Forest Economy Program

The Forest Economy Program (FEP) is administered by the Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC), a federal-state partnership that promotes economic development across its four-state region encompassing parts of Maine, New Hampshire, New York, and Vermont. Through the FEP, NBRC aims to foster innovation and resilience within the forest-based economy by funding strategic projects aligned with state-identified economic development plans. The program supports the evolution of this critical industry by encouraging sustainable practices, adoption of advanced technologies, and the creation of new market opportunities. The Forest Economy Program provides competitive grant funding for a diverse range of projects that advance the economic viability and sustainability of forest-dependent communities. Eligible initiatives include public infrastructure investments that support forest industries, community development efforts to diversify forest use, workforce development programs, and applied research or demonstration projects with strong industry connections. Marketing, communication, and educational campaigns are also eligible but must be paired with a qualifying infrastructure, workforce, or development component. The program explicitly excludes basic research from consideration. Funding under the FEP is distributed through two competitive rounds annually. For the 2026 Spring Round, pre-applications must be submitted by February 27, 2026, at 5:00 PM EST. Only applicants invited to continue in the process may submit full applications, which are due by April 17, 2026. Awards are expected to be announced in June. A second Fall Round will follow, with pre-applications due August 18 and full applications due by October 16. Projects must be located within the NBRC’s designated service area, which includes 60 counties across the four eligible states. Only entities within this geographic boundary are eligible to receive funding under 40 U.S.C. §15733. Eligible applicants include state and local governments within the NBRC region, secondary and career technical centers, regional planning commissions, authorities of the state, non-profit entities with valid 501(c) status, and federally recognized Indian Tribes. Ineligible applicants include for-profit entities, non-501(c) organizations, and those with unresolved compliance issues related to past federal or state funding. All applicants must have demonstrated experience with federally funded economic development projects and established operations within the NBRC region. FEP projects are eligible for awards up to $1 million, with the total available funding for 2026 currently set at $4 million, pending congressional appropriations. Projects are expected to include a cost-sharing component based on NBRC’s annually updated distress criteria, which determine the required local match. Applicants are advised to consult the Forest Economy Program User Manual for full guidance on match requirements, eligible uses, and evaluation criteria. Pre-application submission is mandatory and determines eligibility and potential award size. NBRC reviews eligibility, while states issue invitations for full applications. Applications must be submitted via the NBRC online portal. Evaluation is conducted jointly by NBRC and participating states, with a focus on readiness, potential economic impact, alignment with NBRC and state-level priorities, and scalability across the region. Proposals that leverage partnerships or demonstrate cross-jurisdictional impact are particularly encouraged. Preference is given to projects supporting commercialization of new technologies, workforce training, business technical assistance, and revitalization of forest economies through sustainable and diversified uses of forest resources.

Ensure strong connection to forest industry and state-specific forest economy plans; engage state program contacts early in the process