2026 Wood Products Infrastructure Assistance Program

The Wood Products Infrastructure Assistance Program is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). This program aims to support the financial viability of facilities that procure and process timber and biomass byproducts derived from ecosystem restoration activities on federal and Tribal lands. The goal is to promote ecological health and fire resiliency in at-risk landscapes while also strengthening rural economies through infrastructure investment. Eligible projects may involve the establishment, reopening, retrofitting, expansion, or improvement of sawmills or other wood-processing facilities. The Forest Service will prioritize applications from entities that demonstrate they can obtain a substantial volume—approximately 50 percent—of raw materials from federal or Tribal lands that are identified as high-priority for restoration due to threats from wildfire, insect infestation, or disease. Proposals should detail how the investment will contribute to reducing the costs or increasing the revenue associated with ecological restoration or land management projects by creating market pathways for timber and biomass byproducts. Eligible projects are also expected to enhance manufacturing efficiency or increase wood utilization capacity in a manner that aligns with the broader goals of active forest management and wildfire risk reduction. Funding for the program is available through grants ranging from $50,000 to $2,000,000. A total of up to $50 million may be awarded across up to 25 projects. Notably, there is no cost-sharing or matching requirement for this opportunity. Grant funds may be used for personnel, travel, equipment (primarily stationary or permanently installed), supplies, and contractual services directly related to the wood-processing facility upgrades. Certain expenses are unallowable, including construction or site improvements, day-to-day operations, mobile equipment purchases (except for Tribal applicants), and purchasing of feedstock. Applicants must meet eligibility criteria including for-profit entities, not-for-profit organizations, state and local governments, Tribal governments, institutions of higher education, and special purpose districts. To apply, entities must be registered with both SAM.gov and Grants.gov. The application package must include the completed FS-1500-0049 form, project narrative, SF-424 forms (including SF-424A and SF-424B), and several required appendices such as letters of support, prior funding disclosures, key personnel résumés, and if applicable, a negotiated indirect cost rate agreement (NICRA). Applications must be submitted electronically via Grants.gov by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on April 22, 2026. The anticipated award notification date is June 2026. There is no pre-application gating requirement such as a letter of intent. Proposals will be evaluated based on multiple criteria, including alignment with ecological restoration priorities, procurement volume from qualifying lands, technical readiness, and the expected market and community impacts of the proposed project. Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact their USDA Forest Service Regional Wood Innovations Coordinators to ensure alignment with program goals and competitiveness. Contact details are provided on the Wood Innovations Program website. The Forest Service also reserves the right to consider applications for other Wood Innovations funding opportunities and may consider applicants' performance on prior awards during the selection process. The program is expected to recur annually.

Consult with regional coordinators to improve competitiveness; Ensure sourcing proximity and restoration alignment.