Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA FS COMMUNITY WOOD 2024
The 2024 Community Wood Energy and Wood Innovation Program (CWEWIP) is a discretionary grant opportunity run by the USDA Forest Service (CFDA 10.708) aimed at strengthening forest health and boosting local economies by expanding two things: thermally led community-scale wood energy systems and innovative wood products manufacturing capacity. The program is grounded in multiple federal authorities, including provisions tied to rural revitalization technologies, the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Bipartisan Infrastructure Law). In plain terms, the Forest Service is using this funding to help communities and businesses turn forest biomass and wood resources into practical, local infrastructure and manufacturing upgrades that also support active forest management.
The Forest Service is looking for projects that are ready to build and ready to buy equipment now. The notice emphasizes "shovel ready" proposals that can be completed within the award period without needing extra time or additional rounds of funding after the grant is awarded. Competitive projects should clearly show how they expand renewable wood energy use or grow innovative wood product outputs, while also tying those investments to measurable benefits like improved forest health outcomes (for example, better markets for restoration byproducts or residues) and local economic impacts (jobs, local spending, increased manufacturing throughput, or long-term operating savings).
Eligible projects cover a range of capital-focused installations and facility improvements. On the wood energy side, the program supports thermally led systems, meaning the primary output is heat (and possibly cooling or electricity as secondary outputs), typically serving a community facility or set of buildings while displacing fossil fuels like heating oil, propane, coal, or natural gas. On the wood innovation side, examples include purchasing and installing manufacturing equipment for mass timber production, expanding a sawmill to add higher-value product lines using innovative technology and cost-saving measures, or equipping a new facility to produce biofuels from forest residues. The common theme is that the grant is intended to pay for tangible capital costs that directly enable a project to operate or expand, not for early-stage concept work.
Funding is limited and awards depend on availability. The Forest Service plans to make up to $6 million in total awards under this announcement. The typical maximum award is $1 million per project, and that amount can cover up to 35 percent of total capital costs. For proposals that justify special consideration, the Forest Service may consider awards up to $1.5 million covering up to 50 percent of total capital costs, with a specific emphasis on projects in high-unemployment areas. This structure makes it clear the program is designed to be a catalyst rather than full project financing, with the applicant expected to carry most of the total cost.
A key requirement is leveraging. Formal matching funds are not required, but applicants must bring in and commit the remainder of the project funding beyond the Forest Service share. For example, if a project requests Forest Service funds equal to 35 percent of capital costs, the applicant must provide the other 65 percent as leveraged funds. Those leveraged funds must come from non-federal sources and must be committed within the grant timeframe. If the leveraging comes from third parties (partners, investors, utilities, philanthropic entities, or other contributors), the application must include commitment letters that state the amount being committed. While leveraged funds generally have fewer compliance burdens than federal matching funds, the notice makes it clear applicants still have to follow the program requirements tied to those leveraged contributions.
A broad range of applicants are eligible, including non-profits; local, state, and tribal governments; for-profit businesses, companies, and corporations; institutions of higher education; and special purpose districts such as public utility districts, fire districts, conservation districts, school districts, and ports. The opportunity was posted under Funding Opportunity Number "USDA FS COMMUNITY WOOD 2024," with an original closing date of December 15, 2023, and an award ceiling listed at $1,000,000 (with the separate note that certain proposals may be considered up to $1.5 million under special circumstances). Application materials and instructions are provided through the Forest Service Community Wood Program resources, including the official application form (FS-1500-0051) and a prerecorded informational webcast available online.Apply for USDA FS COMMUNITY WOOD 2024
- The Forest Service in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "2024 Community Wood Energy and Wood Innovation Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.708.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2023-10-18.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2023-12-15. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,000,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
FAQs: 2024 Community Wood Energy and Wood Innovation Program (CWEWIP)
What is the 2024 Community Wood Energy and Wood Innovation Program (CWEWIP)?
The 2024 Community Wood Energy and Wood Innovation Program (CWEWIP) is a discretionary grant opportunity run by the USDA Forest Service (CFDA 10.708). It is designed to strengthen forest health and boost local economies by expanding (1) thermally led, community-scale wood energy systems and (2) innovative wood products manufacturing capacity.
What is the main goal of this grant program?
The program aims to help communities and businesses convert forest biomass and wood resources into practical local infrastructure and manufacturing upgrades. The Forest Service emphasizes measurable benefits such as increased renewable wood energy use, increased innovative wood product outputs, improved markets for restoration byproducts/residues, forest health outcomes, and local economic impacts (jobs, local spending, throughput increases, or long-term operating savings).
Which federal agency runs the program?
The USDA Forest Service runs the program.
What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?
The CFDA number listed is 10.708.
What federal authorities is CWEWIP tied to?
The program is grounded in multiple federal authorities, including provisions tied to rural revitalization technologies, the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Bipartisan Infrastructure Law).
What types of projects does the Forest Service want to fund?
The Forest Service is looking for capital-focused projects that are ready to build and ready to purchase equipment now. The notice emphasizes "shovel ready" proposals that can be completed within the award period without needing extra time or additional rounds of funding after award.
What does "shovel ready" mean in this context?
Based on the notice language, "shovel ready" means the project is sufficiently prepared to proceed to construction and/or equipment procurement promptly and can be completed within the award period without requiring extensions or additional funding rounds beyond the grant.
Does this grant support early-stage concept development or feasibility studies?
No. The common theme described is that the grant is intended to pay for tangible capital costs that directly enable a project to operate or expand, not for early-stage concept work.
What is meant by "thermally led" wood energy systems?
"Thermally led" means the primary output is heat. The system may also produce cooling or electricity as secondary outputs, but heat is the main purpose. These systems typically serve a community facility or a set of buildings while displacing fossil fuels.
What kinds of fossil fuels can wood energy projects displace under this program?
The notice cites displacement of heating oil, propane, coal, or natural gas.
What are examples of eligible wood energy projects?
Eligible wood energy projects include community-scale, thermally led wood energy installations that deliver heat (and potentially cooling or electricity as secondary outputs) to community facilities or multiple buildings, with the goal of replacing fossil-fuel-based heating.
What are examples of eligible wood innovation projects?
Examples provided include purchasing and installing manufacturing equipment for mass timber production, expanding a sawmill to add higher-value product lines using innovative technology and cost-saving measures, or equipping a new facility to produce biofuels from forest residues.
Is the program focused more on equipment and construction than on planning?
Yes. The program description repeatedly emphasizes capital-focused installations and facility improvements, and it highlights readiness to buy equipment and complete the project within the award period.
How much total funding does the Forest Service plan to award under this announcement?
The Forest Service plans to make up to $6 million in total awards under this announcement, depending on availability.
What is the typical maximum award amount per project?
The typical maximum award is $1 million per project.
How much of a project's total capital costs can the grant cover?
The typical structure allows the award to cover up to 35 percent of total capital costs.
Are larger awards possible?
Yes. For proposals that justify special consideration, the Forest Service may consider awards up to $1.5 million covering up to 50 percent of total capital costs, with a specific emphasis on projects in high-unemployment areas.
Does the program require a formal match?
No formal matching funds are required. However, applicants must bring in and commit the remainder of project funding beyond the Forest Service share.
What does "leveraging" mean for this program?
Leveraging means the applicant must fund the portion of capital costs not covered by the Forest Service award. For example, if the grant request equals 35 percent of capital costs, the applicant must provide the other 65 percent as leveraged funds.
Do leveraged funds have to be from non-federal sources?
Yes. The notice specifies leveraged funds must come from non-federal sources and must be committed within the grant timeframe.
If partners are contributing funds, what documentation is needed?
If leveraging comes from third parties (partners, investors, utilities, philanthropic entities, or other contributors), the application must include commitment letters stating the amount being committed.
Do leveraged funds have compliance requirements?
The notice indicates leveraged funds generally have fewer compliance burdens than federal matching funds, but applicants still must follow program requirements tied to those leveraged contributions.
Who is eligible to apply?
A broad range of applicants are eligible, including non-profits; local, state, and tribal governments; for-profit businesses, companies, and corporations; institutions of higher education; and special purpose districts such as public utility districts, fire districts, conservation districts, school districts, and ports.
Are special purpose districts eligible applicants?
Yes. The notice explicitly lists special purpose districts, including public utility districts, fire districts, conservation districts, school districts, and ports.
What makes a project competitive under this announcement?
Competitive projects clearly show how they will expand renewable wood energy use or grow innovative wood product outputs, and they connect those investments to measurable benefits such as improved forest health outcomes and local economic impacts (jobs, local spending, manufacturing throughput, or long-term operating savings). The project should also be shovel ready and feasible within the award period.
Is this program intended to fully finance a project?
No. The structure described (typically up to 35 percent of capital costs, with applicants covering the remainder) indicates the program is meant to be a catalyst rather than full project financing.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this grant?
The Funding Opportunity Number is "USDA FS COMMUNITY WOOD 2024."
What was the original application closing date listed?
The original closing date listed was December 15, 2023.
What is the award ceiling shown in the posting?
The award ceiling listed is $1,000,000, with a separate note that certain proposals may be considered up to $1.5 million under special circumstances.
Where can applicants find application materials and instructions?
Application materials and instructions are provided through the Forest Service Community Wood Program resources, including the official application form (FS-1500-0051) and a prerecorded informational webcast available online.
What is the official application form number mentioned?
The official application form referenced is FS-1500-0051.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Natural Resources
Next opportunity: Bidirectional Influences Between Adolescent Social Media Use and Mental Health (R21 Clinical Trial Optional)
Previous opportunity: Adversarial Resilient Cyber Effects for Decision Dominance Collaborative Research Program
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for USDA FS COMMUNITY WOOD 2024
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (USDA FS COMMUNITY WOOD 2024) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Wood Utilization Assistance Apply for USDA FS WOOD INNOVATIONS 2024 Funding Number: USDA FS WOOD INNOVATIONS 2024 Agency: Forest Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| FY24 IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management Oregon/Washington (ORWA) Threatened and Endangered Species Program Apply for L24AS00041 Funding Number: L24AS00041 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $1,500,000 |
| FY24 IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management Oregon/Washington (ORWA) Cultural and Paleontology Resource Management Apply for L24AS00040 Funding Number: L24AS00040 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Groundwater and Streamflow Information Program, National Ground-Water Monitoring Network Apply for G24AS00405 Funding Number: G24AS00405 Agency: Geological Survey Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| FY24 IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management Oregon/Washington (ORWA) Plant Conservation and Restoration Management Apply for L24AS00042 Funding Number: L24AS00042 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| FY24 IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management Oregon/Washington (ORWA) Aquatic Resource Management Apply for L24AS00038 Funding Number: L24AS00038 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| FY24 IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management Idaho (ID) Invasive and Noxious Plant Management Program Apply for L24AS00095 Funding Number: L24AS00095 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| FY24 IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management Idaho (ID) Recreation and Visitor Services Program Apply for L24AS00094 Funding Number: L24AS00094 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management Alaska Rangeland Resource Management Apply for L24AS00086 Funding Number: L24AS00086 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management Alaska Invasive and Noxious Plant Management Program Apply for L24AS00084 Funding Number: L24AS00084 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| FY24 IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management Idaho (ID) Cultural and Paleontology Resource Management Apply for L24AS00075 Funding Number: L24AS00075 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $32,000 |
| FY24 IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management Idaho (ID) Threatened and Endangered Species Program Apply for L24AS00096 Funding Number: L24AS00096 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management Alaska Plant Conservation and Restoration Management Apply for L24AS00083 Funding Number: L24AS00083 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management Alaska Recreation and Visitor Services Program Apply for L24AS00076 Funding Number: L24AS00076 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $375,000 |
| FY24 IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management Oregon/Washington (ORWA) Recreation and Visitor Services Program Apply for L24AS00049 Funding Number: L24AS00049 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| FY24 IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management Oregon/Washington (ORWA) Rangeland Resource Management Apply for L24AS00048 Funding Number: L24AS00048 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| FY24 Bureau of Land Management Wild Horse and Burro Resource Management - Off Range Apply for L24AS00087 Funding Number: L24AS00087 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $7,500,000 |
| F24AS00061 - FY 2024 Competitive State Wildlife Grant (C-SWG) Program Apply for F24AS00061 Funding Number: F24AS00061 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management Alaska Fuels Management and Community Fire Assistance Program Apply for L24AS00135 Funding Number: L24AS00135 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $800,000 |
| FY24 IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management Oregon/Washington (ORWA) Forest and Woodlands Resource Management Apply for L24AS00045 Funding Number: L24AS00045 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $250,000 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "USDA FS COMMUNITY WOOD 2024", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.