Forest Service Grants

The intent of the National Urban and Community Forestry Challenge Cost Share grant program is to advance solutions to the economic, health, and environmental challenges faced by communities. This year’s program focuses on advancing community tree resource utilization, which can reduce waste and create value by turning wood generated from pruning, removals, storm events, and pest or disease outbreaks into useful products. These products may include lumber, slabs, furniture, flooring, biochar, or other materials that strengthen local economies, reduce disposal costs, and improve community resilience. The program seeks practical, creative, and replicable projects that help communities establish or expand wood‑utilization efforts. Competitive proposals will demonstrate how the project supports existing community forestry plans, applies industry‑recognized safety and tree‑care standards, and delivers clear economic, environmental, or workforce benefits. Projects should outline anticipated wood products, partnerships with professional or industry organizations, and opportunities for job creation, training, or certification. This program is intended for communities and their partners seeking to improve the management and use of their urban and community forests. Eligible applicants include state, local, and tribal governments, nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and other community‑based partners. Projects must conform to laws and authorities in Section 9 of the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act ([16 U.S.C. 2105] Urban and Community Forestry Assistance) as amended.

Federally recognized Indian Tribes, local government entities, and nonprofit organizations that are qualified to acquire and manage land may apply for up to $1,000,000 for the fee simple acquisition of private forest land in portions of the Lake Superior Basin of Michigan and Wisconsin. Projects submitted for funding consideration must be forested properties at least five acres in size that are threatened by conversion to non-forest uses and that provide community benefits including economic, environmental, educational, and recreational benefits. An additional focus of this opportunity is to protect, enhance and increase resilience of habitats necessary for sustaining native aquatic and terrestrial species important to the Lake Superior ecosystem. Competitive proposals will be those that demonstrate exceptional public benefits, meaningful community engagement, and strategic contributions to terrestrial habitat connectivity within the defined Terrestrial Habitat Connectivity Pilot Area. For additional information and requirements, please refer to the Notice of Funding Opportunity document linked in both the "Related Documents" tab and the "Instructions" link located in the "Package" tab.

Through this NOFO, IPT’s Invasive Species program aims to support projects that advance tangible improvements in invasive species prevention by utilizing existing research knowledge on invasive species risks and pathways to produce actionable outcomes that protect American agriculture from invasive species. For example, past and current research has built important pre-invasion knowledge of problematic pests, such as through horizon scanning and monitoring ex-patria sentinel trees. We invite proposals that build upon and directly link this type of invasive species scientific knowledge to make improvements in regulatory frameworks, policies, and actions that will decrease new arrivals and establishment of invasive pests. Projects should bridge the gap between current research knowledge and concrete actions that will improve how the U.S. prevents the introduction and establishment of new invasive species.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Forest Service, State, Private & Tribal Forestry, is requesting applications for the Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program (Community Forest Program or CFP). CFP is a competitive grant program that provides financial assistance to Indian Tribes, local governments, and qualified conservation non-profit organizations to establish community forests through the fee simple acquisition of private forest land. The purpose of the program is to establish community forests by protecting forestland from conversion to non-forest uses and provide community benefits including public recreation, environmental and economic benefits, and forest-based educational programs. Public access is required for all projects. Ap plications are not submitted electronically via Grants.gov. The full Notice of Funding Opportunity and supporting documents (including scoring guidance and FAQs) are available under the 'Related Documents' tab of this listing and can be downloaded. To apply, interested local government and nonprofit applicants must submit applications to the State Forester where the property is located. Tribal applicants must submit applications to equivalent Tribal government officials. All applications must be received by State Foresters or Tribal governments by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on Tuesday, October 13, 2026. All applicants must also send an e-mail to SM.FS.CFP@usda.gov to confirm that an application has been submitted. State Foresters or Tribal government officials must forward applications to the appropriate Forest Service Regional office or International Institute of Tropical Forestry by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on Tuesday, October 27, 2026. Projects must conform to laws and authorities in Section 7A of the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act ([16 U.S.C. 2103d] Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program) as amended.

The USDA Forest Service is requesting applications for the Forest Legacy Program (FLP), authorized by the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978, as amended ( 16 U.S.C. 2103 ) and funded through the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). The Forest Legacy Program is a competitive grant program that is administered by the Forest Service in partnership with State agencies to encourage the permanent protection of privately owned forest lands through conservation easements or land purchases in support of state priorities, as described in each State Forest Action Plan. USDA Forest Service and States also cooperate with tribal and local governments, other Federal agencies, forest landowners, land trust organizations, and other partners to implement FLP. Landowner participation in the program is entirely voluntary. The purpose of the program is to identify and conserve environmentally important forestlands that are threatened by conversion to non-forest uses and provide the opportunity for continuation of traditional forest uses. Conservation of private forests through the Forest Legacy Program maintains a multitude of public benefits, including: opportunities to hunt, fish, and camp; clean and abundant drinking water; habitat for fish and wildlife; and timber, fuel wood, and other forest products. More information on the program and past awarded projects can be found at https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/private-land/forest-legacy .