Updated September 26, 2026
Climate and Environmental Research Grants 2026
Open foundation grants for climate change, environmental, ocean, and energy research in 2026, for researchers looking beyond federal agencies. Updated daily.
Federal support for climate and environmental science is under more pressure than any other field. The administration's budget request proposed eliminating NOAA's climate research funding outright, renewable energy research offices took deep cuts, and geoscience programs have been squeezed across agencies. For many climate, ocean, and atmospheric researchers, the question in 2026 is not which federal program to target but where to find funding that does not depend on the federal budget at all.
Featured grants
Updated automatically from Atom's grant databaseEnergy and Environment Program
The Sloan Foundation's Energy and Environment Program funds interdisciplinary research to advance the U.S. transition to low-carbon energy systems through collaborative, evidence-based scholarship.
Environment: National & International
Environment: National & International supports U.S. organizations working nationally and internationally to address climate change, toxic pollution, community resilience, and biodiversity loss.
Climate Program
The Erol Foundation’s Climate Program funds efforts that use science and community action to rapidly and equitably reduce greenhouse gas emissions and drive systemic climate solutions.
The answer, increasingly, is private philanthropy. Environmental and climate science has one of the strongest foundation ecosystems of any field, spanning large general-purpose funders, dedicated climate philanthropies, and conservation organizations that fund applied research. Several foundations have expanded their grantmaking in direct response to federal retrenchment, and private funders are often more open to policy-relevant, applied, and interdisciplinary work than traditional federal review panels.
This collection focuses specifically on foundation and nonprofit funding for climate, environmental, ocean, ecosystem, and energy transition research. It updates as funders open new cycles. Foundation deadlines do not follow the predictable federal calendar, so checking a live list beats keeping a spreadsheet that goes stale.
Climate Impacts Awards: Unlocking urgent climate action by making the health effects of climate change visible
Funds transdisciplinary research to reveal the health and economic impacts of climate change, aiming to inform urgent, evidence-based climate policy and action for vulnerable communities.
Climate Solutions
The MacArthur Foundation's Climate Solutions grant funds research and innovative strategies to address climate change through policy, finance, and community-driven science.
Our Work/Environment Reporting Grants
The Pulitzer Center's Our Work/Environment Reporting Grants fund global journalism on how climate change is transforming labor, jobs, and workplace practices.
WHOI Sea Grant Biennial Request for Proposals
WHOI Sea Grant funds collaborative research advancing science and solutions for Massachusetts’ marine and coastal challenges, with priority on climate, restoration, fisheries, and resilience.
Ocean and Fisheries Reporting Grant
Supports journalists globally in producing in-depth reporting on ocean and fisheries issues to promote awareness, transparency, and solutions for sustainable marine ecosystems.
Mark W. Schwiebert Fund for Environmental Studies Grant
Supports public education and applied research projects that address climate change and resource depletion through sustainable solutions.
International Climate Protection Fellowship
The International Climate Protection Fellowship supports emerging climate leaders to conduct research in Germany on climate protection and resource conservation with the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation.
Sustainable Communities: Environmental Resilience Grant Program
Supports organizations in NC’s Triangle region advancing environmental conservation, climate resilience, and community education—especially for vulnerable populations—through nature-based solutions and local advocacy.
Environmental Action
The Pittsburgh Foundation’s Environmental Action grant funds community-driven science, research, and advocacy projects addressing chronic pollution and environmental health in Allegheny County and southwest Pennsylvania.
Sustainable Minerals, Metals, and Materials
Supports early career researchers in cross-disciplinary teams to advance sustainable science and recycling of minerals, metals, and materials for a low-carbon future.
Research Grants - Environmental Research and Education Foundation
EREF Research Grants fund innovative research on sustainable solid waste management, climate impacts, emerging contaminants, and recycling, with results made publicly available to advance the field.
Conservation Program
The Conservation Program by the Richard King Mellon Foundation funds science-driven projects that protect, restore, and sustainably manage critical habitats and communities across the U.S.
Power a Healthier Environment and Future
Tides' Power a Healthier Environment and Future grant funds women-led, community-driven environmental justice research and solutions, prioritizing Black and Indigenous leadership.
Environmental Stewardship grant, fellowship and scholarship opportunities
The Environmental Stewardship grant, fellowship and scholarship opportunities from the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio fund scientific research and innovation to advance conservation and sustainability in Appalachian Ohio.
The Ocean Futures Fellowship: Building Ocean Career Pathways
A six-month remote fellowship offering early-career professionals advanced training, mentorship, and hands-on experience in ocean science, conservation, and emerging technologies.
Ocean Reporting Network
The Pulitzer Center’s Ocean Reporting Network supports year-long investigative journalism on critical ocean science and environmental issues, providing editorial guidance, training, and resources to experienced reporters.
Funding for programs and events on global catastrophic risk, effective altruism, and other topics
Supports research and educational programs on global catastrophic risks, effective altruism, biosecurity, AI epistemics, and forecasting for individuals or organizations at any career stage.
Frequently asked questions
Active funders include the Sloan Foundation, the MacArthur Foundation, Schmidt Sciences, Research Corporation for Science Advancement, the Wellcome Trust on climate and health, and conservation organizations such as the Wildlife Conservation Society. Many regional and community foundations also fund applied environmental research in their own areas.
Federal climate and environmental programs face budget cuts and uncertainty in 2026, while many foundations have held steady or expanded their giving. Foundation grants often have shorter applications, start with a letter of inquiry, and are more open to applied, policy-relevant, and interdisciplinary work than federal review panels.
No. This collection is limited to foundation and nonprofit funders. Federal opportunities from agencies like NSF, NOAA, and the Department of Energy are available in Atom's full grant search.
Yes. Climate-focused foundations fund a wide range of work, including oceanography and marine ecosystems, atmospheric science, conservation biology, and energy transition research. The list below ranks opportunities across all of these areas by relevance.