Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection

Climate Change - Financial Assistance

Funding Opportunity!

The Connecticut Institute for Resilience and Climate Adaptation (CIRCA) is pleased to announce its fifth round of funding through the exciting Matching Funds Program. CIRCA has made up to $100,000 available for matching funds for projects that will assist Connecticut towns and cities adapt to a changing climate and enhance the resilience of their infrastructure.

CIRCA will consider requests from Connecticut municipalities, institutions, universities, foundations, and other non-governmental organizations. To be funded, a successful Matching Funds request must have a commitment of primary funding within 6 months of the CIRCA award announcement, or have received a waiver from the CIRCA Executive Steering Committee. CIRCA Matching Funds will provide up to 25% of the primary funder’s contribution other than a municipal or State of Connecticut funds to enhance the likely success of project proposals that advance CIRCA research and implementation priorities. Requests are due to CIRCA by January 15, 2015.

Project proposals should develop knowledge and/or experience that is transferable to multiple locations in Connecticut and have well-defined and measurable goals. In evaluating proposals preference will be given to those that leverage independent funding awarded through a competitive process. Preference will also be given to those that involve collaboration with CIRCA to address at least one of the following priority areas:

  • Improve scientific understanding of the changing climate system and its local and regional impacts on coastal and inland floodplain communities;
  • Develop and deploy natural science, engineering, legal, financial, and policy best practices for climate resilience;
  • Undertake or oversee pilot projects designed to improve resilience and sustainability of the natural and built environment along Connecticut’s coast and inland waterways;
  • Create a climate-literate public that understands its vulnerabilities to a changing climate and which uses that knowledge to make scientifically informed, environmentally sound decisions;
  • Foster resilient actions and sustainable communities – particularly along the Connecticut coastline and inland waterways – that can adapt to the impacts and hazards of climate change; and
  • Reduce the loss of life and property, natural system and ecological damage, and social disruption from high-impact events.

Those requesting Matching Funds should consult the CIRCA office via email at CIRCA_matchingfunds@uconn.edu with any questions. Matching Fund request forms can be found at http://circa.uconn.edu/funds.htm. All requesting funds must complete the form in its entirety on or before January 15, 2015. Matching Funds requests will be accepted on a rolling basis.

Notification of award: Requests will be acted upon every two months. The review will be held on January 15, 2015 and every two months thereafter.