Jack Kimmel International Grant Program

The Jack Kimmel International Grant Program is a research-focused initiative that honors the legacy of Jack Kimmel, the former Director of Parks for the City of Toronto and a longtime leader in the arboricultural community. Funded through the Canadian TREE Fund and administered by TREE Fund, this program supports scientific research that contributes to the global advancement of arboriculture and urban forestry practices. It provides vital seed funding to researchers outside the United States whose work addresses issues relevant to the arboriculture profession. This grant program is open to international researchers and institutions, with a particular focus on projects that advance practical and theoretical knowledge in arboriculture. Each grant is capped at $10,000, and funds are distributed based on the assessed value of the proposed research in relation to community needs. Projects must be completed within one to two years. Only one grant may be awarded per project, and funding is not renewable for repeat phases of the same study. For the 2025 cycle, TREE Fund has set three areas of emphasis: Arboriculture Theory and Practice (including pruning, fertilization, and climbing), Tree Health, and Risk Assessment and Mitigation (covering structural integrity and decay). Letters of inquiry that fall outside of these focus areas will not be considered. TREE Fund encourages applications from diverse academic and technical disciplines, embracing both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies. The application process is two-stage and begins with the submission of a Letter of Intent (LOI) by September 15, 2025. LOIs must clearly identify the Principal Investigator and host institution and must align with the program’s current focus areas. Upon approval, applicants will be invited to submit a full application, due by October 1, 2025. The full application window runs from August 1 to October 1. All applications must be submitted through TREE Fund’s online portal. The final award decisions will be made by the TREE Fund Board of Trustees in December 2025 following evaluation by the Research Committee. Awarded grantees will receive a grant agreement outlining reporting requirements and payment schedules. The agreement must be completed and returned with supporting documents within one month of notification. TREE Fund advises applicants to review the agreement template with their home institution’s grant or finance office prior to submission to avoid delays. Grant recipients are expected to share their findings in a timely and accessible manner. While TREE Fund recognizes the value of academic publication, it encourages grantees to make research results broadly available and to publish in peer-reviewed journals when possible. Publications or presentations should acknowledge TREE Fund’s support. Examples of recommended outlets include Arboriculture and Urban Forestry, Urban Ecosystems, and the Journal of Urban Health, among others. TREE Fund does not fund tree planting, product testing, municipal tree surveys, or studies in traditional forestry, agroforestry, or conservation biology.