Now Accepting Grant Applications
The Climate Smart Communities Initiative (CSCI) is now accepting applications for grants to help communities accelerate their climate resilience plans and projects. The grants can help small and midsize communities at any step in the planning process. Awards include funding, as well as training and technical support. Ranging from $75,000-$115,000 per award, funds can be used over a twelve-month period to advance activities ranging from risk assessments and community engagement to project prioritization and implementation.
To be eligible for consideration, the applicant community must be located in the United States and facing significant climate-related challenges, based on environmental and socioeconomic considerations.
CSCI requires that a three-partner “applicant team” jointly apply for a grant. The applicant team must consist of: 1) a local, regional or Tribal government representative, 2) a community-based organization, and 3) a qualified climate adaptation practitioner. Additionally, the adaptation practitioner must apply and be listed in the Registry of Adaptation Practitioners.
Grant funds to successful applicants will be provided to the adaptation practitioner. Fund may be distributed to the other two project partners in any combination that the partners decide is appropriate to their project.
One unique aspect of the CSCI is its ability to connect communities and qualified climate service professionals through its Registry of Adaptation Practitioners. Communities interested in applying for a grant but not yet connected with a practitioner, can search the Registry for practitioners to partner with. Practitioners who are not already listed in the Registry, and those who want to connect with communities that are interested in their services, must apply to join.
The initiative will be accepting grant applications through March 12, 2026*, and expects to announce awards in summer 2026. For more details, including benefits, program requirements, and to complete an application, visit climatesmartcommunity.org/funding.
Interested applicants can register for an informational webinar about the CSCI grants program on Thursday, November 13th, 2025 at 2:00 ET.
*If you are seeking an adaptation practitioner for your applicant team, use the Registry of Adaptation Practitioners to connect with a potential partner. This is a simple process and the Registry will match your project’s needs with a few experts who might be able to support you. Allow your team a few weeks to interview and find the right practitioner for you. Start as soon as possible and plan to assemble your partners by February 5th, 2026 to leave sufficient time to complete the grant application together.