Applications are open for the Climate Smart Communities Initiative 2026 grant cycle, offering financial support and technical assistance to community-driven climate resilience efforts across the United States.

This funding round is designed to help regions most at risk from climate-related hazards strengthen their ability to prepare for, respond to, and adapt to ongoing climate impacts.

CSCI plans to distribute $1.5–2 million in total funding, with individual awards typically ranging between $75,000 and $115,000 depending on the scope and needs of each proposal. For 2026, the initiative expects to support 16 to 20 project teams.

Who the Program Supports

The grants are meant for U.S. communities that face severe environmental and socioeconomic vulnerabilities due to climate change. Priority is given to projects serving historically disinvested populations. Applications must be submitted by a team that brings together:

• A climate adaptation practitioner

• A community-based organization

• A local or regional government entity

New collaborations and long-standing partnerships are equally welcome.

Key Dates

• November 13, 2025 – Informational webinar recording available

• Early February 2026 – Recommended deadline to finalize project partners

• March 12, 2026 – Application deadline

What the Grant Provides

Selected teams receive more than financial support. Grantees join a national cohort program offering:

• Capacity-building training

• Peer learning and exchanges

• On-demand technical assistance

• Opportunities to work with topical experts

• Access to CSCI’s learning and evaluation community

Teams are also included in CSCI’s broader effort to identify climate adaptation best practices and common measures of resilience success.

Funding Priorities

Reviewers will give particular attention to proposals that:

• Address vulnerability to climate hazards

• Focus on underserved or historically marginalized populations

• Integrate equity, justice, and community inclusion

• Consider nature-based solutions where appropriate

• Demonstrate readiness to advance climate resilience work

• Build long-term capacity beyond the 12-month grant period

Selection Criteria

Applications will be evaluated by experts from multiple sectors based on:

• Climate vulnerability and risk

• Equity and representation

• Inclusion of nature-based strategies

• Strength of community-driven planning

• Long-term impact potential

• Opportunities for shared learning

Expectations for Awardees

Community-based organizations and government partners are expected to collaborate closely with their adaptation practitioner to:

• Develop a detailed budget

• Participate in CSCI orientation sessions

• Engage in project planning and implementation throughout the 12-month period

• Complete required surveys and brief assessments after the grant concludes

Adaptation practitioners have additional responsibilities, including a kickoff survey, a midpoint check-in, and contributions to a final case study.

Allowable Use of Funds

Grant funds may be used for activities such as:

• Climate vulnerability assessments

• Planning workshops and community engagement

• Prioritization of resilience actions

• Support for securing implementation financing

Funds must be spent within the 12-month grant period, and overhead costs are limited to 10% of direct expenses.

Restrictions

CSCI grants cannot fund:

• Mitigation-focused projects (renewable energy, emissions reduction, electrification, etc.)

• Public policy lobbying

• Competitive subgrants

• Stand-alone disaster preparedness projects not tied to future climate risk

• Projects requiring relocation without climate-resilience justification

• Government agencies as direct grant recipients