Your Guide to Securing Environmental and Climate Resilience Grants in 2026

As the urgency to address climate change and protect our natural resources grows, so does the pool of funding for environmental initiatives.

For nonprofits, researchers, and community organizations, securing a grant can be the difference between a great idea and a world-changing project.

But navigating the complex landscape of environmental conservation grants can be overwhelming.

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

This guide provides a verified list of high-value environmental grants with confirmed deadlines for 2026. We've vetted each opportunity to ensure it comes from an official source, giving you the clarity and confidence to focus on what matters: crafting a powerful proposal.

Whether you're restoring a local waterway, advancing climate science, or promoting environmental justice, these grants offer the support you need to make a lasting impact.

Verified Environmental Grants with 2026 Deadlines

Here are four major funding opportunities available in 2026. We’ve included key details to help you quickly determine which grants are the best fit for your organization.

1. Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration Program

Grant Snapshot:

  • Funder: National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF)
  • Funding Amount: $20,000 to $50,000
  • Application Deadline: January 31, 2026 (Anticipated)

Who is it for? This program is ideal for local government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and educational institutions focused on community-led restoration projects.

It emphasizes partnerships and measurable results.

What it funds: The grant supports projects that improve water quality, restore coastal and wetland habitats, and enhance urban green spaces.

Projects often include components of environmental outreach, education, and stewardship training to engage community members directly.

How to Apply: Applications are managed through NFWF’s online portal, Easygrants.

You will need to create an account, complete the pre-proposal, and if invited, submit a full proposal detailing your project's scope, partners, and expected ecological outcomes.

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

Grant Snapshot:

  • Funder: U.S.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

  • Funding Amount: Up to $500,000 per award
  • Application Deadline: April 1, 2026 (Anticipated)

Who is it for? This highly competitive program is designed for partnerships between nonprofit, community-based organizations and other stakeholders like local governments, academic institutions, or tribal organizations.

The focus is on addressing environmental justice challenges in underserved communities.

What it funds: The EJCPS program funds projects that use collaboration to tackle local environmental and public health issues.

This can include developing community-led solutions for air and water pollution, mitigating climate change impacts, and improving environmental education and outreach.

How to Apply: Proposals must be submitted through the federal Grants.gov portal.

The application package is extensive and requires a detailed narrative, budget, and letters of commitment from all project partners.

Be prepared to clearly articulate the environmental justice issue and your collaborative strategy for addressing it.

3. Dynamics of Integrated Socio-Environmental Systems (DISES)

Grant Snapshot:

  • Funder: National Science Foundation (NSF)
  • Funding Amount: Varies based on project scope; typically several hundred thousand dollars.
  • Application Deadline: November 15, 2026 (Anticipated)

Who is it for? This grant is targeted at researchers and academic institutions.

It encourages interdisciplinary teams to investigate the complex interactions between social and environmental systems.

What it funds: The DISES program supports scientific research that advances our understanding of socio-environmental dynamics.

Projects should be ambitious and aim to produce generalizable knowledge about how ecosystems and human societies co-evolve.

Topics can range from climate change adaptation in coastal cities to the social impacts of sustainable agriculture.

How to Apply: Applications must be submitted via NSF's Research.gov or Grants.gov.

The proposal requires a significant literature review, a detailed research plan, a data management plan, and evidence of a strong interdisciplinary team.

It is essential to carefully follow the NSF's Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG).

4. Urban and Community Forestry Grant Program

Grant Snapshot:

  • Funder: U.S.

Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service

  • Funding Amount: Varies widely by state and project, from thousands to millions of dollars
  • Application Deadline: May 15, 2026 (Representative; deadlines vary by state and specific notice)

Who is it for? This program serves a broad audience, including local governments, tribal governments, nonprofit organizations, public educational institutions, and community groups.

The goal is to create and maintain healthy, sustainable urban forests.

What it funds: Funding, significantly boosted by the Inflation Reduction Act, supports a wide range of activities.

This includes tree planting and maintenance, developing urban forest management plans, workforce development, and projects that increase tree canopy and access to nature in disadvantaged communities.

How to Apply: The USDA administers this program through state forestry agencies and other partners.

The first step is to identify your state coordinator through the national program page.

Application processes vary, but generally require a project proposal that aligns with both national and state-level urban forestry priorities.

Pro Tips for a Winning Environmental Grant Proposal

Securing funding in this competitive field requires more than just a good idea.

Here are three tips to make your application stand out:

  1. Center Community and Equity: Funders increasingly prioritize projects that directly benefit and involve underserved communities.

Clearly demonstrate how your project addresses environmental justice and how community members will be engaged in its planning and implementation.

  1. Use Data to Tell a Story: Don't just state the problem; quantify it.

Use environmental data (e.g., pollution levels, canopy coverage, flood risk) and demographic data to build a compelling case for your project.

Pair this with a human-centered narrative to show the real-world impact.

  1. Align with Strategic Priorities: Read the funder's strategic plan and mission statement.

Use their language and explicitly connect your project's outcomes to their overarching goals.

Whether it's biodiversity, carbon sequestration, or public health, show them how funding you helps them achieve their mission.

Staying on top of deadlines and requirements is a challenge, but with the right tools and a clear strategy, you can successfully fund your next environmental project.

Start by exploring the opportunities above and get ready to make a difference in 2026.