Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA FS UCF 01 2016

  • The Forest Service in the agriculture business and commerce community development disaster prevention and relief education employment, labor and training energy environment health natural resources other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "2016 National Urban and Community Forestry Challenge Cost Share Grant Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
  • Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.675 Urban and Community Forestry Program.
  • This funding opportunity was created on Aug 25, 2015 and posted on Aug 25, 2015.
  • Applicants must submit their applications by Nov 23, 2015. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
  • The funding agency has allocated a total of $900,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
  • Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $300,000.00 in funding.
  • The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 75 candidate(s).
  • Eligible applicants include: Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) State governments Independent school districts Private institutions of higher education Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Special district governments Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities Public and State controlled institutions of higher education.
Apply for USDA FS UCF 01 2016

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Opportunity Summary:

The 2016 National Urban and Community Forestry Challenge Cost Share Grant Program is a competitive, discretionary grant opportunity run by the U.S. Forest Service under CFDA 10.675 (Grant Opportunity No. USDA FS UCF 01 2016). It is shaped with input from the National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council (NUCFAC), a congressionally designated advisory council that helps set national grant categories and recommends final proposals for Forest Service consideration. The central aim is to strengthen sustainable urban and community forests and green infrastructure by supporting work that improves public health and well-being, economic vitality, and long-term ecological resilience in communities across the United States and its territories.

A key point in this solicitation is that it is intended to tackle national issues, not fund purely local or single-state projects. Projects are expected to have national or multi-state application and impact, meaning they should generate transferable methods, tools, research findings, frameworks, or program models that other communities and regions can realistically adopt. The program emphasizes the broad mix of benefits delivered by urban and community forestry, including environmental services, social and health outcomes, and economic value, especially when trees and green infrastructure are planned and managed well.

For this funding cycle, NUCFAC identified three priority categories. The first category, Analysis and Solutions for Development and Redevelopment Impacts on Urban and Community Forests, focuses on how growth, land use change, and redevelopment affect tree canopy, forest function, and long-term management, and it encourages practical solutions that can be applied widely. The second category, Building Human Health Through Urban and Community Forestry, targets the connections between urban trees and human health and welfare, supporting efforts that can credibly demonstrate, measure, or expand health-related benefits at scale. The third category, Climate Change and Its Impact on Trees and Water, looks at climate-related stressors and adaptation, with particular attention to how changing conditions influence urban trees, stormwater, watersheds, and related water resources. Applicants may apply to more than one category, but they must submit a separate application for each category they pursue.

The opportunity includes a cost share or matching requirement, so applicants should be prepared to document and commit non-federal contributions consistent with program rules. The estimated total funding is about $900,000, with individual awards ranging from $80,000 (floor) to $300,000 (ceiling), and an anticipated 75 awards. The funding activity areas are broad and reflect the cross-cutting nature of urban forestry, spanning agriculture, community development, education, environment, health, natural resources, science and technology, and related fields.

Eligibility covers a wide range of organization types, including state governments, federally recognized tribal governments, special district governments, independent school districts, public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and nonprofit organizations (including both 501(c)(3) nonprofits and certain nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status, other than institutions of higher education). Applications are submitted through Grants.gov, and the announcement directs applicants to consult the NUCFAC website for the full program information and instructions.

Important administrative details included in the posting are the timeline and points of contact. The opportunity was posted August 25, 2015, and the listed closing date in the source record is November 23, 2015 (the narrative text also references a December 15, 2015 deadline, so applicants were expected to verify the controlling deadline in the official announcement). For questions or access issues, the notice lists Nancy Stremple, Natural Resource Specialist supporting NUCFAC (nstremple@fs.fed.us, phone 202-309-9873), and also encourages contacting the Forest Service Regional Urban Forestry Program Manager/Coordinator for guidance, with regional contacts provided on the Forest Service urban forestry contact page.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the 2016 National Urban and Community Forestry Challenge Cost Share Grant Program?

It is a competitive, discretionary grant opportunity administered by the U.S. Forest Service under CFDA 10.675 (Grant Opportunity No. USDA FS UCF 01 2016). The program supports work that strengthens sustainable urban and community forests and green infrastructure across the United States and its territories.

What is the main purpose of this grant program?

The central aim is to strengthen sustainable urban and community forests and green infrastructure by funding work that improves public health and well-being, supports economic vitality, and builds long-term ecological resilience in communities.

Is this program intended to fund local projects?

No. A key point in the solicitation is that it is intended to address national issues rather than fund purely local or single-state projects.

What kind of project impact is expected?

Projects are expected to have national or multi-state application and impact. The work should produce methods, tools, research findings, frameworks, or program models that can realistically be transferred and adopted by other communities and regions.

What kinds of benefits does the program emphasize?

The program emphasizes the broad mix of benefits urban and community forestry can deliver, including environmental services, social and health outcomes, and economic value, especially when trees and green infrastructure are planned and managed effectively.

Who helps shape the program priorities and recommendations?

The program is shaped with input from the National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council (NUCFAC), a congressionally designated advisory council that helps set national grant categories and recommends final proposals for Forest Service consideration.

What are the priority categories for this funding cycle?

NUCFAC identified three priority categories for this cycle: (1) Analysis and Solutions for Development and Redevelopment Impacts on Urban and Community Forests, (2) Building Human Health Through Urban and Community Forestry, and (3) Climate Change and Its Impact on Trees and Water.

What does the "Development and Redevelopment Impacts" category focus on?

This category focuses on how growth, land use change, and redevelopment affect tree canopy, forest function, and long-term management, and it encourages practical solutions that can be applied widely.

What does the "Building Human Health" category focus on?

This category targets connections between urban trees and human health and welfare, supporting efforts that can credibly demonstrate, measure, or expand health-related benefits at scale.

What does the "Climate Change and Its Impact on Trees and Water" category focus on?

This category looks at climate-related stressors and adaptation, with particular attention to impacts on urban trees, stormwater, watersheds, and related water resources.

Can an applicant apply to more than one priority category?

Yes. Applicants may apply to more than one category, but they must submit a separate application for each category they pursue.

Is there a cost share or matching requirement?

Yes. The opportunity includes a cost share (matching) requirement, and applicants should be prepared to document and commit non-federal contributions consistent with program rules.

How much total funding is available?

The estimated total funding for this cycle is about $900,000.

What is the expected award size?

Individual awards are expected to range from $80,000 (minimum) to $300,000 (maximum).

How many awards are anticipated?

The posting anticipates 75 awards.

What kinds of activity areas does this program support?

The funding activity areas are broad and cross-cutting, spanning agriculture, community development, education, environment, health, natural resources, science and technology, and related fields.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility includes state governments, federally recognized tribal governments, special district governments, independent school districts, public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and nonprofit organizations (including 501(c)(3) nonprofits and certain nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status, other than institutions of higher education).

Where are applications submitted?

Applications are submitted through Grants.gov.

Where can applicants find full instructions and official program information?

The announcement directs applicants to consult the NUCFAC website for the full program information and instructions.

When was this opportunity posted?

The opportunity was posted on August 25, 2015.

What is the application deadline?

The source record lists a closing date of November 23, 2015, while the narrative text also references a December 15, 2015 deadline. Applicants were expected to verify the controlling deadline in the official announcement.

Who can applicants contact with questions or access issues?

The notice lists Nancy Stremple, Natural Resource Specialist supporting NUCFAC, as a point of contact (nstremple@fs.fed.us, 202-309-9873).

Are there other recommended points of contact for guidance?

Yes. The posting encourages applicants to contact their Forest Service Regional Urban Forestry Program Manager/Coordinator for guidance, with regional contacts available on the Forest Service urban forestry contact page.

Does the program cover U.S. territories?

Yes. The program description indicates it supports communities across the United States and its territories.

What is the grant program number and CFDA listing?

The grant is identified as Grant Opportunity No. USDA FS UCF 01 2016 and is listed under CFDA 10.675.

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