GM 15-024

BIA Soliciting Applications for Climate Change Adaptation and Ocean and Coastal Management Planning Funding

The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) is soliciting applications from federally recognized tribes for two categories of funding: climate change adaptation planning and ocean and coastal management planning. There is $8 million in funding available, equally divided between the two categories. Funding is capped at $250,000 per awardee and may be awarded pursuant to the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act. Tribes who wish the BIA to perform a project via direct service are directed to contact their Regional Director. Applications are due by April 24, 2015.

Climate Adaptation Planning. Applicants may request funding for the following:

• Category 1. Trainings & Workshops. Design and host tribal training(s) or workshop(s) to support tribal leaders, climate change coordinators, planners, and program managers to build skills and gather information needed to coordinate the tribal adaptation planning process.
• Category 2. Climate Adaptation Planning. Develop tribal government climate adaptation plans, vulnerability assessments, or data analysis.
• Category 3. Travel. Provide travel support for tribal leaders and staff to attend training(s) or workshop(s) or to participate in cooperative climate change adaptation efforts (including Landscape Conservation Cooperatives, Climate Science Centers, and other adaptation management forums).

Ocean and Coastal Management Planning. Applicants may request funding for the following:

• Category 4. Ocean and Coastal Management Planning. Develop ocean and coastal management planning; build tribal capacity; implement a pilot project for restoration and resilience of coastal resources; perform inventories or vulnerability assessments; identify monitoring protocols and critical indicator species; marine spatial planning; coastal climate adaptation analysis; or cooperative marine resource plans.
• Category 5. Travel. Provide travel support for tribal representatives to attend organizational meetings, working sessions, or official meetings in support of collaborative planning efforts, including meetings of Regional Planning Bodies (RPBs).

Proposals for planning, vulnerability assessments, monitoring, or pilot projects that benefit multiple tribes, tribal programs, and communities and demonstrate a compelling need and utilize leveraged funding (in-kind or other) will be given priority ranking.

Application packets were mailed to tribes. A copy of the Dear Tribal Leader Letter is here: http://www.bia.gov/cs/groups/public/documents/document/idc1-029462.pdf and a copy of the application is here: http://www.bia.gov/cs/groups/public/documents/document/idc1-029463.pdf

Please let us know if we may provide additional information regarding this solicitation for applications.