Senate Bill 1 Sea Level Rise Tribal Cultural Resources Funding Program
Background
Sea level rise (SLR) poses unique and profound challenges to California Native American tribes, many of whom are deeply connected to the coast and ocean. Tribes with ancestral lands and ties to the coast and ocean face impacts to their lands due to rising seas. This may include loss or degradation of culturally significant sites and ecological resources and restricted access to these sites. This poses risks not only to physical landmarks but also the preservation of tribal identities, practices, ways of life, and traditional knowledges.
The purpose of the SLR Tribal Cultural Resources Funding Program is to provide funding for tribes to assess and plan for the impacts of SLR on their ancestral lands, cultural sites, lifeways, and resources in a manner that is beneficial to the tribe. This program is an alternative and more flexible funding pathway within OPC’s broader SB 1 Grant Program. Eligible project types include both pre-planning activities (community visioning, education and outreach, data collection, and vulnerability assessments) and planning activities (setting adaptation priorities and developing culturally appropriate strategies to preserve and protect tribal cultural resources threatened by existing coastal hazards or future impacts of SLR).
All details about this funding program can be found in the SLR Tribal Cultural Resources Funding Solicitation. Application instructions included below.
Webinar
An Informational Webinar was held on July 10, 2025.
Office Hours for applicants interested in applying by the September 12, 2025 deadline will be held on Thursday, August 14, 2025 from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
A Fact Sheet with questions and answers is currently being developed and will be updated regularly. Please check back soon for its posting.
Photo: Morro Bay State Park / King Tides Project
Funding Information
This program is funded through a dedicated allocation from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF), which provides flexible support for California Native American tribes to assess the impacts of SLR on cultural resources, ancestral lands, and heritage, and effectively engage and inform local planning efforts. Proposals will be received on a rolling quarterly basis to provide consistent and timely access to funding. Awards will be granted on a first-come first-serve basis through four, quarterly non-competitive review cycles to ensure eligible projects are considered when they are ready, fostering a more flexible and responsive approach to addressing the urgent needs of tribes impacted by SLR. Projects are anticipated to be within $250,000 and $750,000.
| Informational Webinar | Full Proposal Deadline (by 5 pm PT) | OPC Meeting Date (Earliest) | Project Start Date (Earliest) |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 10, 2025 (register) | September 12, 2025 | March 23, 2026 | June 2026 |
| As needed | January 5, 2026 | June 16, 2026 | September 2026 |
| As needed | April 2026 TBD | September 22, 2026 | December 2026 |
| As needed | July 2026 TBD | December 8, 2026 | March 2027 |
Application Information
Applicants should complete the following template: SLR Tribal and Cultural Resources Funding Proposal Template and Instructions and include any necessary supplemental materials. For eligibility requirements, submission instructions, and more detailed proposal guidelines, refer to the Tribal Cultural Resources Funding Solicitation.
How does this program differ from the SB 1 Track 1 program?
Unlike funding from the broader SB 1 Grant Program, this allocation is not tied to the specific land use planning mandates set by SB 1 nor restricted to federally recognized tribes. This separate allocation also enables tribes to undertake SLR vulnerability assessment and related activities on tribally owned lands, culturally significant (non-tribally owned) lands, or a combination of both.
| SLR Tribal Cultural Resources Funding Program (this funding opportunity) | SB 1 SLR Adaptation Planning Grant Program – Track 1 |
| Available to all California Native American tribes: federally recognized and non-federally recognized (through a non-profit partner) | Restricted to federally-recognized tribes |
| Supports tribally-specific SLR assessments and adaptation planning efforts, and tribal consultation in local and regional land use plans | Projects must lead to the development of a land use plan |
| Allows for flexibility in how to assess SLR impacts on tribal cultural resources, including use of Traditional Knowledge | Tied to requirements of land use plans that include considerations for SLR, such as SLR Adaptation Criteria, Subregional Shoreline Adaptation Plan, and Local Coastal Programs. |
| $5,000,000 available through separate funding source | At least 5% of Track 1 funding available for proposals co-developed between tribes and local governments – a total of $19.97 million still available. |
Technical Assistance
The broader SB 1 Grant Program offers a complementary Technical Assistance (TA) Program to support eligible applicants addressing significant and imminent SLR impacts. This program provides tailored assistance based on each applicant’s needs, including capacity building, grant writing support, and other resources to strengthen applications and project proposals. This TA Program is also available to support applicants with the development of their Tribal Cultural Resource Planning Project applications. For the latest information on the SB 1 TA Program, including details on how to apply, visit the SB 1 Grant Program webpage or email OPCSB1TA@coastal-quest.org.
Contact
General Inquiries
OPC-SB1@resources.ca.gov