Climate Smart Communities Initiative — 2027 Climate Resilience Grants
The Climate Smart Communities Initiative (CSCI), administered through Climate Resilience Fund, has announced an applicant-facing national climate adaptation grant competition for projects beginning July 2027. It anticipates 16–20 individual grants, typically $75,000–$115,000 per awarded project, for one-year community-based planning, technical assistance and climate resilience work. These are individual grant amounts, not an aggregate state allocation or public purchasing contract.
Application-status notice: controlling deadline discrepancy
The official CSCI funding guidelines repeatedly list Friday, November 20, 2026, as the Letter of Intent deadline, with invited full applications in February 2027. However, its currently linked SurveyMonkey Apply portal labels the application deadline November 20, 2027, at 8:00 p.m. EST, which conflicts with the 2026 LOI timeline. The portal date cannot currently be reconciled from the accessible official guidance. Prospective applicants should conservatively plan for November 20, 2026 and verify the portal discrepancy directly with CSCI; an exact confirmed 2026 closing hour/time zone has not been established. Because the official announcement and submission portal conflict, applicants should obtain written deadline clarification from CSCI and prepare for the earlier November 20, 2026 date.
Required three-party team and who receives funds
Eligible U.S. project teams must include (1) a community-based organization or comparable nonprofit/community-serving organization, (2) a local, regional or Tribal government or special planning commission, and (3) an adaptation practitioner. The adaptation practitioner should lead the LOI, and if selected becomes the actual grant recipient and administrator, with possible project-budget pass-through to the government or community partner. CSCI cannot award funds directly to government agencies. Practitioners must apply to the Registry of Adaptation Practitioners by November 20, 2026; Registry acceptance may follow the LOI but is required for an eventual award.
Eligible community and project activities
Projects and partners must be based in the United States, including U.S. territories and Tribal nations. The beneficiary community generally must have fewer than 300,000 residents; regional projects up to 500,000 may be considered. Projects must address documented climate-related risks, especially communities with historically disinvested populations. Eligible work can include hazard/exposure assessment, community planning, climate adaptation strategy, nature-based solutions, implementation planning and resilience financing preparation, performed within the 12-month grant term beginning July 2027.
Important restrictions and financial terms
CSCI prohibits competitive subgrant programs, lobbying, and projects primarily about greenhouse gas mitigation, carbon sequestration, renewable energy, energy efficiency, electrification or HVAC upgrades. Standalone disaster preparedness is not sufficient without a broader future climate adaptation purpose. Indirect/overhead expenses are capped at 10% of direct costs. The public program guidelines do not establish a universal cash matching percentage or reimbursement formula. Awardees must be prepared to sign the funder’s agreement within three weeks of receipt.
Funder documents and application
Review the official 2027 Climate Smart Communities Initiative funding announcement and full eligibility guidelines and the linked official LOI portal. Applicants must create an account, complete the portal eligibility screening, then mark the form complete and press Submit. Resolve the conflict between the announcement’s 2026 deadline and the portal’s 2027 display directly with program staff before relying on the later portal date.
Official funding announcement and application portal rechecked November 4, 2026. The official funding announcement and submission portal remain inconsistent about the LOI deadline year. Applicants should seek written confirmation from CSCI and should not rely on the later portal date.