The Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) focuses on supporting forest landowners through three proposal tracks. Track A targets proposals with budgets between $2 million and $25 million, with a deadline of October 21, 2023, and approximately $100 million available. Track B supports proposals under $2 million, due on August 21, 2024, with $50 million in funding allocated on a rolling basis. Track C invites proposals for administering a national regranting program with budgets from $5 million to $50 million, due also on August 21, 2024.
Eligible applicants include state and local governments, tribal entities, educational institutions, and nonprofit and for-profit organizations—individuals are excluded. Proposals should support participation of underserved and small-acreage landowners, focusing on ecosystem resilience and net positive outcomes. Evaluation criteria include alignment with program priorities, technical merit, budget efficiency, and organizational capability.
The document outlines necessary application steps, required proposal documents, and ineligible activities. It emphasizes the importance of leveraging non-Federal contributions and highlights the assistance available through navigators and USDA resources. Key dates include webinars for application support and deadlines for proposal submissions, with expected award announcements starting in early 2024.
The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) provides a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for Forest Landowner Support, focusing on assisting Tribal applicants through budget tracks A and B. Track A targets proposals between $2 million and $25 million, with a deadline of October 21, 2023, and approximately $100 million in available funds. Track B supports proposals under $2 million, considered on a rolling basis until August 21, 2024, with about $50 million allocated. Funding aims to support climate-resilient forestry in rural areas, benefiting non-Federal landowners and Tribal lands.
Eligibility extends to various entities, including state and local governments, Tribal governments, and educational institutions, but individuals cannot apply. Key focus areas include underserved landowners and small-acreage landowners with less than 2,500 acres. The application process involves registering on SAM.gov, creating a Grants.gov account, and submitting various required documents. Proposals will be evaluated based on alignment with program priorities, technical merit, organizational capacity, and budget efficiency. Ineligible activities include land acquisition and direct payments to private landowners. The USDA Forest Service emphasizes balancing geographic location and project scope in funding decisions, with webinars and assistance available to applicants throughout the process.