2026 National Urban and Community Forestry Challenge Cost Share Grant Program
Forest Service · Opportunity USDA-FS-UCF-01-2026
≈ 5 awards expected
Who can apply
- State governments
- County governments
- City or township governments
- Special district governments
- Independent school districts
- Public and State institutions of higher education
- Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
- Public housing authorities
- Nonprofits with 501(c)(3), other than higher education
About this opportunity
The intent of the National Urban and Community Forestry Challenge Cost Share grant program is to advance solutions to the economic, health, and environmental challenges faced by communities. This year’s program focuses on advancing community tree resource utilization, which can reduce waste and create value by turning wood generated from pruning, removals, storm events, and pest or disease outbreaks into useful products. These products may include lumber, slabs, furniture, flooring, biochar, or other materials that strengthen local economies, reduce disposal costs, and improve community resilience. The program seeks practical, creative, and replicable projects that help communities establish or expand wood‑utilization efforts. Competitive proposals will demonstrate how the project supports existing community forestry plans, applies industry‑recognized safety and tree‑care standards, and delivers clear economic, environmental, or workforce benefits. Projects should outline anticipated wood products, partnerships with professional or industry organizations, and opportunities for job creation, training, or certification. This program is intended for communities and their partners seeking to improve the management and use of their urban and community forests. Eligible applicants include state, local, and tribal governments, nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and other community‑based partners. Projects must conform to laws and authorities in Section 9 of the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act ([16 U.S.C. 2105] Urban and Community Forestry Assistance) as amended.
Award history — Urban and Community Forestry Program (Assistance Listing 10.675)
This program made 20 new awards in FY2025.
Across the 147 most recent awards. Total obligations, not per-year.
New awards recorded on USAspending.gov under the federal program that funds this opportunity. FY2025 figures may still be incomplete. Forest Service does not publish how many applications it receives, so a true success rate cannot be computed for this program — no one can honestly sell you that number.
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