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The U.S. Forest Service (Forest Service) requests proposals for projects that will substantially expand and accelerate wood products and wood energy markets throughout the United States to support forest management needs on National Forest System and other forest lands

What is the purpose of the Forest Service Wood Innovations Grant Program?

The intent of the Wood Innovations Funding Opportunity is to stimulate, expand, and support wood products markets and wood energy markets. The Wood Innovations program goals seek to reduce hazardous fuels and improve forest health on National Forest System and other forest lands; reduce the costs of forest management on all land types; and promote economic and environmental health of communities.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants for this program include: for-profit entities; state, local, and tribal governments; school districts; community, not-for-profit organizations; institutions of higher education; and special purpose districts (e.g., public utilities districts, fire districts, conservation districts, and ports).

What projects are eligible?

Examples of eligible projects include, but are not limited to:

1. Completing requirements, such as architectural and engineering designs, cost analyses, and permitting necessary for 1) commercial construction projects that use wood as a primary building material, and 2) wood energy project development to secure financing. Early phase project development proposals and feasibility studies will not be competitive.
2. Establishing or increasing wood products manufacturing capacity and/or markets that support forest ecosystem restoration
3. Showcasing quantifiable environmental and economic benefits of using wood as a sustainable building material in a constructed commercial building to increase acceptance and encourage growth in the construction industry.
4. Establishing statewide wood utilization teams or statewide wood energy teams. Only proposals from States without an existing or former team will be considered. Current teams are found on this map.
5. Developing a cluster of wood energy projects in a geographic area or specific sector; or installing a wood energy system at a facility (e.g., prisons, hospitals, universities, manufacturing or industrial sector) that will use forest woody biomass or forest products manufacturing residues.
6. Developing commercial wood biomass and wood product utilization industrial parks.
7. Overcoming market barriers and stimulating expansion of wood energy in the institutional, commercial, or industrial sectors.
8. Implementing applied research projects that engage with or involve industry partners to resolve gaps in practical knowledge that can lead to readily applied advances in the wood products or wood energy market.
9. Stationary wood energy equipment.

What are other project requirements?

Proposals should align with Forest Service Regional priorities and State Forest Action Plans as well as focusing on the Wood Innovations program goals:

• Reduce hazardous fuels and improve forest health on National Forest System and other forest lands.
• Reduce the costs of forest management on all land types.
• Promote economic and environmental health of communities.

Applicants must have an active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) and must be maintained throughout the life of the award.

What are the funding levels for this program?

The Forest Service plans to award up to $8 million under this announcement with the proposed maximum award for an individual project of $250,000. However, the Forest Service may consider awarding more to a proposal that demonstrates the ability to have a significant and sizable impact on wood product or energy markets.

When are applications due?

Applications are due January 20, 2021. The Forest Service expects to notify applicants of results in May 2021, with an approximate award date in August 2021.

The request for proposals and instructions can be found here.

For more information on this grant or how to apply with Morrison’s assistance, please contact the Morrison Grants Team by email at grants@morrisonco.net or call us at 530-893-4764.