Wood Education and Resource Center (WERC)
Active
- Assistance listing
- 10.681
- Agency
-
Forest Service
Department of Agriculture
- Grant awards
- 107 $10,395,772 in federal obligations
Program facts
- Also known as
- WERC
- Assistance types
-
- Project Grant
- Cooperative Agreement
- Treasury accounts
-
- 12-1105-0-1-302
- 12-1106-0-1-302
- More information
Program details come from SAM.gov Assistance Listings. Updated . Grant award figures come from USAspending.gov.
About this program
The Department of Agriculture Forest Service, through its Eastern Regional Office in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, funds technical assistance and cost-share projects that enhance opportunities for sustained forest products production among primary and secondary wood industries in the eastern hardwood forest region, CFDA 10.681, with the most recent grant award issued on August 15, 2025.
The program has maintained consistent recent activity, disbursing six awards per year in 2023, 2024, and 2025 after a sparse funding period from 2016 through 2022. Cumulative activity across 107 awards since 2008 reflects a program engaged in long-running sector support. Recent funded projects span wood heating infrastructure (emission control systems, district heating networks, firewood processing equipment), value-added product development (cross-laminated timber, thermally modified composites, innovative wood lighting), workforce development (forestry careers messaging, technical college training in wood technology), and market expansion initiatives (urban wood utilization assessment, underutilized hardwood species promotion, firewood banking). The Forest Service R9-Eastern Region dominates funding concentration, accounting for 19 awards totaling $4.7 million in federal dollars obligated, while the broader Department of Agriculture Forest Service reports 87 awards at $5.7 million, with a single State and Private Forestry Program award of $50 thousand.
The program is predominantly Project Grant in structure (93 percent of awards), with Cooperative Agreements comprising the remaining 7 percent. Combined federal dollars obligated total $10.4 million against a combined obligated total of $21.3 million, indicating substantial nonfederal cost-share participation. Recent individual awards range from $349 thousand (Wisconsin Forestry Center careers messaging) to $978 thousand (firewood production equipment and operational expansion). The program requires cost-sharing and typically commits funds for 24-month periods, though recent awards extend to four or five years of performance.
The source does not identify an open grant opportunity with a posted application deadline or a recently published NOFO. Applicants include nonfederal agencies, public and private sector entities, institutions of higher education, nonprofits, and for-profit organizations within or serving the eastern hardwood region.
Objective and description
- Objective
To provide technical assistance and funds, on a cost-share basis, for projects that enhance opportunities for sustained forest products production for primary and secondary wood industries located in the eastern hardwood forest region of the United S
- Description
To provide technical assistance and funds, on a cost-share basis, for projects that enhance opportunities for sustained forest products production for primary and secondary wood industries located in the eastern hardwood forest region of the United States.
Eligibility
- Beneficiary eligibility
Nonfederal agencies; public and private agencies including State, local and tribal governments; institutions of higher education; non-profit organizations; for-profit organizations; corporations; businesses.
- Uses of assistance
Projects need to complement existing activities and/or focus on niches that are not being met by either industry or service providers. In addition, projects proposals need to clearly document industry support and involvement. Funds cannot be used for construction, to purchase mobile equipment, or to fund research.
- Use restrictions
Construction expenses are not allowed for this listing.
- Length and time phasing of assistance
Grants are normally awarded for a period of 24 months.
How to apply
- Preapplication coordination
Depending on available funding, an application package (including instructions, application and electronic location of financial forms) is developed each year that provides guidelines for applicants to follow in developing their proposal. Standard financial assistance application forms (SF-424, SF-424A and applicable Certifications) are required.
- Criteria for selecting proposals
When budgets allow for a competitive grants program, an evaluation panel is convened on an annual basis to evaluate and rate proposals received. Proposals are evaluated on a number of criteria including alignment with WERC's mission and goals, focus on yearly priority items, clear deliverables, industry support, minimal duplication, length of time, multi-state project, and training.
- Award procedure
Established by the USDA Forest Service, Eastern Regional Office, Milwaukee, WI
- Renewals
SF-424A with SF-424 application is required to amend the awarded amount or length of commitment. Unsuccessful applications can be resubmitted in future years.
Grant awards
Latest 10 of 107 listed here. See the rest on GovTribe.
Top recipients by federal obligations
| Rank | Recipient | Federal obligations | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University | $991,322 | 10% |
| 2 | Luxtech LLC | $590,800 | 6% |
| 3 | Wilson Engineering Services PC | $571,400 | 5% |
| 4 | Kettle Moraine Hardwoods Inc. | $522,000 | 5% |
| 5 | North Carolina State University | $519,733 | 5% |
| 6 | Regents Of The University Of Minnesota | $497,799 | 5% |
| 7 | West Virginia University Research Corporation | $450,434 | 4% |
| 8 | Department Of Forests Parks & Recreation Vermont | $400,000 | 4% |
| 9 | City Of Berlin | $400,000 | 4% |
| 10 | Baillie Lumber Co LP | $375,250 | 4% |
10 of 61 recipients listed here. See the rest on GovTribe.
Federal obligations by fiscal year
| Fiscal year | Federal obligations |
|---|---|
| FY2025 | $1,682,804 |
| FY2024 | $2,226,108 |
| FY2023 | $705,165 |
| FY2018 | $49,902 |
| FY2017 | -$362,230 |
| FY2016 | -$17,109 |
| FY2015 | $205,302 |
| FY2014 | $233,568 |
| FY2013 | $50,256 |
| FY2012 | $124,189 |
| FY2011 | $913,056 |
| FY2010 | $1,371,163 |
| FY2009 | $1,781,041 |
| FY2008 | $1,432,557 |
Show all 14
Quick answers
What is Assistance Listing 10.681?
Assistance Listing 10.681 is Wood Education and Resource Center (WERC), a federal grant program run by Forest Service (Department of Agriculture).
What is the CFDA number for Wood Education and Resource Center (WERC)?
Its CFDA number is 10.681: Assistance Listing numbers were called CFDA numbers before 2018.
How much funding has Assistance Listing 10.681 awarded?
107 grant awards under 10.681 have obligated $10,395,772 in federal funds to 61 recipients.
Who receives the most funding from 10.681?
The recipients obligated the most under Wood Education and Resource Center (WERC) are Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University ($991,322), Luxtech LLC ($590,800) and Wilson Engineering Services PC ($571,400).
How much did 10.681 obligate in fiscal year 2025?
Grants under 10.681 obligated $1,682,804 in federal funds in fiscal year 2025.
On GovTribe
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