2026 Wood Products Infrastructure Assistance Program

The Wood Products Infrastructure Assistance grant is a competitive funding opportunity offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). It is designed to support the enhancement of wood processing infrastructure that utilizes byproducts from ecosystem restoration projects on federal or Tribal lands. With a total program funding pool of up to $50 million for fiscal year 2026, this program seeks to address the growing need to reduce wildfire risks, enhance forest health, and support rural economies through strategic investments in wood product facilities. The primary aim of the program is to assist in the establishment, reopening, retrofitting, expansion, or improvement of sawmills or other wood-processing facilities that source raw materials such as logs, trees, and biomass from federal or Tribal lands undergoing ecosystem restoration. Projects that demonstrate strong alignment with these goals, especially those that reduce the cost of ecological restoration or increase the value of harvested byproducts, are prioritized. The initiative supports the larger federal mission to address national security threats from timber imports, expand American timber production, and reduce commodity loss to wildfire, as reinforced by several recent Executive Orders and Forest Service strategies. Eligible applicants include a wide array of entities such as for-profit companies, state and local governments, Indian Tribes, not-for-profit organizations, higher education institutions, and special purpose districts. The minimum funding request is $50,000 and the maximum is $2 million, with funding provided on a cost-reimbursement basis. Notably, there is no matching fund requirement, which lowers the barrier to entry for potential applicants. Funding may be used for personnel, equipment (excluding mobile equipment unless the applicant is a Tribe), supplies, travel, contractual services, and associated project costs. However, it may not be used for construction, land improvements, mobile equipment (except for Tribes), or to fund the purchase of raw materials or federal personnel involvement. Applicants must submit their proposals via Grants.gov, using the designated Wood Products Infrastructure Assistance application form (FS-1500-0049) and required federal forms (SF-424 series). All components, including required appendices such as letters of support, financial histories, resumes of key personnel, and supply agreements (if applicable), must be consolidated into one PDF. Registration in SAM.gov is required prior to submission, and applicants are strongly encouraged to consult with their regional Wood Innovations Coordinators for guidance on project competitiveness and application development. Proposals will be reviewed based on their potential impact on federal or Tribal ecosystem restoration, proximity to restoration byproduct sources, facility readiness, and alignment with federal restoration and forest management goals. Evaluation criteria emphasize measurable impacts on wildfire risk reduction, market creation for low-value biomass, and expansion of restoration efforts. Projects are scored up to 85 points across impact and readiness dimensions. Applications are due by April 22, 2026, at 11:59 PM EST. Award announcements are expected in June 2026, and performance may begin upon completion of award documentation. Reimbursement is not available for pre-award expenses. Award recipients will be expected to submit quarterly progress and financial reports, tracking key metrics such as increased processing capacity, job creation, and enhanced wood product markets. The grant program is expected to recur annually, providing ongoing support for restoration-aligned wood infrastructure development.

Projects must clearly demonstrate alignment with ecosystem restoration goals, quantify benefits, and be ready to implement quickly.