Cooperative Forestry Research

The goal of McIntire-Stennis Cooperative Forestry Research funding is to increase forestry research in the production, utilization, and protection of forestland; to train future forestry scientists; and to involve other disciplines in forestry resear

The McIntire-Stennis Cooperative Forestry Research will support eligible mandated projects for the maintenance and improvement of forest and forest-related research and education. Funds are distributed to the eligible State-certified Institutions within the State as determined by the Governor or their Designee.

Funds are appropriated by Congress for distribution to State institutions certified as eligible by a State representative designated by the Governor of each State. Funds are apportioned among States by the Secretary of Agriculture after consultation with a National Advisory Council representing the State- certified forestry schools and other groups concerned with forestry research. This program is also available to Guam, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands, and Micronesia.

Funds are appropriated by Congress for distribution to State institutions certified as eligible by a State representative designated by the Governor of each State. Funds are apportioned among States by the Secretary of Agriculture after consultation with a National Advisory Council representing the State- certified forestry schools and other groups concerned with forestry research. This program is also available in Guam, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Northern Mariana, and Micronesia.

The purpose of this funding is to increase forestry research in the production, utilization, and protection of forestland; to train future forestry scientists; and to involve other disciplines in forestry research. The eligible forestry research mandated areas as defined by the McIntire-Stennis legislation are: 1.) reforestation and management of land for the production of crops of timber and other related products of the forest; 2.) management of forest and related watershed lands to improve conditions of water flow and to protect resources against floods and erosion; 3.) management of forest and related rangeland for production of forage for domestic livestock and game and improvement of food and habitat for wildlife; 4.) management of forest lands for outdoor recreation; 5.) Protection of forest land and resources against fire, insects, diseases, or other destructive agents; 6.) utilization of wood and other forest products; and 7.) development of sound policies for the management of forest lands and the harvesting and marketing of forest products; and such other studies as may be necessary to obtain the fullest and most effective use of forest resources.

McIntire-Stennis funds are expected to be fully expended in the fiscal year of appropriation; however, current policy allows 50 percent of the allocation from the fiscal year of appropriation to be carried over into the next fiscal year. These carryover funds must be fully expended by September 30 of the carryover year (e.g., September 30, 2026, for FY 2025 funds). However, waiver requests for a greater than 50 percent carryover of funds may be considered and approved. Further details are provided in the Award document Form and the NIFA Award Terms and Conditions

All NOFOs are published on Grants.gov. Applicants must complete the SAM.gov and Grants.gov registration process prior to applying. See the program NOFO for any program specific pre-application requirements.

NIFA will review submitted documents to determine if all program, financial, and administrative requirements are met and are current. Missing or incomplete information within an application may require additional submittals and deletion of application(s) already submitted. Within the limit of funds available for such purpose, the NIFA awarding official shall make grants to eligible applicants.

The notice of federal award is the authorizing document. The award document will provide pertinent instructions and information as described in 2 CFR 200.211 (see NIFA's Terms and Conditions). Awardees should ensure that a copy of the NOA, as well as all future amendments, are retained within their institutional systems.

Contact the National Program Leader (NPL) regarding dates for specific deadlines, start and end dates, and range of approval/disapproval time.

McIntire-Stennis funds are expected to be fully expended in the fiscal year of appropriation; however, current policy allows 50 percent of the allocation from the fiscal year of appropriation to be carried over into the next fiscal year. These carryover funds must be fully expended by September 30 of the carryover year (e.g., September 30, 2026, for FY 2025 funds). However, waiver requests for a greater than 50 percent carryover of funds may be considered and approved.

Contact the National Program Leader (NPL).