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Request for Proposals: Accelerating NCS in the United States

Deadline: 15-Jan-2026

The Allen Family Philanthropies is offering USD 10 million to support six-to-seven U.S.-based projects that accelerate the adoption of Natural Climate Solutions (NCS) using science and technology. This funding targets initiatives that overcome implementation barriers, deliver measurable outcomes, and generate solutions applicable across diverse geographies and stakeholders.

Overview of the NCS Funding Opportunity

The Allen Family Philanthropies is calling on non-profit organizations and other eligible entities in the U.S. to submit proposals for projects that advance Natural Climate Solutions (NCS). The goal is to deploy science and technology to break down barriers that slow NCS adoption, accelerate effective interventions, and enable solutions that can be generalized across different contexts.

This initiative prioritizes applied solutions over research alone, emphasizing development, testing, and deployment with clearly defined milestones and measurable results.

Funding Details

  • Total Funding Available: USD 10 million

  • Number of Projects: 6–7

  • Project Duration: Up to 3 years

  • Individual Project Scope: Solutions should be catalytic, accelerating or expanding NCS adoption rather than sustaining ongoing operations.

  • Co-funding: Encouraged but not required

  • Eligible Costs: Activity-based expenses, with indirect costs aligned to project activities

Who Can Apply?

Eligible lead organizations include:

  • U.S. 501(c)(3) non-profits

  • State or local government units

  • Public or private universities

  • Federally recognized tribal communities or tribes

Project Location: Must be implemented within the U.S.

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Proposals must clearly articulate the NCS pathway(s) and specific barrier(s) being addressed

  • Solutions should demonstrate generalizability across different landscapes, stakeholders, or barriers

  • Alignment with the foundation’s high-integrity NCS principles, including:

    • Measurability

    • Climate-additionality

    • Equity

    • Biodiversity and ecosystem services

Priority Project Characteristics

  • Applied Focus: Development, testing, and deployment of practical solutions

  • Cross-disciplinary Teams: Combining scientists, practitioners, landowners/managers, and community stakeholders

  • Catalytic Impact: Projects should accelerate adoption or enhance effectiveness rather than maintain current practices

  • Scalable Solutions: Emphasis on approaches that can be applied across multiple geographies and contexts

How to Apply

  1. Prepare a Letter of Inquiry (LOI): Outline the problem, proposed solution, targeted NCS pathway(s), expected outcomes, and general project design.

  2. Demonstrate Impact: Include measurable milestones and a clear strategy for evaluating success.

  3. Assemble a Team: Show expertise from multiple disciplines (science, practice, community engagement).

  4. Integrate Solutions into Existing Projects: Ensure that the proposed solution fits within an ongoing or soon-to-be-deployed NCS initiative.

  5. Submit Proposal: Detailed full proposals follow the LOI stage; formal partnerships strengthen applications but are not required initially.

Tips for a Successful Proposal

  • Focus on real-world implementation, not theoretical research

  • Highlight scalability and generalizability across diverse contexts

  • Demonstrate a clear study design with measurable milestones

  • Include multidisciplinary collaboration to show practical expertise and community involvement

  • Align with NCS principles for integrity, biodiversity, and climate impact

FAQ

Q1: Can projects already underway apply?
A: Yes, funding is intended to add catalytic value, accelerating or expanding existing solutions.

Q2: Are partnerships required at the LOI stage?
A: No, partnerships strengthen proposals but are not mandatory for initial submission.

Q3: What types of NCS pathways are eligible?
A: All U.S.-based NCS pathways that address climate mitigation, biodiversity, or ecosystem services are eligible, provided barriers to implementation are clearly defined.

Q4: Is co-funding required?
A: Co-funding is encouraged but not required. Indirect costs should be activity-based rather than general overhead.

Q5: Who can lead the project?
A: U.S. 501(c)(3) non-profits, state/local governments, universities, and federally recognized tribes.

Q6: How will proposals be evaluated?
A: Based on scientific and technical merit, clarity of barriers addressed, catalytic potential, generalizability, and alignment with NCS principles.

Q7: What is the maximum project duration?
A: Up to three years per funded project.

Conclusion

The Allen Family Philanthropies NCS funding presents a unique opportunity for U.S.-based organizations to translate science and technology into actionable solutions, accelerate Natural Climate Solutions adoption, and create measurable climate and biodiversity impact. By supporting multidisciplinary teams and scalable interventions, the program seeks to unlock the full potential of NCS across varied landscapes, communities, and ecosystems.

For more information, visit Allen Family Philanthropies.