Cannabis Research and Innovation Funding Opportunity (RIFO)

CDFW seeks high quality grant proposals that facilitate environmental sustainability of legal cannabis cultivation and addresses environmental impacts related to cannabis cultivation. Grants are provided through the Environmental Restoration and Protection Account pursuant to Revenue and Taxation Code section 34019(f)(2)(A).

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Cannabis Restoration Grant Program (CRGP) is seeking Research and Innovation proposals from eligible applicants to evaluate environmental conditions and impacts relative to cannabis cultivation; produce resources for ecological and environmentally sound cultivation practices; facilitate environmental sustainability of legal cannabis cultivation; and overall, address environmental impacts related to cannabis cultivation in California. The Research and Innovation Funding Opportunity (RIFO) focuses on research and innovation across multiple disciplines. Projects may involve environmental research and/or technological innovation and may be qualitative and/or quantitative in scope. Project proposals may focus on species and habitats, particularly Species of Greatest Conservation Need and Sensitive Natural Communities, and approaches for mitigating potentially adverse impacts of cannabis cultivation and related activities. All qualified eligible applicants are encouraged to submit environmental research and/or technological innovation proposals. RIFO proposals may include one or more of the following Project Types as they relate to cannabis cultivation: water use, land management, native species, social dimensions and community engagement, and technological innovations. Proposals should focus on the following objectives: 1) Improve the collective understanding of how cannabis cultivation influences the environment. 2) Provide actionable solutions for mitigating adverse impacts of cannabis cultivation and related activities on the environment. 3) Address factors that support ecological or environmentally sound cultivation practices. 4) Contribute to the conservation of California’s fish, wildlife, and the habitats upon which they depend.

Type: Grant Award: not published as a fixed amount; depends on the applications received Matching funds: Not Required (Although matching funds are not required, most CRGP grant funded projects provide some commitment of matching funds and/or in-kind services.) Funding method: Reimbursement(s) Funding source: State Deadline: Ongoing Award period: 3-years Source: California Grants Portal record 130791, published by the State of California.

Eligible applicant types: Nonprofit; Public Agency; Tribal Government

The following organizations are eligible to receive grant funding (Fish and Game Code, section 1501.5(b)): • Public agencies within California: • Nonprofit organizations qualified to do business in California, qualified under Section 501(c), Title 26 of the United States Code; • California Native American tribes as defined in Public Resources Code Section 21073.

Geography: Funds under this Solicitation are available for projects statewide. Projects may occur on state or federal lands. Proposals that directly benefit Species of Greatest Conservation Need or Sensitive Natural Communities will receive higher scores under the “Solicitation Priorities” scoring criteria.