Funding-Limited submission - USDA Woody Biomass Utilization Grant Program; October 12, 2009

The USDA Forest Service, State and Private Forestry, Technology Marketing Unit, located at the Forest Products Laboratory, requests proposals for forest product projects that address the nationwide challenge in dealing with low-valued material removed from hazardous fuel reduction activities on both public and private lands.

The hazardous fuels woody biomass utilization grant program is intended to help improve forest restoration activities by using and creating markets for low-valued material and woody biomass removed from forest restoration activities on both public and private forestlands. These funds are targeted to help communities, entrepreneurs, and others turn residues from hazardous fuel reduction and forest health activities into marketable forest products and/or energy products.

Individual grants under this program are $50,000 - $350,000, with a cost sharing requirement of at least 20% (cash or in-kind contributions). The program has a two-step application process. Pre-applications have a postmark deadline of November 20, 2009. USDA will invite successful pre-applicants to submit a full proposal that will be due April 2, 2010.
 
Additional information and details are available at: http://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/research/units/tmu/tmugrants.shtml
 

Because USDA limits an organization to one pre-application, the University of Kentucky has established an internal selection process. Individuals interested in submitting to this program are to submit the following material electronically to the Office of the Vice President for Research at vpr@email.uky.edu and a copy to their Associate Dean for Research by Monday, October 12, 2009:

• Names and department of Project Director and Other Key Personnel
• Project description and its impact on National Forest System Lands Forest Restoration Activities (2 pages)
• Budget, including the source of the 20% required match

A committee will be appointed to review the information and make recommendations concerning the University’s submission.  The individual selected to be UK’s applicant will be notified in sufficient time to prepare the pre-application for the November 20, 2009 deadline.

Questions about the submission process may be sent to Ms. Annette Evans in the Office of the Vice President for Research (alevan4@email.uky.edu or 257-1663).