Tribal Land Acquisition Grant Program
Tribal Land Acquisition Grant Program supports Massachusetts tribal governments and conservation partners in acquiring and protecting ancestral land to restore homeland relationships and cultural access.
Funder: Division of Conservation Services
Due Dates: December 17, 2026 (Application deadline; rolling review)
Funding Amounts: Up to $500,000 for acquisitions; up to $50,000 for gift-related due diligence; projects through June 30, 2028
Summary: Supports Massachusetts tribal land acquisition and permanent protection to restore ancestral relationships and cultural access.
Key Information: Tribal governments must accept a limited sovereign immunity waiver for grant and permanent-protection enforcement.
Description
The Tribal Land Acquisition Grant Program is administered by Massachusetts’ Division of Conservation Services within the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA). It supports tribal governments and collaborating conservation partners in acquiring ancestral land or permanent restrictions, restoring relationships with ancestral homelands and revitalizing cultural lifeways.
Funding supports purchases of land, Conservation Restrictions (CRs), Agricultural Preservation Restrictions (APRs), and Watershed Protection Restrictions (WPRs), plus associated transaction and due diligence costs. Gift-related due diligence is also eligible. Protected land must remain predominantly natural, scenic, open, agricultural, farming, or forest land in perpetuity, supporting conservation and cultural access. Program priorities include Environmental Justice, biodiversity, climate resilience, and long-term stewardship.
