaged, and Tribal communities for future implementation of programs aligned with TCC Program Objectives. Planning activities should address community priorities and directly benefit these communities.  TCC Implementation Grants and Project Development Grants support holistic neighborhood-level projects and pre-development activities, respectively, to advance community-led goals and projects. Please see separate Grants Portal entries for more information. Some examples of eligible activities include: -Building internal and partner capacity to support collaborative partnerships that align land use with environmental, economic, and social justice priorities -Evaluating, updating, and streamlining policies and codes administered by the Planning Department and other local departments (e.g., public works, health and safety, fire, parks, and open space) -Conducting fiscal analyses to assess long-term service costs of future development and inform fee structures Preparing climate action and climate adaptation plans -Conducting inclusive community engagement that incorporates input from local residents and supports and prepares for the future development of innovative and meaningful programs and practices -Preparing for future funding opportunities, including TCC Implementation Grants or similar programs, through activities such as community needs assessments, community health needs assessments, partnership development, engagement to inform project selection, and development or formalization of a shared governance structure (e.g., a Collaborative Governance Structure) -Activities that support development of a Collaborative Governance Structure are strongly encouraged for applicants anticipating a future TCC Implementation Grant -Defining Health Equity and establishing related goals for the Project Area using available resources from the California Department of Public Health and other place-based sources -Identifying and preparing project sites for future community-serving uses, including feasibility studies, site identification (e.g., community land trusts or climate resilience projects), and planning for project implementation At least one Co-Applicant is required. Applicants from Tribal Communities, Tribally-owned non-profits, and with Project Areas in Disadvantaged Unincorporated Communities are prioritized for Application Technical Assistance. July 31, 2026, is the priority deadline to request Application Technical Assistance via the TA Application Request Form. Application TA services may be available to additional applicants depending on funding availability and TA provider capacity after the July 31st deadline.

JICA / JST (Japan Science and Technology Agency)

Joint research program between Japanese and developing-country institutions addressing global challenges in environment, energy, bioresources, and disaster prevention.

Grist

Storytelling and solutions journalism supporting environmental justice communities

Kresge Foundation

Climate resilience and environmental health in vulnerable communities

Trust for Public Land

Park creation and improvement in park-poor neighborhoods

Coming Clean

Environmental health advocacy for fenceline communities near polluting facilities

The Conservation Fund

Green infrastructure and conservation in underserved communities

11th Hour Project

Strategic environmental grants for climate resilience and ecological health

NRDC

Urban biodiversity and environmental health in underserved neighborhoods

U.S. Dept. of Treasury RESTORE Act Program

<p>Treasury is publishing multiple funding opportunity announcements (FOAs) for its RESTORE Act grant programs. This announcement applies only to the Direct Component and is only for applications for eligible construction and real property acquisition activities, including environmental restoration projects and including projects with or without a non-federal cost-share for another federally funded project or program. To apply for eligible activities that do not involve any construction, land acquisition, or environmental restoration, applicants should use the non-construction funding opportunity announcement (GR-RDC-25-002). All construction and real property acquisition activities, and any activity that requires a permit from a federal or state agency, including natural resource restoration projects, should be submitted under this construction and real property acquisition funding opportunity announcement. Trust Fund amounts are available to carry out eligible activities described in the RESTORE Act and Treasury’s implementing regulations at 31 CFR 34.201. These are: 1) Restoration and protection of the natural resources, ecosystems, fisheries, marine and wildlife habitats, beaches and coastal wetlands of the Gulf Coast region. 2) Mitigation of damage to fish, wildlife, and natural resources. 3) Implementation of a Federally- approved marine, coastal, or comprehensive conservation management plan, including fisheries monitoring. 4) Workforce development and job creation. 5) Improvements to or on State parks located in coastal areas affected by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. 6) Infrastructure projects benefitting the economy or ecological resources, including port infrastructure. 7) Coastal flood protection and related infrastructure. 8) Promotion of tourism in the Gulf Coast region, including promotion of recreational fishing. 9) Promotion of the consumption of seafood harvested from the Gulf Coast region. 10) Planning assistance. 11) Administrative costs. Eligible activities 1 through 7 listed above must be carried out in the Gulf Coast region.</p>

Earthjustice

Legal defense for communities facing environmental threats

Pacific Environment

Ocean and climate protection for Pacific Rim communities

Indigenous Environmental Network

Indigenous-led climate and environmental justice initiatives

EPA Office of EJ

Multi-stakeholder environmental justice solutions in overburdened communities

State Environmental Agency

State-funded environmental justice programs addressing pollution and community health in CA

American Lung Association

Clean air research, education, and advocacy programs in CA

U.S. EPA

Environmental justice collaborative problem-solving grants for communities in EPA Region 7

Rural Community Assistance Partnership

Technical assistance for rural water and wastewater system improvements