The Water Supply Reserve Fund Grant Program (WSRF) is one of the grant programs that the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) operates. The WSRF grant program consists of money set aside to complete basin projects in accordance with the Basin Implementation Plan (BIP) and Colorado Water Plan (CWP). The WSRF has two pools of money – a Basin Account (each of the nine basins have their own account) and the Statewide Account. The Second Cycle Application Deadline is January 19th, 2022. Click here for more information. **
Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration Grant Program. The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) and the Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC), in cooperation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), USDA Forest Service (USFS), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), FedEx and Southern Company are soliciting applications for the 2022 Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration program. This program will award approximately $2.6 million in grants nationwide. Projects should increase access to the benefits of nature, reduce the impact of environmental hazards and engage local communities, particularly underserved communities, in project planning, outreach and implementation. Applicants will represent a mixture of urban and rural communities. To learn more about the application, click here. Proposals due January 25, 2022.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife- Wetlands for Wildlife Program. 2021-2022 REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS (RFA). Competitive Grants for Wetland/Riparian. The intent of this funding is to support the two primary goals of the program: 1. Improve the distribution and abundance of ducks, and opportunities for public waterfowl hunting. 2. Improve the status of declining or at-risk species. The application deadline is Wednesday, January 26, 2022. For more information click HERE.
Colorado Department of Local Affairs Funding Opportunity
The Colorado Department of Local Affairs is pleased to announce a Notice of Funding Available of Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) funds for Alamosa, Conejos, Costilla, Mineral, Rio Grande, and Saguache Counties. The attached application will be used to identify the organization or organizations to serve as the CSBG Eligible Entity for those counties going forward. Entities that are interested in applying should reach out to DOLA staff in advance of submitting their application if they have any questions on the application or the program in general. Please contact Alex Vercio (alex.vercio@state.co.us) or Alex Diaz (alex.diaz@state.co.us). Applications will be due January 31, 2022. Download the Application**
Conservation Connect Fellowship Program. Every year, the National Forest Foundation (NFF) invites graduate students (pursuing a master's or doctoral degree) to apply to the Conservation Connect Fellowship Program. The fellowship includes a summer or academic year practicum at NFF's Missoula, Montana office, a field office, or hosted by a partner organization. Conservation Connect fellowships aim to build experience, knowledge, and skills within the next generation of collaborative and conservation leaders to support each other and advance the field. Applications will be accepted now through February 18th, 2022. Click here to learn more.**
Colorado Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) State Conservationist, Clint Evans, announced the 2022 application cut-off dates for eligible entities to participate in the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program – Agricultural Land Easement (ACEP-ALE) in Colorado. There are two signups. Application packages are due on Friday, January 7, 2022 by 4:00pm MST for funding consideration in Signup 1 and on Friday, February 25, 2022 by 4:00pm MST for funding consideration in Signup 2. Ranking pools offered for parcel applications are General, Grasslands of Special Significance (GSS), GSS Gunnison Sage Grouse, and GSS Greater Sage Grouse. For more information click HERE.
The Babbitt Center for Land and Water Policy, a center of the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, is pleased to announce its call for applications for Dissertation Fellowships for 2022. These awards of $10,000 support Ph.D. students at universities in the U.S. and Mexico who are conducting dissertation research that builds on, and contributes to, the integration of land and water policy to advance water sustainability and resilience, particularly in the Colorado River Basin. Babbitt Dissertation Fellowships are an important link between the Lincoln Institute’s educational mission and its research objectives by supporting scholars early in their careers. For more information, including the application guidelines click here. Contact Zach Sugg if you have any questions. The application deadline is March 1, 2022.
The Colorado Water Conservation Board is pleased to administer a $2,000 one-year scholarship for a Colorado high school student interested in western water issues planning to attend a public institution of higher education in Colorado. Applications are due April 1, 2022. Read More
Upper Gunnison SPP Funding. Please see the attached solicitation for project proposals from CDPHE's Hazardous Materials and Waste Management Division for the Upper Gunnison River Basin. The deadline for proposal submission is April 1, 2022.
NEW - PFAS Grant Program. The PFAS Grant Program provides money to eligible entities through three project categories:
Sampling - for standard sampling and independent environmental studies.
Emergency Assistance - for communities and water systems affected by PFAS.
Infrastructure - treating existing PFAS and strategies for preventing upstream sources of PFAS.
Drinking water providers can apply to test their treated drinking and source waters. Each PFAS grant program category has different criteria. Review the 2022 Request for Applications and apply on the PFAS Projects webpage. The application period ends April 2022.
The Colorado Strategic Wildfire Action Program (COSWAP) was created after the devastating 2020 fire season by the Colorado legislature through the bi-partisan supported SB21-258 in the summer of 2021. COSWAP is designed to quickly move $17.5 million state stimulus dollars to start on-the-ground work on fuels reduction projects and increase Colorado's capacity to conduct critical forest restoration and wildfire mitigation work that will increase community resilience and protect life, property and infrastructure. Learn more about these opportunities here.**
HUD: Authority to Accept Unsolicited Proposals for Research Partnerships Notice. HUD’s Office of Policy Development and Research (PD&R) has the authority to accept unsolicited research proposals that address current research priorities. HUD is making up to $2 million available for Lead and Healthy Homes Research Partnerships and approximately $1 million available for Research Partnerships for other topics. HUD is interested in increasing participation of Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) of higher education and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in all program areas. To learn more, click here.
In response to the impacts of COVID-19, Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) has launched the Resilient Communities Program (RCP). The $15 million program aims to fund one-time, immediate needs or opportunities that have emerged in direct response to the pandemic. It will help partners advance outdoor recreation, stewardship, and land protection projects in a manner that best reflects community needs and priorities at this moment in time. Capacity and operations support, stewardship efforts, projects that support community vitality, and urgent and emergent land acquisition opportunities will be considered. For more information, including eligibility criteria and application forms, click HERE.
The Colorado Water Conservation Board Water Supply Reserve Fund (WSRF) Program provides grants and loans to assist Colorado water users in addressing their critical water supply issues and interests. The funds help eligible entities complete water activities, which may include competitive grants for: Technical assistance regarding permitting, feasibility studies and environmental compliance; Studies or analysis of structural, nonstructural consumptive and nonconsumptive water needs, projects or activities; and structural and nonstructural water projects or activities. Basin Account application timelines vary by basin. Statewide Account applications are brought before the board in March and September. For more information click HERE.
The Colorado Water Conservation Board offers numerous loans and grants to water providers and other entities statewide for a variety of water-related projects, studies, planning documents, awareness campaigns and other activities. Click HERE to find out more about the CWCB’s funding programs.
**indicate new funding opportunities posted on Inflow since our last edition**