Request for Proposals: 2026 CNCA & Built by Nature Biobased Challenge

Update as of 2 September, 2026

This RFP is now open and CNCA is currently accepting proposals. 

Overview:

The Carbon Neutral Cities Alliance (CNCA) offers an annual Game Changer Fund. In 2026, CNCA is partnering with Built by Nature (BbN) to launch this Challenge to each of their networks to advance bio-based construction through city action. This work is generously supported by the Kresge Foundation and Rockefeller Brothers Fund. 

This Challenge calls for city-led approaches that accelerate the adoption of bio-based materials in the built environment while advancing climate and nature-positive goals.

As cities pursue carbon-neutral futures, focusing on the built environment is a major opportunity to reduce embodied carbon and regenerate natural systems. While progress has been made in lowering operational emissions, construction materials continue to drive resource depletion, ecosystem degradation, and waste. Using bio-based materials is a promising pathway to address these challenges. 

Budget:

This funding will support three cities in designing, testing, and implementing interventions that accelerate adoption of bio-based materials in construction, renovation, and redevelopment. Funding will be awarded to those initiatives that propose tactical approaches that strengthen implementation, including items like improving procurement and planning approaches, advancing regulatory and permitting frameworks, building workforce and institutional capacity, and generating new evidence on environmental, social, and economic outcomes.

A selection committee reviews proposals and makes award decisions. They are planning to make 3 awards: 2 European awards at €100,000 each and 1 non-European at $100,000 USD. 

Eligibility and Who Should Apply: 

This RFP is open to CNCA members and those cities participating in CNCA’s Reducing Embodied Carbon in Europe project cohort, as well as cities within Built by Nature’s network. Cities may team up with an industry partner or other community partners.

Please refer to the RFP documents for more details. 

Proposals are due by November 4, 2026, 11:59pm in your local time zone. Please send proposals to the CNCA Fund Management Team Susanna Sutherland and Mariana Garcia, with cc to Irene Garcia and Michael Battista.

Questions?
Please contact CNCA Built Environment Lead Irene Garcia or CNCA Fund Manager Susanna Sutherland.