John Z. Duling Grant Program

The John Z. Duling Grant Program is a research funding initiative established through a bequest from John Z. Duling of Indiana, a pioneering advocate for arboricultural research and a founder of the ISA Research Trust in 1972. Administered by TREE Fund, the program provides early-stage, exploratory funding to support innovative research and technology transfer projects with the potential to benefit the everyday work of arborists. These grants are designed to assist in the development of untested yet potentially transformative ideas, with an emphasis on new methodologies or interdisciplinary approaches in arboriculture. The grant is targeted at researchers proposing exploratory work that may lead to significant advancements in the field. Projects may involve the application of new disciplinary knowledge, integration of novel techniques, or the development of new research questions in arboriculture and urban forestry. The intent is to fund work that pushes the boundaries of existing practice and supports the creation of new tools, techniques, or understandings relevant to tree care professionals. For the 2025 grant cycle, the program will prioritize proposals in the areas of propagation, plant selection, development of new varieties, planting and establishment, and arboriculture theory and practice. TREE Fund encourages submissions from a wide range of academic and technical disciplines, welcoming both qualitative and quantitative research designs that align with these focus areas. The application process begins with a required Letter of Intent (LOI), due by September 15, 2025. The LOI must clearly identify the Principal Investigator and their affiliated institution. TREE Fund will evaluate submitted LOIs to determine alignment with the year’s research priorities. Only applicants with approved LOIs will be invited to submit a full application, which must be completed between August 1 and October 1, 2025. Final award decisions will be announced in late December 2025. Each grant is limited to a maximum award of $15,000, and funded projects must be completed within one to three years. No project may receive more than one award under this program. TREE Fund emphasizes that it does not fund grants to individuals, municipal tree assessments, tree planting programs, traditional forestry, or product testing for corporate benefit. Eligible research must demonstrate a clear connection to arboriculture and provide value to the professional community. The John Z. Duling Grant Program serves as a catalyst for innovation, supporting the initial development of promising research that may eventually lead to broader implementation or larger-scale study. By targeting early-stage investigations, TREE Fund aims to foster a culture of inquiry and progress within the arboricultural field.