Deadline: 15 December 2023
The U.S. Department of Agriculture – Forest Service is seeking applications for the Community Wood Energy and Wood Innovation Grant Program to support forest health and stimulate local economies by expanding renewable wood energy use and innovative wood products manufacturing capacity.
The Forest Service solicits proposals for projects that will achieve the following:
- Expand thermally led community wood energy or innovative wood product opportunities,
- Improve forest health; and
- Stimulate local economies.
Funding Priorities and Preferences
Priority will be given to projects that:
- Are located where markets are needed for low-value or low-quality wood.
- Are located where the project will aid forest restoration.
- Use the most stringent control technology that has been required or achieved in practice for a wood-fired boiler and will operate in a location with limited access to natural gas pipelines.
- Support, benefit, or engage communities that are historically underserved, marginalized, and adversely affected by persistent poverty or inequality.
Funding Information
- The Forest Service plans to award up to $6 million in total awards under this announcement. The maximum for each award is $1 million to pay for up to 35% of total capital costs. The Forest Service may consider awarding up to $1.5 million (for up to 50% of total capital costs) for a proposal that warrants special consideration, especially for projects located in areas of high unemployment.
- Project Length
- Awards under this announcement are typically 2 to 3 years in length. Projects of greater complexity may be awarded for a longer period not to exceed 5 years.
Innovative Projects or Activities
- This funding opportunity is intended for shovel ready projects that will not require additional funding or time to complete after the award period.
- Examples of eligible projects include, but are not limited to:
- Install a thermally led community wood energy system for heating, cooling, and/or electricity that replaces fossil fuels such as coal, oil, propane, or natural gas.
- Purchase and install manufacturing equipment at a mass timber production facility.
- Expand a sawmill to add higher value production lines that incorporate innovative technologies and cost cutting measures.
- Purchase and install equipment at a new facility to produce biofuels from forest residues.
Eligible Applicants
- Eligible applicants are non-profits; local, state, and tribal governments; businesses, companies, corporations (for profit); institutions of higher education; and special purpose districts (public utility districts, fire districts, conservation districts, school districts, and ports.)
For more information, visit Grants.gov.
