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.