The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service announced it will offer $41 million through the 2023 Wood Innovations Grant and 2023 Community Wood Grant programs, to spark innovation and create new markets for wood products and renewable wood energy, according to a news release.
These grants expand wood products use and strengthen emerging wood energy markets, supporting sustainable forest management, and were made possible in part by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act, the release said.
“These grant programs provide opportunities for communities and businesses to develop innovative uses and markets for wood, a renewable and economical resource. Previous Wood Innovations Grants are making a difference across the country, and we are pleased to continue supporting wood use ingenuity that helps our communities and forests,” said Forest Service Chief Randy Moore, in the release.
Eligible project examples for the Wood Innovations Grant Program include:
- 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
Eligible submissions for the Community Wood Grant Program’s shovel-ready projects include:
- Community wood heating, cooling, or electricity 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
To apply for either grant, applicants must be registered with the System for Award Management (SAM).
Applications should show a clear benefit to underserved or historically marginalized people, communities, and the forests they value.
For-profit entities, state and local governments, Indian Tribes, school districts, nonprofit organizations, higher education institutions, public utilities, and fire and conservation districts are eligible to apply.
For more information and details on the 2023 Wood Innovations funding opportunity, visit tinyurl.com/y78j8ct6.
For information on the 2023 Community Wood Energy and Wood Innovation Program, visit tinyurl.com/3hynet5j.
Applications for both grants may be submitted via email to the Forest Service Regional Wood Innovations coordinator listed in the instructions. The application deadline is March 23, 2023 at 5 p.m.
Published February 08, 2023
