Grant Overview
The federal government has embarked upon an era of co-stewardship of public lands as directed by Joint Secretarial Order 3403 and other authorities. States have also launched new policies consistent with this approach. These efforts to restore tribal stewardship can help to advance ecosystem restoration, biodiversity conservation, and adaptation to climate change. Central to this work is restoring buffalo and fire to grasslands.
This grant will provide Tribes with resources to build necessary capacity to negotiate, implement, and monitor co-stewardship agreements with the U.S. Forest Service in the Great Plains Region. This includes technical assistance, trainings, and networking opportunities all centered in the space of co-stewardship. The ultimate goal is to strengthen and increase tribal co-stewardship on National Grasslands in the Great Plains region, allowing Tribes to serve as anchors in promoting greater ecological connectivity to grassland protection and health.
First Nations is now accepting applications under our Stewarding Native Lands program to support the development of tribal co-stewardship agreements and related capacity building. First Nations expects to award six grants up to $125,000 each to eligible Tribes.
Grant support is made possible through funding from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.
Grant Period
The grant period for this funding opportunity is October 15, 2024, to November 30, 2026.
Grant Award Ceiling
Total requested funds in project budgets under this funding opportunity should not exceed $125,000.
Grant Submission Deadline
Applications are due MONDAY, September 16, 2024 no later than 5 pm Mountain Time.
First Nations recognizes that some of our most rural and remote applicants may have limited access to high-speed internet. Any exceptions to use of the online system must be made at least two weeks in advance of the application deadline by submitting a request to grantmaking@firstnations.org. Please include your name, organization, contact information and the name of the RFP for which you are applying. If you do not have access to email you can call our office at (303) 774-7836 and ask to speak with a member of the Grantmaking Department.
Unfortunately, First Nations cannot make any emergency exceptions to application deadlines. Partial applications, incomplete applications due to user error, or faxed/emailed/mailed applications will not be considered unless they have received prior approval.
Download instructions for First Nations’ Online Application System here. Access First Nations’ Online Application system here.
Federal- and State-Recognized tribal Governments and Departments