2018 Wood Innovations Funding Opportunity

Important Dates: October 18, 2017 - Issuance of Request for Proposals. January 22, 2018 - Proposal submission deadline. May 1, 2018 - Approximate date to notify applicants of results. July 1, 2018 - Approximate date of award. Synopsis of Funding Opportunity: The U.S. Forest Service requests proposals to substantially expand and accelerate wood energy and wood products markets throughout the United States to support forest management needs on National Forest System and other forest lands. This Request for Proposals focuses on the following priorities to: • 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. Funding will be awarded in two separate categories. Grant Category 1: Expansion of Wood Energy Markets - The intent of this category is to: 1. Stimulate, expand, or support wood energy markets that depend on forest residues or forest byproducts generated from all land types. Projects can include, but are not limited to: a. Develop a cluster of wood energy projects in a geographic area or specific sector (e.g., prisons, hospitals, universities, manufacturing sector, or industrial sector). b. Overcome market barriers and stimulate expansion of wood energy in the commercial sector. 2. Complete requirements, such as engineering designs, cost analyses, and permitting, necessary in the later stages of wood energy project development to secure financing. Grant Category 2: Expansion of Wood Products Markets - The intent of this category is to promote markets that create or expand the demand for non-energy based wood products. Preference will be given to projects that support commercial building markets or other markets that use innovative wood products. Wood energy projects will not be considered under this category because those projects can apply for funding under Grant Category 1. Demonstration projects and applied research will be considered, but applicants are strongly encouraged to first consult with their designed Forest Service Regional Biomass Coordinator to determine whether such projects will be competitive. Specific details, including the application and instructions, can be viewed and downloaded at the website listed below.