Forest Service · Department of Agriculture
2026 National Urban and Community Forestry Challenge Cost Share Grant Program
Key facts
- Deadline
- Due Oct 12, 2026 · 5 days left
- Award size
- $200K – $750K
- Total available
- $1M · about 5 awards
- Match ?
- Required · Work out your budget and match
- Who can apply
- School district, State government, Public college or university, County government, Tribal government, City or town government, Special district (utility, fire, etc.), Nonprofit with 501(c)(3), and others named in the official notice
- Where
- Anywhere in the U.S., including Tennessee
How this fits you
- Available in Blount County (nationwide program)
- Needs a match (see how much in the notice)
- Only 5 days left to apply
- Past Tennessee awards on file: 3
Tell us who you are to see whether you're eligible.
Official notice: https://simpler.grants.gov/opportunity/a9a8b77d-de7b-4cfe-aac2-7b217f908ed8 · Printed from grantme.click/grants/e9c76e7e-d4f5-41fa-a731-7d6f48cc2694
View on Grants.gov Add deadline to my calendar
More from Forest Service
- Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program · Due Oct 13, 2026 · 6 days left
- Great Lakes Restoration Initiative: Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program · Due Dec 8, 2026 · 62 days left
About this grant
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.
Your schedule, working back from the deadline
- Oct7
Check that your SAM.gov registration is active (or start it now)
Grants.gov: allow up to 10 business days for SAM registration, weeks or months if information isn't verified. It must be renewed every year. Grants.gov - Sep21
Ask partners for letters of support or commitment (already past: do it now)
Suggested: partners need about three weeks to write and sign letters. - Oct5
Finish a complete draft for a final review (already past: do it now)
Suggested: leave about a week for someone else to read the draft. - Oct10
Submit
Grants.gov: submit at least 24–48 hours before the deadline: uploads fail, systems slow down, errors need fixing. Grants.gov blog - Oct12
Deadline
From the funder.
Save this grant to put these dates in My grants and your private calendar.
Writing the need statement? Blount County facts with citations.
What the official notice requires
Pulled from the official notice NOFO_UCF_Challenge_Cost_Share_1.pdf (16 pages) so you can see the requirements at a glance. Each item shows the notice's own words. Open the page to read it in context.
Award size and project length
Award amounts here are for the whole project · p. 16
“Estimated Project Costs Cost Classification Total Cost Urban and Community Forestry Cost (Federal) Non-Federal Cost (Match) Personnel $30,000.00 $20,000.00 $10,000.00 Fringe Benefits $9,000.00 $9,000.00 $0.00 Travel $14,400.00 $6,000.00 $8,400.00 Equipment…” Open page 16
Registrations you need first (3)
SAM.gov · p. 4
“Applications submitted without an active SAM.gov registration at time of application will not be considered.” Open page 4
Unique Entity ID (UEI) · p. 9
“Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM.gov)” Open page 9
Grants.gov · p. 10
“o Registration video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJju__0bNCY&t=63s o Frequently Asked Questions: https://www.grants.gov/applicants/applicant-faqs o For assistance related to Grants.gov registration and accessing the forms, contact the Grants.gov…” Open page 10
The deadline is in 5 days. If your registration isn't already active, it may not be ready in time, so check it today. Get-ready checklist
Steps before the deadline
Pre-application · p. 10
“The submission of pre-applications, letters of intent, or similar third-party information prior to application, is not required.” Open page 10
What to submit
Indirect cost rate agreement · p. 5
“For example, if the requested Federal amount is $100,000, the applicant match must be at least $100,000. o Applicants may request reimbursement for indirect costs using an established Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA) or the de minimis rate of…” Open page 5
Budget narrative / justification · p. 8
“To be considered for funding under this opportunity, an application must contain the following documents: a detailed Project Narrative (10-page limit); a Budget Narrative; grant application forms SF-424 and SF-424A; and letters of partnership (if applicable).” Open page 8
Form SF-424 · p. 8
“To be considered for funding under this opportunity, an application must contain the following documents: a detailed Project Narrative (10-page limit); a Budget Narrative; grant application forms SF-424 and SF-424A; and letters of partnership (if applicable).” Open page 8
Form SF-424A · p. 8
“To be considered for funding under this opportunity, an application must contain the following documents: a detailed Project Narrative (10-page limit); a Budget Narrative; grant application forms SF-424 and SF-424A; and letters of partnership (if applicable).” Open page 8
Letters of support or commitment · p. 8
“Extended literature reviews and letters of support are not required but may be included in an appendix, which does not count towards the Project Narrative’s 10-page limit.” Open page 8
Timeline or schedule of completion · p. 8
“Include details regarding scope and timeline, originality and innovation, and applicability to the theme. 2.” Open page 8
Resumes or bios of key staff · p. 9
“Do not include CVs, resumes, or any unrelated background information.” Open page 9
Length limits
Project Narrative: 10 pages max · p. 8
“To be considered for funding under this opportunity, an application must contain the following documents: a detailed Project Narrative (10-page limit); a Budget Narrative; grant application forms SF-424 and SF-424A; and letters of partnership (if applicable).” Open page 8
Formatting rules
11-point font · p. 8
“All documents should be formatted to fit on an 8.5 x 11-inch page, with a clearly legible font no smaller than 11-point.” Open page 8
10-point font · p. 8
“Using 10-point font in tables is acceptable.” Open page 8
Mistakes that get applications rejected (7)
Could get your application rejected: Disqualifying Criteria: · p. 4
“Disqualifying Criteria:” Open page 4
Not an eligible applicant: Applicants that do not meet the eligibility definition will be deemed ineligible and removed from... · p. 4
“Applicants that do not meet the eligibility definition will be deemed ineligible and removed from competition without further consideration.” Open page 4
Missing a required part: Applicants that do not include cost-sharing at time of application will be deemed ineligible and removed... · p. 4
“Applicants that do not include cost-sharing at time of application will be deemed ineligible and removed from competition without further consideration.” Open page 4
Could get your application rejected: Factors Disqualifying an Application: · p. 4
“Factors Disqualifying an Application:” Open page 4
Not registered in time: Applications submitted without an active SAM.gov registration at time of application will not be considered. · p. 4
“Applications submitted without an active SAM.gov registration at time of application will not be considered.” Open page 4
Could get your application rejected: Applicants will receive notice of disqualification if any of the factors below are met. · p. 10
“Applicants will receive notice of disqualification if any of the factors below are met.” Open page 10
Missing a required part: Disqualifying Criteria: o Applicants that do not meet the eligibility definition in Section II. o... · p. 10
“Disqualifying Criteria: o Applicants that do not meet the eligibility definition in Section II. o Applicants that do not include 1:1 cost-sharing at time of application. o Applications submitted without an active SAM.gov registration at time of application.” Open page 10
Who in Tennessee has won this program
3 awards to Tennessee groups in 2 counties since 2020 · 0 in Blount County. Largest shown:
| Past winner | Where | Amount | Fiscal year |
|---|---|---|---|
| State of Tennessee | Nashville | $254K spent that year | 2025 |
| University of Tennessee | Knoxville, Knox County | $92K | 2020 |
| Tennessee Urban Forestry Council | Nashville, Davidson County | — | 2022 |
Source: Federal Audit Clearinghouse, USAspending.gov. Past awards show who this program funds. They don't guarantee future awards.
About the federal program
Urban and Community Forestry Program
Program number 10.675 (the federal Assistance Listing number) · U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service · Project grant
How applications are judged
Most grants are approved based on negotiated targets or objectives to be achieved. UCF State grants are based on local needs and resources. The national grant program selects proposals based on the National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council's criteria established for a given year and national application.
Match
Matching requirements are determined by the Washington Office. If matching funds are required, the funds cannot come from Federal Sources. Cooperator matches may be non-Federal cash, in-kind and non-cash contributions.
Examples of funded projects
Fiscal year 2025: Community Tree Inventory and Management Plan
A regional government conducts a comprehensive inventory of urban trees, assessing species, health, and canopy coverage. The data is used to develop a long-term management plan that prioritizes tree preservation, storm resilience, and strategic planting in low canopy areas.
Urban Heat Island Mitigation
A city partners with local nonprofits to plant and maintain thousands of shade trees along streets and in public parks to reduce heat island effects. The project includes installing permeable ground covers and educating residents on tree care to improve energy efficiency and air quality.