The Indigenous Resilience Center (IRes) is launching the "Regenerative Indigenous Solutions for the Earth (RISE)” Project, a comprehensive initiative focused on advancing tribally driven, regenerative agriculture and land stewardship. By centering Indigenous knowledges guided by IRes’ core values, the RISE Project seeks to strengthen sustainable food systems, improve human and environmental health, and expand economic development opportunities within Tribal communities.
The RISE Mini Grant Program has been implemented to support community-led efforts and seed funding to support food-energy-water resilience projects that preferably address a combination of the following focus areas:
Food: regenerative agriculture and foodway systems,
Energy: renewable energy, and
Water: water conservation and monitoring
Award Amount: $50,000 for 2 years; ($25,000 per year)
Funding Period: July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2028
Proposal Deadline: June 19, 2026
Priority Areas
The food-energy-water resilience project proposal should address one or more of the following priority areas:
Community Building
Building partnerships with Tribal communities to support community-driven and culturally respectful resilience goals.
Research
- Community-based research focused on Indigenous resilience, including food, water, energy, agriculture, and environmental solutions.
Teaching
- STEM/STEAM education, workshops, or training centered on Indigenous knowledge, resilience, Tribal research, and environmental stewardship.
RISE Mini Grant proposals will be reviewed following the submission deadline of June 19, 2026. Award notifications will begin in July 2026.
Eligibility
Eligible applicants include:
- Tribal-serving community organizations, non-profits, Tribal entities, grassroots organizations, and Tribal colleges and universities.
Applicants must:
- Be located in Arizona or New Mexico whose central work is to support Native Nations and community members.
- Demonstrate established projects, aims, and have experience/deep rooted relationships with their communities that they are supporting.
- Be external from the University of Arizona (UA faculty, staff, and students are not eligible for this award).
Read Full Call for Proposal Here!
