As the need for robust environmental stewardship and climate resilience grows, so does the competition for funding.

For nonprofits, local governments, and researchers, securing the right grant can mean the difference between a visionary project and a missed opportunity.

The grant landscape is constantly shifting, but one thing is certain: preparation is everything.

Navigating the world of federal and foundation funding can be overwhelming.

That's why we've done the heavy lifting for you.

We've identified three high-impact environmental grants with confirmed deadlines in early 2026. This is your chance to get ahead of the application cycle and position your organization for success.

Let's dive into the details.

Key Environmental Grants to Watch for in 2026

Here are three significant funding opportunities your organization should be preparing for now.

We've verified the details to ensure you have accurate, actionable information.

1. NOAA Coastal Resilience Grants

Funding Amount: $500,000 to $2,000,000

Application Deadline: January 31, 2026

Administered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), this program is a cornerstone of federal funding for coastal habitat restoration and community resilience.

It supports projects that help communities prepare for and recover from extreme weather events, sea-level rise, and other climate-related threats.

Who It's For:

  • State, local, and territorial governments

  • Nonprofit organizations (with 501(c)(3) status)

  • U.S. institutions of higher education

  • Federally recognized Native American tribal governments

What It Funds: This grant prioritizes on-the-ground projects with measurable outcomes.

Successful proposals often focus on building resilience through natural infrastructure, such as restoring coastal wetlands, dunes, and coral reefs.

Funding can also be used for engineering and design, community engagement, and creating resilience strategies that benefit both the ecosystem and the local economy.

How to Apply: Applications are submitted through the federal Grants.gov portal.

You will need a registered System for Award Management (SAM.gov) account and a Grants.gov account well in advance of the deadline.

The full Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) contains all the specific requirements and scoring criteria.

2. EPA Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem-Solving (EJCPS) Program

Funding Amount: Up to $500,000 per award

Application Deadline: April 15, 2026

The Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) EJCPS program is designed to empower underserved communities facing disproportionate environmental harms.

It funds projects that use collaboration and partnership to address local environmental and public health issues, from air and water quality to toxic substance exposure.

Who It's For:

  • Community-based nonprofit organizations

  • Federally recognized tribal governments and inter-tribal consortia

  • Partnerships between the above entities

What It Funds: This grant supports a wide range of activities, including community-led air and water quality monitoring, developing local solutions to pollution, creating environmental education programs, and building the capacity of community organizations to engage in environmental decision-making.

The key is the "collaborative problem-solving" model, so proposals must demonstrate strong partnerships.

How to Apply: The EPA releases a detailed Request for Applications (RFA) on its website and on Grants.gov.

Applicants must clearly articulate the environmental justice issue, the community affected, and how their collaborative project will lead to tangible results.

3. America the Beautiful Challenge

Funding Amount: $1,000,000 to $5,000,000

Pre-Proposal Deadline: April 20, 2026

This is a public-private grant program administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF).

It consolidates funding from multiple federal agencies and corporations to support large-scale, locally-led conservation and restoration projects.

It's one of the most significant opportunities for landscape-level conservation work.

Who It's For:

  • Nonprofit organizations

  • State, local, and territorial governments

  • Federally recognized tribal governments

  • U.S. institutions of higher education

What It Funds: The program has four core pillars: conserving and restoring rivers, coasts, forests, and grasslands; connecting corridors for wildlife; improving ecosystem and community resilience; and expanding access to nature.

This is a grant for ambitious, high-impact projects that can demonstrate benefits across large geographic areas.

How to Apply: The process begins with a pre-proposal submitted through NFWF's online application system, Easygrants.

Successful pre-proposal applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal later in the year.

The pre-proposal is critical for showing your project's alignment with the challenge's large-scale goals.

Pro Tips for a Stronger Environmental Grant Application

Securing one of these competitive grants requires more than just a good idea.

Here's how to make your application stand out:

  1. Quantify Your Impact: Don't just say you'll restore a wetland.

Specify the number of acres, the expected increase in biodiversity, or the number of community members who will be protected from flooding.

Data-driven proposals win.

  1. Highlight Collaboration: Funders want to see that you're not working in a silo.

Detail your partnerships with other nonprofits, government agencies, universities, or community groups.

Letters of support are powerful evidence.

  1. Align with Funder Priorities: Read the grant guidelines, the funder's strategic plan, and recent press releases.

Use their language and explicitly state how your project helps them achieve their goals.

For federal grants, this means aligning with national priorities like climate resilience or environmental justice.

Don't Wait to Get Started

With deadlines in early 2026, the time to start planning is now.

These grants require significant preparation, from building partnerships to gathering data and drafting a compelling narrative.

By starting early, you give your organization the competitive edge it needs to secure critical environmental funding.

Managing multiple grant timelines, requirements, and reporting deadlines can be a major challenge.

Using a dedicated grant management platform can help you stay organized, track your progress, and never miss a deadline.

Explore how our software can streamline your entire grant lifecycle, from discovery to closeout.