The National Park Service’s Tribal Heritage Grant Program assists Tribes in protecting and promoting their unique cultural heritage and traditions. In some cases, cultural preservation projects may require interventions that also enhance flood resilience. 

Supports nature-based solutions

Does not require matching funds

Application cycle: December 6, 2023–February 20, 2024.

Summary: Since 1990, the National Park Service has been awarding funding through Tribal Heritage Grants to Indian Tribes, Alaskan Natives, and Native Hawaiian Organizations for projects aimed at protecting cultural and historic places. These grants fund a broad range of planning, assessment, and repair activities that can reduce flooding at buildings while preserving their historical integrity: temporary protective measures that can be deployed when flooding is expected, physical changes to the site and landscape, dry and wet floodproofing, and actions such as filling in basements, elevating utilities located in a basement to a higher level, and elevating a building on a new foundation.

Eligible applicants: Indian Tribes, Alaskan Native Villages/Corporations, and Native Hawaiian Organizations. 

Eligible activities: 

• Locating, identifying, and creating inventory of cultural resources and historic places.
• Survey of traditional skills and information.
• Preservation and repair work on a historic property listed or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places.
• Project planning (plans and specifications for preserving a structure or site).
• Oral history and documenting cultural traditions, and training and education for building a Historic Preservation Program Cultural and historic preservation interpretation and education.

Funding: $15,000–75,000.

Cost share: Matching funds are not required, but may be considered as part of the evaluation process.

Application process: 

• For more information on applying to this grant opportunity, visit the program’s webpage on grants.gov.
• All projects should have an identified audience and a clear plan for outreach and dissemination.
• NPS estimates they will award over 25 grants with an estimated total funding level of $720,000.
• Sample applications can be found here.