2026 Wood Products Infrastructure Assistance Program

The Wood Products Infrastructure Assistance (WPIA) grant program, administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service, provides critical financial support for facilities that process byproducts from ecosystem restoration projects. Funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), this federal program aims to improve the economic feasibility of forest restoration on federal and Tribal lands by creating markets for low-value wood materials. The WPIA program serves as a key strategy in supporting national priorities such as wildfire mitigation, forest health improvement, rural economic development, and strengthening domestic wood-processing capacity. In Fiscal Year 2026, the program anticipates distributing up to $50 million in total funding across up to 25 projects, with individual awards ranging from $50,000 to $2 million. Eligible applicants include a broad range of entities such as for-profit companies, non-profit organizations, Indian Tribes, state and local governments, institutions of higher education, and special purpose districts. This inclusivity ensures that both public and private sector stakeholders can participate in developing local wood product markets that align with national land management goals. All applicants must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) and have a Grants.gov account to submit proposals. Applications must be completed and submitted via Grants.gov by April 22, 2026. The grant program focuses on funding projects that establish, reopen, retrofit, expand, or improve wood processing facilities such as sawmills. Eligible costs include equipment purchases, personnel, travel, and other project-related expenses. However, construction of buildings, land improvements, day-to-day operational labor, and raw material purchases are not allowable costs unless specifically noted for Tribal entities. Equipment purchases using federal funds above $10,000 per unit incur a federal interest and must comply with specific property management standards under 2 CFR Part 200. A competitive proposal must demonstrate how a facility will use substantial volumes of restoration byproducts—particularly from lands identified as high priority due to wildfire, insect, or disease risks. Projects must also show proximity to the byproduct source lands, and how facility upgrades will reduce the cost or increase the revenue of restoration projects. The program prioritizes investments that help forest managers increase the pace and scale of restoration through new or expanded market channels for low-value timber and biomass. Applications must include the FS-1500-0049 application form, supporting appendices, and standard federal forms such as SF-424, SF-424A, and SF-424B. Required appendices include resumes of key team members, letters of support, prior funding disclosures, and budget justifications. Optional but recommended appendices include supply contracts, feedstock studies, equipment quotes, and support letters from public or private partners. All documents must be uploaded to Grants.gov as a single PDF under the "Project Narrative Attachment Form." The Forest Service will evaluate proposals through a multi-stage national review process based on a defined set of criteria, including impact on restoration pace and scale, byproduct volumes utilized, facility readiness, and cost-reduction impact. Awards will be announced in June 2026, with notifications delivered by email. Progress reporting and financial tracking are mandatory post-award, including SF-425 quarterly reports and data on capacity improvements, energy production, job impacts, and other performance indicators. The WPIA program does not require cost-sharing or matching funds, making it particularly accessible for applicants in need of full financial support. Projects are expected to align with federal executive orders and agency goals related to energy independence, wildfire resilience, and active forest management.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact Regional Wood Innovations Coordinators for early proposal feedback. Include clear equipment quotes and feedstock supply data where relevant.