Best Biology Grants in Colorado

With a mission to strengthen communities, Costco Foundation provides Colorado 501(c)(3) nonprofits with funding for programs serving children, education, and health and human services. Organizations working with youth, including those in child welfare or children’s health, may be eligible for monetary support if they demonstrate community need, measurable outcomes, and broad financial backing.

Colorado 501(c)(3) nonprofits serving youth through health, education, development, or welfare programs can access funding via The Dan Paul Foundation, with awards up to US $15,000. Organizations offering environmental education, clean air and water initiatives, or other science-focused enrichment for children and teens may be especially competitive.

Colorado biology and other social impact organizations addressing urgent social or environmental problems can receive up to US $300,000 over three years to scale proven, impact-first solutions. Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation supports early-stage, independent nonprofits and mission-driven for-profits working with underserved communities, offering capital plus intensive capacity-building and community support for scalable models.

Nonprofit and NGO programs using technology for crisis response, education access, or economic empowerment in Colorado can apply for Global Impact Cash Grants, with awards up to US $100,000. With a mission to back innovative, early-stage social impact solutions, Cisco Systems Foundation supports projects serving mostly economically underserved communities worldwide.

State Farm's Good Neighbor Citizenship Company Grants aim to enhance community safety, development, and education. Focused on long-term impact, they support initiatives in auto and home safety, disaster preparedness, affordable housing, and educational programs. Eligible recipients include nonprofits, educational institutions, and government entities. However, funding is not available for individuals, religious programs, or organizations outside the U.S. By addressing critical community needs, these grants foster safer and more resilient neighborhoods.

The Hearst Foundation's Social Service Grant focuses on tackling chronic poverty by funding direct-service organizations that implement effective solutions for economic independence and family strengthening. With a mission to support diverse nonprofits in the U.S., the Foundation allocates approximately 15% of its total funding to social services, prioritizing scalable programs that serve significant populations. The minimum grant size is $100,000, and special consideration is given to organizations addressing affordable housing, domestic violence, and youth development.

Colorado biology and science-focused charities can access funding through Roche for innovative humanitarian, educational, environmental, or contemporary arts projects. Accredited nonprofits whose programs align with Roche’s four focus areas and can engage local Roche affiliates and employees may be eligible, with support managed by the Roche office in their country.

501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations in Colorado can apply for Bank of America Charitable Foundation’s sponsorship support to advance economic mobility and social progress. Funding may benefit programs in basic needs, workforce development, community development, arts and culture, environment, sports, housing, and diversity and inclusion, including initiatives connected to biological or environmental science work.

Early-career Ph.D. scientists in atmospheric and related fields, including biology, can pursue independent postdoctoral research in Colorado through the NCAR Advanced Study Program. Focused on interdisciplinary climate and weather challenges, University Corporation for Atmospheric Research invites fellows to relocate to Boulder for full-time research, mentorship, and professional development; awards Up to US $167,250 including travel support.

Colorado biology and biomedical researchers at eligible nominating institutions can receive US $75,000 - US $300,000 to support independent, human health–related research. Pew Charitable Trusts provides flexible four-year funding for early-career assistant professors running their own labs, covering personnel, equipment, supplies, and travel for high-impact basic, translational, or applied biomedical projects.

Wildlife conservation 501(c)(3) nonprofits in Colorado can apply for Jesse W Couch Charitable Foundation’s Storytelling Grant, awarding more than US $50,000 to share the impact of their work. Funding supports compelling storytelling around conservation, preservation, education, or wellness efforts, which may benefit biology-focused programs connected to wildlife and environmental conservation.

The Robinson Foundation Grant, established in 2016, aims to alleviate hardships faced by individuals and communities, demonstrating God's love through charitable contributions. As a family-operated foundation, it focuses on creating meaningful, long-term impacts in various areas including animal welfare, education, and disaster relief. Organizations eligible for funding must be 501(c)(3) public charities. The foundation prioritizes fiscally responsible projects with the potential for tangible results, while not supporting capital projects.

The Dudley T. Dougherty Foundation Grant supports nonprofit charitable organizations recognized under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS Revenue Code. Established in 2002, the foundation aims to empower groups committed to positive change, fostering respect for life and the environment. Their vision emphasizes collaboration for a better future, encouraging applicants to embody these values in their initiatives. With a focus on impactful projects, this grant is an opportunity for organizations striving to make a critical difference in our world.

Local and county governments, park and recreation and open space departments, water districts, landowners, and conservation nonprofits in Colorado can seek funding to improve sportfishing access and habitat, with awards up to Up to US $700,000. Colorado Parks & Wildlife supports freshwater and fish conservation projects such as stream habitat work, new angler access, fishing site upgrades, and boat access improvements.

Agricultural producers, non-industrial private forest landowners, and Tribes in Colorado can receive financial and cost-share assistance to implement conservation practices on working lands. USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service of Colorado supports environmental conservation by funding projects that improve soil health, water quality and quantity, grazing management, wildlife habitat, forest health, air quality, and energy and carbon conservation.

Colorado nonprofits, academic institutions, and government agencies conducting non-game wildlife research or education can access funding through the Audubon Society of Greater Denver’s Lois Webster Fund; awards US $500 - US $5,000 for projects that inform conservation management. Biology-focused teams must partner with at least one additional organization to be eligible.

Colorado 501(c)(3) nonprofits seeking project funding in education, social services, health care, civic and cultural, or environmental work can apply for grants of US $5,000 - US $25,000. Focused on practical, innovative solutions, the Dr Scholl Foundation primarily supports U.S. organizations, which may include biology-related programs that fit these categories.

Colorado biology and chemical biology PIs at eligible nominating institutions can access funding for innovative research projects that bridge chemistry and biology. Through the Ono Initiative, Ono Pharma Foundation offers up to US $1,035,000 over three years to support high-impact basic research and the career development of young and mid-career scientists.

Colorado high school seniors planning to study biology-related fields at a public in-state college or university can receive a four-year full-ride scholarship covering tuition, fees, room and board, books, and a laptop. Grants from Colorado Garden Foundation help Colorado students majoring in areas like plant biology, horticulture, agronomy, and related agricultural sciences pursue their degrees.

Students conducting biology and related environmental research in the Rocky Mountain region and enrolled at Colorado colleges or other universities can receive US $500 - US $2,000 for faculty-supervised projects. With a mission to support mountain-focused scholarship, Colorado Mountain Club Foundation provides fellowships in disciplines like biology, geology, forestry, and environmental studies that advance understanding and preservation of Colorado’s mountain ecosystems.

The O'Reilly Automotive Foundation Grant focuses on enhancing community welfare through philanthropic initiatives that support economic stability, workforce development, health services, and disaster relief. Established in 2020, the Foundation seeks to empower underrepresented individuals and organizations in the U.S. by addressing vital community needs. It particularly aims to provide assistance to nonprofits that foster positive change and improve quality of life for those in need, ensuring a lasting impact in local communities.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) public charities in Colorado communities served by Union Pacific can apply for Union Pacific Foundation’s Community Ties Local Grants, awarding US $5,000 - US $30,000 for safety, workforce development, community vitality, and environmental sustainability projects. Programs with strong biology or environmental components, especially those advancing DEI, may be competitive.

Colorado 501(c)(3) organizations focused on environmental protection can seek US $1,000 - US $5,000 for wilderness and wildlands protection, river and wetlands conservation, biodiversity, and public lands management. Focused on conservation, Maki Foundation invites smaller-budget nonprofits in the western U.S., including Colorado, to apply for project support where modest funding can make a significant impact.

Students and amateur researchers conducting raptor biology or conservation projects in Colorado can receive up to US $5,000 through the Stephen R. Tully Memorial Grant, plus waived page charges for publishing in the Journal of Raptor Research. Raptor Research Foundation prioritizes primary authors whose papers directly reflect the funded work.

The Mutual of America Foundation Community Partnership Award honors exemplary nonprofit organizations in the U.S. that foster collaborative partnerships across sectors. Annually, a national competition showcases numerous organizations demonstrating impactful community partnerships. Six organizations receive recognition, including the Thomas J. Moran Award, which offers $100,000, and the Frances R. Hesselbein Award, granting $75,000. Since 1996, the award has acknowledged 262 partnerships, emphasizing Mutual of America's commitment to societal improvement through collaboration.

The Gupta Family Foundation Grant aims to empower disadvantaged individuals by providing financial support to organizations that foster self-reliance. Headquartered in Herndon, Virginia, the foundation offers grants ranging from $5,000 to over $250,000, prioritizing smaller organizations with a strong commitment to their missions. Eligibility typically includes US-based IRS 501(c)(3) entities, with operations extending to countries like India and Kenya. The foundation emphasizes mission alignment and effective resource allocation to ensure maximum impact.

Universities, tribes, governments, and conservation organizations working on ecology and natural resources in Colorado and other CESU regions can apply for National Park Service Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units Master Cooperative Agreements. These agreements support collaborative research, technical assistance, education, and capacity building on environmental conservation and biology-related resource issues across U.S. biogeographic regions.