The Climate Smart Communities Initiative (CSCI) has announced a new application process for its 2026–2027 funding cycle, offering grants and technical assistance to strengthen community-based climate resilience across the United States. The initiative will invite Letters of Intent (LOIs) beginning in October 2026, with shortlisted teams progressing to full applications in early 2027.
CSCI supports collaborative projects that help communities vulnerable to climate change build resilience through partnerships between climate adaptation practitioners, community-based organizations, and local or regional governments. Previous funding rounds awarded grants ranging from US$75,000 to US$115,000, with a total funding pool of US$1.5–2 million supporting approximately 16–20 projects.
The Climate Smart Communities Initiative is a U.S.-based program that combines grant funding with technical assistance to help communities develop practical climate adaptation solutions. Rather than funding infrastructure alone, CSCI focuses on strengthening local capacity by supporting collaboration between communities and experienced climate adaptation professionals.
The initiative prioritizes communities facing disproportionate climate risks, particularly those that have experienced historical disinvestment and limited access to technical or administrative resources needed to advance climate resilience planning.
New Application Process for 2026
CSCI has introduced a simplified two-stage application process for the upcoming funding cycle.
The first stage requires applicants to submit a Letter of Intent (LOI), which will be considerably shorter and easier to complete than previous full applications. A selected group of applicants will then be invited to prepare comprehensive proposals in early 2027.
The LOI call is expected to open in October 2026, with submissions due before the end of the calendar year. Interested applicants are encouraged to begin forming project partnerships well in advance.
Funding and Project Support
While the detailed 2026 funding guidelines will be updated, CSCI has indicated that its overall priorities will remain consistent with previous grant cycles.
Previous awards included:
| Funding Element | Details |
|---|---|
| Grant value | US$75,000–US$115,000 |
| Total funding pool | US$1.5–2 million |
| Expected awards | Approximately 16–20 projects |
| Support provided | Grant funding and technical assistance |
The funding is designed primarily to support the work of adaptation practitioners, enabling them to help communities transform climate resilience goals into actionable plans and projects.
Who Is Eligible?
The funding opportunity is open to U.S.-based project teams, and every proposal must include three required partners:
- An adaptation practitioner
- A community-based organization
- A local or regional government partner
All partners and the proposed project must be located within the United States.
Community organizations that do not yet have an adaptation practitioner are encouraged to begin identifying one through CSCI’s Registry of Adaptation Practitioners before the LOI deadline.
Similarly, adaptation practitioners wishing to participate must apply to join the Registry if they are not already listed.
Funding Priorities
CSCI prioritizes projects that serve communities experiencing heightened vulnerability to climate-related impacts. Strong proposals typically demonstrate meaningful collaboration between public institutions and community organizations while addressing locally identified resilience needs.
The initiative is especially interested in projects that strengthen planning capacity, improve climate preparedness, advance equitable resilience strategies, and support historically underserved populations.
Rather than emphasizing large infrastructure projects, the program focuses on community-centered planning, technical expertise, and long-term resilience building.
Preparing a Competitive Application
Because partnership is central to the selection process, applicants should begin assembling their project team as early as possible.
A strong proposal should clearly define the role of each partner, demonstrate genuine community leadership, identify a climate resilience challenge grounded in local needs, and explain how technical expertise will translate into practical outcomes.
Adaptation practitioners normally serve as the lead applicant and manage grant administration if the project is selected, although exceptional cases may allow another partner to assume this role with appropriate justification.
Key Dates
Applicants should monitor CSCI’s official announcements for updated deadlines.
- LOI call opens: October 2026
- LOI submission deadline: Before the end of 2026
- Full applications: Early 2027 (by invitation only)
CSCI encourages interested organizations to subscribe to its newsletter and begin developing partnerships well before the LOI launch.
Why This Grant Matters
The Climate Smart Communities Initiative offers more than financial support—it provides communities with access to technical expertise that can accelerate meaningful climate adaptation. By bringing together government, community organizations, and climate professionals, the program helps transform local resilience priorities into implementable projects that benefit vulnerable populations.
For communities seeking equitable, collaborative, and evidence-based climate solutions, CSCI represents one of the leading U.S. funding opportunities in community climate resilience.
