Tribal Nature-Based Solutions Climate Bond 2026 Solicitation

Purpose

This funding will continue to support the return of ancestral lands to California Native American tribes, planning and implementation of habitat restoration projects, protecting the California coast and oceans, advancing wildfire resiliency and cultural fire, and many other multi-benefit nature-based solutions projects across California.

Description

Please refer to the TNBS Climate Bond Final 2026 Guidelines for detailed information. Approximately $9.2 million is available for tribal multi-benefit nature-based solutions projects that will fund land acquisition or other fee title acquisitions benefiting California Native American Tribes. Eligible expenses include costs associated with the purchase of property rights, conservation easements, and water rights/instream flows consistent with requirements of the grant program (see Eligible Project Examples within the TNBS Climate Bond 2026 Final Guidelines). These funds are available for encumbrance until June 30, 2028. Applications will be accepted during a defined, annual solicitation period through a 2-Step Application process. Grant application rounds will be open on an annual basis, until funds are fully allocated. CNRA may utilize these funds to support direct expenditures, block grants, contracts, or competitive grants, and may be used for support or local assistance. This grant program has limited funding available for escrow ready multi-benefit ancestral land return projects that are partially funded and can demonstrate requested grant funds will complete acquisition at Fair Market Value. Escrow ready projects that are eligible for TNBS funds but are not awarded during the Escrow Ready review period will be automatically included in the Standard Grant Review Process for further consideration. Escrow ready projects will need to encumber funds (enter into grant agreement) by March 31, 2027, close escrow by July 30, 2027, expend funds by January 1, 2029, and submit all final invoices by March 31, 2029. Key Solicitation Deadlines: Solicitation Opens*: February 13, 2026 Step 1 Application and Escrow Ready Application due: April 15, 2026 Invitation to Step 2: May 29, 2026 Step 2 Application Due: August 29, 2026 Step 3 Site Visits (if applicable): Early September through Mid-October 2026 *This is when RAPTR Submission portal will open and begin accepting application submissions. Applicants are welcome to begin preparing application materials as soon as guidelines are published.