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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. Up to $8 million in funding is available with applications due January 19, 2022.

The intent of the Wood Innovations Funding Opportunity is to stimulate, expand, and support wood product markets and wood energy markets to support the long-term management of National Forest System and other forest lands.

• 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.

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).

• 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/or 2) wood energy project development to secure financing. Early phase project development proposals and feasibility studies will not be competitive.
• Establishing or increasing wood products manufacturing capacity and/or markets that support forest ecosystem restoration
• 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.
• Establishing statewide wood utilization teams or statewide wood energy teams. Only proposals from States without an existing or former team will be considered. Identification of currently and previously funded statewide teams can be done at Section VIII.A (Questions) of this document.
• 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.
• Developing commercial woody biomass and wood product utilization industrial parks.
• Overcoming market barriers and stimulating expansion of wood energy in the institutional, commercial, or industrial sectors.
• Implementing applied research projects that engage with or involve industry partners to resolve gaps in practical knowledge that can lead to readily applied and near-term advances in the wood products or wood energy market.
• Purchase stationary wood energy equipment to create markets to support forest management.

• 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.

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.

Applicants must contribute matching funds equal to at least 100% of the Forest Service requested funds.

Applications are due January 19, 2022, 5:00 pm local time. The Forest Service expects to notify applicants of results in May 2022, with an approximate award date in August 2022.

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.