Joint Institute for Wood Products Innovation Grant, FY 2026-2027

About this funding opportunity

This grant supports increasing the pace & scale of CA's sustainable forest restoration activities. Grant projects must (directly or indirectly) contribute to long-term forest ecosystem sustainability; forest health; carbon storage; & wood products, biofuels, or bioenergy. For more information, see the Grant Guidelines.

Eligible Activities Activities eligible for funding include research and development activities that support innovative wood and biomass products, bioenergy, workforce housing, and workforce development. Examples of potential topics include: Feasibility analyses; Permitting strategies; Feedstock supply studies; Engineering; Technology development; Market analyses; Handbooks/user guides to increase market or regulatory understanding and awareness; Design and development of new wood, biomass, or bioenergy products; Research into new applications for existing wood, biomass, or bioenergy products; Testing for regulatory compliance/performance; Affordable workforce housing design solutions in communities with economies heavily dependent on a forested landscape or forest-based activities; Software development related to wood, biomass, and bioenergy products; Assessing Institute or other significantly funded public pilot project outcomes related to Institute goals; Addressing workforce technical needs Preferred Projects Preferred Projects are projects that the Institute has identified as current needs in advancing wood and biomass utilization in the State. Proposals incorporating preferred projects may receive additional consideration. For more information, see the Grant Guidelines.

Topic areas: Circular Economy and Sustainability, Energy and Environment, Advanced Manufacturing and Industry, Workforce Development, Housing and Community Development.

Funding amount

This grant provides $5K-$375K in funding, up to $375K per award.

Deadline

Applications are due Aug 03, 2026. Confirm the exact closing time on the official program page before applying.

Who can apply

This opportunity is open to the following applicant types:

• SME
• Startups
• MidCaps
• Large Company
• Individuals
• NGOs
• Other
• Public Authorities

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants Entities and organizations considered for grant funding are those that have demonstrated accomplishments related to the purpose of the Institute or have clear and credible potential to expand and support wood, innovative wood, and biomass utilization of products resulting from sustainable forest restoration, fire salvage, and tree mortality recovery activities in California. For more information, see the Grant Guidelines.

Agency

Joint Institute for Wood Products Innovation Grant, FY 2026-2027 is administered by Board of Forestry (BF), listed via Board of Forestry.