The Department of Commerce is taking a proactive step in addressing one of the most pressing challenges of our time—climate change and its impact on tribal lands across the Western United States. In an effort to enhance decision support and build resilience against droughts in the face of a changing climate, the Department of Commerce is offering grants authorized by the Inflation Reduction Act. This initiative, known as the FY24 NIDIS Tribal Drought Resilience with Inflation Reduction Act Support, presents a significant opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of those living on tribal lands and to contribute to the broader fight against climate change.
Understanding the Challenge
Climate change is a global crisis that affects us all, but its impacts are not uniform. Tribal lands in the Western United States face unique challenges, particularly when it comes to drought and climate variability. These challenges can have far-reaching consequences, including economic instability, threats to health and safety, and impacts on the security of communities. Recognizing the urgent need to address these issues, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has undertaken a critical mission to support climate research, observations, and decision support.
The Role of the Climate Program Office (CPO)
The Climate Program Office (CPO), a part of NOAA's Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR), plays a pivotal role in tackling climate challenges head-on. CPO focuses on research, observations, monitoring, modeling, assessments, interdisciplinary decision support research, outreach, education, and partnership development. These efforts align with NOAA's mission of "Science, Service, and Stewardship" and aim to deepen our understanding of Earth's climate system while enhancing resilience at both the national and community levels.
CPO operates at the intersection of science, service, and decision-making, making it uniquely positioned to provide strategic vision, lead research initiatives, and build partnerships that empower society to make informed decisions in the face of climate change. It also fulfills NOAA's authorized responsibilities under key legislative acts, including the National Climate Program Act, the Global Change Research Act, the National Climate Assessment, the National Integrated Drought Information System Act, and international efforts such as the World Climate Research Program.
The NIDIS Coping with Drought Initiative
Under the umbrella of the CPO, the National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS) is launching a crucial funding opportunity aimed at enhancing tribal drought resilience. The FY24 NIDIS Tribal Drought Resilience with Inflation Reduction Act Support program is anticipated to receive approximately $2 million in funding, pending availability. These funds will be allocated to support projects that address current and future drought risk on tribal lands within the Western region of the United States.
Program Priorities
For the purposes of this competition, the "West" encompasses areas within the five NIDIS Drought Early Warning System (DEWS) regions:
1. California-Nevada
2. Intermountain West
3. Missouri River Basin
4. Pacific Northwest
5. Southern Plains
Projects eligible for funding encompass a wide range of activities, including but not limited to:
- Identifying primary drought impacts
- Determining optimal drought indicators and triggers
- Developing drought communication and information dissemination plans
- Enhancing drought monitoring capabilities
- Creating online dashboards featuring relevant drought tools and information
- Conducting comprehensive drought vulnerability assessments
- Crafting effective drought plans
- Facilitating workshops to improve communication and data sharing
- Demonstrating the practical application of drought data for informed decision-making
Program Outcomes
The projects funded through this initiative promise to deliver more than just financial support. They represent an opportunity to strengthen community resilience and integrate traditional ecological knowledge with modern scientific understanding. This integration is essential for effectively combating drought in the face of a changing climate.
Key outcomes of funded projects will include:
- Demonstrated full partnership with tribal nations.
- Integration of a diverse project team representing various sectors and interests.
- Adherence to Guiding Principles of Tribal Engagement, ensuring cultural sensitivity and respect.
- Detailed project plans considering potential environmental impacts, aligning with NEPA requirements.
- Encouragement of external contributions and leveraging of additional funding.
- Collaboration with Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) to enhance project outcomes.
- Sharing of lessons learned to benefit tribal nations and organizations nationwide.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligible applicants for this grant opportunity include:
- Federally recognized tribal governments
- Institutions of higher education
- Nonprofit organizations
- Commercial organizations
- International organizations
- State and local governments
For applicants that are not tribal governments, demonstrating full partnership with a tribal nation is essential. This can be achieved by including at least one investigator representing a federally recognized tribe and indicating in the budget and budget justification that funds will be disbursed to the tribe.
For more detailed information and to apply for this grant, please visit https://www.grants.gov.
The FY24 NIDIS Tribal Drought Resilience with Inflation Reduction Act Support is not just a funding opportunity; it's a vital step in addressing climate challenges and building resilience in our communities. By working together, we can mitigate the impacts of drought, protect our environment, and create a sustainable future for all.
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