CSCI Climate Grants 2026 | $60,000–$115,000 for Community-Based Adaptation Work

Apply for the CSCI Climate Grants 2026 and receive $60,000–$115,000 in funding for community-based climate adaptation projects. Open to US-based partnerships between governments, practitioners, and community organizations.

Empowering Local Action for Climate Resilience in 2026

The Climate Smart Communities Initiative (CSCI) has announced its 2026 Climate Grants, offering $60,000–$115,000 in funding to support community-based climate adaptation projects across the United States.

These grants provide both financial resources and technical assistance to help vulnerable communities design and implement locally driven climate resilience strategies.

Applications are now open, with the deadline set for March 12, 2026. Interested applicants are encouraged to begin assembling their partnerships well in advance to qualify for this competitive funding opportunity.

About the Climate Smart Communities Initiative (CSCI)

The CSCI is a national effort that supports cities, towns, and regional entities in developing climate-smart adaptation plans that are inclusive, equitable, and grounded in community needs.

Through its annual grant competitions, CSCI empowers coalitions made up of local governments, community-based organizations, and adaptation practitioners to build actionable climate solutions in regions most affected by rising temperatures, extreme weather, and environmental degradation.

The 2026 CSCI Grants focus on:

Building resilience in historically underserved communities.
Advancing equitable climate adaptation strategies.
Strengthening cross-sector collaboration to drive measurable climate action.

Grant Overview

Funding Range

Each grant provides between $60,000 and $115,000, depending on project size, community needs, and proposed scope of work.

The funding supports community engagement, resilience planning, and climate adaptation projects that create long-term sustainability impacts.

Key Dates

Informational Webinar: November 13, 2025 (2:00 PM ET)
Partner Assembly Deadline: February 5, 2026
Application Deadline: March 12, 2026 (8:00 PM ET)

Applicants are encouraged to register early and attend the informational webinar to learn about eligibility, proposal requirements, and partnership development.

What the CSCI Grants Support

The CSCI 2026 Grants fund initiatives that help communities translate their climate resilience goals into tangible results.

Examples of eligible project areas include:

Coastal or floodplain resilience planning
Drought and water management strategies
Urban heat mitigation and green infrastructure
Disaster preparedness and recovery systems
Community engagement and education on climate adaptation
Integrating traditional ecological knowledge into climate planning

The grants primarily fund the time, tools, and capacity of an adaptation practitioner who partners with a local government and a community-based organization to deliver measurable outcomes.

Eligibility Criteria

CSCI prioritizes equity and inclusion, with a focus on supporting communities most affected by climate-related risks, such as historically disinvested neighborhoods and small municipalities.

Eligible Applicants Must Include:

Each application team must consist of three key partners:

Adaptation Practitioner – A qualified climate resilience expert or organization with proven technical capacity.
Community-Based Organization (CBO) – A local nonprofit or advocacy group representing the community’s interests and needs.
Local or Regional Government Entity – A municipality, county, or regional authority directly engaged in planning or implementation.

These partnerships ensure that both technical expertise and community voices are embedded in every funded project.

Funding Priorities

The CSCI 2026 grant competition will prioritize projects that:

Address social equity and climate justice for underserved populations.
Demonstrate collaboration between community, government, and technical partners.
Advance resilience and sustainability goals at the local level.
Use science-based data and community knowledge to co-design solutions.
Create replicable models that can inspire climate action in other regions.

Selection Criteria

All applications will be evaluated based on the following core areas:

Community Impact: Demonstrated benefits for vulnerable or at-risk populations.
Partnership Strength: Collaboration among partners and clarity of roles.
Innovation: Creative and scalable approaches to adaptation.
Feasibility: Clear objectives, realistic timelines, and actionable outcomes.
Sustainability: Long-term viability beyond the grant period.
Equity and Inclusion: Representation and participation of local communities throughout the process.

Grant Requirements and Deliverables

Award recipients will be expected to:

Develop a comprehensive resilience plan tailored to local challenges.
Conduct community outreach and engagement.
Implement pilot projects or action steps.
Report progress through periodic updates and final deliverables.

Recipients will also receive technical assistance and mentoring from CSCI experts throughout the project duration.

Use of Funds

CSCI funding can be used to support:

Personnel costs (time for adaptation practitioners and community staff)
Workshops and stakeholder meetings
Community research and engagement activities
Technical tools, data analysis, and visualization
Communications and outreach materials

Restrictions

Funds cannot be used for:

General overhead costs not directly related to the project
Infrastructure construction or maintenance
Political lobbying or advocacy activities

Step-by-Step Application Process

Step 1: Assemble Partners

Before submitting an application, teams must form a partnership that includes:

A local/regional government
A community-based organization (CBO)
A registered adaptation practitioner

The Registry of Adaptation Practitioners provides a directory of vetted experts available to collaborate. Applicants can:

Search the Registry to find a partner practitioner.
Join the Registry if you’re a practitioner seeking collaboration.

Recommended deadline for partnership assembly: February 5, 2026.

Step 2: Submit the Application

Once your partnership is complete and your adaptation practitioner is listed in the Registry:

Submit your grant proposal online by March 12, 2026 (8:00 PM ET).
The adaptation practitioner typically serves as the lead applicant.
Proposals should clearly outline project goals, activities, timelines, and expected outcomes.

Applicants unsure about lead submission eligibility may contact info@climatesmartcommunity.org before applying.

Available Resources for Applicants

To help applicants prepare competitive proposals, CSCI offers several support resources:

Applicant Webinar (Nov 13, 2025): Comprehensive overview of eligibility and application steps.
Registry Tutorial: Step-by-step guide to assembling a qualified partnership.
Practitioner’s Guide: Resource for technical standards and frameworks.
Adaptation Help Desk: One-on-one support for application and project design.
Previously Funded Projects Database: Examples of successful grant recipients and outcomes.

All materials are accessible through the CSCI website.

How to Get Started

Visit: www.climatesmartcommunity.org
Join or Search the Registry of Adaptation Practitioners
Attend the Applicant Webinar on November 13, 2025
Assemble Your Team by February 5, 2026
Submit Application before March 12, 2026

Early preparation is key — assembling all partners and aligning project goals ahead of time increases your chances of success.

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Meta Description

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Who can apply for CSCI Climate Grants 2026?
Any U.S.-based team including a local/regional government, community-based organization, and registered adaptation practitioner is eligible to apply.

2. How much funding is available?
Grant awards range from $60,000 to $115,000, depending on the scope of work.

3. What is the deadline to apply?
Applications must be submitted by March 12, 2026, at 8:00 PM ET.

4. What types of projects are eligible?
Projects that strengthen climate resilience, community adaptation, and sustainability — particularly in vulnerable regions.

5. Can funds be used for infrastructure or construction?
No. Grants focus on planning, engagement, and capacity building, not physical infrastructure.

6. Who should lead the application?
Typically, the adaptation practitioner serves as the lead applicant, but teams can request exceptions.

7. Are technical resources available for applicants?
Yes. Applicants can access the Practitioner’s Guide, Help Desk, and webinar resources.

8. When should partners assemble?
By February 5, 2026, to ensure ample time for joint proposal preparation.

9. How can adaptation practitioners join the Registry?
They can apply directly via the CSCI Registry of Adaptation Practitioners website to become eligible for partnerships.

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CSCI Climate Grants 2026 | $60,000–$115,000 for Community-Based Adaptation Work

Empowering Local Action for Climate Resilience in 2026

About the Climate Smart Communities Initiative (CSCI)