U.S. Forest Service: Wood Innovations Program

The Wood Innovations Program supports projects that stimulate or expand wood products and wood energy markets that support the long-term management of National Forest system and other forest lands. Funding will focus on the following priorities:

• Reduce hazardous fuels and improve forest health on National Forest system and other forest lands
• Reduce costs of forest management on all land types
• Promote economic and environmental health of communities

Projects can include, but are not limited to:

• Completing requirements, such as engineering designs, cost analyses, and permitting necessary in the final stages of commercial construction projects that use wood as a primary building material; and later stages of wood energy project development to secure financing. Early phase project development proposals will not be competitive.
• Developing manufacturing capacity and markets for wood products that support forest ecosystem restoration.
• Showcasing quantifiable environmental and economic benefits of using wood as a green building material in an actual commercial building and the projected benefits achieved if replicated across the United States based on commercial construction market trends.
• Establishing statewide wood utilization teams and statewide wood energy teams. Only proposals from states without an existing (or former) team will be considered.
• Developing a cluster of wood energy projects in a geographic area or specific sector (e.g., prisons, hospitals, universities, manufacturing sector, or industrial sector).
• Overcoming market barriers and stimulating expansion of wood energy in the commercial sector.

Amount: An anticipated $8,000,000 will be awarded. The maximum amount for each award is generally $250,000 and awards are typically 2-3 years in length. A match of at least 50% of the Forest Service requested funds is required.

Eligibility: For-profit entities; state, local, and tribal governments; school districts; communities; not-for-profit organizations; institutions of higher education; and special purpose districts (e.g., public utilities districts, fire districts, conservation districts, and ports).

Link: https://www.fs.usda.gov/naspf/programs/wood-education-and-resource-center/wood-innovations-home

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