Tribal wellbeing for seven generations

Northern Arizona University received an $825,000 block grant award from the Department of the Interior Bureau of Indian Affairs under the Tribal Climate Resilience program (CFDA 15.156) on July 16, 2025, with a completion date of July 15, 2026. Under this award titled "Tribal Wellbeing for Seven Generations," NAU will deliver products and services across the program's four broad funding categories: technical training and capacity-building workshops for tribal staff on climate adaptation management; climate adaptation planning and vulnerability assessments; travel support for tribal participation in regional climate resilience planning initiatives; and direct technical assistance for climate adaptation management. The university will leverage its established expertise in environmental monitoring, scientific research, and technical consulting to support Arizona tribal governments and trust land managers in building adaptive capacity and resilience to climate-related challenges.

The award emphasizes integration of scientific data with traditional ecological knowledge to enhance tribal preparedness and resilience. As a Hispanic-Serving Institution and Native American-serving nontribal institution with extensive experience executing federal climate and environmental grants, NAU is well-positioned to deliver high-quality technical and training support to tribal communities. The one-year funding period reflects the program's structure of annual, non-recurring congressional appropriations designated for discrete projects and activities rather than perennial tribal program support.