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The Resilience Roundup highlights announcements and events along with links to the previous month's state, regional, and national resilience news.
Learn more about CIRCA at circa.uconn.edu
and the Resilient Connecticut Project at resilientconnecticut.uconn.edu
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NSF R2I2 Municipal and Agency Focus Group Summary
As part of the NSF Regional Resilience Innovation Incubator (R2I2) program, CIRCA's project, Identifying Community Need-Based Adaptation and Resilience Priorities in the U.S. Northeast, hosted a Municipal and Agency Focus Group on July 15 at UConn Avery Point. The session provided an overview of the project and its grant themes and solicited feedback from attendees on research priorities, barriers to climate adaptation and resilience, and opportunities to improve how climate science is translated into practical tools and resources for decision-makers. Click here for a summary of the project and workshop.
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Governor Lamont Announces $10 Million Investment in Rural Transportation Infrastructure
Governor Ned Lamont and Connecticut Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto today announced that nearly $10 million in grants are being awarded to nine rural communities across Connecticut as part of the Transportation Rural Improvement Program (TRIP), a state-funded program administered by the Connecticut Department of Transportation designed to support the state’s rural communities, which are often ineligible for many federal transportation programs.
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Capitol Region Council of Governments' Brownfields Program
Application Deadline: Rolling until funds are fully obligated
CRCOG is still accepting applications for available funding to support eligible brownfield cleanup activities. Through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), CRCOG’s Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) Program will competitively review subgrant applications from CRCOG Member Municipalities and loan applications from other eligible applicants across Connecticut.
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EPA Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) Funding
Application Deadline: Rolling
The EPA’s Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) Program offers low‑cost federal credit assistance for large‑scale water infrastructure projects. The program supports drinking water, wastewater, stormwater, water recycling, and other projects that strengthen public health and environmental protection. The EPA has announced $7 billion in new funding, including $6.5 billion through WIFIA and $550 million through the State WIFIA (SWIFIA) Program for state infrastructure financing authorities. Eligible applicants include municipalities, public utilities, state infrastructure financing authorities, private entities, and public‑private partnerships undertaking qualifying water infrastructure projects.
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FY2025 Disaster Supplemental Notice of Funding Opportunity
Application Deadline: Rolling
The U.S. Economic Development Administration has nearly $1.5 billion available to support economic recovery activities in areas that received major disaster declarations due to hurricanes, wildfires, severe storms and flooding, tornadoes, and other natural disasters occurring in 2023 and 2024.
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Urban Act Grant Program
Application Deadline: Rolling
Connecticut municipalities designated as economically distressed, public investment communities, or urban centers are eligible to apply for the Urban Act Grant Program. The program supports community conservation and development efforts and aims to enhance the quality of life for urban residents. A wide range of projects may be funded, including economic and community development, transportation, housing, recreation, solid waste disposal, public safety, and social‑services‑related initiatives.
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USDA: Emergency Community Water Assistance Grants
in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island
Application Deadline: Rolling
This program supports rural communities, nonprofits, and federally recognized tribes in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island that need help preparing for or recovering from an emergency that threatens safe, reliable drinking water. Eligible areas are rural towns with populations of 10,000 or less, tribal lands in rural areas, or colonias with household incomes below the state’s non-metro median. Funding may be used for waterline repairs, new wells, treatment plants, or other improvements to restore or secure water supplies. Applications are accepted year-round through your local USDA Rural Development office or online.
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Flood Mitigation Assistance Grant Program
Deadline: August 6, 2026 at 3:00 p.m.
The Flood Mitigation Assistance grant program is a competitive program that provides funding to state, territory and local governments and federally recognized Tribal Nations. Since the National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1994 was signed into law, funds are used for projects that reduce or eliminate the risk of repetitive flood damage to buildings insured by the National Flood Insurance Program.
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Resilient Forestry Practices Grant Program Now Open
Deadline: August 31, 2026 at 5:00 pm EST
With support from the Inflation Reduction Act, CT DEEP’s Urban and Community Forestry (UCF) Program has $1 million available to help rural communities in Connecticut implement resilient forestry practices. Because these practices must be grounded in appropriate forest planning, a forest management or stewardship plan prepared by a Connecticut‑certified forester is required for funding. Applicants who do not currently have a forest management plan, or whose existing plan does not include eligible resilient forestry practices, may still apply by working with a CT DEEP Service Forester to develop a Practice Plan prior to submitting their application.
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Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition Grant Program
Deadline: November 6, 2026
CT DEEP is currently accepting applications from municipalities, non-profit land conservation organizations, and water companies to the competitive Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition Grant Program. Applications must be submitted by November 6, 2026, and Appraisal Reviews must be submitted by December 4, 2026. DEEP will award grants to projects that offer the highest conservation and recreational value and that leverage the greatest percentage of private and municipal funding.
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Urban Green and Community Garden Grant Program
Deadline: December 4, 2026
CT DEEP's Urban Green and Community Gardens Grant Program (UGCG) is available to distressed municipalities, targeted investment communities, registered non-profit organizations, and municipalities that are an environmental justice community. The program provides funding assistance to develop or enhance urban green spaces for public enjoyment and/or environmental education. Promotion of open space in an urban setting may include, but may not be limited to, the development of a community garden or reclaiming and enhancing existing open space for the public's use. Grants are awarded to projects that demonstrate the highest ability to benefit urban communities in close proximity to population centers.
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SCRCOG CT Green Bank Workshop - Green Schools
September 10, 2026 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Join the virtual SCRCOG/CT Green Bank Workshop: Green Schools, which will focus on CT Green Bank programs that support municipalities and schools in strengthening resilience and improving energy efficiency.
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Connecticut Climate Fest
September 19, 2026 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Join Sierra Club Connecticut to kick off Climate Week for a day filled with music, art, interactive activities, inspiring speakers, family-friendly fun, and opportunities to take action alongside neighbors, organizations, and community leaders.
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New England Environmental Finance Center:
Environmental Funding Navigator
The Environmental Funding Navigator is a dynamic, evolving resource designed to help communities across New England access funding for environmental work. The Navigator features an expanding list of grants, loans, tax credits, and other financing options to support your organization’s mission and project goals.
| | State and Regional News Clips | | |
Plans Advance for Climate Resilience Hubs in
Hartford, New Haven, and Bridgeport
NBC CT - July 27, 2026
At Hartford's Swift Factory, the North Hartford Partnership recently selected consultants who will assess climate risks, conduct site analyses, engage community members, and identify funding opportunities for the proposed hubs. The resilience hubs are intended to serve some of Connecticut's most climate-vulnerable neighborhoods, providing resources before, during, and after extreme weather events. "This is about 10,000 square feet of space that we're looking to build out as soon as funding becomes available," said Brenda Watson of the North Hartford Partnership while discussing a potential hub location in Hartford's North End.
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FEMA May Lack Permanent Leader Through Peak Hurricane Season
E&E News by Politico - July 23, 2026
The Federal Emergency Management Agency could remain without a permanent administrator through the peak of hurricane season this year despite a Senate committee confirming President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the agency Wednesday. Cameron Hamilton is widely expected to win confirmation from the full Senate, but potentially not before the chamber starts a five-week recess Aug. 8. FEMA has been led since May by acting Administrator Bob Fenton, a widely respected agency veteran who has previously held his current position. Hamilton has been a FEMA adviser since April.
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FEMA Buyouts vs. Risky Real Estate: New Maps Reveal Post-Flood Migration Patterns Across the US
CT Post - July 25, 2026
Dangerous flooding damaged neighborhoods in almost every state in 2025, leaving homes a muddy mess. In several hard-hit areas, it wasn’t the first time homeowners found themselves tearing out wet wallboard and piling waterlogged carpet by the curb. Wanting to rebuild after flooding is a common response. But for some people, the best way to stay in their community, adapt to the changing climate and recover from disasters is to do what humans have done for millennia: move. Researchers expect millions of Americans to relocate from properties facing increasing risks of flood, fire and other kinds of disasters in the years ahead.
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The Resilience Roundup highlights CIRCA's presence in the news, provides links to recent local/state/national news articles related to resilience and adaptation, and announces upcoming events and seminars.
The Connecticut Institute for Resilience and Climate Adaptation's (CIRCA) mission is to increase the resilience and sustainability of vulnerable communities along Connecticut's coast and inland waterways to the growing impacts of climate change and extreme weather on the natural, built, and human environment. The institute is located at the University of Connecticut's Avery Point campus and includes faculty from across the university. CIRCA is a partnership between UConn and the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CT DEEP).
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