Wood Innovations Program | Upcoming Deadlines for Funding Opportunities

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Over the past 100 years, the timber industry has changed dramatically, from horse-drawn logging equipment to the innovative equipment used in logging now. As the industry continues to adapt to the markets, science, and customer needs, capital funding is needed to help these companies develop innovative solutions. In 2015, the U.S. Government launched the Wood Innovations Grant Program to help stimulate, expand, and support the United States wood products markets and wood energy markets to support long-term management of the National Forest System and other forestlands. The program includes multiple funding opportunities to assist the current industry in sparking innovation and creating new markets for wood products and renewable wood energy.  

On January 31, 2023, the USDA Forest Service announced it would offer $41 million through the 2023 Wood Innovations Grant and 2023 Community Wood Grant programs. These programs are open to the industry to utilize new technologies, update existing technologies, retrofit, reopen, or expand wood processing facilities. Through these programs, the government is making funding available to develop traditional use projects, advance wood energy markets, and promote wood use in commercial building construction. The Request for Proposals was released on January 31, 2023, with the proposals due on March 23, 2023, at 5:00 pm local time. Applications should be submitted via email to the Forest Service Regional Wood Innovations coordinator.  

Examples of eligible projects for the Wood Innovations Grant Program:

  • Architectural and engineering designs, cost analyses and permitting to secure financing for commercial wood construction or wood energy projects development.
  • Establishing or increasing wood products manufacturing to support forest restoration.
  • Showcasing environmental and economic benefits of wood as a sustainable commercial building material to encourage growth in the industry.
  • Establishing statewide wood use teams or wood energy teams.
  • Developing wood energy projects that use residues from wood products or woody biomass.
  • Developing commercial woody biomass and wood product industrial parks.
  • Overcoming market barriers to stimulate wood energy expansion.
  • Purchasing wood processing equipment to create markets supporting forest management.

Examples of eligible projects for the Community Wood Grant Program: 

  • Community wood heating, cooling, or electrical systems that replace fossil fuels.
  • Purchase and installation of manufacturing equipment at a mass timber production facility. 
  • Expanding sawmills with innovative technologies, cost-cutting measures, and higher-value production lines.
  • Equipment purchase and installation at new facilities producing forest products biofuels.

In order to apply, applicants must register with the System of Award Management. Please contact your region coordinator for more information and where to apply (see the list below).

Regional Coordinator Contact Information: 

Forest Service Northern Region (Region 1) MT, ND, Northern ID, & Northwestern SD

ATTN: Julie Kies

Building 26 Fort Missoula Road

Missoula, MT 59804

[email protected]

(406) 370-3297

Forest Service Rocky Mountain Region (Region 2) CO, KS, NE, SD, & WY

ATTN: Laura Wolf

1617 Cole Boulevard, Building 17

Lakewood, CO 80401-3305

[email protected]

 (720) 830-6407

Forest Service Southwestern Region (Region 3) AZ & NM

ATTN: Patrick Moore

1824 S. Thompson St.

Flagstaff, AZ 86001

[email protected]

(435) 770-9900

Forest Service Intermountain Region (Region 4) Southern ID, NV, UT, & Western WY

ATTN: Julie Kies

Building 26 Fort Missoula Road

Missoula, MT 59804

[email protected]

(406) 370-3297

Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region (Region 5) CA, HI, Guam Islands

ATTN: Helena Murray

1323 Club Drive

Vallejo, CA 95492-1110

[email protected]

 (707) 980-2375

Forest Service Pacific Northwest Region (Region 6) OR & WA

ATTN: Jim Archuleta

1220 SW 3rd Avenue

Portland, OR 97204

[email protected]

(503) 680-6870

Forest Service Southern Region (Region 8) AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, OK, SC, TN, TX, VA, Virgin Islands, & Puerto Rico

ATTN: Marcus Taylor

5162 Valleypointe Parkway

Roanoke, VA 24019

[email protected]

(540) 553-5476

Forest Service Eastern Region (Region 9) CT, DE, DC, IL, IN, IA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, VT, WV, WI

ATTN: Lew McCreery

180 Canfield Street

Morgantown, WV 26505

[email protected]

(304) 285–1538

Forest Service Alaska Region (Region 10) AK

ATTN: Priscilla Morris

161 East 1st Avenue, Door 8

Anchorage, AK 99501

[email protected]

(907) 743–9467

More information on the grants and upcoming deadlines is available via the resources outlined below. 

Helpful Links: 

Wood Innovation Center

Wood Innovations Application Instructions

Wood Innovations Application

Wood Innovations Application Webinar

Presentation from Application Webinar

Notice of Funding Opportunity on Grants.gov 

Grant Specific Information:

Source:  

Wood Innovations Center Press Release: https://www.usda.gov/media/press-releases/2023/01/31/usda-forest-service-accepting-grant-applications-wood-innovations