CIEIF Climate Intervention Grants
By Climate Intervention Environmental Impact Fund
Check your eligibility
Sign up and we'll tell you whether your startup qualifies for this grant.
Quick Answer
Grants of US$75,000 (about ₹71.25 lakh) for teams worldwide to study the environmental impact of a planned climate intervention field test. Applications due 1 December 2026.
- Funding amount
- Varies
- Funding type
- Grant
- Application deadline
- 24d — 1 Dec 2026
- Location
- International
About this grant
The Climate Intervention Environmental Impact Fund (CIEIF) is a fund based in Bethesda, Maryland, that supports investigators worldwide who are working to reverse climate change. Its sixth grant round offers US$75,000 per grant (about ₹71.25 lakh), with three grants announced for this round. Applications are due by 1 December 2026, and decisions are expected by 1 February 2027. Teams from anywhere in the world are welcome, including India.
CIEIF does not fund the climate technology itself. It pays for the independent checks that should come before a small field test, so it suits teams that already have a technology close to testing and need an environmental assessment.
What the program offers
Each grant is US$75,000 (about ₹71.25 lakh). The money must go to at least one of three things: an environmental impact assessment of the planned field test, predictive impact modelling, or engagement with people who may be affected, from local communities to government agencies. The guidelines say an application that does not focus on one of these is quickly rejected. CIEIF says it makes grants only for these checks on small-scale field tests, not for basic research or running the test.
Payment comes in steps: after scoping discussions with CIEIF staff, grantees receive the first third, which is US$25,000, up front. The second and third payments follow a schedule agreed around project milestones. The guidelines add that repeated annual funding is possible. Selected applicants also discuss their consulting needs with CIEIF, and staff can offer occasional advice on progress. CIEIF has no direct contracts with outside consultants.
Who can apply
The guidelines page does not list formal eligibility conditions. It asks that the nature of the applying entity is clear and that a website is given. CIEIF describes itself as supporting investigators worldwide, and the listing says teams anywhere in the world can apply, so an Indian university, non-profit or company with a planned field test can apply. A strong fit is a team with a specific field test in view and the permits and siting questions already identified. It does not suit someone who only has an idea with no field test planned, or a project aimed at running the test or doing basic research.
How to apply
There is no standard form or template. You write a grant request, in English, of no more than 20 single-spaced pages in 12-point type, answering CIEIF's ten questions. They cover your team and biographies, the field test and the research showing it is ready, the government permits needed, your earlier publications, at least two independent consulting firms or consultants, a plan and rough budget for spending the US$75,000, other funding, insurance that may cover the test, your willingness to publish results, and anything else important. Before you send it, contact CIEIF through the details on its website to agree how to deliver it. A practical tip: keep the request short, since the guidelines value succinct proposals, and link to supporting material where you can.
Do not use AI to write your application or cover letter. CIEIF says it checks for AI use, rejects such applications immediately and bars those applicants from future rounds.
How applications are judged and what happens next
CIEIF values clear, well-supported proposals and potential to reach a globally relevant scale. A major criterion is your willingness to publish the results, either in a peer-reviewed journal or in a report with outside peer review. All applications are kept confidential. Decisions are expected by 1 February 2027. Selected applicants then discuss their expert consulting needs, and confidential talks can cover technical, siting, legal and permitting issues. Grantees agree to be named on the CIEIF website and to credit CIEIF on their own sites.
About CIEIF
CIEIF is affiliated with Social and Environmental Entrepreneurs (SEE), a US 501(c)(3) public charity. It says independent, objective environmental impact assessment is vital to progress on climate interventions. It aims to showcase the work it supports as models for future field tests.
Things to check before you apply
- Indian recipients of foreign money should check FCRA, FEMA and tax treatment with an adviser before applying.
- The guidelines do not state a list of eligible or excluded technologies or a preference between non-profits and companies, so check CIEIF's site.
- You must be willing to publish your results, though CIEIF may be flexible on timing.
- Applications must be in English and written without AI help.
Eligibility
See if you're eligible
Full eligibility criteria — entity type, stage, sector, founder profile and registration requirements — plus your fit for this program. Sign up to view.
Grant providers
Benefits & Funding
- Fund type
- Grant
What You Get
Each of the three grants in this round is US$75,000 (about ₹71.25 lakh). The money is for environmental impact assessment, predictive impact modelling and stakeholder engagement for your proposed field test, and can cover the applicant's own time and outside consultants. Selected teams also discuss their expert consulting needs with CIEIF, including confidential talks on technical, siting and legal questions.
- Bootstrap friendly
- Yes
Timelines & Process
Selection Process
CIEIF reviews each request for clarity, support and potential scale, and treats willingness to publish results as a major criterion. Applications are confidential. Decisions are expected by 1 February 2027, after which selected applicants discuss their consulting needs with CIEIF. Payment starts with a first third after scoping talks.
Application Process
- 1
Write grant request
Answer CIEIF's ten questions, with a rough US$75,000 budget.
You - 2
- 3
- 4
How to apply
Four steps from draft to disbursement — one action each.
- 1
Draft your application
Answer the form inside the grant tracker — AI drafts each response using your past answers, so you're not starting from a blank page.
- 2
Submit on the official portal
Use the official application link and verify all details before final submission.
- 3
Follow up
Reach out 5–7 days after submitting to confirm receipt and ask about the review timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply for CIEIF climate intervention grants?
CIEIF supports investigators worldwide who are working on a proposed climate intervention field test. The guidelines ask that the applying entity is clearly described and has a website, and they do not list further formal conditions.
Can Indian startups and NGOs apply for CIEIF grants?
CIEIF describes itself as supporting investigators worldwide, and the guidelines place no country restriction, so an Indian team can apply. Recipients in India should check FCRA, FEMA and tax treatment of foreign money with an adviser first.
How much is a CIEIF grant?
Each grant is US$75,000 (about ₹71.25 lakh), and the sixth round has three grants. The money must be spent on impact assessment, modelling or stakeholder engagement for the field test.
How is the CIEIF grant paid?
After scoping talks with CIEIF staff, the first third, US$25,000, is paid up front. The second and third payments follow a schedule agreed around project milestones. Repeated annual funding is possible.
What is the CIEIF deadline, and what if it has passed?
Applications for the sixth round are due by 1 December 2026, and decisions are expected by 1 February 2027. The guidelines say repeat funding is possible, but they do not give dates for a later round.
Is the CIEIF grant a grant or equity?
It is a grant. The guidelines mention no equity or repayment. Grantees agree to be named on the CIEIF website and to credit CIEIF on their own sites.
What documents do I need for a CIEIF application?
There is no form. You write a request of up to 20 single-spaced pages in English answering ten questions, and may attach biographies and key publications. The questions cover permits, consultants, a budget, other funding, insurance and your willingness to publish.
Do I have to travel for a CIEIF grant?
The guidelines do not mention travel. After selection you discuss consulting needs with CIEIF staff, and the source does not say how.
Is it free to apply to CIEIF?
The guidelines do not mention any application fee. They only ask you to contact CIEIF first to agree how to send the application.
Can I use AI to write my CIEIF application?
No. CIEIF says AI use in cover letters and applications is not acceptable, checks for it, rejects such applications immediately and bars the applicant from future rounds.
Sources
Data on this page is compiled from official program and provider references.
