The BIA Tribal Climate Resilience Program is pleased to announce the availability of funding to support the hiring of Tribal Climate Resilience Liaisons in the North Central, Midwest and Northeast/Southeast regions of the DOI Climate Adaptation Science Centers (CASCs) through the BIA's Tribal Resilience Program. Eligible applicants include tribal non-profit, non-governmental organizations and tribally-controlled colleges or universities (TCUs) that serve federally-recognized tribes. Other entities may participate as sub-grantees. The solicitation is available on grants.gov, and named TCRP-16241: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=336222

The BIA is collaborating with the Department of Interior (DOI) Climate Adaptation Science Centers (CASCs) to continue supporting tribal climate resilience needs and selected tribal organizations will enter into cooperative agreements with the BIA. This provides a mechanism for the BIA to provide the selected Tribal organizations with non-recurring funding for mutually agreed upon tasks in keeping with the climate science needs of the BIA and all tribal communities in the North Central, Midwest, and Northeast/Southeast CASC regions. Applications are due December 17, 2021.

The BIA’s Office of Trust Services, Tribal Climate Resilience Program, will evaluate all proposals and select three tribal organizations (one per region) to hire up to two liaisons per region.

Each tribal organization may also work with the BIA TCRP, the respective regional CASC, and other potential partners to coordinate training activities and support the development and implementation of up to two tribal climate resilience trainings for tribes in the respective region per year, contingent on available funding. The successful tribal organization will have 1) various regional and/or national knowledge and familiarity to support all tribes in the service area, 2) functional expertise in areas that are or may be affected by climate change, 3) broad tribal membership regionally or nationally and, 4) the capacity to provide administrative supervision and mentorship for the liaisons, and engage in regular coordination with the CASC and BIA.

An informational webinar will be scheduled shortly. Please see the BIA TCRP website for updates on the webinar: https://www.bia.gov/bia/ots/tribal-climate-resilience-program