Tribal Land Acquisition Grant Program FY27-28 RFR

The Tribal Land Acquisition Grant Program for FY 27-28, administered by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, provides financial assistance to Massachusetts tribal governments and collaborating qualified non-profits. The program supports the acquisition of land in fee or specific restrictions, such as Conservation, Agricultural Preservation, or Watershed Protection Restrictions, to restore tribal relationships to ancestral homelands and renew cultural lifeways. Acquired lands must be maintained in perpetuity for natural, scenic, open, agricultural, farming, or forest use. Funding is provided as a reimbursement, with awards capped at 500,000 dollars for land purchases and associated due diligence, or 50,000 dollars for due diligence related to land gifts. Applications must be submitted via the greenhub.mass.gov portal by December 17, 2026. Selection is based on a weighted scoring system evaluating organizational characteristics, ancestral homeland restoration, stewardship planning, project quality, biodiversity protection, climate resilience, letters of support, and financial matching contributions. Required documentation for award execution includes Commonwealth Terms and Conditions, a W-9, authorized signature verification, and electronic funds payment authorization. To receive reimbursement, grantees must provide recorded deeds or restrictions approved by the Division of Conservation Services, title certifications, recorded surveys, and a completed GIS Data Entry Form. The estimated award date is February 1, 2027, with a contract start date of February 15, 2027.