Opportunities for Funding

WRF seeks pioneering research pre-proposals that will significantly advance knowledge and understanding in protection and enhancement of water quality or the water environment and that could fundamentally transform how WRF subscribers perform their work. WRF also considers pre-proposals that would take existing research to the next level of completion, resulting in practical solutions to water quality problems. Those pre-proposals with the best likelihood to advance knowledge and understanding and to provide relevant information for WRF Subscribers are invited to submit full proposals.

First Nations is pleased to announce this 2024-2026 NAI request for proposals (RFP). Native-controlled nonprofits and tribal government programs located in one of the following regions are eligible to apply for a NAI Grant as part of this current funding cycle:

Upper Midwest (North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin); Southwest (New Mexico, Arizona, and Southern California*).
* The geographic region for this RFP is set by the service area of First Nations’ primary donor. If your Tribe, Native-controlled nonprofit, or community organization is based in Northern California and if you are interested in sharing about your programming with First Nations, please email Johnny McCraigie to set up a meeting.

During this funding cycle, First Nations will distribute approximately 15, two-year Native Arts Initiative grants of up to $100,000 each.

Selected Native-controlled nonprofit organizations and tribal government programs must have existing program initiatives in place that support Native artists and the field of traditional Native arts through efforts to preserve traditional Native arts and artistic practices and advance intergenerational sharing of artistic skills and knowledge.

To learn more about First Nations’ Native Arts Initiative, please visit the First Nations’ website here.

Support programs and practices that preserve and perpetuate Hawaiian language, culture, traditions, identity and sense of lāhui.

Support programs and practices that strengthen the wellbeing of vulnerable populations, including Native Hawaiian kupuna; rural communities; LGBTQIA2S+ communities; and/or Native Hawaiians impacted by houselessness, incarceration, human trafficking, or intimate partner violence.

Support programs and practices that strengthen the health of the ʻāina, including increasing community stewardship of Hawai‘i’s natural and cultural resources that foster connection to ‘āina,‘ohana, and communities; and/or increasing restoration of Native Hawaiian cultural sites, landscapes, kulāiwi and traditional food systems.

Support programs and practices that strengthen Native Hawaiian resource management knowledge and skills to meet the housing needs of their ʻohana, increasing safety, stability, social support networks, and cultural connection in Native Hawaiian communities. Projects include those that support Native Hawaiians to rent or own housing that meets their ʻohana financial and wellbeing needs.

Support the development and use of educational resources for all Native Hawaiian lifelong learners in schools, communities and ohana, including supporting Native Hawaiian students to enter educational systems ready to learn; supporting Native Hawaiian students graduating high school to be college, career, and community ready; and/or supporting Native Hawaiians to engage in traditional learning systems (e.g., hale, hālau, mua, hale pe‘a) that re-establish/maintain strong cultural foundations and identity.

Support programs and practices that strengthen ‘economic development in and for Hawaiian communities, including projects that support successful, community-strengthening Native Hawaiian-owned businesses; projects that support the establishment of new markets for Native Hawaiian products (kalo, loko i‘a grown fish, etc.) that can provide Native Hawaiian producers a livable wage; and/or projects that support the establishment and operationalization of indigenous economic system consistent with Native Hawaiian knowledge, culture, values and practices.

Priority funding considerations include projects to meet Hawaiian Homestead communities' basic needs (e.g., home repair, handrails, guardrails, ramps, internet access, transportation, aids—walkers, canes, transfer benches, eyeglasses, hearing aids, protective footwear, dental services); programs in Hawaiian Homestead communities’ youth, kupuna, or community centers, including purchase of program or activity supports (e.g., appliances, computers, internet access, safety patrol activities, after school programming); and/or education, advocacy or support services to enable Hawaiian Homestead communities to advocate for ʻohana and community needs (e.g., in areas of education, health, housing, pa‘ahao, subsistence living, natural resources).

The Topic Areas included in this FOA are:

Topic Area 1: Electrification of Industrial Heat

Topic Area 2: Efficient Energy Use in Industrial Systems

Topic Area 3: Decarbonizing Organic Wastewater and Wet Waste Treatment

IEDO expects additional funding opportunities to focus on transformational technologies to address subsector-specific challenges in energy- and emissions-intensive industries.

This FOA is part of DOE’s Technologies for Industrial Emissions Reduction Development (TIEReD) Program. This program leverages resources across DOE’s applied research offices to invest in fundamental science, research, development, initial pilot-scale demonstrations projects, and technical assistance and workforce development.