Wood Innovations Program | Upcoming Deadlines for Funding Opportunities
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
(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
(720) 830-6407
Forest Service Southwestern Region (Region 3) AZ & NM
ATTN: Patrick Moore
1824 S. Thompson St.
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
(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
(406) 370-3297
Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region (Region 5) CA, HI, Guam Islands
ATTN: Helena Murray
1323 Club Drive
Vallejo, CA 95492-1110
(707) 980-2375
Forest Service Pacific Northwest Region (Region 6) OR & WA
ATTN: Jim Archuleta
1220 SW 3rd Avenue
Portland, OR 97204
(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
(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
(304) 285–1538
Forest Service Alaska Region (Region 10) AK
ATTN: Priscilla Morris
161 East 1st Avenue, Door 8
Anchorage, AK 99501
(907) 743–9467
More information on the grants and upcoming deadlines is available via the resources outlined below.
Helpful Links:
Wood Innovations Application Instructions
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