Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA FS COMMUNITY WOOD 2023
The 2023 Community Wood Energy and Wood Innovation Program (CWEWIP) is a competitive USDA Forest Service grant program designed to move shovel-ready projects into construction or implementation that expand the use of renewable wood energy and grow capacity for innovative wood products manufacturing. The program is rooted in several federal authorities, including rural revitalization and energy provisions in the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 and funding support tied to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Bipartisan Infrastructure Law). At its core, CWEWIP is meant to connect forest management needs with local economic development by encouraging projects that use wood and forest residues in higher-value, locally beneficial ways.
The Forest Service is looking for proposals that clearly deliver on three outcomes: expanding thermally led community wood energy or innovative wood product opportunities, improving forest health, and stimulating local economies. "Thermally led" is an important emphasis for the energy side of this program, meaning projects are expected to be driven primarily by useful heat production (often with the option to add cooling and/or electricity), rather than being electricity-only concepts. The overall idea is to create practical, near-term markets for biomass and wood materials that can support hazardous fuels reduction, thinning, and other forest health treatments, while also creating jobs and retaining economic value in rural communities.
Eligible projects are capital-focused and intended to be ready to go, with no expectation that the award will be followed by a long search for additional funds or extended delays. Examples the agency highlights include installing a community-scale wood energy system that provides heating, cooling, and/or electricity and replaces fossil fuels like coal, oil, propane, or natural gas; purchasing and installing manufacturing equipment for a mass timber production facility; expanding an existing sawmill to add higher-value product lines using innovative technologies and cost-saving measures; and equipping a new facility to produce biofuels using forest residues. These examples show that the program is not limited to energy systems alone; it also supports wood products innovation and manufacturing modernization, particularly where it increases utilization of available wood and improves economic resilience.
Funding is subject to availability, with the Forest Service planning up to $17 million in total awards under this announcement. The standard maximum award is $1 million, and it can cover up to 35 percent of a project’s total capital costs. In certain cases that warrant special consideration, especially projects located in high-unemployment areas, the Forest Service may consider awards up to $1.5 million covering up to 50 percent of total capital costs. This structure makes it clear that CWEWIP is designed to share costs rather than fully fund projects, and applicants need to have the remaining financing lined up so the project can be completed within the grant period.
While the program states that matching funds are not required, leveraging is required, which functions similarly in practice because applicants must cover the balance of project costs beyond the federal share. For example, if an applicant requests Forest Service funding equal to 35 percent of total capital costs, the applicant must commit to the remaining 65 percent as leveraged funds. Those leveraged funds must come from non-federal sources, must be committed within the grant timeframe, and must be documented. If third parties are contributing toward the leveraged amount, the application must include commitment letters confirming the amounts being provided. The program notes that leveraged funds generally carry a lower reporting burden and fewer legal requirements than formal match, but applicants still must follow the program’s leveraged funding requirements and be able to demonstrate that the full project financing is real and time-bound.
A wide range of applicants can apply, including nonprofits; local, state, and tribal governments; for-profit businesses 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 is listed as a discretionary grant under CFDA 10.708, with the funding opportunity number USDA FS COMMUNITY WOOD 2023. The original closing date listed for this round was March 23, 2023, and the stated award ceiling for the standard award is $1,000,000.
For applicant support, the Forest Service points to a pre-recorded informational webcast hosted on Vimeo and directs applicants to the Wood Innovations homepage for additional program details. The official application materials and instructions are provided through the program’s application form (FS-1500-0051) and the published guidance for the FY23 Community Wood Program, which outline how to apply and what documentation is required to demonstrate readiness, costs, and the committed leveraged funding needed to complete the project.Apply for USDA FS COMMUNITY WOOD 2023
- The Forest Service in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "2023 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 2023-01-31.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2023-03-23. (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:
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Natural Resources
Next opportunity: NIJ FY23 Research and Evaluation on Jails
Previous opportunity: FY23 IIJA Bureau of Land Management Headquarters (HQ) Threatened and Endangered Species 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 2023
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (USDA FS COMMUNITY WOOD 2023) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Wood Utilization Assistance Apply for USDA FS WOOD INNOVATIONS 2023 Funding Number: USDA FS WOOD INNOVATIONS 2023 Agency: Forest Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| BLM IIJA Bureau of Land Management Alaska Cultural and Paleontological Resource Management Apply for L23AS00202 Funding Number: L23AS00202 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $1,300,000 |
| IIJA Bureau of Land Management Colorado Threatened and Endangered Species Program Apply for L23AS00178 Funding Number: L23AS00178 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| FY23 IIJA Bureau of Land Management Nevada (NV) Fuels Management and Community Fire Assistance Program Apply for L23AS00175 Funding Number: L23AS00175 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| FY23 IIJA Bureau of Land Management Nevada (NV) Cultural and Paleontological Resource Management Apply for L23AS00180 Funding Number: L23AS00180 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| IIJA Bureau of Land Management Wyoming Plant Conservation and Restoration Management Program Apply for L23AS00217 Funding Number: L23AS00217 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $125,000 |
| F24AS00005_Fiscal Year 2024 National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program Apply for F24AS00005 Funding Number: F24AS00005 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| FY23 IIJA Bureau of Land Management Nevada (NV) Invasive and Noxious Plant Management Apply for L23AS00174 Funding Number: L23AS00174 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $350,000 |
| FY23 IIJA Bureau of Land Management Nevada (NV) Environmental Quality and Protection Apply for L23AS00148 Funding Number: L23AS00148 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $25,000 |
| Bureau of Land Management New Mexico Plant Conservation and Restoration Management Program Apply for L23AS00216 Funding Number: L23AS00216 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $3,000,000 |
| FY23 IIJA Bureau of Land Management Headquarters (HQ) Cultural and Paleontological Resource Management Apply for L23AS00193 Funding Number: L23AS00193 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| FY23 IIJA Bureau of Land Management Headquarters (HQ) Wildlife Program Apply for L23AS00179 Funding Number: L23AS00179 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $1,500,000 |
| Bureau of Land Management New Mexico Aquatic Resource Management Apply for L23AS00214 Funding Number: L23AS00214 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $297,000 |
| FY23 IIJA Bureau of Land Management Headquarters (HQ) Youth and Conservation Corps. Apply for L23AS00191 Funding Number: L23AS00191 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Bureau of Land Management New Mexico Fuels Management and Community Fire Assistance Program Apply for L23AS00210 Funding Number: L23AS00210 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $10,000,000 |
| Bureau of Land Management New Mexico Recreation and Visitor Services Apply for L23AS00218 Funding Number: L23AS00218 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Bureau of Land Management New Mexico Invasive and Noxious Plant Management Apply for L23AS00212 Funding Number: L23AS00212 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| IIJA Bureau of Land Management Colorado Wildlife Program Apply for L23AS00198 Funding Number: L23AS00198 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| FY23 IIJA Bureau of Land Management Headquarters (HQ) Rangeland Resource Management Apply for L23AS00192 Funding Number: L23AS00192 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Bureau of Land Management New Mexico Wildlife Program Apply for L23AS00215 Funding Number: L23AS00215 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $135,000 |
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 2023", 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.